Athletic News

GIRLS TENNIS MAKES HOBAN HISTORY

Coming off one of the most successful seasons in Hoban history, the girls tennis team is carving out their legacy at Hoban. Gary Innes, head coach, has worked hard to instill a team culture of constant improvement. His extensive background in the sport comes from his playing at a high collegiate level and coaching experience all over the country, ranging from academies to country clubs.

In his second year as the Knights boys and girls tennis head coach, Innes credits the girls team’s success to hard work, helping them to continually improve despite having a more difficult and competitive schedule than last year. The addition of Claudia Behrens ’13 to the coaching staff also made a huge difference to the team environment.

"Claudia graduated from Hoban and knows the culture of the school and created a positive environment for the girls to learn," Innes said.

With personal improvement as a constant goal, the team saw results and also strengthened friendships among the team in the process. Sophomore Campbell Miller, who was injured this season, continued to attend every practice and match, without requirement, to support her team. “I wanted to see how my teammates grew throughout the season,” Miller said. “We are very supportive of each other. We push each other to be the best we can be, and we don’t want any potential to go to waste.”

Team captain, Angela Thompson, who is in her junior year, also emphasizes the importance of camaraderie to strengthen the bond between teammates.

“This year, we were close,” Thompson said. “Last year, with COVID, it was difficult for the team to get together. We emphasized team bonding and had a cohesive team experience.”

The team’s successful season led to four student-athletes – freshman Haley Slay, sophomore Kate Wenzlik and juniors Elizabeth Savitski and Angela Thompson – making it to the OHSAA Div. II district tournament. Slay also qualified for the state tournament – the first freshman in Hoban history to do so. Through their training and constant strive for improvement, the team was able to reap their victories. Innes credits the Hoban strength and conditioning team as an asset to the team through strength training and team bonding.

“The team works out together twice a week,” Innes said. "The strength and conditioning coaches Mike Winkler and Maddie Diestel ’14 help instill a healthy relationship with working out. They help the girls understand their physical movements, how to strengthen their bodies, how to stretch and how to recover. And, on top of that, working out is a powerful team-building experience.”

The effort the girls put in this season resulted in much success on the court, but also provides many transferable life skills. Through the sport, the student-athletes not only learn to play the sport, but they also acquire new social and leadership skills.

“Through tennis, I’ve learned communication and leadership skills that transfer well to the classroom,” Thompson said. “As captain, I’ve had to give a lot of pep talks and I’ve learned how to take and receive advice.”

Coach Innes also encourages the benefit of tennis as a life sport. Beyond athletics, it’s a skill that the students can carry with them, and acts as a vehicle to make new friends. “It’s going to be an opportunity for them when they are adults someday and have to move to a new city,” Innes said. “They can take their tennis racket and meet new people. They are going to have a skill that has the potential to open a lot of doors for them, not only from a health and physical perspective but from a social standpoint.”

With such a young team, Hoban should be competitive next year under Innes's direction.

COACH GARY INNES

Born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, Gary Innes competed as a top junior before coming to the United States to play for Walsh University.

He captained the team to three national tournament appearances and achieved a national ranking of 14 for doubles. After competing, Innes pursued a career in coaching and moved to Connecticut. He worked in private clubs and academies, where he was able to help juniors learn to love the game and achieve high levels of tennis success.

Innes specializes in junior development and is a Master of Tennis certified professional, one of the highest accolades a coach can achieve through the USPTA and the PTR.

Innes directed tennis programs on the East Coast for eight years before moving to Northeast Ohio to direct the tennis program at Portage Country Club. During the off season he is part of the USTA coach development team and works with some of the best coaches in the country on training aspiring coaches at the National Tennis Center. Innes is also the project director for the Tennis Congress, which has won industry awards for most innovative event of the year.

FALL SEASON RUNDOWN

BOYS GOLF

The varsity boys golf team, led by Head Coach Quinn Parker, ended the season as OHSAA Div. I state runner up. Hoban finished just six strokes shy of first place with a 597 score and four student-athletes in the top 21.

