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Chagrin Falls Alumni Association

Keeping Tiger Pride Alive

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Harry Smith

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1949

Professional bowling was one of the leading sports in America in the 1960s & 1970s, which is when Harry Smith ‘49 was considered one of the most outstanding bowlers. He began his career in his teens competing throughout Cleveland. He would eventually perform with a team in Detroit followed by a move to St. Louis. Through this time his reputation grew to a point where his competitors called him “Tiger” due to his fierce competitiveness. Harry would go on to win 12 Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) titles and 3 American Bowling Congress (ABC) championships. His play earned him All-American status in 1959-60, 1962-63, and 1964-65. Over his career he bowled 12 sanctioned 300 games and had an 843 series. He would average 199 for 25 ABC tournament appearances. Bowler’s Journal International Magazine selected the 100 best bowlers of the 20th Century and placed Harry 37th on the list. His illustrious career would garner many honors from being a charter member of the PBA Hall of Fame, ABC Hall of Fame, and Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame to name just a few.

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ROBERT F. PLZAK

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1949

Bob Plzak was an excellent athlete at CFHS, as his nine letters in three sports attest. He was one of very few 4-year lettermen in football, playing tackle on the 1948 undefeated team. He was co-captain of his team in 1949 and an All-County Team selection that same year. He also earned three letters in track and two in basketball. Bob Plzak died in Korea in 1952 while serving as a medic in the United States Army.

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LESTER C. GREEN

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1948

Les was an integral part of the Tigers’ superb (9-0) football team of 1947. He earned all-league honors in football and lettered each of the four years he participated. At Bowling Green State University, he also lettered four times and after graduation was invited to try out for the Cleveland Browns, the Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers. He also ran track and played basketball at CFHS. In track, Les qualified for the state meet in the high and low hurdles..

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JOHN L. (JACK) SKEEL

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1948

Jack’s outstanding intellect and athleticism helped a group of football players soar to great heights at Chagrin Falls High School. He was captain of the 1947 team which finished undefeated (8-0) and champion of the Eastern Cuyahoga County League. The team had a new head coach, Ralph Quesinberry. Jack lettered three times in football. While a powerful inside runner, he kept opponents guessing with his ability to pass or punt. In 1947 jack scored 7 touchdowns and threw 11 touchdown passes from the single wing formation. He was also a tremendous linebacker on a defense that allowed only 22 points for that entire season. A Cleveland Press star, member of the County All-Star Team his senior year, and all conference during his junior and senior years, Jack accepted a full scholarship to play football at Princeton University.

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EVERETT KLINE, JR.

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1919

By the time he was a junior at Chagrin Falls High School, Everett Kline was regarded as the best all around athlete in his school’s history. His athletic prowess earned him a full page dedication in the Zenith yearbook. “Kliney,” as he was called, excelled in football, basketball, and track. A 4-year varsity performer in each sport, he captained most of the teams for which he played. In 1917, at the Delaware Tournament, he was selected third forward of the All Ohio basketball team. In track, he held several county records which included the running broad jump, the running high jump, and the baseball throw. In 1919, he was presented the Silver Loving Cup by the students and teachers at CFHS for his athletic accomplishments and good sportsmanship.

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ROBERT J. ROEDER

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1946 (Honorary)

The enormous voluntary contributions from Bob Roeder to the athletic programs in Chagrin Schools defy measurement, unless of course, we look, listen and remember. The press box and scoreboard we see at Harris Stadium, the lights by which we view the athletic events there, and the sound through which the action is communicated, are largely due to the efforts of Bob. With a background in electrical engineering, he set out in the late 1960’s to make sports in Chagrin safer and more accessible. He started by installing new sound and lighting systems at the Rec Center pool. Since 1970, he has periodically upgraded the sound and lighting systems at the football stadium. Bob was instrumental in the design and the construction of the new press box. He supervised the construction of the original “steps to the falls.” In 1964, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Chagrin Valley Jaycees for his community efforts. If the sound system ever goes bad at Harris Stadium, Bob will probably be the first to know. He has been the familiar “Voice of the Tigers” football announcer for the past 26 years.

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MARGARET H. CROWEL

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1943

Maggie earned from her classmates the nickname “swish” in a time when girls basketball was still more than 30 years from being an official sport in high school. Her athletic skills are well remembered. She was voted “Best girl athlete” from the Class of 1943. In 1945, she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, for which she starred in athletics. Maggie was a member of the Woman Marine basketball team which in 1960 won the East Coast Championship and was runner-up for the All Marine League Championship. She was also a member of the Quanitco and Paris Island basketball team and a player on the All Marine Tournament basketball team. Her teams in softball and bowling also won the All Marine Tournament championships. Maggie was presented the Highest 3-game Series Award by the Women’s Bowling Association of North Carolina.

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WILLIAM EDWARDS

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1941

Anyone who saw Bill perform athletically, remembers the great determination of this former Tiger standout. Known as a “fighter,” he starred in three sports at CFHS. By the time he was a senior, he was regarded as one of the finest football players to ever wear a Tiger uniform. He was a fullback and linebacker who was selected for the Western Reserve All-League team three times. Bill was also a Press Star and Plain Dealer All Star in football. In basketball, he was All-League two years and a Press Star. In track, he was a State qualifier in the mile run.

