Euclid High School Sports Hall of Fame inducts six into Class of 2018

“I always turn to the sports section first. The sports section records people's accomplishments; the front page nothing but man's failures.” – Earl Warren, former Chief Justice of the United States. Ohio State Representative Kent Smith, and Euclid High School 1984 graduate, kicked off his remarks with this quote at the 32nd Euclid High School Sports Hall of Fame induction on Thursday, September 27th. The quote is from 1968, a particularly turbulent time in our country’s history, but I’m sure many would agree that the idea is still applicable today and mainly why this year’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony was so enjoyable, just like the past 31 events!


The Euclid City Schools have a proud history of developing, nurturing and graduating exceptional student-athletes, and the Sports Hall of Fame encapsulates that history by recording and recognizing the very best that our schools have produced throughout the years.

This year’s inductees included:
Justin Antonini (Honorary) was involved in the formation of the Euclid High Schools Sports Hall of Fame from the very beginning and served as the author of the biographies for each of the inductees in addition to other duties to support the event.

Terence Bush (1990) was an exceptional Euclid High School basketball player, scoring 614 points in 46 games, averaging 13.3 points per game. He led his team to two 20-3 seasons in his junior and senior year resulting in GCC championships. In his senior year, Terence had three games with ten or more points, ten or more assists, and ten or more rebounds.

Albert Simpson, Jr. (1998) was a 4-year varsity and 3-year starting football player and a 4-year member of varsity track, earning letters in both sports. As a member of the track team, Albert was one of the area’s elite throwers and placed in shot put and discus at both indoor and outdoor state track meets. Albert also stood out as a star defensive tackle during his time at EHS. The Panther football team was GCC champions all three years Albert was a member of the team with a 27-5 overall record and two playoff appearances.

Kathryn E. Carter (2005) is the most accomplished diver to attend Euclid High School and still holds the record for 1 meter diving. Kathryn continued her diving career at the University of Akron where she was a four year letter winner and three-time MAC champion. She continued diving after college and qualified for the 2012 London Olympic Diving Trials.

Paris Campbell (2008) was described by her coach as one of the most improved athletes he’d ever worked with, was a school record-holder, and was twice named All State. Paris continued her outstanding track career at the University of Cincinnati, where she set several new personal records and placed at a number of meets in hurdles.

Howard Drake, Jr. (2008) was a standout three-sport varsity athlete and captain, playing football, basketball, and baseball during his time at Euclid High School. Howard was a two-year starter and captain on the varsity basketball team and the starting catcher for varsity baseball for three years in addition to serving as the captain his junior and senior years and leading the team to a district and regional championship during his senior year. Howard made the greatest impact as a three-year starting quarterback and two-year captain of the football team. Howard led the Panthers to two LEL Championships and two playoff appearances.

The Charles K. Hill Memorial Service Award honors individuals who have contributed to the advancement of the Euclid Public Schools and city of Euclid through service and leadership in the spirit of Mr. Euclid.

The First Recipient of the Charles K. Hill Memorial Service Award is Harold “Doc” Daugherty, the seventh winningest coach in Ohio High School Basketball History (597 victories). After 44 years of coaching (40 years as Head Coach), Doc is widely considered a "legend" among Ohio high school coaches. During his tenure as head coach, Doc won 16 League Titles, 21 Sectional Championships, four District Championships, one Regional Championship, and one trip to the State Tournament. As a local and state leader, Doc founded a number of tournaments and organizations. In addition to his awards, Doc has been recognized with honors from several local and statewide organizations for his outstanding contributions to athletics, the schools, and the city.

Thank you to all who continue to make this event a success and joyous occasion for all involved, including the athletes, their former coaches, teachers, family, friends and previous Hall of Fame inductees. Particular thanks goes to Michelle Connavino and Jessica Walters Oslund, both Euclid High 2004 graduates, for organizing this event, as well as the committee members and other volunteers who were instrumental in putting it all together. A special thank you to John Telich, Fox8 sports anchor and Euclid High 1971 graduate, for adeptly serving as our Master of Ceremonies, as well as Marvin Jones, Superintendent of the Euclid City Schools, who made introductory comments, and to his staff who assisted in producing this event. We appreciate Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail for taking time out of her busy schedule to be with us and to share a few words. And thank you to the many patrons and sponsors who helped to underwrite this important annual event, and to Tizzano’s Party Center for providing an excellent venue and food and drink services.

To conclude with another quote, perhaps more inspirational than the opener, comes from one of the inductees, Howard Drake, Jr., who concluded his acceptance remarks with this from entrepreneur and business magnate Steve Jobs, “You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.” Yes, by their very nature, Hall of Fame inductions revel in the past, but they prove that the our actions aren’t merely just singular occurrences that may or may not have any significance, but bundled together over a period of time, often over a lifetime, connect together to prove who we are and define the legacy that we leave behind. This year’s Sports Hall of Fame Inductees and their families and friends should take great pride in their accomplishments and the dots that they have connected, for themselves, their sports teams, their school and their community.

Greg Fondran

Greg Fondran is Director of the Euclid Public Schools Alumni Association and a proud Euclid native who attended the Euclid City Schools from Kindergarten through 12th Grade.

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Volume 9, Issue 10, Posted 7:56 AM, 10.14.2018