A younger Larry “Mad Max” Maxwell rallies the crowd during a Parkersburg South High School football game many years ago. The new Mad Max Spirit Fund has been established at the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — A new endowment fund to honor the efforts of a man dedicated to encouraging pride at Parkersburg South High School has been established at the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation.

The Mad Max Spirit Fund, named after Larry “Mad Max” Maxwell, will foster school spirit and pride at Parkersburg South High School.

“I’m deeply humbled by my friends, family, and community for coming together to establish this endowment fund in my honor,” Maxwell said. “This fund is designed to support our students and to help them build on the enthusiasm and energy I have for PSHS. My hope is that PSHS remains a pillar of our community, with its students growing in excitement and pride thanks to the energy I’ve sparked with my years of dedication.”

Maxwell is a 1965 graduate of Parkersburg High School and taught English at Parkersburg South for 37 years, taught at Mountain State College for 22 years, was a Parkersburg South assistant soccer coach for seven years, led the Parkersburg South Rat Pack Spirit Group, was the unofficial Patriot mascot for many years and is celebrated for his dedication and commitment to the students of Parkersburg South. During his nearly 40-year teaching career, Maxwell inspired students with his enthusiasm.

He served in the Air Force from 1968 to 1972 and was an airborne radio operator deployed from 1970-1971 at Pho Kat, Viet Nam. He was in 147 combat missions.

Larry “Mad Max” Maxwell, who has lifted spirits at Parkersburg South High School for nearly four decades, poses with a carved Patriot. His friends and family have established the Mad Max Spirit Fund at the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation to encourage school spirit and pride. (Photo Provided)

In honor of his contributions, Maxwell’s friends and family formed the Mad Max Spirit Fund with the community foundation to provide annual distributions to Parkersburg South to support initiatives enhancing school spirit and fostering pride among students.

The fund will engage students in diverse activities and events that promote school unity, strengthen students’ connection to Parkersburg South, develop student ambassadors who represent and advocate for the school and its values and cultivate pride in the students’ educational journey.

The Mad Max Spirit Fund will support non-athletic initiatives. The fund will not be used to support athletic programs or student participation in athletics and not be allocated for scholarships or monetary prizes for students or alumni.

To contribute to the Mad Max Spirit Fund, donations can be mailed by check payable to the foundation with the fund name on the memo line to: PACF, PO Box 1762, Parkersburg, WV, 26102. Online donations also are accepted at www.pacfwv.com/give.

For more information or to discuss other giving options, contact Julie Posey, senior development and stewardship officer, at 304-428-4438.

Larry “Mad Max” Maxwell poses with the flag of Parkersburg South HIgh School where he taught for 37 years and encouraged school pride on and off the athletic fields and courts. To honor his dedication to the school, the Mad Max Spirit Fund has been established at the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation. (Photo Provided)