Seven Alumni Inducted in Euclid High School Sports Hall of Fame

Euclid High Schools Sports Hall of Fame inductees left to right: Desmond Motley (06), Terenz Parker ('90), Robert Yoe ('92), Tamica Harbour ('09), Tom Halbedel ('65), Chuck K. Hlll Memorial Service Award recipient John Telich ('71), Brandon Biggom ('04), Devon Jennings ('08).

Seven Euclid alumni expressed their Panther pride on November 21st as they were honored for their accomplishments and inducted into the Euclid High Schools Sports Hall of Fame.

Organized by the Euclid Public Schools Alumni Association, the annual event at Tizzano's Party Center recognizes the outstanding achievements of former athletes, coaches and honorary inductees who attended Euclid, Shore, or Central high schools.

The following honorees were selected by a committee of past EHS coaches and prior award recipients for induction:

  • Brandon Biggom (EHS Class of 1994) was the first ever four-year starter in Euclid's rich football history and served as captain during his senior year. In 1993, he was selected to All-News Herald 1st Team, AII-GCC 1st Team, All-District 1st Team and received an All-Ohio Special Mention. During this same season, his team was 11-1. Brandon was part of three GCC Championship Teams and three playoff teams. He finished his career with sixteen interceptions and was a ferocious hitter from his cornerback position.

Brandon also excelled in track and field where he was again a four-year starter and captain during his senior year. He is still part of two long-standing Euclid Relay records. As a junior, Brandon finished second in the 400 at the Indoor State Meet. In outdoor track, he was AII-GCC twice in the 400, long jump, 4x100, and 4x400. He was a two­ time state placer in the 4x100 and 4x400.

  • Thomas Halbedel (EHS Class of 1965 & Coach) Thomas Halbedel was an outstanding athlete. He was an LEL 440 yard champion, district champion, and held a school record of 49.2 for 12 years. Tom was All-Ohio indoor for the 440 yard and set a district record at Willoughby South. He was also a three-year varsity letter winner. Tom moved on to run for Miami University where he was Track and Field MAC champion in 1967, All­ Ohio Champion in 1967, placed fourth in both the NCAA Championship and Penn Relays, and was an Ohio Collegiate record holder.

After graduation, Tom returned to Euclid, where he taught and coached Track and Cross Country from 1971 until 1995. As head Cross Country coach, his teams won five

league championships, five district championships, one regional championship, and qualified for the state championship nine times, with a highest finish of third  in  the state in 1971.

Tom has always been a great ambassador for Euclid and the sport of running. After retiring, he continues to serve and promote the sport he loves by managing and officiating meets. He was the district meet manager for 13 years at Edgewater Park and at Strongsville for two years. Tom also served as President of Greater Cleveland Track Coaches for seven years. He has been a highly respected official at both the state track championship and cross country championship. Tom was a great role model and friend for countless athletes over a 25-year coaching career.

  • Tamica Harbour (EHS Class of 2009) was a great asset to the Euclid's track team. She is one  of the  best hurdlers to  ever come out of  Euclid  with  her second  place State finish in the 100  meter  hurdles with  a time  of  14.28. This earned  her place  as the  second fastest hurdler in Euclid history in the  100  meter  hurdles.  In  2009 at  the  indoor state track meet, Tamica placed first in the long jump with an outstanding jump of 18'6" to become the state champion in  the  event while  also  placing  third  in  the  60  meter hurdles. Tamica was a three-year varsity letter  winner  and  she  is currently  a  school record holder for long jump with her 18'6" jump.

After graduating from Euclid High School, Tamica attended Central  Michigan  where she continued her love of being a student athlete  pursuing  higher  education  and running track.

  • Devon Jennings (EHS Class of 2008) was a four-year starting varsity football player and among the greats of Euclid's rich football history. Devon still holds the title of the all-time receiving leader at EHS with 98 Catches 1,446 yards, and 16 touchdowns. His teams won two LEL championships, including one in his senior year, during which he served as captain. The 2007 Panthers provided one of the more memorable EHS Football seasons that resulted in a 9-1 record, dramatic one-point home victories over St. Ed's and Mentor-a game for which Devon was named Sports Channel MVP of the game-and an appearance  in the  OHSAA playoffs. Devon was widely recognized for his contributions to the team and was named First Team All-Ohio 2007, Plain Dealer All-Scholastic Football 2007, All News-Herald, All-Sun Journal First Team, and twice named AII-LEL.

