A rugged lightweight who came out of Cleveland’s “Little Italy” to face some of the finest fighters of his era. Among those he fought were three world champions: Tony Canzonneri, Barney Ross and Jimmy McLaren. He defeated Mclaren, the former lightweight champion, in a match in Los Angeles on March 17, 1926.
Began his career at Cleveland East Tech High where he was a three-time state tumbling champion (1933-34-35). All-American gymnast at the University of Illinois where he became the first gymnastics athlete ever to win seven NCAA championships. Also won National AAU Tumbling Championships in 1938, 1939 and 1940. Went on to coach and judge gymnastics at high school, college and national levels until his retirement in 1975. Enshrined in the National Association of Gymnastics Coaches section of the Helms Hall of Fame in 1966.
An amateur golfer, businessman and inventor, he was the co-inventor of the rubber-cored golf ball, patented in 1899. It was this ball which revolutionized the game of golf and is still used today in modified form.
A member of the Cleveland Indians baseball team for six seasons, he became active in promoting both amateur and professional baseball in the Greater Cleveland area after his retirement in 1954. An untiring worker, he was considered one of the sport’s finest ambassadors. Promoted baseball through his membership on the Board of Directors of the Wahoo Club and Cleveland Baseball Federation. He constantly assisted sandlot youngsters with his time and money.
First Cleveland amateur to be named to the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team. Earned this honor 1920. Was Cleveland’s top 118-pounder from 1917 through 1920 and was undefeated both in the city and the State of Ohio during this period.
NCAA All Around co-champion at University of Illinois in 1940. Also qualified for 1940 Olympic team, but Games were cancelled. National AAU floor exercise champion and runner-up on horizontal and parallel bars in 1946. Big Ten All Around, Horizontal Bar and Parallel Bars champion in 1939, competed for U.S. International Team vs. Czechoslovakia in 1947. Attended Cleveland East Tech High.
Named to the U.S. Women’s Curtis Cup Team in 1948 to highlight a notable career on the links. Won the Women’s City title in 1944, 1946 and 1947 and the Women’s Ohio title in 1946 and 1947. Qualified for the Women’s Western and Amateur championships several times.
Winner of the famed Heisman Trophy in 1944 when he led Ohio State University to an unbeaten, untied season, was a unanimous All-American selection at halfback and was voted the most valuable player in the Big Ten. Starred at Cleveland Rhodes High before enrolling at OSU where he was a starter for three seasons.
An All-American tackle at the University of Kentucky he established himself as one of the finest defensive tackles in Cleveland Browns history during an illustrious career which lasted from 1952 through 1966. During that time he was named to the All-Pro team five times (in 1958-59-60-62 and 1963), played in six National Football League championship games and on the Browns’ World championship teams of 1954, 1955 and 1966. He was also honored by the Cleveland Touchdown Club as the “Defensive Player of the Year.”
All-scholastic at Cleveland John Adams high in 1931. Played for Ohio State freshman team, then transferred to Western Reserve where he earned All-American recognition while leading team to two Big Four championships. Was WRU’s leading scorer for three seasons and considered by many the best basketball player in its history. Charter member of Case Western Reserve Athletic Hall of Fame.