FOOTBALL

For the sixth time in seven years, the Hoban Knights football team played in the state championship. Under the tutelage of Coach Tim Tyrrell, the team earned the OHSAA Div. II state runner-up title. The Knights' season ended in a 21-10 loss to Winton Woods at Canton's Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Hoban weathered a tough schedule with a final record of 12-4, losing to Bergen Catholic, St. Ignatius, St. Edward and Winton Woods.

GIRLS TENNIS

The Knights girls tennis season resulted in four student-athletes qualifying for the OHSAA Div. II district tournament – freshman Haley Slay, sophomore Kate Wenzlik and juniors Elizabeth Savitski and Angela Thompson. Slay also qualified for the state tournament, and is the first freshman in Hoban history to make it to the states in tennis. Overall the team ended with a record of 9-6. [SEE PREVIOUS PAGE FOR FULL ARTICLE]

FALL SPORTS

From the fall sports season, 15 student-athletes have been nominated as player of the year by the Greater Akron High School Sports Awards. Winners will be announced this spring. The Greater Akron High School Sports Awards is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country.

Seniors De'vonta Baskerville (football), Charlie Durkin (football), Keshawn Haynes (football), Markim McKinnie (football), Solomon Petrie (boys golf) and Josh Sarver (boys soccer); juniors Nolan Haynes (boys golf), Drew Holt (football), Jason Martin III (football) and Lamar Sperling (football); sophomores Lauren Mahoney (girls soccer), Jordan Pritchard-Sewell (football) and Jack Vojtko (boys golf); and freshman Haley Slay (girls tennis).

THREE NEW COACHES JOIN HOBAN

Hoban is excited to announce the hiring of three new head coaches. Coach Kevin Yun has been named the new softball head coach, Coach Jim Maloof ’89 was hired as the girls volleyball head coach and Coach Abbey Golden is the new head coach for the girls soccer program. Each coach joins the Hoban community, bringing significant experience and successful results throughout their coaching careers.

Yun joins Hoban after coaching 10 years at North Canton Hoover as a varsity assistant. He has been a part of three state championships and a state final four appearance during his time there. In addition to coaching at Hoover, he has been a head coach in travel softball for the past 15 years, most recently with the Ohio Outlaws organization.

Yun is a native of Canton and a graduate of Malone University, where he played baseball and earned All MOC honors during his junior and senior seasons. He also played eight years of Class A baseball and was an all-star six times. In 2014, Yun was inducted into the Stark County Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. Yun’s dedicated service to the softball community and his commitment to discipline and excellence serve as a perfect match for Hoban.

Hired as the head coach for girls volleyball, Maloof brings 24 years of coaching experience at the collegiate, high school and club levels. Most recently, he was the head varsity coach at Tallmadge High School, where he led the team to back-to-back district championship victories and an appearance at the district finals in the last three years.

In 2021, Maloof was named the OHSVCA Coach of the Year for District III, Division II. Maloof graduated from Hoban in 1989 where he was the class’s salutatorian and has 20 years of competitive playing experience, both indoor and sand volleyball. Maloof represents the “lifelong learner” espoused in the Hoban mission statement.

KEVIN YUN

JIM MALOOF ’89

Varsity girls soccer head coach Golden attended and played soccer at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif. She has served as head coach of Cleveland Futbol Club for the past six years, leading the team to be ranked in the nation’s top 50 and second in the state.

Golden has also coached at several high schools and was an assistant coach at Oberlin College. As head coach at Berea Midpark High School, Golden led the team to win the 2019 district championship and was named coach of the year. Her passion and energy for helping female student-athletes reach their full potential connect well to the Hoban mission.

ABBEY GOLDEN

Five alumni were inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, Class of 2021. The inductees were recognized at the Walsh Jesuit vs. Hoban football game during Come Home to Hoban alumni weekend and celebrated at the induction ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 5.

HOBAN.ORG/ATHLETIC-HALL-OF-FAME

WILHELM (WIL) SCHWARZINGER ’68

Wilhelm (Wil) Schwarzinger ’68 excelled on the football field and the hardwood in the midlate ’60s as a versatile defensive back, quarterback and punter for Coaches Tony Paris and Tom Batta on the gridiron and as a sharpshooting guard under Coach Chuck Kelly on the basketball court.

