1980’s

Class of 1989

Jackie Williams Below

Known in her Elyria High days as Jackie Williams, Below was a standout in the early years of volleyball, basketball and especially track at Elyria where she captained all three teams. After graduation in 1976, she went on to national track fame in college — gaining the highest national honors of any female athlete in Elyria history. Below held EHS records in the 100 and 220 dashes and was a member of school record 440, 880, spring medley and mile relay teams. She qualified to the state track meet in a total of six events her junior and senior years. She placed in three as a senior (5th in the 100, 6th in the 880 and 2nd in the mile relay). Her prowess continued at Lorain County Community College. She captained the basketball team – earning two letters. In track, she qualified for the NJCAA National championship track meet in four events in 1978 and two in ’79 and was All-American both years. Then it was on to Prairie View A&M in Texas – the No. 1 team in the nation in 1980 when Below attended. She was nationally ranked in both the 100 and 200 meters and qualified for the Olympic Trials in both events. At the 1980 Astrodome Invitational against some of the best runners in the world including those from East Germany and Russia, she placed 2nd in the 100. Below has been a standout in recreational softball, participating on numerous city championship teams. In 1975, her Red Barn team finished 5th in the state and in ’79, her Smink Electric squad qualified for the national championship. Below has since turned her talents to coaching – both at the junior high and high school levels. Her 2003 Girls Track team won the Division I state championship for Elyria High.

Tom Norton

Tom Norton was known as a big, strong, right-handed pitcher during his scholastic career at Elyria High and that strong right arm carried him to a brief career in the major leagues with the Minnesota Twins. Norton’s career with the Twins was brief (he pitched in 1972) but making it to the big leagues is quite an accomplishment. Norton was only the second Elyria High graduate to play in the big leagues – the first being the legendary Vic Janowicz. Norton’s numbers for the Twins were respectable – a 2.81 Earned Run Average in 32 1/3 innings. The highlight of Norton’s professional career came in 1975 in the minor leagues where he threw a no-hitter for Tacoma in the AAA Pacific Coast League at Honolulu. He struck out 11 batters. Prior to his pro career, Norton was a standout for the Pioneers and Elyria’s Post 12 American Legion team. Norton teamed with fellow Elyria Sports Hall-of-Famer Dennis Queen to give Elyria a potent righty-lefty combination. As is the case with many pitchers, Norton’s career was cut short due to arm problems. He did pitch briefly in Mexico and with a Chicago White Sox farm team.

Chris Reinhardt

When you add it all up, Chris Reinhardt will be remembered as one of the top basketball players ever to suit up for Elyria High. Reinhardt’s high school career was highlighted by several honors. He earned second team All-Ohio, first team All-Buckeye Conference, first team All-District honors during his outstanding career. Reinhardt scored over 20 points 15 times for the Pioneers – his career high of 28 points against Sandusky. He grabbed a career-high 25 rebounds against Mansfield. Reinhardt was a three-year starter for the Pioneers and his point average steadily rose throughout his career. As a sophomore, he scored 5.8 points per game and increased his production to 15.9 as a junior when his last second shot defeated rival Admiral King in the sectional title game. He scored 18.9 points per game as a senior in 1970, leading Elyria to the regional finals. He scored 473 points and was named the MVP of the sectional tournament that year. Upon graduation, Reinhardt had 883 career points for Elyria – second all time at that point. Reinhardt became the only Elyria High athlete to earn a basketball scholarship to Ohio State – where he lettered.

Bob Slager

Bob Slager didn’t invent the word service but he certainly took it to the highest plane. Whether paid to do the job or not, Slager gave his time willingly as a coach, official and organizer of youth sports. He was responsible for keeping the Lorain County Decathlon alive and started the girls Pentathon. The Decathlon was successful for more than 25 years. Slager served as commissioner for the city’s former Hot Stove baseball program and also coached. As an active football and basketball official, Slager served as president of the Elyria Umpires Association. Slager’s forte was track. He was associated with Elyria’s program for 24 years – starting in 1958. He was head coach for the final 15, stepping down after the 1981 season. Among his trace accomplishments in coaching were the 1967 Buckeye Conference championship, championships in relays at Sandusky, Berea, and Amherst. His teams won several district titles and every Elyria High record was tied or broken during his tenure. Slager started in the Elyria School System in 1954 starting at Edison Elementary. He moved on to Franklin Junior High for three years before moving on to Elyria High. He was an assistant basketball coach under the legendary Dale Reichenbach from 1963-66. Since his retirement, Slager has remained active in local track evernts and has served the Elyria Sports Hall of Fame as its treasurer for many, many years.

Mac Thomas

Mac Thomas could do it all for Elyria High’s football team. As a wingback, he was nothing short of sensational – helping the Pioneers to consecutive undefeated teams in 1968 and 69. As a defensive back, he was a member of a unit that allowed just 24 points and just one touchdown all year in ‘69. Thomas was named All-Ohio by the United Press International, first team All-Buckeye Conference and was selected by the Chronicle Telegram as one of Elyria’s players-of-the-year. In 1969, Thomas scored eight touchdowns and four two-point conversions. In fact, he scored in nine of the 10 Elyria games and tied for eighth in the area in scoring. He rushed for 511 yards, averaging 7.9 yards per attempt. He caught six passes for 61 yards. He was also impressive in track – setting records in the 100-yard dash, the 220-yard dash, the 180-yard low hurdles and the 880-yard relay. Thomas went on to a fine career at the University of Akron. He played split end and earned three letters. He averaged 19 yards per catch and in 1973 received the Fred Sefton Award as the Zips’ top offensive player. He played in the All-Ohio Shrine Bowl All-Star game in 1973. Thomas returned to the Elyria Schools – first serving as a teacher at Eastern Heights Junior High before becoming an assistant principal at Elyria High.

Class of 1988

John Howard

Judge John Howard was a true ‘Pioneer’ during his athletic days. Not only did he excel in athletics as an Elyria High Pioneer but he became the first black athlete from Elyria to make major accomplishments at the collegiate level at Florida A&M. Howard participated in football, basketball and track at Elyria from 1937-41 and at Florida A&M from 1941-45. His favorite sports were football and basketball. At Elyria, he was the first black captain of a major sport. He was named to the All-Lake Erie basketball team and was said to be “the outstanding player of the league” by one of the coaches even though two other first teamers were named to the All-State team. Howard led the team in scoring his senior year and earned six varsity letters – a record at that time. In football – in spite of being the smallest starter on the team — Howard was a stalwart performer on both sides of the ball – at fullback and end. In track and field, Howard captured the district high jump championship and was the only Elyria High athlete to participate in the state tournament in Columbus. In college, Howard led A&M to a Southern Conference title and a national Black Championship as a sophomore running back and safety. He also returned punts. As a senior quarterback, Howard was named captain fo the squad and was named to the all-league team and All-American. His 85-yard run gave A&M a victory in the Orange Blossom Classic against Tennessee State in 1944. In basketball, he helped the team win a league championship as a freshman and captained the team his junior and senior years. His team won the league tournament and Howard led the team in scoring – leading his team to a record team scoring season. After his playing days, Howard enrolled at Ohio State and earned his Law Degree from Capital University in 1949. He is a retired municipal judge.

