Karlee Bruck, Elyria High Volleyball

Elyria High’s excellence in volleyball continued with the play of Karlee Bruck, a 2007 EHS graduate.  She graduated from Elyria High as the school’s all-time solo blocks leader with 210 over her career. The team, coached by Hall of Famer Carol Russo, was 71-9 in her three years on the varsity. Karlee earned a scholarship to the University of Michigan where she lettered all four years. She is currently the coach at Rocky River High School.

Aubrey Oliver, Elyria High Softball

Elyria High’s 2002 softball team broke through to win the school’s first state championship with Aubrey Oliver in the circle for the Pioneers. Oliver was 18-2 as a junior with a 0.28 ERA and followed that up with a 23-2 record and a 0.69 ERA during her senior season capped by the state championship. The team, coached by Hall of Famer Ken Fenik, was previously inducted into the ESHOF in 2015.  Oliver struck out 215 hitters in 151 innings in 2001 and followed that up with 218 Ks in 163 innings during the championship season.  

Dave Phiel, Elyria High and Elyria Catholic Hockey

A 1975 graduate of Elyria High, Dave Phiel made his impact felt at both EHS and EC. At Elyria, he led the Flyers in scoring three straight years, earning an eventual scholarship to Bowling Green. Phiel was the Flyer’s MVP. He also played one season in Canada in the junior program. After graduation from BG, Phiel helped found the Elyria Catholic hockey program as the school’s first coach from 1994 through 2010. The Panthers were three time district champions under his tutelage and he was named as the league Coach of the Year three times. 

Brian Schneider, Elyria Catholic football

Elyria Catholic’s second of three state championships (1976, 1983 and 1984)  was led by Lorain County’s Golden Helmet winner — Brian Schneider in 1983. Schneider was part of the two-headed monster backfield for the Panthers in 1983. Both he and Al McKinney rushed for over 1,000 yards during the undefeated state championship season, capped by a 14-9 win over Urbana in the title game at Columbus. Schneider was named Lorain County’s MVP as an offensive back in 1983. He was the leading scorer in the Erie Coast Conference both his junior and senior seasons. He also played basketball and baseball for EC.

Rebecca Yarish-Bowen, Elyria Catholic Volleyball

Rebecca Yarish was Elyria Catholic’s first Miss Volleyball in 1987, her senior season with the Panthers. She was EC’s Gilgenbach Award Winner in 1988 as Elyria Catholic’s outstanding female athlete. Yarish earned a scholarship to Kent State where she excelled on the court and in the classroom for the Flashes. She was named to ESPN’s Academic All-American team in 1990 and was named to the Mid-American Conference All-Academic team both in 1989 and 1990. She was a four-year letter-winner for Kent State and finished in the top five in six career categories. She also ranked in the top five in six individual game stats at Kent. She held the school’s record for kills upon graduation.

2003 Open Door Basketball Team

It was the first time the City of Elyria celebrated a Final Four team in basketball in 26 years when Open Door stunned the D-IV field at the regional tournament by beating favored Sebring-McKinley, 43-42. Led by Tori Davis, the Patriots finished the season 20-6. Al Januzzi was Open Door’s coach in 2003. Other members of the team were Tony Madolone, Brett Schmidt, Mike Asbury, Jason Piper, Adam Freeman, Jared Herron, Aaron Freeman, Steven Miller, Matt Galati and Gene Mason. David Freeman and Lee Schmidt assisted Januzzi. The school qualified for the state tournament in spite of having only 61 boys enrolled in the school.

Steve Kirsh, Distinguished Service Award

Since 1991, the Elyria Sports Hall of Fame has honored those individuals with the Distinguished Service Award for being active in the community in a variety of ways. For 32 years, Steve Kirsh has been a dependable and reliable force behind both the Elyria Catholic football and basketball programs as the scoreboard operator. Kirsh was also a past ESHOF chairman in 2006 and has served on the board for many years..