An outstanding football player at West tech from 1921-23 and later an amateur basketball league star in Muny competition, he later became a highly successful coach of girls’ amateur basketball teams, winning 18 championships between 1927 and 1938.
Worked for many years to provide opportunities and competition for black bowlers. Formed the Cleveland Bowlers group in the 1930s with 40 members. Now known as the Cleveland Bowling Senate, it currently numbers more than 3,000 bowlers in its membership. Also helped found the National Bowling Association which currently has over 35,000 members. Was the first African American to be elected to American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame, in 1978.
An outstanding boxing coach and trainer for 20 years, he developed many topnotch amateurs who went on to win Cleveland Golden Gloves titles, National Golden Gloves, and National AAU Boxing titles. Helped organize Cleveland Amateur Boxing Trainers Association and was its first president.
Head golf professional at The Cleveland Club (later The Country Club) and a top player of his day, he collaborated with Coburn Haskell in the invention of the rubber-cored golf ball. This ball is still used today in modified form.
One of the nation’s most successful high school wrestling coaches during long career at Maple Heights High School. Won ten Ohio state team championships and was runner-up eight times. Was winner of National Coach of the Year Award presented by National High School Coaches Association. Charter member of Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame and winner of National Helms Foundation Hall of Fame Award.
Active at many levels in a variety of sports activities during his life, with emphasis on gymnastics. Received Helms Foundation Hall of Fame Award in 1961 for his contributions to that sport. Served as director of physical education at East Tech from 1913-1930 and chief of playgrounds and community centers for Cleveland Board of Education from 1930-53.
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.
Member of the Cleveland Plain Dealer sports staff for 41 years, during which he covered almost every sport. Best remembered as a golf writer, covering that sport from 1925 until his retirement in 1964 and attending 24 National Opens. Covered hockey for some 35 years, was the paper’s pro football writer during the Cleveland Rams’ ten years in the city and also covered Ohio State football for many years.
Professional hockey star for 14 years, eight of which were spent with the Cleveland Barons. Was one of mainstays of 1947-48 Cleveland team which set a professional hockey record by going undefeated though 31 straight games. Named to American League All-Star team three times. Was the first league player to score 300 goals and ended his career as the league’s all-time scoring champion with 319 goals and 425 assists.