Pat Kershaw

Pat Kershaw brought recognition to the position of football lineman – normally in the publicity shadows. After starring as an All-Buckeye Conference offensive tackle at Elyria High in 1967 and 68, Kershaw went on to a starting spot on a Big Ten team – Northwestern. Kershaw teamed with fellow Hall-of-Famer and Pioneer – Al Robinson – at Northwestern. For the Wildcats, Kershaw achieved fame as a defensive tackle his junior and senior years in spite of being one of the smallest starting lineman in the Big Ten. Kershaw weighed in at 218 pounds his junior year and 225 as a senior. At Elyria, Kershaw made the varsity as a sophomore – one of only a handful to do so during the Bill Barton era. It was an omen of greatness ahead. In addition to his offensive duties, Kershaw saw action on the defensive line as a sophomore. Barton called Kershaw “a real football player and an all-around athlete. If I only had a whole squad of Kershaws.” Kershaw was also an outstanding wrestler at Elyria, finishing fifth at State in the heavyweight division where he spotted weight to almost every opponent. At Northwestern, Kershaw began as an offensive lineman his freshman year, then switched to defense his sophomore season. Though he saw limited action, he impressed coach Alex Agase enough to earn a starting spot for the final six games his junior year. He continued as a Wildcats’ starter his senior year. Though Northwestern had a losing reputation in the Big Ten, during Kershaw’s and Robinson’s years, the Wildcats were no pushover – finishing 7-3 in 1971, second only to Michigan in the standings. Northwestern defeated Ohio State (see Kershaw No. 60) at the Horseshoe. After graduation from Northwestern, Kershaw was an assistant coach at Kent State and Elyria High and managed the Elyria Fitness and Racquet Club.

Richard Montague

Richard Montague ranks as one of the greatest athletes in the history of Elyria High School. Montague, who grew to 6-foot-9 by the time he graduated from EHS, dominated the local basketball scene and helped Elyria maintain its reputation at the time as a state-wide power. Montague set numerous records at Elyria – many still standing. He held the career scoring mark of 1,109 points and single season mark of 516 until Brett Larrick broke both records. Montague still holds the single-season field goal percentage record. During his three-year starting stint, Elyria was 64-7 and won three Buckeye Conference titles, two district championships and one regional title. He was named All-Ohio by both wire services – the first Elyria High basketball player to accomplish that feat. Twice he was named Buckeye Conference Most Valuable Player and twice he was named to the All-Northeastern Ohio District team. He won the Mr. Basketball award – recognized as the finest player in Lorain County. Montague went on to play at Dayton University – starting his final three seasons and scoring 1,093 points in his Flyers career. He led Dayton in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots all three years as a starter. The Flyers participated in the NIT his freshman, sophomore and senior seasons. Montague went on to play professionally in Europe.

Hubert Oliver

Rarely has anyone made the impact on the local and national sports scene that Hubert Oliver did on the football field. Oliver is just one of a handful of Elyria natives to play professionally in football. Oliver was a two-sport standout at Elyria High – helping lead the Pioneers to an undefeated regular season and a state semi-final berth at St. John Arena in Columbus. Oliver, along with fellow hall-of-famer Richard Montague, completed a memorable season. Oliver shot 43 percent from the field, averaged 14.3 points a game, hauled in 88 rebounds from his guard position, and handed out 52 assists. On the football field, Oliver rushed for 406 yards on just 69 carries – a 5.9 yards per carry average. He shared the team scoring lead with 70 points on 11 touchdowns and four extra points. He caught eight passes for 189 yards and tied for the Buckeye Conference lead in interceptions with four. Oliver went on to star at Arizona University – becoming the second leading career rusher at that time. As a junior, Oliver gained 1,021 yards in 197 attempts – finishing third in the PAC-10 in 1979 behind only Charles White of Southern Cal and Freeman McNeil of UCLA. Oliver went on to the Philadelphia Eagles where he gained 1,029 yards in a four-year career. He was better known as an outstanding blocker for the Eagles. Oliver currently is employed by the City of Elyria in the maintenance department for the city’s cemetarys.

Bryan Thomas

Talk about Elyria Catholic football and Bryan Thomas’ name is right at the top of the list. Thomas was the spark – the catalyst – for one of the area’s sports dynasties. As a junior, his outstanding running at tailback led the Panthers to the 1976 state football championship and started EC on an outstanding nine-year run where EC lost only seven times and won two other state championships. It was against Brookville in the 1976 state title game that Thomas may have had his finest effort. Thomas ran for 287 yards as the Panthers won, 34-10. He set several state tournament records including the longest kick off return of 95 yards. Thomas’ rushing mark (287 yards) and touchdowns scored (3) were also record setting standards at the time. As a senior, Thomas led the Panthers to the brink of another state crown only to be denied by Cincinnati Wyoming in the title game. Thomas rushed for 2,044 yards in 12 games and in the title game he set a record for the longest fumble returned. He was Ohio’s Class AA back of the year and won the Golden Helmet award. He was the MVP of the county and the Erie Shore Conference. At the University of Pittsburgh, injuries hampered his career, but he did rush form 1.003 yards as a junior, becoming only the third Panther to eclipse 1,000 yards. He outgained Georgia’s Herschel Walker in the Sugar Bowl where Pitt came up with an upset victory. He rushed for 217 yards against Florida State. As a senior, he had a 100-yard game against Penn State, and became the third leading career rusher for Pitt. Pitt played in the Cotton Bowl game. Thomas was drafted by the Green Bay Packers of the NFL but was cut. He later played in the USFL at both Philadelphia and Baltimore – playing on two championship teams. Thomas is currently employed by the City of Elyria.

Class of 1987

John Fritz (1905- )

Maintaining enthusiasm for sports for decades and decades is hard to do but John Fritz was able to do just that. Born in a small coal-mining town in Pennsylvania, Fritz moved to this area as a youngster and immediately began to etch his name in the Elyria sports history books. Fifty years later, his name was still widely known around the baseball diamonds, football fields and bowling alleys of the city. Forced into the workforce as a young teenager in order to help support his family, Fritz never benefited from the instruction, which help propel today’s athletes. Instead, the talented youngster keyed on his extraordinary talent and drives to become good at everything he attempted – earning him the label of self-made athlete. Second only to his family, sports were Fritz’s life. He was inducted into the Elyria Sports Hall of Fame at the age of 82. He excelled in football and baseball in his early years. On the gridiron, he played well enough to reach the semi-pro level but it was in baseball, which captured his heart. He played the hot-corner (third base) on numerous city and league championship teams in the 1930s and 40s, before moving on to managing spots in baseball and softball when his playing days were over. He was one of the initiators of the traditional “Mud Bowl” softball game still played annually on New Year’s Day between the Bittner’s and the ‘38’ Club. Fritz didn’t slow down as middle age approached. Rather he shifted gears, mastering the sports of golf and bowling in his later years. He carried a 185-190 average for 20 years on area lanes, earning him countless tournament honors. The bowling prowess finally led him to the ultimate honor – an appointment to the Elyria Bowling Hall of Fame. Fritz was also a great supporter of Elyria Catholic athletics.

Joe Gentile

They say that dynamite comes in small packages and is very dangerous. Joe Gentile was pretty small but when it came to boxing, he was very explosive and it didn’t take him long to become recognized as one of the finest amateur boxers ever to come out of Elyria. Gentile began his boxing career in 1959 and just a year later was runner-up to Jimmy Moon in the Lorain Golden Gloves. Moon later went on to win the national tournament and was the only Lorain County fighter to beat Gentile, who compiled a 52-5 record during his short but illustrious career. Gentile boxed at 112 pounds and gained one of his most rewarding victories in 1960 when he defeated Tommy Fix, the Colorado AAU and Colorado state champion. Fix went on to the pro ranks and ended up winning the Ohio state championship. In 1961, Gentile won the Lorain Golden Gloves Open title and advanced to the Cleveland District, where he lost in the semifinals to the eventual champion. Gentile did not box from 1962-67 but returned to claim the open division featherweight crown in Lorain the following year. Following his retirement from boxing, Gentile quickly became recognized as an outstanding trainer, helping William Stafford and Jim Ralston win district titles in 1969. He also worked with Sean Mueller of Sandusky who won the Toledo Golden Gloves title that year. In 1970, Gentile joined forces with Lorain’s Pete DeSantis and the two shared the novice trainer’s award for Lorain Golden Gloves. The following year, he formed the Gentile Athletic Club and won the novice trainer’s award again, producing four Golden Gloves champions and four runners-up. He took the four champions to Cleveland and they helped him win the Northern Ohio Novice Trainer’s Award. In 1972, Gentile won the open and novice division trainer’s awards, producing eight champions and two runners-up.