In football, Schwarzinger roamed the defensive backfield on a unit that allowed just 7.1 points per game in 1966 and finished 9-1 with a Top 10 AP state ranking. Taking over as quarterback for the Knights and Batta in 1967, Schwarzinger guided the Hoban attack as a dangerous runner and passer, leading the squad to a 7-1-2 mark. He maintained his role on the stingy Knight defense as well, earning 1967 All-City accolades as a defensive back on an outfit that yielded just 9.2 points per game.

Schwarzinger was an equally crafty engineer for Hoban on the basketball court, leading the Knights in scoring in 1966-67 (300 points, 14.3 points per game) and 1967-68 (306 points, 16.1 points per game). An All-City selection his junior and senior seasons and a team captain in his final campaign, his 606 career points and 111 career 2-point field goals both ranked second in the Hoban annals upon his graduation.

Schwarzinger was offered a football scholarship to the University of Akron, but chose instead to walk-on to the Zips basketball squad. His gamble paid off almost immediately, as Schwarzinger deposited 10 buckets in 11 attempts in his first game. The fourtime letter-winner was a starting guard on the 1971-72 team that reached the NCAA Division II finals, finishing as the national runners-up with a 26-5 season mark. That Zip team, which also featured two fellow Hoban alumni: Wil’s brother Karl as well as Paul Mesko, is recognized in the University of Akron Hall of Fame as a “Team of Distinction”. Schwarzinger earned Academic AllAmerican status in 1971-72 and was inducted in the UA Hall of Fame in 1992.

KAREN (GODZINSKI ’89) DIMASCIO

Karen (Godzinski) DiMascio ’89 was a shining star on several of Hoban’s greatest volleyball and softball teams in the late '80s.

A three-time volleyball letterwinner for Hall of Fame Coach Mary Howard, DiMascio was the team captain on the 1988 OHSAA Class AA state runner-up squad. The ’88 season saw DiMascio earn numerous accolades, including the Akron Beacon Journal and Greater Akron Touchdown Club Volleyball Player of the Year awards and First Team All-Ohio recognition.

DiMascio was a standout outfielder for the Knights softball squad and Coach Mary Ann King, helping the team win OHSAA Class AA state championships in 1986 and in the “perfect” 34-0 season of 1987. She earned All-Summit County and All-Northeast Ohio recognition for her softball performance in 1989.

DiMascio took her volleyball talents to the University of Akron, where the Godzinski family name peppers the program record book. A four-year starter for the Zips, DiMascio served as the team captain in both 1991 and ’92 and earned team MVP honors in 1992. DiMascio was named to multiple All-Tournament teams during her collegiate career and was an Academic All-Mid American Conference selection in 1992.

Among her numerous records accumulated at Akron, DiMascio currently ranks number one in Zips volleyball history in career digs (2,007), second in sets played (615) and single-season sets played (188), third in single season digs (599) and fifth in career service aces (172). Her career sets played tally places DiMascio in the top 15 in the NCAA record book.

Tony Beiting ’99 was a two-sport standout for the Knights, serving as the catalyst for the football and basketball squads in the late '90s as quarterback and guard, respectively.

A three-year football letterman, he was at the helm of Hall of Fame Coach Ralph Orsini’s squads in 1997 and ‘98, guiding the team to the program’s first playoff appearance and postseason victory in the 1998 season. Beiting’s senior gridiron campaign saw the signal-caller throw for 1,665 yards and 21 touchdowns, earning First Team All-City and Honorable Mention All-District honors while leading the team to a 10-2 mark. For his career, Beiting tossed 30 scoring passes and amassed 2,699 aerial yards, both tops in the Hoban annals at the time.

