A professional soccer player in Hungary in 1938, who then played in Italy from 1940 to 1945, he came to Cleveland in 1948 and played for several amateur teams before turning to officiating in the mid ’50s. Organized the Lake Erie Referees Association in 1957, and in 1962 became a charter member of the Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association. Officiated hundreds of amateur league, high school, collegiate and professional games. Has been named to the United States Soccer Federation Hall of Fame and has been recognized by the NCAA for his officiating.
Kramer, Lucky
Lucky Kramer
Induction Year : 1980
Sport: Soccer
A professional soccer player in Hungary in 1938, who then played in Italy from 1940 to 1945, he came to Cleveland in 1948 and played for several amateur teams before turning to officiating in the mid ’50s. Organized the Lake Erie Referees Association in 1957, and in 1962 became a charter member of the Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association. Officiated hundreds of amateur league, high school, collegiate and professional games. Has been named to the United States Soccer Federation Hall of Fame and has been recognized by the NCAA for his officiating.
Nance, James J.
James J. Nance
Induction Year : 1980
Sport: Tennis
A prominent Cleveland business executive with a lifelong interest in athletics, he was instrumental in raising the funds to bring the World Finals of the Davis Cup to Cleveland in 1964.
Bachna, Rudy
Rudy Bachna
Induction Year : 1980
Sport: Gymnastics
One of the nation’s leading contributors to the sport of gymnastics, he coached the men’s and women’s gymnastics teams at Kent State University for over 20 years and sponsored children’s gymnastics teams at the University for 17 years. Served as a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee for Men’s Gymnastics from 1960 through 1972 and was the associate coach of the 1960 U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team in Rome. Was a judge at the 1959 Pan-American Games, was National Physical Director of the Slovak Sokol from 1954 to 1962 and Coach-Manager of the National Sokol Teams at the 100th Sokol Anniversary celebration in Vienna, Austria in 1960.
Joseph, Edwin M.
Edwin Joseph
Induction Year : 1980
Sport: Golf
Active in many areas of sports for over a half century. As vice president of the Cleveland District Golf Association in 1940 he was instrumental in the formation of the CDGA Caddie Foundation, which has made it possible for over 500 caddies from the Cleveland area to attend college on scholarships. Was president of CDGA in 1941 and 1952 and a respected club player. Was a stockholder in the Cleveland Indians for 19 years (1949-68). Played football and lacrosse for Swarthmore College, later served as an assistant hockey coach for John Carroll University during a series of championship years for the Blue Streaks in the 1930s.
Meiers, Hank
Hank Meiers
Induction Year : 1980
Sport: Golf
Active in golf and golf promotions in the Greater Cleveland area for over 45 years. Spent nearly 30 years as tournament director of the Cleveland District Golf Association and also served as its Executive Director. Appointed Executive Secretary and Treasurer of the CDGA Caddie Foundation in 1972. Served on the Ohio Publinks Executive Committee for 15 years and assisted in promoting the 1959 Carling Open Championship and the first Cleveland Open. Was a charter member and organizer of the Great Lakes Senior Golf Association and served as its executive secretary from its inception in 1969. Won several senior four-ball championships as an active golfer and was Cleveland Match Play Champion in 1953.
Raymond, Joe
Joe Raymond
Induction Year : 1980
Sport: Meritorious Service
Served as Athletic Director of the Greater Cleveland Catholic Youth Organization from 1941 to 1972. Under his direction CYO football leagues grew from 19 to 79 member teams. He was instrumental in adding track, cross country, soccer, softball and wrestling to the CYO sports program. More than 4,000 boys played CYO football in his final year as athletic director.
Tressel, Lee
Lee Tressel
Induction Year : 1980
Sport: Football
The most successful football coach in the history of the Ohio Athletic Conference, he built a 154-53-6 record during 23 years as head coach at Baldwin-Wallace College. He reached the zenith of his career in 1978 when he directed the Yellow Jackets to the NCAA Division III National Championship and was named Division III Coach-of-the-Year. He also guided B-W to the national playoffs in 1979 and 1980 before retiring because of illness to which he succumbed in April, 1981. Also served as Director of Athletics at B-W and is a member of the Baldwin-Wallace College Letterman’s Hall of Fame. (He was the nation’s leading scorer as a running back for the Yellow Jackets in 1943.) As a high school coach at Mentor High, he ran of 34 consecutive victories from 1952 to 1956 and extended the streak to 39 at Massillon High where he coached two seasons before coming to Berea. That record earned him a niche in the Ohio High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Reynolds, Russ
Russ Reynolds
Induction Year : 1980
Sport: Archery
First archer ever to win both the National Field Championship and the National Target Championship. Won the target championship in 1949 and 1951 and the field championship in 1950. At one time held eight of a possible 12 U.S. archery marksmanship records. Represented the United States in the International Championships in Denmark in 1950 and placed third. Was scheduled to represent the U.S.A. in the 1952 championships in Brussels, but succumbed to leukemia before the competition took place.
Beal, Douglas
Douglas Beal
Induction Year : 1980
Sport: Volleyball
United States Men’s National Volleyball Coach since 1977 and a national team player from 1970 through 1976, playing in two Olympic qualifcation tournaments (1972 and 1976). Played for the U.S. team in 1970 and 1974 World Championships and for the U.S. Pan-American Games team in 1975. Was a USVBA Collegiate All-American and team captain at Ohio State University in 1969 when he was also named Midwest Collegiate Player of the Year. Was a USVBA Open All-American from 1972 through 1975 and USVBA Player of the Year in 1975, Midwest Collegiate Coach of the Year in 1972 and 1973 at Ohio State.
O’Sickey, Ben
Ben O'Sickey
Induction Year : 1980
Sport: Speed Skating
First Ohioan elected to the Speed Skating Hall of Fame. Started competitive racing in 1906 at age 13. Set senior men’s indoor record in the half mile in 1916. Turned professional in 1920 and raced professionally until 1940s. Trained numerous young speed skaters after turning pro, best known of whom was Jack Shea, winner of two gold medals in the 1932 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid.