Mountain Top Media
Opinion: Kentucky autism care stops at state line
by ALLISON BALL
Ky. Auditor of Public Accounts
While some Kentucky parents encourage their children to leave home in search of brighter opportunities, one Louisville mother sent her son 700 miles away simply to keep him safe after discovering that Kentucky offered no viable solution.
As reported by WHAS 11, Shannon Crawford has a 15-year-old son named Chase with profound autism. His condition contributes to behaviors that result in risk of injury to himself or others, despite no intent to cause harm. Because of Chase’s safety concern, he requires around-the-clock treatment and care, which is most suitable for an inpatient residential facility.
The problem is that Kentucky offers no such facility for children like Chase. Chase is now one of three Louisville youths receiving treatment within the same Wichita, Kan., facility, hundreds of miles from home.
Last month, parents and caretakers of children with autism came from across the Commonwealth to meet in Frankfort and to press state officials over the crisis experienced by the Crawfords and others. Despite the Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ role in administering autism resources in Kentucky, not one Cabinet official attended the gathering.
But my team from the Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman did. The Ombudsman exists to hold CHFS accountable so that Kentuckians depending upon these public services receive them.
When the media asked the Governor’s administration about this crisis, CHFS deflected the problem to the Community Health for Improved Lives and Development waiver program. The CHILD waiver is a short-term program allowing children not otherwise qualified for Medicaid to receive this service and to spend Medicaid dollars on additional resources.
Unfortunately, CHFS restricted the waiver’s eligibility to 100 children who are experiencing dire circumstances such as homelessness, a medical crisis, or involvement within the justice system. An additional and extreme option is that parents can surrender custody of their children with profound autism to the state to permit the children to qualify for the waiver. That is absurd.
The message from CHFS is clear: No Cabinet-initiated help is coming.
On June 17, members of the General Assembly discussed this problem with CHFS leadership. One lawmaker addressed CHFS Secretary Dr. Steven Stack and shared the stories of the families and caretakers discussed last month in Frankfort. Dr. Stack offered no solutions and said that the cost of receiving out-of-state inpatient care falls to the families.
Dr. Stack’s response to the General Assembly shows that no solution is forthcoming from the Cabinet.
CHFS is also in the process of a substantial reduction in outpatient services at the Lee Specialty Clinic, a Louisville facility that serves individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, where more than a thousand patients will be impacted. While the Cabinet claims that budget cuts forced them to make this drastic of a decision, we know that if CHFS were more efficient with its use of taxpayer funds, it might not have as many budgetary issues as it claims.
CHFS has failed to provide a pathway for families with profoundly autistic children like the Crawfords with the support necessary. This response from CHFS is unacceptable. These kids and families deserve a government that shows up for them—their health, safety, and quality of life depend on it.
The post Opinion: Kentucky autism care stops at state line appeared first on Mountain Top Media.
Marshall Athletics Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2026
PRESS RELEASE: MARSHALL ATHLETICS
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Athletics’ Hall of Fame Committee is proud to unveil nine inductees who have been announced for the Marshall Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
Marshall’s nine inductees will be honored during the 2026 Hall of Fame luncheon, which will take place at Noon on Sept. 12 prior to the Herd’s home opener against Middle Tennessee, which is at 7 p.m. that evening. The group will also be honored on the field during the game.
Further details involving the 2026 Hall of Fame will be announced in the coming future.
“Every member of the Marshall Athletics Hall of Fame has helped write a chapter in the story of our university,” said Gerald J. Harrison, Marshall’s Vice President and Director of Athletics. “This year’s class embodies the passion, perseverance, and excellence that define Marshall Athletics. Their achievements on the field, in the classroom and beyond have elevated our program and left a lasting impact on countless student-athletes who have followed in their footsteps. We are deeply thankful for all they have done to represent Marshall with pride. I also want to express my gratitude to our Hall of Fame Committee for the care, time and integrity they bring to this importance process each year. Selecting a Hall of Fame class is never easy, but their commitment ensures we continue to honor those who have made extraordinary contributions to Marshall Athletics. It is our privilege to celebrate this outstanding class.”
