MOOREFIELD, W.Va. — George Hott was considered by some to be the greatest athlete Hardy County ever produced, and those who knew him say he was an even better person.
The three-sport Moorefield star played professional baseball and turned down an opportunity in the National Football League, instead returning to his hometown, where he became a Hall of Fame baseball coach, football coach, teacher and Hardy County sheriff during a lifetime of service.
Hott passed away on Thursday at the age of 97.
Hott’s legend began when he blossomed into an All-State athlete at Moorefield in three sports.
He was named All-Potomac Valley Conference three times in baseball and football — twice All-State as a halfback — and was also two-time all-conference in basketball.
The 6-foot-3 Hott then went to Morgantown, West Virginia, where he lettered in football at West Virginia University in 1949 before signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization to play baseball.
After batting .339 and hitting safely 151 times with the Pirates’ minor league affiliate in Salisbury, North Carolina, in 1950, Hott completed 17 months of military service in Germany.
Upon returning, he hit .308 with the Burlington-Graham Pirates as a first baseman, but he came back to the area in 1954 when he enrolled at Shepherd University to play football.
In 1955, Hott scored 14 touchdowns to anchor the Rams’ first undefeated season, of which he was a co-captain, and earn All-West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference first team. He’s a member of the WVIAC All-Time team.
Hott is a member of Shepherd’s Hall of Fame.
After graduating in 1957, he went to California, where Washington’s NFL’s team was holding its training camp. Hott impressed, earning a spot as the franchise’s second-team running back.
However, Hott got word he’d been offered a coaching and teaching job at Moorefield, and returned to Hardy County following a three-week stint as an NFL player.
Hott was instrumental in establishing a Moorefield baseball program that has become a juggernaut in recent memory, taking over the head coaching position in 1957, a post he held for 22 years.
He led the Yellow Jackets to five state tournament appearances, an impressive feat given there were no school classifications in those days.
Hott was inducted into the West Virginia Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2021.
Moorefield’s baseball field dons his name.
Hott’s stability set the tone for Moorefield’s consistent baseball success, as, remarkably, there have only been three baseball coaches at Moorefield over the past 68 years.
Hott was followed by Charles Landes, whose teams were state runner-ups three times and semifinalists in four instances over his 21-year tenure.
Current Moorefield manager Wade Armentrout took the torch in 2000, bringing Moorefield its first state championship two years later and guiding it to four more, including a run of three in a row from 2018-21.
Hott also coached the Moorefield football team for nearly two decades, heading the program from 1958-73, compiling a 70-67-9 record.
Hott was named PVC Coach of the Year twice, once in football (1971) and once in baseball (1972).
After retiring from education, he continued serving his community as sheriff of Hardy County — following in his father’s footsteps — and was later recognized as the Spirit of Hardy County, a reflection of the deep love and respect his neighbors held for him.
Hott’s faith guided every aspect of his life. A lifelong member of Duffey Memorial Church, he served in numerous leadership roles. He was also a dedicated member of the VFW and American Legion Post 64, where he served as Post Commander and honored the service of others.
A devoted husband, Hott was married to the late Betty Carter Hott for 74 years.
The family invites the public to a Celebration of Life on Aug. 17 from 2–4 p.m. at Misty Mountain Event Barn in Fisher, West Virginia. Light refreshments will be served and all are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Duffey Memorial Church in Moorefield, West Virginia, Moorefield High School’s athletic department or the charity of your choice.