How the 52-20 Club got its name

The Facebook discussion started out as a discussion of the Frank Lowe meat market just across from Consolidation Coal Company’s Champion grocery store and wended its way to the 52/20 Club in Monongah history.

The building, currently owned by John Pelillio, and the Consol store both were immediately after you crossed the railroad tracks after traversing the bridge across the West Fork River that separated West Monongah and East Monongah.

The Basagic family ran the beer tavern and named it the 52/20 Club. For the youngsters among us, that referred to the GI Bill for World War II veterans that provided $20 a week for 52 weeks for unemployed veterans.

That wasn’t the only benefits in the GI Bill, officially the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act. It provided education and training opportunities. The ex-military were much more serious about their college opportunity than teenagers who didn’t experience the terror of war, as I recall from my WVU days with Korean Conflict veterans.

The GI Bill also provided loan guarantees for a home, farm or business and priority for building materials for Veterans Administration hospitals.

It was a “thank you” to those who gave up a chunk of their lives to save democracy from Hitler. The payback to society was returned manyfold.

As for the Basagic family, there are sprinkled throughout Monongah High history. Richard Basagic, Class of 1949, was on the MHS football team when I was team manager (meaning I got to handle used jockstraps and other menial tasks for two years to get one “M” letter). Richard’s son is Pete Basagic, Class of 1972. Another Richard Basagic is Class of 1975.  

Former Monongah High cheerleader Goldie Basagic Huffman, Class of 1974, who once worked for the federal government, and husband John Huffman are the parents of Brooke Huffman Pethtel, married to Adam Pethtel.

Julius Basagic is Class of 1945.

Goldie Basagic Myers is Class of 1943.

Hassan Basagic, Class of 1963, attended the 2013 Monongah High Alumni Reunion with Marlene Sandy. Hassan Basagic, Jr., Class of 1941, died in 1980.

John Basagic is Class of 1966.

Bruce Basagic is Class of 1969.

Debra Basagic Berry is Class of 1970.
Pete Basagic is Class of 1972.

Sandra Basagic, after Parkersburg High, Fairmont State and West Virginia University, works for the Marion County Board of Education, is married and lives in Fairmont.

Cathy Basagic, Fairmon State catering programs coordinator, is from Rachel and lives in Monongah.