Charles Machock

Player, assistant coach, head coach, program leader, recruiter, broadcaster – yes basketball has been a big part of Chuck Machock’s life. He was a standout in high school at Elyria Catholic – establishing the school record for points in a season at that time (377). He went on to the University of Cincinnati during the Bearcats’ basketball glory years and played two seasons. After graduation, he got into coaching at St. Henry High School in Erlanger, Kentucky, winning 14 games in 26 outings. He then returned home to coach Elyria Catholic for six seasons. He never had a losing season at EC – winning 73 games, losing 42. Twice he was named conference Coach of the Year. His 1966 Panthers were 18-2, winning 17 games in a row – a school record at that time. Machock then got into college coaching, starting the program at Lorain County Community College. He stayed two years, posting records of 12-9 and 22-4 before moving on as an assistant at Akron. A year later, he became head coach at Steubenville College, inheriting a team that was 3-19 the year before. In three years, Machock was 31-44 but left in a dispute over the general direction of the program. He became an assistant coach at West Virginia, staying two years before taking a similar assignment at Ball State. When Eldon Miller became head coach at Ohio State, Machock became his righthand man and chief recruiter. He landed such stars as Clark Kellog and Jim Smith for the Buckeyes. Machock stayed at Ohio State for seven years before getting the head coach job at Central Florida. He started slowly, losing nine of his first 10 games, but turned it around to finish 16-13 as a Division II school. In 1985, as a Division I school, Central Florida was 10-18 after losing 10 of its first 11 games to such baskeball powers as Ohio State, Dayton, Arkansas, Florida and South Carolina. Machock later joined Bobby Huggins at Cincinnati and became the voice of the Bearcats on the radio for many years.

George Machovina

Injuries and adversity put George Machovina’s football career at both Elyria Catholic and the Air Force Academy in jeopardy, but in each case, Machovina overcame the odds. Machovina was one of Elyria Catholic’s brightest football prospects as a sophomore on a senior dominated team and helped EC’s defense in one of the school’s greatest performances against the Panther’s fiercest rival – undefeated Lorain St. Mary. Pressed into service when starter (and later head coach) Bill Groomes was injured, Machovina held up his defensive tackle position. Although St. Mary won, 8-6, in a battle of unbeatens, the defense held the Irish to five total yards on offense and zero first downs. In July of 1967, Machovina was in a serious automobile accident that broke his leg and pelvis and a knee that was stationary for six months. He missed the entire football season and faced the possibility of never playing again. But he did play and play well enough to attract the Air Force Academy, but once he got there, he became the forgotten man. He didn’t play in a single freshman or intra-squad game and was convinced he was about to be cut from the team. But he took advantage of a chance to play middle guard in an intra-squad practice session and it proved to be the break he needed. He played defensive end as a sophomore and played in every game as the Falcons compiled a 9-2 record and a berth in the 37th annual Sugar Bowl Classic against Tennessee. One of Air Force’s regular season wins came at the expense of Stanford, quarterbacked by the great Jim Plunkett, who later led Stanford to a Rose Bowl victory. Machovina was the first EC grad to play in a major bowl game and was credited with the first tackle made against the Volunteers. Machovina passed away on December 2, 2012.

Jack Matia

Very few young men playing the game of football in high school get the chance to move on to the college ranks in Division I. Even fewer get drafted to play professionally. Jack Matia experienced both. Matia’s football prowess began at Elyria Catholic where he earned several honors before graduating in 1975. After attending Iowa Lakes Junior College his freshman year, Matia transferred to Division I Drake University where his football career really took off. Matia made the switch from defensive tackle to offensive tackle and impressed his coaches, his opponents and professional scouts. Following his senior year, Matia was named Drake’s Most Valuable Lineman and made the All-Missouri Conference team in both the AP and UPI polls. He was honored with an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press. Matia’s feats did not go unnoticed. He was named to play in two important post-season All-Star games – the Blue-Gray Classic and the Senior Bowl. Matia started for the North squad in the senior bowl and played well enough in both contests to open the eyes of pro scouts and coaches. He was selected in the 7th round by the Oakland Raiders in 1979 (receiving phone call left). His chances of making the team were hampered by a injury to his left knee, which he had suffered at the Senior Bowl. Ten day into training camp, he underwent surgery and was placed on the injured reserve list. The injury eventually proved too much for Matia to overcome and the Raiders released him. Today, Matia is the owner of Matia Chevrolet and Matia Honda right here in Elyria.

Class of 1986

John Bohannon

You’ve heard the expression about not being the size of the dog but the size of the fight in the dog. Meet Jon Bohannon. Bohannon was only 5-foot-7 but he was a terror on the football field. Every time he was knocked down or overlooked, he bounced right back. His size probably prevented him from being named to Elyria Little League South’s All-Star team but his team won the city championship just the same. In Seniors, he made the All-Star squad every year. At Elyria High, Bohannon was a hard-hitting defensive back on the Pioneers undefeated 1969 team and was named to the All-Buckeye Conference team a year later. He became a starter on the baseball team that advanced to the regional finals – the farthest an Elyria High team had advanced to that point. Although he was a great second baseman, he was moved to the outfield because of his tremendous speed. He was among Elyria’s leaders in hits, runs, triples and stolen bases. Bohannon overcame the odds again at the College of Wooster. Twice he was cut from the baseball team but kept coming out and made the All-Ohio Athletic Conference team. In football, Bohannon was second team All-OAC as a junior and first team as a senior. For two years, he was Wooster’s defensive backfield MVP. He set a school record with 14 interceptions. After graduation, Bohannon played in the top sandlot baseball leagues in Cleveland for three years and then took up the sport of tennis where he won three Elyria City singles championships.

Raymond de la Pena

At the tender age of only 7 years, Raymond de la Pena enjoyed swimming at the Elyria Country Club and was asked to try out for the swim team. It started de la Pena on a great swimming career where he set a school record at the College of Wooster of 1:04.9 in the 100-yard breaststroke. De la Pena qualified for the Division III national meet as a member of Wooster’s 400-meter relay team in 1978 and 1979 and was All-American. In 1980, he advanced to the national meet in the 100-breaststroke. A 1977 graduate of Elyria Catholic, de la Pena played basketball and football for the Panthers when not practicing his forte.

Dennis Queen

When it came to pitching, few did it better than Denny Queen. Queen’s exploits on the mound will be remembered by area fans for a long, long time. Queen, a lefthander, found success at every level of play, whether it was Little League, high school, American Legion, or professional baseball’s minor leagues. Queen’s career began early. Pitching for Little League East, Queen made the All-Star team both in 1961 and 62. He pitched a no-hitter in All-Star play. In 1967 and 68, he hurled for Elyria High and led the Pioneers to a district title. He compiled a 6-1 record with 106 strikeouts in only 61 1/3 innings. He was at his best when it counted most with a 3-hit, 15-strikeout performance to help the Pioneers win the district title game. Pitching for the American Legion team, Queen fired a no-hitter, striking out 16 batters in 1967. The following year, he allowed only 21 earned runs with 202 strikeouts in 108 innings pitched. He went on to pitch for St. Clair Junior College in Michigan. Among his accomplishments at St. Clair was being named to the first team Junior College All-America and voted Most Likely to Succeed in Pro Baseball in 1970 after compiling a 10-1 record with a 0.58 ERA. He struck out 17 hitters in the National Junior College World Series. Queen was signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1970 and played for the Tribe’s rookie league team in Sarasota, Fla., where he was named to the All-Star team. He advanced to Reno (Class A) and Jacksonville (Class AA) but arm and shoulder injuries forced him to retire in 1973.

