Pioneer organizer of the 14-inch slow pitch softball leagues, he also started the first Cleveland 12-inch leagues after World War II. Was an outstanding player himself. Served on the board of the Cleveland Baseball Federation and as chairman of the first two World Slow Pitch tournaments staged in Cleveland.
Worked closely with the Cleveland area coaching fraternity for 27 years as president of Olympic Sport Goods, Inc. He was a football and track official for 40 years and for 37 years served as president and secretary of the amateur Cuyahoga Valley Baseball League. After his own retirement he formed an organization for retired coaches and athletic directors which he headed until his death in 1976.
Publisher of The Cleveland Kegler, one of the two oldest weekly bowling publications in the country, he was elevated to both the American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame and the Greater Cleveland Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1971. Started the first charity bowling tournament in the nation. Began the Cleveland Press Charity Bowling Tournament and was co-originator of the Cleveland Plain Dealer “I Beat The Champion” Charity Tournament.
Active in AAU programs for over 50 years, he made his mark most strongly in the sport of boxing where as a trainer and coach he produced a long list of nationally prominent fighters. In 1974 he was inducted into the AAU Boxing Hall of Fame and was named the AAU’s “Man of the Year.” Served as secretary-treasurer of the Ohio Association of Boxing and Ohio Wrestling Commission and the National Wrestling Association.
Spent 43 years as a sportswriter, the last 23 with the Cleveland Press. Retired in 1966 with a reputation as one of the country’s most knowledgeable experts in the fields of track, amateur and professional golf and collegiate football. Covered every major golf tournament during his career, as well as several Olympics.
Helped lay the foundation for Cleveland’s amateur sports program, a program which served as a model for many cities. A founder of the Muny Football Association, he served as its first president from 1946 to 1960. Also served as president of the Muny Basketball Association from 1931 until 1960, chairman of the football and basketball arbitration boards, and secretary of the Cleveland Baseball Federation’s arbitration board.
A devoted friend of handicapped and underprivileged youngsters and of sports and athletes on both amateur and the professional level, he owned the Cleveland Pipers basketball team, an early entry (1950s) in professional basketball here and headed Group 66, an organization devoted to promoting civic improvement, including the support of athletic programs, in Cleveland. Became principal owner of the New York Yankees in 1973.
Member of U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Played for Cleveland Blues from 1919 to 1924 and was considered the fastest skater of his time and one of the most colorful. Called the “Father of Hockey in Cleveland” by some. Unquestionably one of the finest hockey players in the country at that time.
Played 21 years of amateur and professional hockey, including three seasons (1943-46) with the Cleveland Barons. Also played with Providence Reds and Springfield Indians in American Hockey League. Scored 41 goals and had 39 assists with Reds’ division champs in 1947-48. Starred with Barons’ AHL champions in 1944-45.
Longtime goalkeeper for Cleveland Barons during the ’30s and early ’40s. Saw service with Boston Bruins in late ’20s and New York Americans in early ’30s. Starred in Barons championship of 1938-39. Member of Barons Hall of Fame.