Beiting was also a three-time letterman on the basketball court for the Knights and Coach T.K. Griffith ’89, serving as a guard on the 1998 OHSAA state runner-up squad and on the undefeated regular season team that earned the AP state poll title in 1999. Known as a reliable scorer and a tenacious defender, Beiting finished his career with 477 points and his 80 steals in the 1997-98 campaign still ranks in Hoban’s single-season top five records. An Honorable Mention Plain Dealer All-Star and Summit/Medina All-Star Game participant in 1999, Beiting garnered the squad's “Clutch Performer” and “Golden Knight” awards his senior year.

Beiting continued his football career at John Carroll University, tallying 2,609 passing yards and 32 career touchdown passes as quarterback for the Blue Streaks. He earned Honorable Mention All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors in 2003 and ranks in the JCU Football Top 10 for career passing scores (32) and yards per completion (14.5).

MAURA (BULGRIN ’07) LEMON

Maura (Bulgrin ’07) Lemon was a running sensation during her time at Hoban and beyond. A four-time letter-winner in both cross country for Coach Joe “Peach” Zampino and track for Hall of Fame Coach Joe Lutz, Lemon was a wire-towire outstanding performer. A two-time team captain in cross county, Lemon qualified for the state meet all four seasons (200306), placing as high as fifth in 2004. Lemon was named to the Academic All-Ohio team three times (2004-06). Lemon’s distance running prowess was on display on the Hoban track as well, as she qualified for state three times (2005-07), served as team captain in 2007, earned Team Distance MVP honors each of her four seasons and was a three-time Academic All-Ohio selection (2005-07).

Lemon continued her running career on the collegiate level at the University of Dayton, where she earned four letters on the Flyer cross country team. She earned the program’s MVP award three times and was named an All-A10 Conference “Most Outstanding Performer” in 2010. She ranks third on the Dayton Women’s Cross Country All-Time list in the 5K (17:19.0) and 6K (20:57.75), with both marks standing as program records upon her graduation.

On the professional circuit, Lemon is the 2016 Akron Half Marathon Champion and the 2018 Toledo Marathon Champion, shattering the course record in the latter event. In 2018 she qualified for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Qualifier Race.

LAUREN (MCNEIL ’10) MENGLE

Lauren (McNeil) Mengle ’10 was nothing short of dominant from her spot on the pitcher’s mound for the Hoban softball team from 2007-10. A two-time team captain for Coach Mitch Wagner’s squads, Mengle was twice elected to the All-Ohio First Team (2009, 10), was a four-time selection to the All-North Coast League and All-District squads and was the North Coast League MVP in 2008. Mengle ended her pitching career for the Knights with 65 victories and 45 shutouts. Her 941 career strikeouts ranks in the top 20 in the OHSAA record book.

Mengle continued her softball and pitching career at Kent State University, where she lettered for the Golden Flashes four times from 2011-14. Her college softball honors include the NFCA Scholar Athlete Award (2011), the Mid-American Conference Commissioners Award (2012 and 13) and three-time Honorable Mention All-MAC accolades (2011-14). Mengle led the Golden Flashes in appearances (29) and strikeouts (63) in 2011, and her 94 career appearances ranks eighth all-time in the KSU record book.

CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF SERVICE

BROTHER ED LIBBERS AND BROTHER JOSEPH LEBON

By: Mary Anne Decenzo Brother Joseph LeBon was influenced to become a Holy Cross Brother as a high school student attending Cathedral High School in Indianapolis. LeBon joined the Hoban teaching staff in 1965 and has served at Hoban his entire career except for one year when he was assigned to Holy Cross High School in River Grove, Ill.

Throughout his career, LeBon has taught religion, math, French, Latin and computer programming. He also advised The Visor, the student newspaper and yearbook. He is still serving the school in the communications office, maintaining the Hoban website.

"I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the Congregation of Holy Cross," LeBon said. "The community has provided me with my religious formation and college education, as well as the opportunity to serve the Church in the ministry of Catholic education over many years. Working with youth has helped me stay young."

