Surgery will come next week in Charleston for Willie Akers, a legend in high school basketball in West Virginia.
Akers, 75, was seriously injured in a fall at the Charleston Civic Center on Wednesday.
Speedy Bevins with MetroNews Affiliate WVOW Radio in Logan, where Akers serves as a Logan County Commissioner, says Akers wass being weaned off a ventilator Friday at Charleston Area Medical Center General Hospital.
“He does have a broken C-6 vertebrae and that can be dicey. His family acknowledges that this can be difficult,” Bevins said on Friday’s MetroNews Talkline.
He says surgery to repair the vertebrae in Akers’ neck could potentially lead to paralysis.
Akers coached basketball at Logan High for more than 20 years. A graduate of Mullens High School, he played basketball at West Virginia University from 1958 to 1960.
“Willie is indeed an icon and, not because he was a coaching legend, but because he has truly helped people in so many ways through the years,” Bevins said.
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Comments
gv
He is a great person, I wish him a speedy recovery!
February 14, 2013 at 11:52 am | Report comment
cutty77
Great News about Willie.He's a pretty tough Guy.I wish you nothing but The Best Willie.His Main Man Jerry West has checked in on him to,I'm sure.Willie is Loved By All.
February 14, 2013 at 6:32 pm | Report comment
Medman
We met Willie in 1958 at WVU while we were students. First class guy all the way. We pray for his recovery.
February 15, 2013 at 4:38 pm | Report comment
Mathworker
One of the nicest and honest people that I have ever been associated with in WV.
February 27, 2013 at 4:29 pm | Report comment