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Chagrin Falls Alumni Association

Keeping Tiger Pride Alive

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JEFFREY EUGENE GROTH

Class of 1975
Football, Basketball, Baseball

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.

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RALPH QUESINBERRY

Teacher, Coach, AD

The accolades were many for “Quiz” during his career as a teacher, coach, and athletic director at CFHS. In 1972, he was named National Athletic Director of the year. He is a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame, the Ohio High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame, and the Ohio High School Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame. His 1947 and 1961 football teams were undefeated. He also coached basketball, track, golf, baseball, and swimming. During his 35 years in Chagrin Falls Schools, Ralph impacted the lives of just about anyone with whom he came in contact. His gym classes became legendary – the unforgettable voice ordering the seemingly impossible tasks. For many a Chagrin youth, Coach’s “basic training” became a lasting memory. Following his retirement in 1980, Ralph L. Quesinberry Gymnasium was named in his honor.

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SUSAN ELIZABETH WISE

Class of 1980
Basketball, Tennis, Track

Soon after she was graduated from CFHS, Sue’s basketball jersey number “42” was permanently retired in honor of her many accomplishments. While her leadership and athletic abilities enhanced the play of Tiger teams in tennis and track, it was on the basketball court where her star shined most brightly. Sue was an All-Ohio basketball selection in 1978-79 and 1979-80 with the 1978-79 team reaching the state semi-finals. She was the Chagrin Valley Conference’s Most Valuable Player in 1978-79. In the 40 basketball games she played on the CFHS floor, 40 victories were recorded. Sue was captain of the basketball team at William & Mary College. In 1989-90, she coached Hope College to a National Division III Championship in women’s basketball. She was named National Division III Basketball Coach of the Year.

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STEVEN VAN NORT

Class of 1958
Football, Basketball, Track

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.

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WILLIAM HENRY ROBINSON

Class of 1931
Track, Football, Basketball

“Rompin’ Bill” earned his nickname on the gridiron where his many spectacular runs as a Tiger halfback and kick returner left fans gasping and defenders grasping. It is, however, in track and field that we are reminded of his superb athleticism. His long jump (21-21/2) has stood as a CFHS record for 60 years. In the spring of his senior year, Bill won a state championship in the 100 yard dash and placed second in the 220 yard dash. He also ran on the Tiger 880 yard relay team, which placed third in the state. He was an All-County football selection, playing on Ted Gurney’s 1930 undefeated team. In addition to his prowess in football and track, Bill lettered four years in basketball.

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KENNETH ROBERT LAUTERER

Class of 1956
Basketball, Football, Baseball

Ken was graduated as CFHS’s most prolific record holder in basketball. During his three years of varsity play he established records for most points in a high school career (867), most points in a single season (618), most points in a single game (36 twice), and best scoring average per game (23.0). He was an All Conference, All-County, and All-Ohio selection his senior year. Co-Captain and MVP of the Tigers’ 1955-1956 state semi-finalist team (21-6), Ken’s leadership qualities were further illustrated by his winning the Rotary Club Gold Book Award for scholarship and sportsmanship. He also played baseball and was selected as an All-County end in football. Ken was a two year letterman in basketball at Ohio Wesleyan College.

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ELWOOD J. “BUS” NELISSE

Class of 1926
Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track

Bus was Chagrin Falls’ most dominant athlete during the 1920’s. He was awarded four letters each in football, basketball, and track, and one in baseball. He is best remembered as the Tigers’ first state champion when he won the mile run in Columbus in 1925, his junior year. He also earned a first in football, playing on CFHS’s 1924 team, the first to win a County championship. The 1925 team also placed first in the county. Bus was captain of the Tigers’ basketball team during his sophomore, junior, and senior years. He played on several semi pro basketball teams after graduation. He was offered a track scholarship to Ohio State University.

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THEODORE C. GURNEY

Coach
Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Track

An outstanding athlete at Baldwin-Wallace College, Ted arrived in Chagrin Falls in 1926 and began a career in Chagrin Falls Schools which spanned 40 years. For many of those years, he mentored athletics, serving as a coach in football, basketball, baseball, and track. His 1930 football team was undefeated, scoring 239 points to its opponents’ 34. During his tenure as a coach, his players earned many team and individual honors. While at Baldwin Wallace, Ted was named All-Ohio tackle. He earned 10 letters total. In 1977, he was inducted into the Baldwin-Wallace College Athletic Hall of Fame. After leaving the coaching ranks, Ted served CFHS as its principal and athletic director until his retirement in 1966. Two years later, Gurney Elementary School was named in his honor.

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ROBERT JAMES SHUTTS

Class of 1964
Football, Basketball, and Baseball

Bob exemplified the term “winner” during his athletic career at CFHS. At times he was nearly perfect, pitching three no-hitters and playing four years of football, never losing a game. He played varsity football for three years, leading the Tigers from the quarterback position during the final two seasons of the 29-game win streak. In basketball, he was his team’s MVP during his junior and senior years. Bob earned All-Conference honors in football, basketball and baseball. He won a baseball scholarship to Northwestern University, where he pitched a no-hitter against Illinois in 1968. He played baseball for three years in the Washington Senators’ organization.

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.