Chester Oblock sponsored and managed the Pyramid Men’s Softball team to Cleveland’s first national title in 1975. A longtime supporter and promoter of Cleveland teams, he gave impetus to the continued successful development of Greater Cleveland programs.
Jack Howlett has had a long career of service in support of Speed Skating, Luge and Bobsledding, which included selection as the coach and manager of the 1972 USA Olympic Luge Team. He served as that sport’s national secretary for 15 years. His efforts to develop speed skating in the area led to the Ohio Speed Skating Association fielding the second largest number of registered competitors in the United States.
Carl Fischer ranked as one of the greatest softball managers ever in Cleveland. Among many other famous teams, he put together and managed the nationally known “Bloomer Girls” who, in 1935, won the first national women’s title (fast pitch) for Cleveland.
One of the legends in the annuls of Ohio High School wrestling, Euclid coach Clarence Eckert had a dual meet record of 246-42-4, ranking among the top coaches of all time. Three state titles and six district crowns were included among his successes.
Cleveland’s flyweight champion in 1920, 1921 and 1922, Phil Goldstein earned the right to compete in the National AAU Boxing Tournament in Boston in 1923. He fought his way to the semifinals of that tournament before losing a split decision to Fidel Labarbra, who went on to win the AAU crown, the 1924 Olympic championship and eventually the world professional flyweight title. A distinguished professional career followed with successes against some of the most imposing opposition.
An active competitor in Olympic-style weightlifting for 15 years, Howard Prechtel won a world title in 1961. Subsequently he established eight world records in various powerlifting classifications, some of which stood for several years.
In a competitive career spanning 21 years, Phillip Franz consistently was ranked among the nation’s best in this difficult and dangerous sport. Three times he was the runner up at the national championship and placed within the top four in 82% of his races.
Kenneth Carter was the national Tumbling Champion in the 1930s, and was considered one of the top flight gymnasts of his day, having made the USA Olympic Team in 1940. He toured the United States and Europe with an acrobatic group which gained extensive notoriety.
Paul Pirrone fought at a consistently high level which included bouts against 15 world champions. “Poison Pirrone” was the number one ranked middleweight in the world in 1934 and his pro career spanned eleven years, from 1928 to 1939.
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