Steve Stefek

When area boxing fans talk about the local history, Elyria’s Steve Stefek’s name undoubtedly pops up. Stefek made his name as a fighter and trainer after seeing Jack Dempsey and Jack Sharkey duke it out on an newsreel flick in the old movie theaters back in Brownsville, Pa. Stefak began his career at the age of 18 and over the next three years became one of the top middleweights in the Greater Pittsburgh area – winning two Golden Gloves titles, the Pennsylvania State Championship and the Western Pennsylvania Championship. Twice he boxed on amateur cards featuring future world heavyweight champion Joe Louis. His travels took him to a national tournament in Boston and to New York’s Madison Square Garden. He suffered a freak shoulder injury in 1933 and was forced to leave the ring. That’s when he moved to Elyria and became involved in the boxing program at the YMCA. While sparring with many of his fighters at the YMCA, Stefak discovered his shoulder had healed well enough for him to return to the ring. Stefak faced the reigning Cleveland Golden Gloves champion and defeated him twice. He turned professional and finished with a 8-1-1 record. A shift change at his regular employment forced Stefak to retire from the ring. Stefak won about 115 times, lost only about 10 times and was never knocked out. Stefak became more involved with training and turned out some pretty good boxers including Joey Gentile, Johnny Merante, Earl Kehl, Al Hariman, Don Fulton, and Roger Dickerson. Fulton won the Golden Gloves in Lorain and Cleveland and was the champion in the Marines. Stefak and other local promoters set up several big shows in Elyria.

Jay Underman (1955-1980)

More than any single player, it was Jay Underman who brought Elyria High back to the top after five so-so years following Hall of Famer Dale Reichenbach’s retirement. The first of three Underman brothers to excel for Elyria High, Jay’s leadership and inspired play ushered in the Mike Riley Era. He would dive on the floor to come up with loose balls and he was one of the first players down the court to score on a fast break. He was the leading scorer and rebounder on one of the Pioneers most storied teams. In 1973, Elyria caught fire at tournament time – reaching the state semi-finals. Only after Jay got in foul trouble against Cincinnati Elder did the curtain fall on the Pioneer season. His block of Al Harris’ shot clinched a one-point victory over Admiral King in the district tournament. Jay was all-Buckeye Conference and Special Mention All-Ohio. He went on to Bowling Green on a basketball scholarship and played in the short-lived Commissioner’s Tournament that involved many second place teams from around the country. He transferred to Villanova where he was the ‘Cats valuable sixth man, helping Villanova to NIT and NCAA tournament berths. Underman played a year of professional basketball in Malmo, Sweden and was doing well in business when he was tragically killed in an automobile accident at age 25 in Iowa on December 31, 1980. Elyria High annually awards the Jay Underman Memorial Award in his honor.

Class of 1985

Dick Elsasser

Born to run. Born to coach runners. There have been a lot of high school cross country coaches over the years but no one has enjoyed the success of Dick Elsasser. The Elyria Catholic coach has guided the Panthers to three state championships, three runner-up finishes, and two third place finishes in his career. Cross Country and Elsasser are synonymous at Elyria Catholic. Besides the strong state showings, he’s coached 11 sectional crowns – nine consecutive – five district championships and his teams were perennial conference champions. Elsasser was born in Marion and graduated from Marion Catholic where he was a two-time state champion miler. He went on to be a four-year letterman in track and cross country at Bowling Green. He was also a successful junior varsity basketball coach for the Panthers – winning over 150 games in 16 seasons. His cross country teams won state crowns in 1973, 74 and 78. He had 10 teams place in the top 15 at the state meet over a 12 year period.

Frank Fiore (1937-1985)

The sport of wrestling has been around a long, long time but it was Frank Fiore that brought the sport to the high school level in Lorain County in 1959. Fiore started Elyria High’s wrestling program from scratch and quickly built the Pioneers into a wrestling power. In five years, Elyria was 55-7 in dual meets with five of those losses coming in his initial season. His teams won four Lorain County Invitational Championships, three Buckeye Conference titles, three sectional and two district championships. He had two undefeated dual seasons at Elyria before moving on to Warrensville Heights and Lorain County Community College. While at LCCC, Fiore led the Commodores to an undefeated season in his second year and a sixth place finish in the National Junior College Tournament. The Lorain County Wrestling Coaches Association thought so much of Fiore, it named a scholarship fund in his honor. He helped organize the Lorain County Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association in 1980. In his only season coaching at Huron, the Tigers won a league championship and his 7-1 mark at Warrensville Heights was the schools best. He qualified two wrestlers for the state meet. A Garfield Heights native, Fiore won a pair of 165-pound state championships before graduating in 1955. At Kent State, he won three Mid-American Conference titles at 175-pounds, five Northeastern Ohio AAU titles and one Interstate Intercollegiate Individual crowns. Upon graduation from Kent State in 1959, Fiore came to Elyria and served one year as cross country coach and was a football assistant for three years. He is also a member of the Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame (inducted 1982) and the Kent State University Hall of Fame (1980). Fiore died at the young age of 48 but his accomplishments will live forever.

Greg Jones

Elyria West High School football came to the forefront when the talents of Greg Jones were unleashed from 1974-76. Jones remains one of the top rushing and scoring leaders in Elyria Football history. He was Lorain County’s Golden Helmet winner in 1976 and went on to a great career at Miami of Ohio. Jones once rushed for a school record 287 yards and ran for 1,412 yards in a single season. He scored 32 points in one game and tallied 96 in a single year. His three-year total of 3,934 yards placed him fourth all-time to the time of his selection to the Elyria Sports Hall of Fame. At Miami, he was a three-year letterwinner in both football and track. At the time of induction, Jones was still ranked second on Miami’s all-time rushing list with 2,842 yards. His 1,134 yards gained in 1981, were fifth best for a single season. Only ten players in Miami’s great football history had topped the 1,000 yard mark in a single season at the time of Jones’ induction. He topped 100 yards in a single game 10 times at Miami and was first team All-Mid American Conference in both 1980 and 1981.

Dale Kaminski

Whenever anyone talks about the all-time greats at Elyria Catholic, you can be sure Dale Kaminski’s name will be brought up. Kaminski was a standout in football and basketball and was a very good long jumper on the track team. He earned six letters – two in each sport. The second of five Kaminski brothers who starred for the Panthers, Dale was All-Conference in football and basketball. In two years of varsity football, he caught 38 passes and rushed 62 times – but he scored 14 touchdowns or once for every seven times he touched the football. As a senior, Kaminski led the Panthers in rushing, scoring, pass receiving, and punting. His 26 receptions set a school record at the time. He was a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Against Parma Byzantine Catholic as a junior, Kaminski ran the ball only four times but gained 200 yards – scoring on runs of 67- , 81- , and 47-yards. On the basketball floor, Kaminski was even better. After an injury-plagued junior year, Kaminski stepped up as a senior to become one of EC’s finest. He led the Panthers in assists, free throw shooting, and was the second leading scorer with a 16.6 average. He capped his career with a 27-point effort in a two-point loss to Admiral King in the sectional finals. EC was 19-2 that year and won the North Central Conference. Kaminski was named the team’s outstanding player. He went on to Louisville University on a football scholarship. He had 14 catches, scored one touchdown and did all the punting for the freshman team in three games. He played for Lee Corso’s varsity, making six catches for 113 yards as a sophomore – scoring twice. He improved to 10 receptions for 133 yards as a junior before being switched to tight end for his senior season. Kaminski didn’t disappoint. He had his best year as a Cardinal with 18 catches for 272 yards to lead the team in receiving yardage.

Paul Walker

No one expected much from a lanky, slender basketball and tennis player from Elyria back in the late 1950s, but Paul Walker proved everyone wrong with his success on both courts. Walker was truly a two-sport star at both Elyria High and Kent State – excelling in both basketball and tennis. He was a second team All-Ohio basketball star his senior year at Elyria and was named Most Valuable Player in the Buckeye Conference. Elyria lost only one game during the regular season during Walker’s senior year and the Pioneers won the district championship before losing to eventual state champion East Tech in the regional. On the tennis court, Walker was doubles runnerup at the state tournament in 1958. He was captain of both the basketball and tennis teams. He was awarded the DECCA award as Elyria’s outstanding senior athlete. At Kent, Walker earned three letters in both basketball and tennis. He captained the basketball team in 1962 and was the Flashes number one singles player in tennis for three seasons. In 1962, Walker won the Merle E. Wagoner Award given to the top senior athlete who also displays academic achievements. He earned his bachelor’s degree in 1962 and his masters in 1968. Walker was inducted into the Kent State Hall of Fame in 1984. At one point, Walker was ranked as the number one tennis player in Northeast Ohio. Walker coached both high school basketball and tennis at Kent Roosevelt, compiling a 53-13 record with the basketball team. He later served as Kent State’s tennis coach and assistant basketball coach from 1968-72. Later, Walker was the tennis director at the Cleveland Skating Club in Shaker Heights.