The Marshall Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026 inductees are as follows:
- Kellie Beckelheimer-Wood, Volleyball (1988-91)
- Christian Brand, Men’s Golf (2006-11)
- Jon Elmore, Men’s Basketball (2015-19)
- Shayna Gore, Women’s Basketball (2015-19)
- Mario Harvey, Football (2007-10)
- Michaela Kissell, Tennis (2009-11)
- Cody Slate, Football (2005-09)
- Morgan Zerkle, Softball (2014-17)
Legends Category
- Otto “Swede” Gullickson, Coach (1930-63)
The list is made up of eight honorees out of the full nominations list as well as one inductee from the ‘Legends’ list, which includes those whose involvement with Marshall occurred at least 45 years ago.
Harrison has announced that the Marshall Athletics Hall of Fame will return to an annual format in the future, starting with this Class of 2026.
Here is a detailed capsule look at each nominee, listed in alphabetical order:
Marshall Athletics 2026 Hall of Fame Class
Kellie Beckelheimer-Wood, Volleyball
1988-91
Kellie Beckelheimer-Wood will go down as one of the most influential players in Marshall Volleyball history after being a three-time All-Southern Conference selection (1989, 1990, 1991). Beckelheimer-Wood was also named to the Southern Conference’s 100th Anniversary Team in 2022. In 1988, Kellie helped Marshall earn the SoCon Championship with sweeps of Furman and App State before a 3-1 win over Western Carolina in the SoCon Championship. Those were the first wins in the SoCon Tournament for the Herd since restarting the program in 1984. Kellie Beckelheimer-Hicks is littered across the Marshall record books with 114 block solos, 343 total blocks – both of which are top-5 in Herd history. She is also top-10 in kills per set (3.17), kills (1,208) and block assists (206). She had 482 kills in 1991 and led the Herd in kills from 1989-91. She also was named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll in 1989 and 1990.
Christian Brand, Men’s Golf
2006-11
Christian Brand is one of the most renowned members of the Herd Men’s Golf team in history, bursting on the scene early in his career and continuing his strong play throughout his five years with the Herd to provide a steady presence in the Marshall lineup. Brand won Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors and was a member of the C-USA All-Freshman Team in 2006-07 and followed by leading Marshall in stroke average in the 2007-08 season (74.2), 2008-09 season (75.5) and 2010-11 season (73.2). Following his Marshall career, he has gone on to a successful professional career that included playing on the Korn Ferry Tour before regaining amateur status. He has also advanced to the Round of 32 at the U.S. Amateur, the quarterfinals of the U.S. Mid-Am and has multiple victories in the West Virginia Amateur and the West Virginia Open.
Jon Elmore, Men’s Basketball
2015-19
Jon Elmore is highly-regarded as one of the greatest players in Marshall Men’s Basketball history following a career in which he set Conference USA records for career points and assists. His 2,638 career points stood atop the Herd’s all-time marks when he finished his career and he is still No. 1 in Marshall history with 783 assists, 356 made 3-point shots and 686 career free throws. Elmore is a two-time All-Conference USA First Team selection and was named the Conference USA Tournament Most Valuable Player after leading the Herd to a C-USA Championship win over Western Kentucky. He followed that by leading Marshall to its first NCAA Tournament appearance and victory in 31 years when the Herd – a No. 13 seed – upset No. 4 seed Wichita State, 81-75, in San Diego. Elmore continues to shine professionally, having won a G League title with the Stockton Kings in 2024-25.
Shayna Gore, Women’s Basketball
2015-19
Shayna Gore became one of the elite scorers in Marshall Women’s Basketball history during her time with the Herd, which included being a three-time All-Conference USA honoree. Gore earned First Team All-Conference USA honors in 2019 after consecutive seasons as a Second Team All-Conference USA honoree in 2017 and 2018. Shayna ranks No. 3 all-time in Marshall history in scoring with 2,081 career points – a figure that is in the top-10 in Conference USA history, as well. Gore stands alone in Marshall history with 303 made 3-point baskets – a figure she got by connecting for three of the top-7 seasons in Marshall history for made 3-pointers. Her 303 career 3-pointers are also No. 6 in Conference USA history. Gore continues to make an impact in the game, serving as an assistant coach for Youngstown State University.
Swede Gullickson, Track & Field/Cross Country/Trainer
1930-63 (Legend category)
Otto “Swede” Gullickson served as Marshall’s Head Athletic Trainer from 1930-63 while also serving as coach of the newly-formed Men’s Track and Cross Country teams in the 1940s and 1950s. Gullickson served as track coach from 1947-52 and cross country coach from 1948-52. His Outdoor Track team won the 1951 Ohio Valley Conference title while his Cross Country teams earned titles in 1951 and 1952. In addition to his athletics duties, Gullickson served as a professor of Physical Education at Marshall University and the university’s Director of Intramurals where he developed one of the most extensive collegiate programs in the nation. In 1964, the newly-built Health and Physical Education Building on Marshall’s campus was dedicated and named “Gullickson Hall” in recognition of his 33 years of service to the Marshall community. That building is now where the Scaggs Family Practice Facility is now located.