Devon's outstanding athletic career at Euclid extended beyond the  football field. He was also a three-year starter and captain for basketball and was named First Team LEL 2008 and was a member of the track team for two years. After graduating from Euclid, Devon went on to be a three-year starting player for Baldwin Wallace's football team.

  • Desmond Motley (EHS Class of  2006) was a rare four-year starter as a Euclid basketball player, 3-year MVP, and two-year captain. Desmond's Euclid career as a Power Forward was full of highlights, including being a member of the elite 1,000 point club and a double-double machine while competing against the best competition in Northeast Ohio for Coach Sean O'Toole. Desmond is still among the all-time leading scorers (1,129 points) and rebounders in Euclid's rich history.

Desmond's achievements were widely recognized, earning him three All-Lake Erie League 1st Team selections, two Great Lakes Northeast District 1st Team selections and one 2nd Team selection, and an All-Ohio Division I, 3rd Team selection and Special Mention. Local media also acknowledged Desmond's outstanding high school career. He was twice named to the All-News Herald team, once to the All-Sun News team, and selected to the Plain Dealer Best of the Best in 2006.

Desmond's high school career extended beyond the court, as a one-year football player and a great ambassador for Euclid High School.

After graduating from Euclid, Desmond went on to attend college at John Carroll University where he played football and was again a four-year starter for the Blue Streaks basketball team. During his college career, he was part of three OAC Championships and NCAA Tournament runs. Desmond graduated from John Carroll University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Finance.

  • Terenz Parker (EHS Class of 1990) was an exceptional Euclid High School basketball player, scoring 643 points in 46 games, averaging 14.0 points per game. He led his team to two 20-3 seasons in his junior and senior years, resulting in Greater Cleveland Conference championships. As a junior, Terenz received an honorable mention from the News Herald and played in the All-Section and All-District tournaments.

In his senior year, Terenz was widely recognized for  his outstanding  contributions to the team. He was named First Team G.C.C., News Herald Player of the Week, and played again in the All-Section and All-District Tournaments as well as being a member of the Ohio North-South, Channel 43, and Ohio-Michigan All-Star teams. To top off a great season, Terenz joined his team in an appearance in Districts, where they narrowly lost to St. Joe's 70-72.

Terenz went on to attend and play basketball for Shaw University in North Carolina, and currently works as an Executive Protection Agent in Raleigh, North Carolina.

  • Robert Yoe (EHS Class of 1992 & Coach) was described by his coach as an excellent athlete and great teammate to his peers. Bob was on the football and track teams in high school. He competed on an undefeated track team, winning AII-GCC honors in the 110 meter hurdles, and 300 meter intermediate hurdles. Bob was a school record holder in the 4x100 and 4x200. Bob was also a 4-year varsity letter winner and served as captain of the team in his junior year.

Bob was also an outstanding, three-year varsity letter winner in football. During his junior year season, Bob had an outstanding 18 catches, 260 yards, and two touchdowns.

Bob continued on to be a student athlete at John Carroll University, participating in both football and track while earning a degree in Education. Bob played on the football team as a wide receiver and kick returner, but his career was cut short due to a knee injury during a game. That did not stop his progress in Track where he was able to earn three years All-Ohio Athletic Conference recognition in the 110 meter hurdles and 55 meter hurdles and be an NCAA qualifier in both events.

After earning his degree in Education, Bob was eager to coach and teach. After a successful career as a classroom teacher, he transitioned into a Technology Resource position. More importantly, he continued his love of sports by coaching for 22 years and served 18 of those years for Euclid.

John Telich was also presented with the Charles K. Hill Memorial Service Award, which 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 Chuck Hill.

Mr. Telich anchors Fox 8 sports on the weeknights and produces a variety of features, in addition to serving as veteran correspondent on many key events. He graduated from Euclid High School in 1971 and still lives in Euclid with his wife Jane.

Also emceed by John Telich, the event included a display of Euclid sports memorabilia.

For more information about this year's winners, or to nominate someone for a future award, go to euclidalumni.org/ SH oF.

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The Euclid Public Schools Alumni Association was established in 1991 and continues to connect and engage alumni of the Euclid Schools primarily through communication and activities, including a quarterly newsletter, reunion support, the Sports and Distinguished Achievement Halls of Fame and the Euclid Schools Foundation. For more information, or to join, go to https:/ / euclidalumni.org/.

John Copic

Publisher

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Volume 10, Issue 12, Posted 6:26 PM, 12.02.2019