Charles W. “Charlie” Hendricks

The Tyler Consolidated Silver Knight Touchdown Club paid homage to a very special fan on Friday during the Silver Knight – Doddridge varsity football game. The late Charles W. “Charlie” Hendricks was recognized posthumously as the first ever “Fan of the Week” was presented at the school.

“A great fan of every Silver Knight sport and every athlete,” announcer Scott Strode said during the special presentation. “Charlie Hendricks epitomized the meaning of a true fan . . . he will be missed.”

The Touchdown Club was formed during the summer to give extra support to all sports programs at Tyler Consolidated and organizers decided early on to begin a “Fan of the Week” program, an award to be presented, for now, during the home football games. Hendricks was unanimously voted to be the first fan to receive the award.

“It’s very appropriate that Charlie was the first to receive the award,” said Ryan Walton, head coach of the Silver Knight football team. “He did a lot for the school, for the sports programs and for the kids. And he did much more than attend a few games.”

“If something was needed and it was in the realm of his capabilities, he did it, got it done or had it done. He never gave up and kept on until the project was finished.”

For instance, Hendricks worked tirelessly on the lights at the Knight baseball field as well as at the Sistersville City Park to ensure the kids would be able to play, and play safely, after dark.

Hendricks passed away on June 24, 2013, at the age of 83. Anyone attending any sporting event at Tyler Consolidated anytime in the past several years likely saw him with his stadium seat and a smile on his face as he watched one of his favorite teams in action. In fact, he was such a fan, in his obituary he stipulated that instead of flowers, memorial contributions were to be made in his memory to the Tyler Consolidated High School Knights Athletics.

Still supporting his team, even in the hereafter.

“Dad loved watching the kids play sports at Sistersville and then at Tyler Consolidated,” said Charlie’s daughter Beth Roberts. “He also loved to watch his grandson Chase play baseball for Cabell Midland. Dad loved kids!”

His wife Dorothy Thomas Hendricks; daughters, Debbie Weekley, Rhonda Burton, and Beth Roberts; son-in-laws Mike Weekley, and Bill Burton; grandson Andy Weekley; his sister, Mary Jane Rutherford; and other family members were attendance at Friday’s game for the presentation.

“He was one of the good guys,” Coach Walton said. “He was always looking for a way to support the kids.”