David helped to guide the resurgence of Chagrin football when he quarterbacked the Tigers to 28 wins, three playoff appearances, and three CVC titles in a three year span. He would complete his football career as the winningest quarterback in Chagrin history. He would also be the leader in passing yardage while throwing for over 1200 yards in each of his three seasons at the helm. His sophomore and senior years garnered selection as Honorable Mention All State, 1st Team Northeastern Ohio, and 1st Team Geauga County Touchdown Club in football. His success was also notable in basketball where he was a 4 year varsity starter. David would finish his hoops career in the 10 in points and assists at Chagrin. He was a two-year captain of the basketball squad, while he held the same honor during his senior season in football. David also earned 1st Team CVC honors his senior year and honorable mention in both his sophomore and junior years. Additionally David was selected in both sports with multiple Plain Dealer and News Herald player of the week awards.

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).

Kelly was a 3-sport star at Chagrin earning 12 varsity letters (volleyball, basketball, & softball) and captaining each of the teams in her senior year. She would earn CVC 1st Team honors in all three sports: Basketball (’95, ’96, ’97), Volleyball (’96), & Softball (’97). In basketball, she would further earn 2nd Team All-Ohio (‘97), Honorable Mention All-Ohio (‘95, ‘96) and CVC & News-Herald Basketball MVP (’97). During her senior year, she would score her 1,000th point and help lead the 1997 squad to a state runner-up finish in girls basketball.

A 1961 NCAA Qualifier from Bowling Green State University would come to Chagrin Falls later that year to teach and coach at Chagrin Falls and establish the Tigers as a dominant wrestling program. While at Chagrin, Mr. Hoppel was also on the coaching staff of the football program. Under Hoppel’s guidance the wrestling team won 4 CVC titles in 5 years (’65 – ’67 & ’69). Four individuals made it to the state tournament (Reed Carpenter, Ray Slaybaugh, Warren Wise & Bob Camarato) during an era when there was only one division in wrestling. Over a dozen of his grapplers would go on to compete at Division I colleges. Also under his leadership, the team had a 25 match unbeaten streak which included 22 straight wins and two 10 – 0 seasons(65 – 66 & 66 – 67). During this streak, the Tigers dual events were so popular that not only would there be sellout crowds against our rivals Solon, Kenston and Twinsburg, several of the matches were also televised. After 1969, Coach Hoppel would go on to coach at his alma mater, BGSU, and other schools before helping to revive the nationally recognized St. Edward’s program. Jim has been inducted into the East Liverpool School and BGSU Athletic Halls of Fame and his family, which includes four brothers, has been recognized by the OHSAA for having the largest influence on wrestling during the 1950s.

Karis was not only a dominant tennis player in the conference but at the state level as well. She successfully qualified to the state tournament during all four years and earned the state runner-up title in singles tennis her senior year. Karis earned many honors including being selected the MVP of the CVC three times and to the Plain Dealer All- Greater Cleveland Dream Team. Her achievements continued on in college. While at Miami University of Ohio, she was a Conference Champion in both singles and doubles. She placed at the MAC Conference Tournament in 1994 – 1996.

Brye had an illustrious soccer career at both CFHS and the United States Naval Academy. Playing for veteran coach and father Dr. Mario Gerhardt, Brye earned accolades at all levels. During his junior year he was selected 2nd Team All-Ohio, while his senior season he was tabbed for 1st Team. In his final two seasons, Brye was named Regional All-American. Also during the fall of 1996, he was recognized as the Greater Cleveland Division II Player of the Year and was the first Chagrin boys soccer player to earn All American honors. Gerhardt took a strong academic resume with his soccer skills to the Naval Academy where he played all 4 years. While there Brye was the leading scorer for 3 seasons. He finished his career 9th in points in Navy history (58) and 6th in assists (14). He was also selected to 1st team Patriot League during his senior season and 2nd team the previous year.

Steve was a three-sport athlete competing for four years in football, wrestling and baseball. He received CVC honors for all three sports during his career. His main passion was baseball where he earned CVC honors for three years and his senior team was CVC champs in 1967. He went on to have a very successful four-year wrestling career at Ashland College where the team won 29 straight matches, which was not new to Steve for he was part of the Tiger squads that went unbeaten in 23 straight matches. In addition Steve has been involved in giving back to the school through his leadership in numerous projects including the varsity baseball grass infield and the Piai locker room and track storage project.

Eric won many races and awards as a track and cross country standout at Chagrin Falls High School. His last race was his best. As a senior in track he won a state championship in the 1600 meters. Earlier that season he established new Chagrin Valley Conference records in the 1600 meters and the 3200 meters. In his final cross country season Eric was selected as the CVC’s Most Valuable Player. He placed 12th in the State Cross Country Meet. At Indiana University he ran three years varsity cross country and three years indoor/outdoor track and field.

Jon’s leadership and athletic skills helped his teams win several championships during his years at Chagrin Falls High School. He excelled in baseball, football and basketball, and was a team captain in each sport. In baseball he was 1st-team All-Conference during his junior and senior years. He was selected to the Plain Dealer’s All-Greater Cleveland Team and Dream Team. Leading his team to a Chagrin Valley Conference Championship as a senior, he won the league’s Most Valuable Player Award. In football he was All-Conference and won the Golden Helmet Award for the Greater Cleveland Area. In 1980 Jon’s basketball team won league, sectional and district titles. He was chosen for the All-District Tourney Team. He played professional baseball for two years in the Cincinnati Reds organization.

Doug excelled in three sports at Chagrin Falls High School. He lettered four times in baseball and was an All-Ohio selection during his senior year. He was First Team All-Conference in football, basketball and baseball during his senior year. Doug earned a football/baseball scholarship to Bowling Green State University. At BGSU, he lettered three years in baseball and twice in football. After college, he played professional baseball in the Cincinnati Reds organization for two years.

John began coaching boys cross country at CFHS in 1963. His first three teams went undefeated in dual meet competition. By 1970, the Tiger runners were among the best in Ohio, finishing second in the state meet. The following year, John’s team won the state crown, the first ever in any sport by a Chagrin team. During his 25 years as head coach, the Tigers compiled a 124-68 dual meet record. Along the way to the state title, his teams won five Chagrin Valley Conference championships. John was named CVC Coach of the Year in each of those years. In 1971, he was selected Northeast Ohio Coach of the Year.

Few athletes will attain the levels of athletic excellence enjoyed by Jeff. As a wide receiver and special teams player for the Miami Dolphins, Houston Oilers, and New Orleans Saints, quarterback Ken Stabler said that Jeff reminded him of “a Fred Biletnikoff with speed.” Jeff played for seven years in the National Football League, At CFHS, he was a standout in football, basketball, and baseball, earning All-Ohio honors in baseball and football. In 1978 at Bowling Green University, Jeff was named All-American in football. He also played baseball in college and was selected in Major League Baseball drafts by the Chicago Cubs, the Atlanta Braves, and the Texas Rangers.