Photo Courtesy Union Local alumni, WVU alumnus Colton McKivitz, now a 49er in San Francisco, promotes the services provided by the WVU health system in his community.
BARNESVILLE — WVU Medicine Barnesville and Harrison Community hospitals have partnered with San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman, West Virginia University alumnus and community native Colton McKivitz to highlight the services offered at both facilities. Assisted in new marketing campaigns to collect.
“WVU has done so much for me in terms of football and my education. .” Mackiwitz said. “Increased services and access to specialized care in Morgantown have made a huge difference for friends and families in Belmont and Harrison counties.”
McKivitz started playing soccer in 2012, his sophomore year at Union Local High School. “On the first day of sophomore practice, his high school offensive line coach told him he could play college ball. Wendy McKivitz, Colton’s mother, said: “He played baseball and basketball, so I suggested Colton attend a college football camp to learn more about the sport.”
He ended up being the Jets’ three-year starter and two-year captain. He also played high school basketball. After graduating, McKivitz moved to WVU where he played in 50 football games over the course of five years.
In his first game as a Mountaineer, the redshirt freshman McKivitz suffered an injured left hand against Charles Harris, a defensive lineman at the University of Missouri who would be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft the following year. I participated in the tackle. .
“Colton held back and didn’t allow the sack” Wendy said. “We didn’t even expect him to play. That’s when we knew this could be something special.”
During his senior year at WVU, McKivitz started all 12 games and was named Big 12 Conference Co-Offensive Lineman of the Year, First Team All-Big 12, and AP Third Team All-America. In 2020, McKivitz was drafted by the 49ers in the fifth round.
“It was such an amazing moment to finally see him live his dream.” Wendy said. “We watched him play for three years in high school and five years in college. Words just couldn’t put that moment into words.”
Marketing campaigns for Barnesville and Harrison Community Hospitals feature McKivitz in videos, graphics, billboards and advertisements.