Mario Harvey, Football
2007-10
Mario Harvey earned the nickname “Thumper” for his hard-hitting style and his impact on the Herd defense, as well as the opposing offensive players which he looked to shut down. Harvey was named to three All-American teams (Sports Illustrated, CollegeFootballNews.com and Phil Steele) after a 2010 season in which he finished with 143 total tackles. In addition to the All-American honors, Harvey was a two-time All-Conference USA First Team selection in 2009 and 2010. He finished with three seasons in which he exceeded 100 tackles and his 420 career tackles is Top 10 in Herd history. Harvey finished his career with 21 sacks, which is also Top 10 in Marshall ranks, and 34.5 tackles for loss.
Michaela Kissell (Eddins), Tennis
2009-11
Michaela Kissell’s two seasons at Marshall littered her name all over the Marshall Tennis record book. She advanced to the NCAA Tournament in both 2010 and 2011 in singles – only one of two MU players to do so – and also teamed with doubles partner Dominika Zaprazna to advance to the NCAA Doubles Tournament. Kissell and Zaprazna also teamed to the NCAA Indoor Championships. Kissell was named the Conference USA Newcomer of the Year in 2010 and also earned First Team All-Conference USA honors in singles and doubles that year. Kissell’s 2010 also featured a title at the ITA Atlantic Region singles championships – a tournament where she also paired with Zaprazna for the doubles title. In 2011, Kissell was ranked as high as No. 27 nationally and was the ITA Atlantic Region Senior of the Year and an ITA All-American Scholar-Athlete. Her combined singles and doubles record of 110-44 is fourth-best in program history and she’s tied for eighth in a single season for victories with 29. Kissell also won the 2010 C-USA Spirit of Service Award and was a C-USA Academic Medal of Honor recipient in both seasons with the Herd.
Cody Slate, Football
2005-09
Cody Slate was a three-time Conference USA First Team honoree (2006, 2007, 2009) and finished his career as the most prolific pass-catching tight end in history with 199 catches and 2,619 yards. He also has 23 touchdown catches to his credit, making him one of the top scoring receivers in Marshall history as well. In 2009, Slate earned the Sports Performance Award as the nation’s top tight end and was a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award following a season in which he caught 50 passes for 601 yards and four scores. That came off a 2008 season when, despite missing two games to injury, Slate had 40 catches for 510 yards and a team-best eight touchdowns. In 2006 and 2007, Slate led the Herd in receiving from his tight end spot. The 2007 season featured his best numbers when he caught 66 passes for 818 yards and five touchdowns. He also earned Conference USA All-Freshman Team honors in 2006 after finishing with 43 catches for 684 yards and six touchdowns. He had five 100-yard receiving games in his career.
Morgan Zerkle, Softball
2014-17
Morgan Zerkle is in Marshall’s record books as the most decorated softball athlete in history following a career in which she earned numerous accolades on the national and conference level. In 2017, Zerkle was named as a Second Team All-American, Conference USA Athlete of the Year, Conference USA’s Softball Player of the Year and Marshall’s Female Athlete of the Year. She also was a three-time Academic All-American and a three-time All-Conference USA First Team selection (2015, 2016, 2017). During her senior year, Zerkle led Marshall to the 2017 NCAA Tournament after one of the most successful seasons in Herd history. Zerkle is Marshall’s all-time leader in career batting average (.451) and she also leads the record books in triples with 14. Her 289 base hits are No. 2 and her 141 stolen bases rank No. 3 all-time. Following her career with the Herd, Zerkle continued her global impact on the game, playing for Team USA and also embarking on a professional career in the AUSL, in which she is a 10-year veteran. Zerkle became Marshall’s softball coach in 2023 and led the Herd to the NCAA Tournament in her third season at the helm, becoming the first Marshall Softball player to make the NCAA Tournament as a player and a coach.
For all the latest information about Marshall Athletics, follow @HerdZone on X and Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS and Android.
The post Marshall Athletics Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2026 appeared first on Mountain Top Media.
Viewing page 4 of 5|Previous Page|Next Page