CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Reservation forms just went out and already more than 200 alumni have signed up for the annual reunion of the East Bank High School Alumni Association.

Of course, it is the 50th anniversary of the alumni reunion, which started out in the basement of a Baptist Church before expanding attendance moved the dinner-dance to the Charleston Civic Center.

But Association President Nancy Pat Maloney suspects the alumnus of the year may be the draw.

It wasn't as if they hadn't asked him before.

Jerry West had been chosen three other times. He couldn't accept the honor then because of his busy schedule as a player and coach with the NBA.

"I was so thankful when I called him and he said yes, he would come," said Maloney. "We all are very, very proud of him and his accomplishments and are so, so very pleased he is able to come back this year."

Maloney said she was a sportswriter for the East Bank Pioneer Post and covered West's high school career, including the 1956 state basketball championship game that the Pioneers won by 71-56 over Morgantown.

At least one of West's high school teammates has sent in his reservation form - Joe Chrest of Baton Rouge, La.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Reservation forms just went out and already more than 200 alumni have signed up for the annual reunion of the East Bank High School Alumni Association.

Of course, it is the 50th anniversary of the alumni reunion, which started out in the basement of a Baptist Church before expanding attendance moved the dinner-dance to the Charleston Civic Center.

But Association President Nancy Pat Maloney suspects the alumnus of the year may be the draw.

It wasn't as if they hadn't asked him before.

Jerry West had been chosen three other times. He couldn't accept the honor then because of his busy schedule as a player and coach with the NBA.

"I was so thankful when I called him and he said yes, he would come," said Maloney. "We all are very, very proud of him and his accomplishments and are so, so very pleased he is able to come back this year."

Maloney said she was a sportswriter for the East Bank Pioneer Post and covered West's high school career, including the 1956 state basketball championship game that the Pioneers won by 71-56 over Morgantown.

At least one of West's high school teammates has sent in his reservation form - Joe Chrest of Baton Rouge, La.

East Bank High School opened in 1912 and closed in 1999 when it merged with DuPont  into Riverside High School. Although individual classes have reunions, the schoolwide reunion usually brings a crowd of 500 or more.

"I have no idea what to expect this year," said Maloney.

For the 50th, former alumni of the year have been invited back, she said. Others who have been honored include UMW President Cecil Roberts, businessman Chris Jarrett and Maj. Gen. Allen Tackett, who - with his wife Sallie Pat - are co-chairmen of the reunion's golf tournament.

In addition to the reunion, the alumni association awards Dana and Ethel Ervin Scholarships that have totaled $196,400. Named for a former principal and his wife, five $3,000 scholarships were awarded for 2009.    

Maloney said people who graduated from or attended East Bank High School are eligible to attend the reunion.

A social hour starts at 5 p.m. followed by dinner and then the dance at 10 p.m. The band Exiles - whose members are all East Bank grads - will play.  

Tickets are $40 and reservations may be made by calling Maloney at 304-595-1040, or association vice president Hope Stanley at 304-949-2931 or e-mailing kathyebh...@gmail.com.

 To sign up for the golf tournament on Sept. 25 at Scarlet Oaks Country Club in Poca, call Sallie Tackett at 204-595-1626.

Reach Rosalie Earle at ea...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5115.