LeBon's longevity at Hoban has been a gift not only to the students but to those he has worked alongside. He can easily recount moments in Hoban's history such as the first Mum Day, the near closing of Hoban's doors in 1976 and the year Hoban became co-ed. Six years after professing his first vows to become a Holy Cross Brother, Brother Edward Libbers was assigned to teach chemistry and math at Hoban. He was on staff from 1967 to 1995, and returned in 1999 after a brief assignment at Holy Cross High School in San Antonio, Texas.

After 53 years of active service, Libbers retired in 2016. He continued to serve as a volunteer at Regina Health Center, a faithbased skilled nursing and assisted liivng center in Richfield, until the pandemic closed the volunteer program.

"I have been inspired by many brothers in my lifetime," Libbers said. "They have been role models, leading truly holy and faithfilled lives. I have been blessed with their friendship and support. Another blessing has been the privilege of being a teacher for so many years. Interacting and influencing the lives of so many young students has been special. I hope to remain in education as long as I am physically able."

Hoban alumni fondly remember having Libbers for class. Infamous stories of Libbers unexpectedly squirting students with his water bottle, lessons in chemistry and words of advice such as, "Keep it simple, stupid," are often called to memory during conversations about Libbers. In short, Libbers helped countless students on their pursuit to becoming doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers and teachers.

BROTHER JOSEPH LEBON AND BROTHER EDWARD LIBBERS ACADEMIC HALL OF HONOR

In recognition of their unyielding service, Hoban will dedicate the second-floor science hallway in honor of Brothers Joe LeBon and Ed Libbers. Together, they have served Hoban for nearly 90 years, making them the longest-serving Brothers in Hoban history. A blessing and dedication will be held on Saturday, March 19, beginning with Mass at 3 p.m. and a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend but reservations are required for planning purposes. Please visit hoban.org/hall-of-honor to register.

Good day…good day…good day…as you ducked his sprays from either his water bottle or the fire extinguisher! And great answer…wrong question. Both Brother Ed sayings. I had Brother Joe for freshman computers. Br. Joe drew perfect circles with his eyes closed on the chalkboard. God Bless all of the Brothers as they’ve educated both my mind and heart at Hoban!

—Amy Jo (Clark ’92) Givens I had the good fortune to be one of the first female students at Hoban as a junior in the fall of 1973. I remember Br. Joe’s geometry class seating chart, although I didn’t figure it out until the 3rd quarter. Alphabetical the 1st quarter, then arranged by your academic standing in the class with the top student closest to the back door and rest of the class seated in horizontal rows with the most struggling student directly in front of his desk. He truly had the patience of Job to teach geometry.

Br. Ed was definitely the most dynamic teacher I ever had. I’m convinced you had to be sick, drugged or near dead to not pay attention in his class. A few weeks into that fall quarter, he asked a friend (also female) and me to come see him at the end of the day. We were puzzled, but went as requested. He asked us if his classroom tactics were too hard on the girls. Our response, “No, you’re doing just fine. Be yourself.” I’m eternally grateful to Brother Ed for getting me through college chemistry. Had I not had so much of what he taught I would have never passed a class presided over by a professor who was not fluent in English. I probably wouldn’t be a nurse if I’d failed that course!

Both of these dedicated men have touched many lives, helped shape the future and continue to make a difference for all of us. —Rosemary (Pianalto ’75) Dutkevicz Ageless, Timeless, Selfless! Thank you for your dedicated service and inspirational teaching! "Reeeeead the problem!" -Brother Ed "Watch me draw a perfect circle." -Brother Joe

—Thomas Novitsky ’75

Thanks, Brothers Joe and Ed. Your technical expertise enabled me to get to work on cutting-edge technology and your humor and energy reminded me to find humor in life every day by breaking up monotony. I wish you were still there to teach my children. I can only imagine how many minds you've guided on their path and what projects you helped create. —Robert Scherer ’87 "Read the problem! Read it again!" Was a great aid through many years of engineering. Thank you, Brother Ed. "Gallium tres pars divisum est." Thank you, Brother Joe. May the good Lord continue to bless you both. Congratulations on your Jubilee.

