One of finest lightweights of the first decade of the 20th century. Among those he met in the ring were World Champion Willie Ritchie, English Champion Freddie Welsh and the renowned Packy McFarland.
Silver medalist in the high jump at the 1936 Olympic Games, he set a world record in the event at the National AAU Championships that same year, clearing 6′ 9-3/4″. Was Big Ten and NCAA high jump champion at Ohio State University after winning state high school championship at Cleveland East Tech. Also excelled in basketball and football at East Tech and was two-time Golden Gloves champion.
A world record-holder in the 200-meter and 220-yard dashes, he was U.S. 200-meter champion in 1961, ’62 and ’63. Won silver medal in 200-meter dash and gold in 400-meter relay at 1964 Olympic Games. Was high school All-American at Cleveland Cathedral Latin, winning state championships in 100 and 200-yard dashes in 1958, then twice earned All-American honors at Villanova University.
First man in Olympic history to win gold medals in the 100-meter dash (1948) and 110-meter hurdles (1952). Also won gold medals in the 400-meter relay in both Olympics. A state hurdles champion at Cleveland East Tech High, he later set world records in the 120-yard highs and 220-yard lows at Baldwin Wallace College. Won 17 national collegiate and AAU championships, once held 11 world, Olympic and American records simultaneously. Voted Sullivan Award in 1955 as nation’s Outstanding Amateur Athlete.
One of the great woman athletes of her time, she was runner-up for the Women’s National Amateur title in 1925, won the Cleveland Women’s Amateur Championship four times (1931-32-34-35) and was a three time Ohio Women’s titlist. Also was a national women’s tennis champion during a memorable athletic career that lasted from 1924 to 1939.
One of the first fine amateur golfers produced in Cleveland area. Won the Ohio Amateur Championship in 1908, 1910 and 1914. Also won Cleveland Amateur Championship three times. Qualified for the National Amateur Championship three times. Qualified for the National Amateur Championships on several occasions, the first time in 1907. Known during a career which began in 1907 and ended in 1918 as the Prince of Golfdom.
One of the greatest athletes ever produced at Cleveland Central High where he was a three-time football all-scholastic, was the city’s leading basketball scorer for three seasons and starred in track. Went on to Springfield College where he won nine letters in four sports and captained the 1922 football team. Later coached at Central High from 1923 to 1941 and at Cleveland Glenville High from 1941 to 1962.
Starred for Cleveland East Tech High’s great post-World War I teams which lost only one game in three years, that in the National High School Championship Game by a 16-7 score. Went on to play at Iowa State University where he earned fame by running backward for three safeties to beat Drake. Later coached football at East Tech from 1928 to 1932.
Played six seasons (1947-51 and 1954) for Cleveland Browns. Was considered one of the club’s finest linebackers. Was All-City and All-Ohio fullback at Cleveland Collinwood High School in 1941, then enrolled at Ohio State University, where he played fullback for one season before entering the U.S. Army Air Corps. Played one preseason (1946) for Ohio State before turning professional. Continued studies in off-season, eventually earned his MD and became prominent surgeon.
Regarded as the finest offensive tackle in professional football during much of a ten-year career (1946-73) with Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams and Oakland Raiders. All-pro selection seven times. First round draft pick of Philadelphia after winning unanimous All-American selection as a guard at the University of Nebraska in 1963 and being named college football’s “Lineman of the Year” by the Washington, D.C. Touchdown Club. Began his football career at Cleveland East Tech High.
Deceased 6/16/2023