Native Clevelander Tom Jackson launched his illustrious football career at John Adams High where he starred for two seasons before moving on to the University of Louisville in 1969. After winning Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year honors as a sophomore in 1970 and as a senior in 1971, he began a history-making 14-year […]
Brian Dowling is an athletic legend at St. Ignatius High School. He led his team to a City Basketball title, sinking four clutch free throws in the title game’s last 34 seconds to turn a 13 point deficit into a 53-50 victory. He also made the state tennis doubles finals as a sophomore and the […]
On May 15, 1981 Lenny Barker carved a special niche for himself in the history of Cleveland Indians baseball by pitching the 12th perfect game in major league history, handcuffing Toronto 3-0, striking out 11 Blue Jays along the way. It was, however, far from the only highlight of his four-plus seasons with the Tribe. […]
Chairman of the Physical Education Department of Western Reserve University from 1926 to 1971, he was chairman of the National Physical Fitness Committee of the AAU from 1974 through 1977, a member of the AAU’s National Gymnastics Committee form 1963-76 and a member of the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Committee from 1968 to 1971. Served as […]
A major figure in the development of amateur baseball in Cleveland, he served as president of the Cleveland Baseball Federation from 1960 to 1976. Served as a member of the board of the Federation from 1948 until 1960 and chaired the Class “F” baseball program for youngsters for 12 years. Also served as a member […]
Fencing coach at Case Western Reserve University, head fencing coach for the Cleveland Division of Recreation and a charter member of the U.S. Academy of Arms, he was responsible for the development of numerous fencing programs in the city. Was selected as a coach of the U.S. Pan-American team in 1971 and coached in the […]
Director of the Cleveland Athletic Club for nearly five years and a leading figure in AAU activities. Served as chairman of the National AAU Boxing Committee and was a member, manager or chairman of several U.S. Olympic Boxing Teams. The Jimmy Lee Foundation now provides college scholarships for deserving Cleveland high school athletes annually.
Organizer, first president (1941-42) and director (1942-55) of the Greater Cleveland Knights of Columbus Track Meet, he played a major role in making the meet one of the top indoor track and field meets in the country. Served as president of the Northeastern Ohio AAU in 1945-46, was a member of the National AAU Board […]
Owner of the Cleveland professional hockey club, known chronologically as the Indians, Falcons and Barons during his ownership from 1930 until 1949. He built the Cleveland Arena in 1937, a building which remained a show place for indoor sports in Cleveland for more than 35 years. Interested and actively involved in many other sports, he […]
Served as Fenn College’s first and only athletic director from the inception of intercollegiate athletics at the school in 1929 until it became Cleveland State University in 1965, then stayed on CSU’s first athletic director for an additional year, a total of 37 years of service to the school in all. Coached basketball, baseball, track, […]