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Jack Buchanan

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1945

Jack has maintained a passion for preserving and sharing history in each of his careers. He started as a high school history teacher in Newark Valley, New York. He would move on to being an archivist and historical librarian that would take him from Cornell University to New York City. The bulk of his career was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. During his twenty-seven years at the Met, Jack primarily held the role of Chief Registrar, where he oversaw worldwide art movements. Concurrently with his job as Chief Registrar, he was Special Assistant to the Director and later Special Assistant to the President. Jack’s retirement from the museum has led to a writing career. Currently he has authored three books on early American history, two on the Revolutionary War and one on Andrew Jackson. All of the books are required readings at select universities. One book, The Road to Valley Forge, won the Thomas Fleming Award for Best Book of 2004 from the American Revolution Round Table of Philadelphia. Jack has also published short stories, and in 2010 his first novel, The Rise of Stefan Gregorovic.

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Pat Crain Hosmer

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1945

Community Service Award
Pat is the true epitome of community service, which has been exemplified over decades in Geauga County. She has been a volunteer for over 36 years to the Geauga County Historical Society and Century Village. On a weekly basis you can find her helping at University Hospital and at various locations in the Geauga Parks. She also finds time to write on local history and patriotism regularly for the Chagrin Valley Women’s Club and the Geauga County Historical Society. Additionally, Pat has spent over three decades writing letters for the release of prisoners of conscience to various Heads of State in other countries. In the past she has held various leadership roles such as Chairwoman of the CVWC Educational Gift Fund and President of Century Village. She has also lent her sewing talent by knitting over 5,000 pairs of mittens to the Maydugan Center for distribution.

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AUDRE BLAIR

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1933

Audre has had a profound impact on the development of Geauga County. The Ohio Fairs Hall of Fame inducted him for his 65-year service as a director of The Great Geauga County Fair – longer than anyone else in Ohio and more than one-third of the 181 years that the fair has been in existence. The 2010 Fair marked the 95th year that he has attended the fair. Outside of the Fair, Audre has been a long time member and leader in the local grange, Geauga County Soil & Water Conservation Board, Geauga County Cooperative Association, Geauga County Maple Festival, Geauga County 4-H Advisory Committee, and Village of Newbury Trustee. In 1948, Audre received two awards: Geauga County Farm Family and Ohio Dairy Farmer of the Year.

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ARLINE MILLER MOORE

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1943

Arline has spent her lifetime helping others in Chagrin Falls. After retiring as an elementary school teacher in the Chagrin Falls School District, she has continued to help in many roles with the schools. Outside of education, she has volunteered with the Friends of the Chagrin Falls Public Library, Chagrin Falls Historical Society and the Chagrin Falls Alumni Association, where she has also served as a member of the Board of Trustees.

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CAPTAIN DAVID INGRAHAM DRAZ, USN, (RET.)

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1944

Captain David Ingraham Draz’s leadership skills were first recognized when he served as the President of the Class of 1944. They have served him well during his military career. He enlisted in the Navy in 1944 and traveled the world while on active duty for 33 years. He became one of the few active duty officers to be qualified in submarines and as a naval aviator, known as Wings and Dolphins. He spent 14 years operating from aircraft carriers. Capt. Draz served in three wars and was honored with numerous awards and medals, among them the Order of the Legion of Merit and Navy Commendation Medal. From 1970-1973 he was the U.S. Naval Attaché in Karachi, Pakistan. After retiring from the Navy in 1977, Capt. Draz started his second career working for Hallmark Cards, Inc., retiring in 1991.

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PETER T. CUBBERLEY

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1949

Valedictorian of his class and president of the Honor Society, Pete Cubberley continues to be a leader in the face of some of our greatest challenges. For the past five years, he has been Medical Director of the Free Clinic of Greater Cleveland, where the volunteered as a physician for 25 years. Dr. Cubberley was instrumental in setting up the HIV/AIDS care program at Kaiser/Permanente and continues to devote much of his professional time to the care of persons with this disease. A 1957 graduate of Allegheny College, he served four years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He earned his medical degree from Western Reserve University in 1961. Dr. Cubberley is currently active in raising money for the AIDS Walk. He also participates in AIDS Healing weekends.

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BILL DARLIN

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1949

After graduating from Chagrin Falls High School, Bill joined the Air Force, finishing as a staff/sergeant and Radar Crew Chief. He was graduated from Miami University (Ohio) in 1956. Recently retired after 37 years in the insurance business, his life’s work is far from over. Each summer Bill serves as an English teacher in China. He is deck officer for Spirit of Grace, a 2000 ton humanitarian freighter which carries food and medicine to third world countries. He also smuggles bibles into China, Russia, Cuba and Macau. For the past seven years, he has been Director of World Missions for St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange, California.

Email Us:

If you have an updated address, phone number, or email, then please include that in the message area below.

    Contact Info:

    alumni@chagrinschools.org

    440.247.4387

     


    CFAA Alumni Director:

    Brian McKenna '88

    Office Manager:

    Jana Young ‘82

    Find Us:

    Chagrin Falls Alumni Association

    400 East Washington Street
    Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

    We invite you to join the growing numbers of volunteers who are helping to ensure a bright future for the CFAA and Chagrin Falls Schools. Whether it is through your time or resources, all of us appreciate your generous gifts. To become more involved, contact the Alumni Association. We look forward to your comments, questions, and suggestions. Don’t forget that we appreciate your help in making the CFAA run successfully with the donation of your annual dues of $20 or more.