Veteran WVU Staff Members Randy Meador and Billy Brandt Set to Retire: After Decades of Dedication, Two Beloved Figures Embark on New Adventures
After a combined 70 years of dedicated service to West Virginia University, two of its most respected and beloved staff members, Randy Meador and Billy Brandt, are set to retire this summer. Their departure marks the end of an era defined by quiet leadership, tireless behind-the-scenes work, and an unwavering commitment to the spirit of the Mountaineers.
Randy Meador, known across campus as the “Voice of the Coliseum,” has served as WVU’s facilities coordinator and public address announcer for men’s basketball since the early 1980s. His deep baritone and composed presence at the scorer’s table became a staple of game days, reverberating through the halls of the WVU Coliseum like a familiar hymn. But Meador’s contributions extended far beyond the microphone. He oversaw countless renovations, guided logistical operations during major athletic events, and ensured the historic arena maintained its integrity and charm. Colleagues describe him as meticulous, humble, and unflinchingly loyal—someone who never sought the spotlight, even as his voice became one of WVU’s most recognizable.
Billy Brandt, meanwhile, has been the heartbeat of Mountaineer operations on the football side. Serving most recently as the Director of Football Operations, Brandt has worked under multiple head coaches, adapting to changing regimes while remaining a steady presence in the locker room. Known affectionately by players and staff as “Coach B,” Brandt was the master of organization—handling team travel, logistics, and scheduling with a precision only decades of experience can provide. But it was his relationship with student-athletes that left the deepest mark. “Billy’s office was always open,” said one former Mountaineer linebacker. “If you were having a rough day, you could count on Coach B to lift you up with a story, a joke, or just a quiet nod that said, ‘I’ve got your back.’”
Together, Meador and Brandt represent a kind of institutional memory that cannot be replaced—stewards of tradition who quietly ensured that WVU’s athletic programs operated with class and excellence. Their retirements come not with fanfare but with gratitude, admiration, and a tinge of bittersweetness.
University officials plan to honor both men with a special ceremony later this summer, expected to include testimonials from former athletes, coaches, and colleagues. While both have expressed excitement about the next chapter—Meador plans to travel with his wife across the country in their newly refurbished camper, while Brandt hopes to write a memoir about his decades in college football—each admits that leaving Morgantown will be difficult.
“WVU isn’t just a job,” Meador said quietly during a recent farewell luncheon. “It’s family. It’s home.”
As they step away from the fields and courts they’ve long tended, Randy Meador and Billy Brandt leave behind more than legacies—they leave behind echoes of integrity, dedication, and heart. Here’s to their next journey, paved with the same grace and grit they brought to West Virginia University.