— Thomas Solinski ’73

Congrats to both of you! I really didn't want to take Latin but my mom signed me up and Brother Joe made it my favorite class! Brother Ed made chemistry so fun I thought I'd want to study that for the rest of my life. Turns out, I followed in both their footsteps and became a teacher. Now I strive to find that balance they always had of teaching my students while also having fun with them. Thank you for your service!

CARRYING ON A TRADITION OF SERVICE AND GIVING BACK

Diane (Jackson) Whalen graduated from Hoban in 1984. A few years after graduation, she moved to Cincinnati where she eventually would marry and start her family. Now, 34 years later and despite the distance, she continues to keep the lessons learned at Hoban and the memories she and her friends made close to her heart.

While at Hoban, Whalen was a student-athlete and she was involved in various activities.

“Back then, we lived at school,” Whalen said. “It wasn’t uncommon to be at school from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., either at my activities or waiting for my older brother, Jim (class of ’83) to finish one of his. We stayed busy during those hours in between and it was embedded in us to help others however we could.”

The Hoban lesson of helping others is still present in Whalen. She continues to spend much of her time volunteering in Cincinnati with Hope’s Closet, which supports foster families so they can in turn support the children in their care.

“I am fortunate to have had two amazing parents who adopted four children,” Whalen said. “My two brothers, sister and I were all adopted into a fun and loving home. I was in a foster home for a very short time as an infant before being adopted. This is what drives my passion for Hope’s Closet. I want every single child to feel that same sense of love and security that I was incredibly blessed with.”

When she is in the Akron area, Whalen also volunteers at Katie’s Kids, a nonprofit that was founded by a Hoban classmate, Lori (Drapcho ’86) Eckelberry, and her husband Jim. Katie's Kids was created in memory of their daughter Kaitlyn who was tragically killed by a drunk driver. Katie’s Kids provides children in Stark County with targeted financial assistance to allow them to participate in activities with their peers.

With two adult daughters, Diane and her husband Mike wanted to make sure the traditions and teachings that made a difference in their lives continued for generations to come. With that in mind, they created a planned gift to Hoban, making the school a beneficiary of their estate trust.

“Hoban is the root of who I am now," Whalen said. We raised our kids to be involved in service, and want that tradition to continue. Whether it was tutoring elementary kids, the canned food drive or through service hours, Hoban taught me to give back in every way. The majority of my friends are still Hoban alumni, even after living in Cincinnati all these years. We’ve watched each other get married, have kids, consoled each other when our parents have died – we have been through a lot and have always been there for each other. I think that says a lot about Hoban. Hoban has given us such an incredible gift through those friendships. That’s why it was important to me to give back to Hoban. I can’t even begin to imagine what my life would have been like without Hoban.”

WHEN YOU CREATE AN ENDOWED SCHOLARHSHIP, YOU CREATE A PERMANENT LEGACY OF SUPPORT FOR ARCHBISHOP HOBAN HIGH SCHOOL.

Endowment assets are invested, and each year, a portion of the value of the fund is paid out to support the fund's purpose, and any earnings in excess of this distribution are used to build the fund's market value. In this way, an endowment fund can grow and provide support for its designated purpose in perpetuity.

Q: How much money does it take to start an endowed scholarship?

To establish a named endowment fund, there is a minimum outright commitment level of $10,000. This amount can be paid over a period of up to five years. If, after five years, the fund has not reached the minimum outright commitment level, any funds remaining will be folded into the General Endowment Fund.

Q: What else is needed?

An endowment agreement is needed between the donor and Hoban to permanently define the purpose of the fund. The agreement also outlines the standard procedures for managing endowment funds.

Q: Can my lawyer prepare my endowment agreement?

The Hoban Trust Fund uses standard language for endowment agreements to ensure consistency in management of the funds. As we work with you to establish the endowment, we will discuss your preferences and suggestions with you.

Q: Is there an endowment agreement or a minimum gift level to give to an existing endowment?

No. You can make a gift of any size to an existing endowment fund without signing an endowment agreement. There may be an existing endowment that reflects your interests and to which you can add your support. Also, donors who have established an endowment fund in the past, may continue to make gifts to them over time. The larger a fund is, the more impact it can have each year.