Class of 1984

Ken Burley

Determination and the will to battle through injuries distinguished the multi-sport career of Ken Burley. Beginning with his basketball days at St. Mary’s grade school in Elyria in 1926 and 27 and continuing into his adult life in baseball, Burley always managed to get the most out of his abilities. At St. Mary, his team lost the 1926 championship by a single point but managed to win the title the next year. At Elyria High, Burley played basketball, baseball and football. In spite of suffering a broken arm in the first football scrimmage in 1929, he returned to the gridiron to earn a letter. Later that same year, he won letters in lightweight basketball and baseball, where he batted .358 as the team’s third baseman. In 1930 and 31 he again played all three sports, earning letters in all three. In 1930, he was hitting .425 before suffering injuries to both ankles in one game. Despite that, he returned later that same year and wound up hitting .392. Elyria won the district title that season. He had the distinction of playing the first night game at Ely Stadium – a first in Lorain County history (see right). He played both center and quarterback – proving once again what a versatile player he was. He was the team’s punter – averaging 51 yards a kick in eight attempts. Burley received many offers to continue playing in college. Ohio State, Georgia Tech, Ohio Northern, Dayton, Blufton, Toledo and Findlay all made offers to Burley, who finally chose Findlay. He played all three sports his freshman year and lettered in football and baseball as a sophomore but was forced to quit school to help his family during the depression. Burley played American Legion baseball under Jack Ambrose and played in a number of Sunday baseball leagues as an adult.

Jim Jones

The phrase ‘student-athlete’ wasn’t in vogue back in the 1950s, but it describes Jim Jones perfectly. Not only was Jones an outstanding three-sport athlete at Elyria High School and Oberlin College but he excelled in the classroom as well. At Elyria High from 1955 through 1959, Jones was an All-Buckeye Conference first team linebacker who was named by the Elyria Lions Club as the Outstanding Defensive Back. He won the prestigious DECA Award signifying the top spring sports senior athlete as a member of the Buckeye Conference team champion and state tournament appearance in golf. Jones played on three straight sectional and district basketball champions and two straight Buckeye Conference basketball champions under Dale Reichenbach. He was a top hitter for his little league baseball team and won the Elyria Junior Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament one summer. Off the field of play, Jones was president and a member of student council, a member of Youth Council, a National Honor Society member and participated in A Capella Choir, Varsity E, French Club and Math Club. He received the four-year Glen Gray Scholarship for both his athletic and academic excellence to attend Oberlin College. Jones played basketball, football, and baseball and also was a member of the golf team for the Yeomen. By his senior year, Jones concentrated on basketball only where he led Oberlin to a strong showing in the Ohio Conference race. Upon graduation, Jones continued his excellence in the classroom – receiving a masters degree at Temple University and his doctorate from Yale. At one time, Jones was the assistant professor and associate professor of social psychology at Harvard and staff director of the National Institute for Advanced Studies in Washington, D.C. He later became director of the Minority Fellowship Program at the American Psychological Association in Washington and a professor in the psychology department at the University of Delaware. Jones authored the college textbook entitled “Prejudice and Racism,” as well as numerous articles in various publications and journals.

Felix Klimczak

As well-rounded as anyone in the Elyria Sports Hall of Fame, Felix Klimczak was an athlete, a coach, and an official – dedicating his life to sports. Klimczak excelled in basketball, baseball and tennis during his high school and college athletic days. He also participated on many softball teams in the area. At the conclusion of his playing days, Klimczak remained in sports coaching and officiating. As a youngster, Klimczak played sandlot baseball, basketball and softball before starring at Elyria High in basketball and baseball in 1944 and 45. He captained the basketball team and was named All-Lake Erie League as a guard leading the Pioneers to a spot in the regional championship game – the farthest the school went down the tourney trail in 10 years. His pitching ability in baseball was so great the Brooklyn Dodgers offered him a try-out. Klimczak passed up that opportunity for a basketball scholarship to Bowling Green. He played both basketball and baseball for the Falcons in 1945 and 46 before transferring to Dakota Wesleyan University. He played both basketball and tennis at Dakota Wesleyan where he and his partner won the doubles championship of the Dakota-Iowa collegiate tennis tournament. Klimczak later played semi-pro baseball in South Dakota and he played on basketball teams that played in both Madison Square Garden in New York and the Boston Gardens. Upon returning to Elyria, he played on numerous softball and baseball teams in independent competition – winning a batting title one year. Klimczak shared his knowledge of the game by becoming Elyria Catholic’s basketball coach. He also officiated in basketball, baseball and softball.

Donald Morris

The name Morris was well-known to Elyria sports fans in the early 1950s. Donald and his brother Byron are both members of the Elyria Sports Hall of Fame because of their accomplishments on many fields of battle. Donald Morris played football, basketball and baseball and went on to the College of Wooster to continue his athletic prowess. Morris played three sports at Elyria High but it may have been on the football field where he was best known. In 1952, as captain of the football team, Morris led Elyria to the Lake Erie League Championship – the last one Elyria would win before leaving the LEL for the Buckeye Conference. He was the center on that team and was named All-LEL as well as being named among the top players on the wire service All-Ohio squads. He was the starting center in the prestigious North-South All-Star game. He also played four years on the Pioneers basketball and baseball teams as well as the Post 12 baseball team where he was the catcher and battery mate for his pitching brother Byron. At Wooster, Morris played both baseball and football for the Scots for four years. He was moved to tackle from his center position and continued to catch for his brother Byron on the baseball team. He and his brother were battery mates for three years at Elyria High and three more at Wooster.

Bob Reith

American Legion Baseball in Elyria owes a great deal of thanks to Bob Reith. For 35 years, Reith lived and loved coaching American Legion baseball in Elyria coaching more than 500 youngsters starting in 1947. His teams won over 500 games and his winning percentage was .608. Post 12 won 543 games, lost 350 under Reith’s leadership. Nine of his teams won district championships and participated in the state American Legion tournament. Although none of Reith’s teams won the state title, his 1959 team finished runner-up. Fourteen of his teams won at least 20 games in a season and his 1968 squad won 33 times. After giving up the head coaching reigns, Reith continued as an assistant to Chuck Mason before retiring in 1982 after that team competed in the state tournament. Managing and coaching was only part of Reith’s story. He was the team’s publicist, schedule-maker, it’s spokesman at league and district meetings and the banquet coordinator. He ran tryout camps for the team every spring and summer. When the American Legion baseball team needed something done, Reith was there.

