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Chagrin Falls Alumni Association

Keeping Tiger Pride Alive

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GLENN BOMBACK

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1972

Glenn was an integral part of some of Chagrin’s most successful cross country and track teams. In track he established a new school record (4:27.1) in the mile. He placed 2nd in the mile at the State Meet in 1972. Glenn was the league champ in the mile when his 1971 track team won the Chagrin Valley Conference Championship. He helped spark the cross country team to a state title in 1971 and a state runner-up finish in 1970. He placed 4th in the State Cross Country Meet in 1971. Glenn continued his winning ways at Lakeland Community College. His 1972 team finished 14-0 in dual meets and placed in the top 10 at the National Junior College Championships.

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JOHN S. STANTON

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1952

Few persons have coached as many Chagrin athletes as this long-time CFHS teacher and coach. A 1956 graduate of Hiram. College, where he lettered in football and track, Jack became CFHS’s first Jennings Scholar in 1962. He became an assistant football coach at the high school in 1960, a position he was to hold for the next 29 years. He also served a long tenure as head track coach, 1966-1989. As varsity track coach, his teams won Chagrin Valley Conference championships in 1971 and 1977. Jack was named CVC Coach of the Year both years. His track teams were District Runner-up in 1982, Regional Runner-up in 1983, and District Champion in 1984. His track athletes qualified for the state meet in 18 consecutive seasons. Three were state champions.

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DAVID A. BANNING

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1957

One of Chagrin ‘s finest all-around athletes, Dave earned state honors in three sports. Co-captain and quarterback of the 1956 Tiger football team, he was an All Ohio selection. During his junior year, he was a member of the basketball team that reached the state finals. In basketball during his senior year, he was an All Ohio selection and Co-captain of a team that won East County and Sectional championships. In track, he was a three-time state qualifier, placing third in the 100 yard dash during his junior year. After graduating from CFHS, Dave lettered in football and track at Ohio Wesleyan University. He was the Ohio Conference broad jump champion in 1959 and a member of the 880 relay team which set an Ohio Wesleyan and Ohio Conference record in 1959.

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ROBERT H. WILLARD

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1970

Bob was the recipient of a full football scholarship to Ohio State University. There, he played for Woody Hayes on the last OSU football team (1973) to win the Rose Bowl. It was also with distinction that he competed in athletics at Chagrin Falls High School. He excelled in both football and wrestling. His dominance as a lineman in football did not go unnoticed by opposing coaches, as he was a unanimous All League selection and the Chagrin Valley Conference’s Most Valuable Player his senior year. The Co-captain of the 1969 Tiger team was also a Northeast Ohio All District football team selection. Bob was a superb wrestler, winning several tournament championships. He was undefeated in dual meet competition during his senior season and ranked as the number one heavyweight in the Greater Cleveland area.

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ANDREW WIESE

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1983

1983 Considered by most to be Chagrin’s premier middle distance runner, Andy became a 4-year letter winner in track at the University of Iowa. In 1984, he placed third in the 800 meters at the Big Ten Championships. While at Chagrin Falls High, he won back-to-back state championships in the 1600 meters. His winning time of 4:13 during his senior year set a new AA state record. For his accomplishments in track, Andy was a 1983 honorable mention All American selection. He was the 1983 Midwest Champion in the 1600 meters and winner of CFHS’s Vern Lockemer Award, 1981-83. Also a fine cross country runner and soccer player, Andy finished his track career at CFHS as its all-time leading scorer.

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NANCY E. FITZ

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1985

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.

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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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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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ROBERT B. OHLRICH

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Teacher / Coach

Early in his teaching career at Chagrin Falls High, Bob was a boys basketball coach, but it was with girls basketball that his name became synonymous. Starting the girls basketball program in 1975, this math teacher’s coaching numbers speak for themselves: 304 wins, 73 losses, a State Runner-Up, 3 State Semi finals, 6 District Champs, 12 Sectional Champs, and 9 Chagrin Valley Conference Championships. Twice he was named Associated Press Northeast District Coach of the Year. Seven times, he was selected Coach of the Year in the Chagrin Valley Conference. In 1991, Bob retired from coaching girls basketball. He had also coached golf and baseball at CFHS.

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JON FITZPATRICK

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1954

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.

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RAY SLAYBAUGH

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1964

Ray was one of Chagrin’s finest wrestlers. He qualified for the State Wrestling Meet and was undefeated in dual meet competition during his senior year. After lettering four times at CFHS, he continued to dominate the competition in wrestling at Baldwin Wallace College. In his senior year at BW, he won the Ohio Conference Championship. He was his team’s co-captain and Most Valuable Wrestler. Ray compiled a 33-3-3 dual meet record in college. In 1993, he was inducted into the Baldwin Wallace Athletic Hall of Fame.

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BRETT M. RUDOLPH

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1983

Brett Rudolph was one of the most powerful runners to ever wear a Tiger football uniform. It didn’t hurt that he was also the fastest runner in the league. As a senior, he rushed for more than 1300 yards and scored 21 touchdowns, earning him the Most Valuable Player Award for the Chagrin Valley Conference and also Geauga County, He was an All-Ohio selection and recipient of the Cleveland Touchdown Club Award. Brett was a 4-year letterman in track and field. In 1983, he was the Chagrin Valley Conference’s 100 meter dash champion. He qualified for the State Track Meet in the 100 meters and 400 relay. At the University of North Carolina, he played linebacker, lettering all four years. In 1987, Brett was chosen First Team All Atlantic Conference and Honorable Mention All American.

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VERN LOCKEMER

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1963

Vern Lockemer was a splendid all-around athlete at CFHS, lettering in four sports. He was superb in track and field, breaking school records in three events – the high jump, high hurdles, and low hurdles. He was also a member of the 440 relay team which set a school record and the 880 relay team which tied the school record. During his junior and senior years, he played defensive back and offensive end on undefeated football teams. As a senior, he was selected All East County as an end. Vern also played basketball and baseball at CFHS. He attended Hiram College, where he ran indoor and outdoor track. In 1964, while at Hiram, he placed fourth in the high hurdles at the Ohio Conference Indoor Meet.

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JANET WARD CURLEY

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1984

Janet excelled in three sports at CFHS – volleyball, basketball and track and field. In basketball, she played on the 1983 State Runner-Up team, earning many individual honors. During her senior year, she was selected Second Team AP All-Ohio and Third Team UPI All-Ohio in basketball. In track and field, she graduated as Chagrin’s career point leader. She also held school records in the 400 meters and 1600 meter relay, events in which she competed at the State Track Meet in 1983. As a volleyball player, Janet was a Second Team Chagrin Valley Conference selection in 1984.

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JOHN PIAI

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Football Coach

If a coach’s record speaks for itself, then another word need not be spoken for John Piai. John’s Tiger football teams were the toasts of this town for so many seasons that the electricity they generated still burns brightly in our collective memory. The number “29” flashes before us. John was Head Football Coach at CFHS for 29 seasons (1962-1990). He was an assistant coach for the first season and Head Coach for the next three of a 29-game undefeated streak from 1961 through the first game of the 1964 season. Then, there was the 29-game win streak from 1970 through 1973. All told his teams won 175 games. Included were eight conference championships and four undefeated seasons. He was Conference Coach of the Year eight times, and in 1972 he was selected the Greater Cleveland Coach of the Year. In 1987, his team reached the Division IV State Playoffs, and John received the Lee Tressel Award from the Cleveland Touchdown Club. An all-around athlete at Thiel College, he was elected to that college’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992.

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.