A New Chapter for a Forgotten Town
Wayland, a small community in Floyd County, Kentucky, was once sustained by coal mines that provided jobs, a hospital, a theater, a hotel, a bank and a baseball field. When the mines closed and the high school shut its doors, the town lost the central gathering place that had defined its identity for generations.
The story takes a turn with King Kelly Coleman, who scored 4,337 points at Wayland High School and became Kentucky’s first Mr. Basketball. His legacy lives on in the gym that once echoed with the cheers of a proud community, now filled with memorabilia ranging from jerseys to trophies and photographs of Eastern Kentucky’s basketball greats.
Mayor Jerry Fultz and his wife, Margaret King, have been welcoming visitors, sharing the town’s rich history and emphasizing the significance of the gym as a cultural touchstone. Their efforts are bolstered by former basketball star J.R. VanHoose, who helps illustrate the venue’s importance during tours.
The preservation project, branded as the Mountain Sports Hall of Fame, aims to transform the gym into a destination for sports enthusiasts. By showcasing Coleman’s achievements and those of other local players, the hall hopes to attract tourists, encourage local spending and create a new economic engine for Wayland.
Jerry Fultz envisions the hall as more than a museum; he sees it as a catalyst for broader revitalization, drawing visitors who might otherwise overlook the town. The initiative reflects a broader strategy to leverage the community’s unique basketball heritage to foster growth and bring renewed attention to Eastern Kentucky’s hidden gems.