Class of 1983

Fred Balser

You had to see Fred Balser play the game of basketball to really get an understanding of his contribution to Elyria High’s outstanding 1974-75 season. It’s not that Balser was the first player to give 100 percent for his team; it’s that he had more to give than most. He was the head and heart – a leader and battler – for a championship team at Elyria High and he went on to accomplish the same for the College of Wooster for four years. His achievements stemmed from his desire to excel rather than his physical gifts. He made himself into a basketball player and what a basketball player he was! In 1975, he led the Pioneers to a 22-2 season, winning the first of a record four straight Buckeye Conference titles. Elyria went on to sectional and district crowns before losing a controversial regional final to Cleveland Heights. Elyria had played a three overtime marathon against Toledo Macomber to get to the regional finals late Saturday night but was forced to play Heights on a Sunday afternoon. It was later discovered that was a violation of OHSAA rules. Balser was named first team All-Ohio, Player of the Year in the Northeast Ohio district, All-Buckeye Conference, and the first winner of the Lorain County Mr. Basketball Award. He starred in the state All-Star game and was named the Most Valuable Player in the first game of a Coliseum Classic doubleheader featuring many of the Cleveland area stars. Balser, 6-foot-2, was the team’s leading scorer (388 points, 16.1 Ave.) and one of the leaders in assists (90) and rebounds (146). He set a then school record by sinking 17 baskets in a win over Medina and was the team leader on defense. Balser was never far away from a loose ball. In his last three years at Wooster, the Scots won 20 or more games. He boosted his scoring average from 11.5 as a sophomore to a team-leading 17.5 as a senior. He was the team’s Most Valuable Player his junior and senior year and an All-Conference selection as a senior. Balser’s career ended by a broken ankle – typically for Balser – diving for a loose ball with 35 seconds remaining in a game already sewed up. The Wooster Daily Record honored him with an editorial entitled ‘Thank You, Freddie Balser’.

Ralph “Tuffy” Bauer (1905-1977)

Immediately when you hear someone called ‘Tuffy’, you have to wonder how such a nickname came about. Ralph “Tuffy” Bauer picked up that name in grade school and the name stuck with him through his adult life. His older brothers nicknamed him ‘Tuffy’ for the way he bulled his way into games they were playing with older friends. He needed this toughness growing up – he was stricken with typhoid at age 13 and his older brother had died from a head injury in a basketball game. In spite of the odds – his mother didn’t want him to compete in sports – Bauer, with his father’s blessing, captained both the football and basketball teams at his alma mater in Springfield, Ohio. His career continued at Wittenberg University where he captained the basketball team in 1927-28. He graduated from Wittenberg in 1928 and received his masters degree from Columbia University in 1933. After a coaching stint at both New Philadelphia and Newcomerstown, Bauer came to Elyria High as head basketball coach from 1937-41 – coaching fellow ESHOF’s Lank Coven. He served in World War II from 1942-46 and returned to Elyria as an assistant for the legendary 1947 football team. He also coached the basketball team three more years.

Theodore F. Gottfried

The birth of the ‘golden era’ of Elyria High Sports in the 1950s may have begun with a gangly sophomore named Theodore “Ted” Gottfried. Gottfried was a two-sport star at Elyria and his accomplishments are still remembered to this day. Gottfried played basketball on one of Dale Reichenbach’s first teams – scoring a then career record 1,109 points that lasted to the 1977 season when Richard Montague burst on the scene. His performance on the basketball floor opened the door for the glory years as Elyria started a string of eight straight district championships – unprecedented even through today. His 471 single season scoring in 1956-57 remains among the best in school history. His underhand free throw style – similar to then NBA star Wilt Chamberlain – was very accurate (see right). He set the school record for single game scoring with 33 points against Wellington in a tournament game his sophomore year and scored 30 or more two other times in his career. On the football field, Gottfried was an accomplished end for Bill Barton. In 1957, he hooked up with quarterback Dick Novak and then lateraled to Brian Hays for a 77-yard touchdown to help tie Marion, a state power at the time, 20-20. That pass play remains one of the longest in EHS history. Gottfried went on to Brown University and he also played for the Goodyears Professional team in Europe.

Andy Pavlenda

Elyria Catholic in particular and Elyria in general owe a debt of gratitude to Andy Pavlenda for his work on the baseball diamond for over five decades. Pavlenda was instrumental in organizing Little League East in 1951 and in 1977 Pavlenda helped form the first-ever team to represent Elyria Catholic – a program that has since had much success. Just two years after starting the baseball program at EC, the Panthers became the first Elyria school to reach the state tournament – losing in the semi-finals by just 5-4 to the eventual state champ. In 1960, Pavlenda coached an East team all the way to the state tournament – finishing runnerup – the highest East finish to that date. In 1968, Pavlenda went to the west side of town and again took his team to the state finals. He later managed a pair of Big League teams to back-to-back state titles in 1975 and 76. In addition to his coaching, Pavlenda umpired for better than 30 years in Little League, Big Leagues and high school baseball games. He also officiated junior high and junior varsity basketball games for many years. Andy passed away in August, 2012.

Mark Straka

Mark Straka personified the student-athlete model during his days at both Elyria Catholic and Ohio State University (left). He maintained skill on the playing field and competence in the classroom to excel in both areas. Straka was a 3-sport standout for the Panthers in the late 1960s, earning all-conference honors in both football and basketball. He also competed in the weight events on the treack and field team. Straka caught a record 63 passes for 858 yards in his three years as a Panther end. He was an all-conference chce two years and was selected to play in the prestigious North-South All-Star game. He was honorable mention all-state. In basketball, Straka was the Most Valuable Player in the North Central Conference his senior year and was all-conference twice. He was a 3rd team all-state selection averaging 16.5 points a game as a junior and 23.3 as a senior. In track, Straka was the conference discus champion his senior season. For his athletic prowess, Straka was one of the recipients of the Knute Rockne Award, presented by the Notre Dame Club of Cleveland. He also received an award from the Cleveland Touchdown Club and won the Lou Rotunda Award. In the classroom, Straka graduated seventh in a class of 222 – maintaining a 4.0 average. He was president of his class, a member of the National Honor Society and was named an Outstanding Teenager. At Ohio State, Straka played three years for Woody Hayes, starting as a tight end and converting to center in 1973. He was the first Elyria Catholic grad to participate in the Rose Bowl. Straka received his bachelor of science degree and enrolled in the school’s College of Dentistry program. He is an oral surgeon in the Columbus area.

Class of 1982

Ted Carpenter

If you’re looking for one of Elyria’s best all-around sportsmen – both on and off the field – look no further than Ted Carpenter. Carpenter, all of 135 pounds in high school, starred on Elyria High’s football team in the late 1920s both as a back and end. In track, he competed in the pole vault, the high jump and the long jump (then known as the broad jump). After graduation in 1927, Carpenter attended Ohio State and upon graduation in 1930, played sandlot baseball in the area but he probably will be mostly remembered for his bowling accomplishments. He is a member of Elyria’s Bowling Hall of Fame partly because he averaged a score of 189 over a 30-year period. Talk about consistently being at the top of his game! He served the Elyria Bowling Association in a number of capacities including president and also served on the board of trustees for the Elyria Sports Hall of Fame. After retirement, Carpenter helpled found a senior golf league and was in charge of that for two years. He also served as an industrial landscaper to the Lorain County Metroparks board of commissioners. Carpenter was in the nursery and industrial landscaping business for over 40 years.

Charles “Chuck” Decker

Elyria has been blessed with many state champion track performers over the years but Charles “Chuck” Decker has the distinction of being the first. Decker, a versatile athlete, won the 1937 state pole vault championship with a vault of 12 feet, 11 inches. Decker made the leap using a bamboo stick and his record leap stayed on the books until 1956. Decker also excelled in the low and high hurdles and played on the basketball and football teams as well. As a halfback, Decker helped Elyria to a co-championship with Lorain in the Lake Erie League in 1937. He scored 48 points that year – tops in league play. Former Chronicle-Telegram Sports Editor Russ Davies once described him as ‘the fastest runner ever to wear the Crimson uniform.’ He also competed in the Golden Gloves competition – finishing runnerup in 1938 at the middleweight division. Decker went on to a great three-year career at Michigan as a pole vaulter, where he schooled with such standouts as Tom Harman and Don Canham. He competed at the prestigious Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden in New York. He cleared 13 feet, 10 ¾ inches to set the school record at a dual meet in Pittsburgh. After a stint as a pilot in World War II, Decker returned to Elyria in 1946. He worked and owned a variety of businesses before arthritis forced him to retire in 1975.

