Chagrin Falls Alumni Association
Keeping Tiger Pride Alive
Bob Plzak was an excellent athlete at CFHS, as his nine letters in three sports attest. He was one of very few 4-year lettermen in football, playing tackle on the 1948 undefeated team. He was co-captain of his team in 1949 and an All-County Team selection that same year. He also earned three letters in track and two in basketball. Bob Plzak died in Korea in 1952 while serving as a medic in the United States Army.
A fine all-around athlete at Chagrin Falls High School, Dennis Bradley would reach professional status in golf, not then a school sport at CFHS. In 1954, he was the Cleveland District Jaycee Champion. In 1955 and 1956, he was the Cleveland District Junior Champion. As a professional in the PGA and Senior PGA, he won numerous golf tournaments, including three National championships. In 1986 Dennis was named Golf Professional of the Year in Western New York. In 1988, he was elected to the Western New York PGA Hall of Fame. While at CFHS, he lettered in football, basketball and track.
Joe is the first soccer standout to be named to the Chagrin Falls Schools’ Athletic Hall of Fame. When soccer was in its infancy at CFHS, he was his school’s most outstanding performer. As a senior, he was an All-Ohio selection. Twice an All-League pick, he was co-captain and MVP of his own team. He doubled as a kicker for the Tiger football team. Joe carried his soccer prowess on to Kent State University where he was a Collegiate All-Ohio player and twice named to the All Mid-American Conference team. In 1977, he was drafted by the Cleveland Cobras professional soccer team, but he opted to continue his educational career.
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.
Carol Bartley was a superb all-around gymnast. She was a 4-year varsity letter winner and as a senior placed 5th on the vault individual in State competition. She was a District qualifier all four years at CFHS. During her senior year, she was First Team All-Conference in gymnastics and volleyball. At Ohio State University, Carol earned four more letters in gymnastics. At the Nationals in 1982, she placed 8th on floor exercise. Her college teammates and coaches voted her the Most Dedicated Award that same year.
Anne’s tenure as a female golfer at Chagrin Falls High School was unique and extraordinary. After moving to Chagrin during her sophomore year, she played three years on the boys’ golf team. By the time she had graduated, she had lettered three times, had been co-captain of her team, and named to the All Chagrin Valley Conference golf team. She earned a four-year scholarship to play on the women’s golf team at the College of William and Mary. She captained her team for three years and won numerous collegiate tournaments and regional titles. As a freshman, she was named All-American. Anne is the co-founder of the Ohio Girls’ Golf Foundation, which was instrumental in the development of high school girls’ golf teams.
Ryan Kaye ranks as one of Chagrin’s very best basketball players. At graduation, he held a host of school records including all time leading scorer (1,373 points), most points in a season (559) and highest season scoring average (25.4). He was Second Team All-Ohio during his junior and senior years. He was a First Team Chagrin Valley Conference selection for three years in a row. His teams won two CVC championships, two Sectional titles and one District crown. During his senior year, Ryan quarterbacked the football team into the State playoffs. He was a First Team All District selection in football. He played varsity basketball for two years at Williams College in Massachusetts before an injury ended his career.