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.
JOHN L. (JACK) SKEEL
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.
ROBERT B. OHLRICH
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.
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.
RAY SLAYBAUGH
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.
BRETT M. RUDOLPH
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.
VERN LOCKEMER
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.
JANET WARD CURLEY
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.