Charles Hoagland

Talk about service to a community and the name Charles Hoagland immediately jumps out at you. Ironically, Hoagland couldn’t even pronounce the name ‘Elyria’ when he first moved here from Lexington, Kentucky but now his mark is stamped all over it. As director of Elyria’s Recreation Department for 24 years, he led the growth of Elyria’s program to one of the finest in the state. In 1956, when Hoagland first moved here, the Recreation Department had 43 acres of land at West Park, including four tennis courts and four ball diamonds under its authority. Cascade Park was under the control of the Park Board. Hoaglund had no staff and a budget of $18,000. By the time he vacated the post to become Safety-Service Director in 1980, the department had built parks on the North, East and South sides of town, taken control of Cascade Park, built the Recreation Center on Prospect St., put in the facility at Hilltop Park, added four swimming pools, an ice rink and took over the Finley Estate on Abbe Road. At one point, Hoaglund had 26 full-time employees and his budget was right around a million dollars. Many of the improvements were due to combining the Parks and Recreation Department in 1965 and to the bond issues passed by the citizens of Elyria, but the concept of the neighborhood parks was Hoagland’s vision. His department established many after-school and summer programs. He directed the state softball tournament at West Park. Despite his busy schedule, Hoagland found time to coach St. Mary’s CYO football team – racking up eight undefeated seasons and 11 championships. He also managed an Elyria East Senior baseball team to three championships.

D. Richie Poad (1944-1973)

Whatever role he was asked to play, D. Richie Poad, an honor student, gladly accepted the challenge whether it be on Elyria High’s or Rutgers University football teams. Poad, who died in an automobile accident in 1973, was a star performer for Elyria in football, basketball and tennis and took his talents to Rutgers. In 1959, Poad led the Pioneers to a Buckeye Conference football championship – switching from quarterback to halfback. He was instrumental in wins over Sandusky and Lorain. The Steelmen were ranked as the third best team in the state but Poad and Co. managed to beat Lorain, 14-6, to claim a three-way share of the Buckeye Conference crown. He gave Coach Bill Barton a threat to run or pass from his halfback spot. He also played an important role in Elyria’s ‘Bird Dog’ defense. Poad was a key performer on the 1958 squad as well – a team that finished 8-1. He was first team all-Buckeye Conference as a quarterback and drew honorable mention in the All-Ohio voting. The highlight of the ’58 season came when Elyria defeated Lorain, 12-8, marking the first time Elyria had beaten its bitter rivals from the north two years in a row since 1936 and 1937. Poad engineered the winning drive with four of four passing as the Pioneers drove 87 yards late in the third quarter. And, it was Elyria’s first victory at Lorain since 1944. Earlier in the season, Poad hooked up with fellow ESHOF’s Walter Rock for a 55-yard TD toss that helped beat Fremont Ross. Poad actually dressed and played on the varsity as a freshman at EHS – unprecedented even today. At Rutgers, Poad again was asked to switch from quarterback to linebacker for the Scarlet Knights. Poad’s legacy continues at Elyria High, where a trophy and scholarship is awarded each year in his name.

1947 Elyria High Football

Any talk of Elyria High football begins with the legendary undefeated 1947 team. Led by the incomparable Vic Janowicz, Elyria swept through its nine game schedule unscathed – finishing with a 7-6 victory over its archrival Lorain. Elyria finished the season ranked second in the state behind Barberton. Janowicz, later the Heisman Trophy recipient at Ohio State, rushed for 1,032 yards in 138 carries – an amazing 7.5 yards per carry average. He led the Lake Erie League with 101 points, scoring 14 touchdowns and kicking 17 extra points. Janowicz and teammates Howard Schuster, Ralph Moyer, Jim Lear, Ollie Glass, and Tony Curcillo were all named to the All-LEL team. Janowicz was named All-Ohio for the second straight season. Elyria’s most one-sided victory was a 39-7 pounding of then state-ranked Fremont. The team was coached by Hall-of-Famer Dwight ‘Ike’ Truby. Elyria opened the season with a 19-12 victory over Toledo DeVilbiss and followed that up with a pair of shut-outs – 40-0 against Sandusky and 27-0 against Shaker. It then defeated Lakewood (18-7) and Youngstown South (27-19) before getting past LEL rivals Cleveland Heights, 20-12, and Shaw, 13-6, to set up the Fremont and Lorain games to close out the year. Elyria outscored its opponents 210-69.

Class of 1981

Ollie Glass

It takes a number of individuals to make up an outstanding team such as Elyria High’s legendary 1947 undefeated football team. Ollie Glass was another outstanding member of that great team – playing center and linebacker – playing with such Elyria High greats as Vic Janowicz, Don Gleisner and Tony Curcillo. Glass was named All-Conference, All-District and All-State off that outstanding 9-0 team coached by Dwight ‘Ike’ Truby. He also was on the 1945 and 1946 teams and played basketball and baseball for the Pioneers as well. Glass went on to Bowling Green where he continued to play center and linebacker. He earned three letters for the Falcons and was captain of the 1951 team. He was selected to the All-MAC team in 1951. Glass passed away in 2009. He had been living in Elyria after a career as head of the Occupational Work Experience (OWE) program with Southview High School in Lorain. Ollie passed away in 2009.

Bob Guinta

From very humble beginnings at Wapakoneta St. Joseph, Bob Guinta became the most successful coach in the history of Elyria Catholic. Guinta’s teams at St. Joseph won only 39 games, lost 69 in a five-year span but Guinta did have two winning seasons at Wapakoneta, a perennial loser when he arrived. Guinta went on to Celina Immaculate where in three years, he was 65-12, taking his 1964 team to the state finals, finishing at 27-2 and runnerup in Class A. He was named UPI’s Class A Coach of the Year. Guinta came to Elyria Catholic for the 1966-67 season and in 22 years compiled an outstanding mark of 329-154. Overall, Guinta’s teams won 433 games, lost just 235. His teams won 16 conference, 16 sectional, nine district, and two regional championships – one at Elyria Catholic in 1973 when both Elyria Catholic and Elyria High qualified. He won the prestigious Paul Walker Award in 1988 and was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1991. He is also a member of the Lorain County Coaches Hall of Fame. Guinta and his wife Shirley still live in Elyria.

Jim Rakestraw

Elyria High had arguably the best overall coaching staff in the state of Ohio in the 1960s. The Pioneers were very competitive in all sports. One of the most successful was Jim Rakestraw’s tennis program. Rakestraw’s teams won over 500 games. He was the first tennis coach in the state to attain the 400-win plateau. He was inducted into the Ohio Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame in 1983. His overall record was 501-132 when he retired in 1982. Rakestraw’s boys record was 434-117 over 36 years. His girls teams were 67-15. He was the first Ohio High School coach to reach the 400 plateau and when he retired, no other Ohio high school coach was within 100 wins of his total. The highlight of his coaching career may have been the 1959 state doubles championship won by Larry Stark and Jim Guest. It was the first and only state tennis championship won by an Elyria High entry. His 1964 team was undefeated (18-0) and won the prestigious North East Ohio title, beating state power University School in the finals. Rakestraw came to Elyria after an outstanding career at Toledo University. Not only was Rakestraw a great high school coach, he was a great tennis player in the area. He won Elyria City singles crowns in 1958, 1961, 1963 and 1964 and doubles crowns in 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968. He also organized and ran the city of Elyria’s summer tennis program for 16 years.

Jim Westbrook

Pound for pound, one of the best defensive linemen Elyria High has ever produced is Jim Westbrook. Westbrook was a tenacious middle linebacker on one of the best Pioneer teams ever – the once-beaten, 1964 team under Coach Bill Barton. Westbrook was named to the All-Ohio team following that season. Elyria finished rated 3rd in the state that season behind Massillon and Canton McKinley. It’s only loss was a 6-0 opening night heartbreaker at Barberton. The defense allowed just 32 points for the entire season and manhandled defending Buckeye Conference champion Sandusky, 32-6, midway through the year. It concluded the season with a come-from-behind 23-14 victory over Lorain. Westbrook was the leader of that outstanding defense. He was also an outstanding wrestler at 167 and 177 pound classes and continued to do well in both sports at Baldwin-Wallace. He lettered for the football team all four years. His first year, he was named the outstanding freshman and as a junior and senior was named as the most valuable defensive lineman. In wrestling, Westbrook finished among the top four at the Ohio Conference championships three times. He was one of the few B-W athletes to captain both the football and wrestling teasm as a senior. Westbrook is a member of the B-W Hall of Fame and has retired as a teacher in the Elyria School system.

