Chagrin has had a rich history in football dating back to 1898. However, it will be in 2009 that the Tigers will make its first appearance in the state title game. First Team All-Ohio quarterback Chris Trinetti would lead Chagrin to a 14-1 record that year with the only loss in the title game. Chris would garner MVP – Offensive Player of the Year honors by the Cleveland Touchdown Club, Plain Dealer “Grid Iron Hero” and first team honors in both the county and conference that year. He would finish his years at Chagrin with a 22-5 record as starting quarterback and as the record holder in several categories including career passing touchdowns (44) and career passing yards (3,831). During the Spring Chris was an accomplished midfielder on the boys lacrosse team. His 63 goals led the Tigers in scoring his senior year. Chris would also be honored as three time All-Ohio selection. After high school Chris would go on to Div. 1AA Davidson College where he earned three letters in football. He played primarily as a receiver and kick returner before his career was ended by injury and he took on a role as Assistant Offensive Coach. Chris was recognized on the Pioneer Football League Fall 2011 Academic Honor Roll.
David Kirk
Dave Kirk laid at lasting impact to a generation at Chagrin both in the classroom as an English teacher and as coach to our Tiger runners. He led the Track and Field program from 1990-2014 and Boys Cross Country Team from 1990-2010. Under his tenure, 80 athletes earned All-Ohio recognition and 19 athletes qualified to the National Championships. His teams also won a State Championship and two State Runners-up titles. Additionally, Dave has played an integral role in the writing, organization, and implementation of the “Ohio Plan” as it is referred to by the United States Olympic Committee Paralympic Division which has become a national model for other states looking to provide opportunities for disabled athletes to compete in track & field. He was inducted into the Ohio Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2012, He continues to volunteer his time to the Department of Defense Warrior Games and has worked with both the Marine Corps and the Army in hosting this event that promotes the successful recovery and reintegration of our nation’s wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans through adaptive sports competition. A published author, including an article in Olympic Coach, Dave has presented at the USOC National Leadership Conference as well as participated in the National High Performance Summit held by the USOC at the University of Illinois.
Dr. Mario Gerhardt
Dr. Mario Gerhardt began the Varsity Boy’s Soccer Team in 1970 and is now in his 46th season as its Head Coach. He is the winningest boys high school soccer coach in Ohio with 504 wins entering the 2015 soccer season. The teams Mario has coached continue to have success in the postseason with one State Runner-Up finish (2003), 5 Final Four trips, 11 District titles, and 26 Sectional championships. His regular season includes 18 conference titles. He has coached 59 Academic All-Ohioans, 32 All-Ohioans, 11 Regional All-Americans, & 1 All-American. 45 of his players continued on to play varsity college soccer. He has also been recognized by his peers by being selected as the Ohio Coach of the Year 3 times, Greater Cleveland Coach of the Year 6 times, and Conference Coach of the Year 10 times. In 2004, he was selected as a NSCAA Regional Coach and was a finalist for National Coach of the Year. Mario has previously been inducted in the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame (1993) & Ohio North Youth Soccer Hall of Fame (2003). He has also been honored for with the NSCAA Robert W. Robinson High School Long-Time Service Award (2009), OSSCA Pinsenschaum Sportsmanship and Ethics Award (2010), and the OHSAA Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity Award (1997-1998).