The eleven seniors of the class of 1964 had a four year record of 31-0-2. During this four year streak they scored 977 points to their opponents 184. That’s an average score of 30-6. Bob Shutts (QB-S) and Barry Furst (OE-ILB) were the co-captains for this team during their senior year. The other 9 seniors were John Bourisseau (OT-DT-punter), Pete DeGreen (C), Bill Grubich (G-ILB), Miles McKearney (G), Jim Miles (C), Joel Moorhead (G), Jim Murley (RB), George Reitz (OE), Tom Zeleznik (OT). As freshmen, their Head Coach was John Piai, Sophomore year was Ralph Quesinberry, and then John Piai for their junior and senior years. Assistant coaches were Bill Morgan, Don Chadwick, Jack Stanton and Jim Hoppel. The East County League included Solon and many of the traditional teams that we still play today like Orange, Kenston and West Geauga. The Seniors of ’64 are thankful for the significant contributions of the class of’62, ’63 & ’65 who all own a piece of this remarkable feat.
Chan Diamond
Chan was a standout athlete in 4 sports earning 12 varsity letters in his Tiger career. His letters were two in football and basketball, three in track and a remarkable five in baseball. Originally baseball was a summer sport and with the eventual change to a spring sport, it allowed Chan the fortunate opportunity to earn five letters in baseball. The spring season was certainly a busy one for Chan would sometimes compete in both baseball and track on the same day. He would typically have to pass on heights in the pole vault until the game ended or the Tigers were up to bat. At that point he would change uniforms and make a jump. Chan would be a CVC placer in both the long jump and pole vault and finished his senior year with a 6th place in the OHSAA tournament in the pole vault. He would later compete in football and track at Baldwin Wallace College.
Bob Dahl
Bob was a key player during the 1980s for the Tiger football team. He was selected All-Ohio in 1986 and earned a scholarship at the University of Notre Dame. He was a 2 year starter and was named Honorable Mention All-American at Right Tackle in 1990. Bob was selected in the 3rd round of the 1991 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He would later get a starting position for his hometown Cleveland Browns starting 47 games over a 3-year span. He spent his final 2 seasons as an offensive lineman for the Washington Redskins.
Cortney DeGross Bokoch
Cortney has been one of the most significant members of the storied Chagrin cross country and track teams. Besides being a member of 1991 State Champion Team and 1992 State Runner-up Team in Cross Country, she qualified for states in all 4 years. She earned All-Ohio honors twice and was 1st Team CVC for all 4 years. While in track, she was the CVC champion in the mile, twice all-conference in the 2 mile run and a 3 time all-conference honoree in the 4 by 800 relay.
ROBERT DEAN
Bob taught social studies and served as the Department Chairman during his 25 years at Chagrin Falls High School. During this time he also served as the varsity football team’s defensive coordinator. Our teams were known not only for their tenacious defenses but also for the very innovative schemes, which our teams used. The “Deaner” created these after hours of film study of our opponents from which he created tendency charts. Our 1972 defensive team still holds a school record giving up only 17 points during the entire season while going undefeated. Bob was a former outstanding football player and captain of his team at Thiel College and was a fixture on the Chagrin Falls Varsity Football staff. He was also an assistant coach on one of our state qualifying girls’ basketball teams.
RACHEL FRESHMAN JOHNSON
Rachel was a great all-around athlete, but was known best at Chagrin for her accomplishments as a gymnast. During her freshman year she qualified for the state meet in four areas and was named the Most Valuable Gymnast in the Chagrin Valley Conference, She also was named Most Valuable Gymnast in the conference her sophomore and senior year. She was injured most of her junior year, but still placed at the state meet with a fourth in the beam. During her senior year she qualified to the state meet in all 5 events and was named the Northeast Ohio District Scholar Athlete of the Year. She was the captain of both the gymnastics team and varsity football cheerleading squad during her senior year.
ARTHUR JOHN DAVIDSON
Art moved to Chagrin in the spring of his sophomore year and immediately made his presence known on the track. While he also lettered in football and basketball, it was in track where he made his mark. During his junior year, he was third in the 100 and sixth in the 220. During his senior year, Art was undefeated in the 100 yard dash winning the state title. Art captained that season’s team that went through the 1959 season undefeated and took a 3rd place at the state meet. He went on to compete in track at Ohio Wesleyan University and captained the 1963 team.
STACEY EHRENBEIT BLAIR
This splendid all-around athlete continued to dominate the competition at the collegiate level. While at Chagrin Falls High School, Stacey earned nine varsity letters in volleyball, basketball and track. She was captain of her volleyball and basketball teams. In volleyball she was 1st-team All League, 1st-team All-District and 2nd-team All-County. At Baldwin-Wallace College she starred in volleyball. In 1991 she was named 1st-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference and earned Most Valuable Player honors. Stacey was captain of her team and received the Coach’s Award in 1991. In 1992 she was selected as her college’s Outstanding Senior Female Athlete.
T.J. FLORKIEWICZ
T.J. was named All-Ohio in three sports at CFHS. He was First Team All-State as a kicker in football and Honorable Mention for two years in basketball and baseball. After playing football for a year at Penn State, he transferred to Allegheny College where he earned All-League honors in basketball and football. As a punter, he was invited to tryouts for the Cleveland Browns, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills. T.J. currently teaches and coaches at Euclid City Schools.
DONALD K. EVANS
Don was a 4-year letterman in football and track at CFHS. He also earned two letters in basketball. As a senior, he was an All-State Honorable Mention selection in football and won a full scholarship to the University of Michigan. He played varsity football at three universities and for the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. In track and field, he was a member of the 880-yard relay team which qualified for the state meet during his senior year. Don also excelled in the sport of boxing, before it was banned at Chagrin Falls High School in 1952, the year after he graduated.
JON FITZPATRICK
A superior sprinter in track, Jon’s speed also served him well in football. As a halfback during his senior year, he was one of the leading scorers in Greater Cleveland. He earned three letters in football at CFHS and was a Plain Dealer Dream Team selection. In track, he was among the best in the state. In 1954, he reached the state finals in the 100 and 200 yard dashes and anchored the 880 yard relay team. He also qualified for the state finals in the 220 during his junior year, breaking a school record which had stood for more than 20 years.
NANCY E. FITZ
Nancy learned how to win early in her athletic career at Chagrin Falls High School. As a freshman, she participated in three state championships in Columbus — cross country, basketball and track. Her basketball teams compiled a four-year varsity record of 94-12, including two state appearances. She is the only Chagrin basketball player to take part in the state’s “sweet sixteen” for all four years. During her senior year, she was selected second team All Ohio and named Most Valuable player in the Chagrin Valley Conference. Nancy’s winning ways didn’t stop with her graduation from CFHS. Captain and four-year letter winner on the basketball team at Dartmouth College, her teams registered a 72-31 record, including four Ivy league championships.
WILLIAM EDWARDS
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.
STEVEN VAN NORT
Regarded by his coaches and peers as one of the best to ever wear a Tiger football uniform, Steve was a superb all-around athlete at CFHS. Captain of his football and basketball teams during his senior year, he was also the leading scorer on both teams. In track and field, he was a state qualifier in hurdles. Steve was an All-Ohio pick at halfback while at CFHS. At Amherst College, he was named to the All-New England football team in 1961. He also excelled in rugby, playing at Stanford University and in Australia.