Tony Wolodzko (1921-1971)

Ever wonder who was named as the first All-Ohio football player from Elyria High? It was Tony Wolodzko in 1938. Wolodzko was called ‘one of the five best players I ever coached’ by Elyria coach Roy Clymer. Wolodzko led the Lake Erie League in scoring in 1938 and was named to its all-league team. He could kick, run and throw. Chronicle sports editor Russ Davies – a member of the ESHOF – called Wolodzko ‘the best all-around back in the Lake Erie League’. Wolodzko tallied 13 touchdowns for Elyria. The Crimson, as they were known in those years, finished 8-1-1, a season-ending 13-12 loss to their bitter rivals from Lorain spoiling a chance to win the LEL title. Lorain led 13-0 at halftime and Elyria’s second half rally came up short. Wolodzko earned two letters in football and won the Gold Buckle for Golf in 1938. He attended Ohio State but joined the Air Force for World War II. After the war, Wolodzko continued his career at Toledo University as a punter and halfback. He earned four letters at Toledo and was captain of the 1947 team. Before his death in 1971 at the age of 50 due to cancer, Wolodzko taught in Michigan and in the Cleveland School sys

Class of 1980

Jack Beidleman

There must have been a collective sigh of relief among defensive players after Jack Beidleman played his last football game. No longer would they have to try to stop the speedy, elusive Beidleman, who seemed to have the balance of a tight-rope walker. “It was Beidleman against the Harding defense and the Harding defense came in a poor second,” wrote a Marion Star reporter after Beidleman had shredded the Prexies with five touchdowns and 220 yards rushing in just 16 carries as Elyria romped 32-3. In fact, twice Beidleman nearly single-handedly defeated Marion. As a junior, Beidleman returned two punts for touchdowns (55 and 80 yards) and scored two other touchdowns on runs of 3- and 20-yards as Elyria demolished Marion, 45-7. All told, Beidleman scored nine touchdowns, rushed for 339 yards in 30 carries, caught a pass for 30 yards, and returned two punts for scores against one school. Beidleman did a lot of that in his two years on the EHS varsity. He rushed for 1,160 yards his senior year to lead the team in scoring with 130 points. Seven of his touchdowns came on plays of 40 yards or longer. He led Elyria to a 8-1-1 finish. He remains among the top in career scoring, touchdowns and rushing. In the spring, Beidleman starred on the track team as a hurdler and sprinter. He also was an outstanding long-jumper. He went on to Akron University and was just as devastating as a runner for the Zips. He is also a member of Akron’s Hall of Fame.

Jim Couch

No one dominated the local golf scene the way Jim Couch dominated in his high school, collegiate, and amateur days. Couch burst on the scene in 1967 and won six Elyria City championships, five Lorain County titles, and three county Tournament of Champions crowns. Couch honed his game while attending Elyria Catholic High School and the University of Dayton. A three-time Lorain County Juniors winner, he copped three North Central Conference crowns for EC and competed in the state meet his senior year after winning the district championship. He was Dayton’s No. 1 player for three years – averaging low strokes per round three times. Couch teamed with fellow ESHOF’s Jim Ross to win the Cleveland District Best Ball, the Ashland Invitational Best Ball and the Galion Invitational Best Ball tournaments – three of the top events in the state – in a three week span in 1973. Couch was Oberlin Golf Club’s champion many times and has been ranked in the top ten amateurs in the Cleveland area numerous times. He has served as president and vice president of the Lorain County Golf Association. While Couch’s notoriety came mainly on the links, some of his most cherished memories came on the baseball diamond. Couch was an exceptional Little League and Hot Stove player – recording four no-hitters and twice being invited to tryout camps by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also competed in football and basketball at EC. Couch, who passed away in June, 2012, was a well-respected attorney in the area and was the public address announcer for Midview basketball and the Division I basketball tournament at Midview for many years. Couch served the ESHOF as chairman in 1983.

Jerry Klyop

It could be said that Jerry Klyop vaulted into the Elyria Sports Hall of Fame – literally. Klyop still owns the distinction of being Elyria’s top pole vaulter of all time and his vault of 15-foot, 3 inches remains one of the top marks in the county. Klyop was a three-time Buckeye Conference champion and record holder. He held vault titles and records at the Sandusky Relays, the West Tech Relays and the Berea Relays. He won the regional with a then record vault of nearly 15 feet. At the state meet, Klyop won the 1968 state pole vault event with a then-record 15 feet, 1 and ¾ inch vault. It was his third trip to the state meet. Klyop competed in the Golden West Classic – the nation’s elite track meet for high school athletes – and finished eighth. He continued his career at Villanova University and won several important meets. He finished his career consistently vaulting over 17 feet. Klyop is now a practicing physician in the Cincinnati area.

Stan Machock

You’ve heard players referred to as a ‘pitcher’s pitcher’ or a ‘hitter’s hitter’. It is a supreme compliment reserved for the most respected at their craft. Stan Machock would come under the category ‘an official’s official’. Machock was recognized as one of the top football and basketball officials in the country. Machock started his athletic career competing in football, basketball and golf while a student at Elyria High. He led Elyria’s basketball team and the Lake Erie League in scoring in 1932-33. He was an All-LEL selection and earned a scholarship to Ohio State. He played freshman basketball for the Buckeyes but dropped out of school due to financial reasons. He played two years of AAU ball with the Humble Oil & Refining Co. in Texas. Machock worked 32 years as a football official and 34 in basketball. In football, he spent 20 seasons officiating in the Ohio Conference. He also worked the Big Ten in 1956. His officiating was ranked either first or second every year. He received the ultimate honor in 1966 when he worked the Rose Bowl game between Michigan State and UCLA. Machock’s basketball officiating days also started in the Ohio Conference and moved on to the Mid-American Conference before he was hired by the Big Ten in 1954. During his 14 Big Ten years, he worked seven NCA and NCAA tournaments. He worked the Ohio Conference finals and nine consecutive AAU tournaments. He officiated at the Olympic trials in 1960 and 1964. Only five officials in Ohio and a dozen men total have worked both football and basketball – Machock is one of them. When he retired, he was rated as the No. 2 whistle-tooter in the league.

Larry Stark

Imagine winning 38 straight tennis matches. That’s exactly what Larry Stark accomplished at Elyria High School under coach Jim Rakestraw. It remains the school record to this day. In the spring of 1959, Stark teamed with Jim Guest to win the state high school doubles championship – Elyria’s first-ever state title. Stark continued his prowess at Kent State where he captured the Mid-American Conference singles championship in 1962 and the doubles crown in 1963. He continued his excellence on the local courts by winning the city doubles championship 12 times and the singles crown 10 times. He has also won six Lorain County championships. Stark had success in other sports as well. He made his little league team as an 8-year old – an exceptional feat in that day – playing against kids as old as 12. He also excelled in table tennis, once winning a tri-state junior boys tournament championship. He was the first member of the Elyria YMCA Gym Leaders when they were formed. That experience greatly influenced his later success as a basketball and tennis coach at Southview High School in Lorain. Stark also played basketball at Elyria High – leading the freshman team in scoring. At Southview, Stark was an intense competitor as a coach. His basketball teams won two district championships and his tennis teams were always very good. In his first year as basketball coach, the Saints pulled a 73-67 upset on then top-ranked and unbeaten Barberton. In 1976, his Saints defeated his alma mater, 59-53, for the district title. In tennis, Stark was the first and only coach at Southview until his retirement. Stark is also a member of the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame. He and his wife Val, the daughter of long-time Lorain High and Admiral King coach Al McConihe, reside in Lorain.

content