A graduate of East Technical High School, he went on to NAIA All-American honors (1955-56) and (1956-57) in college in the high hurdles and long jump. He qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1956 as a hurdler. A consistent competitor, his participation always showed the excellence which marked his distinguished career.
A long distinguished competitive career included Cleveland Muny Singles Championships in 1935, 1939, 1940 and 1941, the Midwestern Open Senior Singles title in 1960, and five National Public Parks Senior Doubles titles pairing with Ed DiLeone. In 1982 he continued with an appearance as a finalist in the NPP Senior Championship.
In 1936 he won the All-Around Title in the Northeastern District of the American Sokol Organization. That same year in AAU competition he won the Side Horse and Parallel Bars competition. A national title was his in the All-around category in 1937. In addition to a highly successful competitive career, he subsequently lent leadership to the sport as a coach and administrator.
A consistent winner, he qualified for the National Amateur in 1962 and 1963 and in 1968 won the gold medal in national competition. He has won the District Senior Tournament 12 times in the last 14 years. In 1985 he continued his winning ways by copping the NOGA seniors championship.
A stellar competitor for two decades, in 1952 he fenced epee on the team which won the National Championship. At the same time that he was participating, he served as Vice President and then President of the NODFLA during a nine year span and chaired the U.S. Olympic Fencing Committee for four years.
A graduate of Cornell in 1916, he was a two time collegiate All-American. His professional career included playing for the Massillon Tigers, Cleveland Bulldogs, Akron Indians, and the Toledo Blades. He was the Tigers’ left end when they played Jim Thorpe and the Canton Bulldogs for the world title in 1919. The other Tigers end at that time was Knute Rockne of Notre Dame. Ladimir also helped in the establishment of the NFL Hall of Fame.
Football at Benedictine High School and the University of Dayton led to a seven year professional career with the Cleveland Browns as an offensive guard and linebacker. During his years with the Browns they won five divisional titles and played in three NFL title games (1953, 1954, 1955), winning two. Subsequently, as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers he led them to an unprecedented four Super Bowl titles.
After a distinguished football career at Shaw High School and Ohio State University, he went on to an eleven year professional career. Consistently among the leading rushers in the NFL, in 1965 he stepped in for ailing quarterback Johnny Unitas and, as the Colts’ “Instant Quarterback,” threw two touchdown passes to spark the victory over Los Angeles which then led to the memorable playoff game against Green Bay in which he again led the team as quarterback. He played in the Pro-Bowl in 1968 and 1969.
A skilled fighter, he contested in the finals for the National Golden Gloves title in 1929. Ring Magazine and Everlast Boxing Record included him in the world professional rankings in 1935. The Jewish Star of David on his trunks became his well known symbol as he fought some of the best including Tony Falco, Izzy Janazzo, Sammy Mandell, Jimmy Leto and Cocoa Kid.
“Fighting Billy Sunday” was the popular tag given to him because he looked more like a minister than a fighter. However, his many opponents quickly learned the difference as he worked his way through the Heavyweight field which at that time was headed by the great world champion, Jack Johnson. Spectacular and successful fights were recorded against the likes of Mike McLaughton, Jack Clancy, Hank Harter and George Rogers.