Post by rainman on Aug 20, 2008 9:42:00 GMT -5
We all know that Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps’ parents graduated from Fairmont State.
But where were they from?
The FSU files lists Debbie Davisson Phelps, Michael’s mother who became a national favorite from all the television coverage she received, as having been born in Keyser, but having a home address in Westernport, Md.
His father, Fred Phelps, was in the FSU records as having been born in Cumberland, but having a home address at Luke, Md.
The couple was divorced when Michael was around 7 years old, and we heard no mention of the father at all on the television coverage of the Olympics. We saw one reference in a wire story noting that Michael’s relationship with his father was strained.
Debbie Davisson was raised in Westernport, Md., with a population slightly over 2,100.
Debbie took part in field day sports and was on the sidelines as a cheerleader during games. Schools didn’t have girls athletic teams back in the ’60s, when she was in school.
Debbie’s father owns a contracting business.
Michael’s father grew up in Luke, Md., which had a population of 80 in the 2000 census. Both of these towns are located near Piedmont, W.Va.
Fred Phelps once said that Luke’s population was once as high as 250, but every time somebody died, a nearby factory would buy the property. Fred also said that his community had three seasons: football, hunting and fishing.
“Being able to see my two older sisters grow up with swimming and dedicate themselves to the sport, it’s a different environment,” Michael Phelps said. “I grew up around the pool. I was always around the pool. If I didn’t have that, I wouldn't be here today.”
But where were they from?
The FSU files lists Debbie Davisson Phelps, Michael’s mother who became a national favorite from all the television coverage she received, as having been born in Keyser, but having a home address in Westernport, Md.
His father, Fred Phelps, was in the FSU records as having been born in Cumberland, but having a home address at Luke, Md.
The couple was divorced when Michael was around 7 years old, and we heard no mention of the father at all on the television coverage of the Olympics. We saw one reference in a wire story noting that Michael’s relationship with his father was strained.
Debbie Davisson was raised in Westernport, Md., with a population slightly over 2,100.
Debbie took part in field day sports and was on the sidelines as a cheerleader during games. Schools didn’t have girls athletic teams back in the ’60s, when she was in school.
Debbie’s father owns a contracting business.
Michael’s father grew up in Luke, Md., which had a population of 80 in the 2000 census. Both of these towns are located near Piedmont, W.Va.
Fred Phelps once said that Luke’s population was once as high as 250, but every time somebody died, a nearby factory would buy the property. Fred also said that his community had three seasons: football, hunting and fishing.
“Being able to see my two older sisters grow up with swimming and dedicate themselves to the sport, it’s a different environment,” Michael Phelps said. “I grew up around the pool. I was always around the pool. If I didn’t have that, I wouldn't be here today.”
