TRANSFORMATIVE GIFT CHANGES THE LANDSCAPE OF HOBAN BASEBALL

Very soon, spring sports will be in full effect and the newly renovated H.O.C. Family Field, graciously gifted by Carl and Georgia Hummel and Lynn Holland-Gorman, will be open for play to the Hoban baseball team.

In the fall of 2022, President Chris DiMauro ’99 and members of the Hoban advancement team approached the Hummels and Gorman to seek their support of a new vision for the field.

"If you have been to or played on the previous field, you are well aware of the challenging and oftentimes unplayable conditions of the field," DiMauro said. "The runoff rainwater from the hillside and lack of a drainage system made the field unusable for much of the season. We are so appreciative of this gift that allows our student-athletes a field suitable to play their sport at the highest level."

The Hummel's and Gorman's gift is one of the largest single donations on record in school history. Together, their generosity has renovated the Hoban baseball field with synthetic turf, new dugouts and fencing. With the completion of this project, the entire Scala Family Athletic Complex has been outfitted with artificial turf and is a literal game-changer for the baseball program.

"We love Hoban and knew they needed a new field," Gorman said. "I love watching the kids play baseball and wanted them to have a safe and nice place to play."

Gorman, a graduate of The Elms, grew up attending Hoban games and dances as a high school student when Hoban was an all-boys school. She was thrilled when she and Carl's daughter enrolled their grandsons, Andrew ’25 and Zach ’26 Karhoff, at Hoban.

Holland Oil Company was founded by Gorman's father, Charles Holland in 1954. Gorman worked at her father's company since she was 18 in various roles. Carl served as vice president of operations for Holland Oil Company for many years. After the company was acquired, he founded H.O.C. Transport Company, keeping the initials of the original family business. The field name, H.O.C. Family Field pays tribute to the collective Hummel, Holland and Gorman families.

"Hoban's storied past of academic and athletic success is one to be honored," Carl said. "It's important for any high school to make improvements that show pride not only in the school but also within the community. We wanted to help and are happy to show our support publicly for the school and Hoban students."

Hoban will dedicate the newly refurbished baseball field at the home opener on Saturday, March 25 at 2 p.m.

THE REV. G. DAVID BLINE

The Rev. G. David Bline serves as Spiritual Director of Saint Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology. As a former pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish of 13 years, Bline has been a long-time participant at Hoban, frequently celebrating school and weekly Mass.

"It was hard to leave being pastor at the greatest parish, St. Francis de Sales, but I felt it was necessary for the sake of helping the men who are discerning and preparing to become priests," Bline said. "Our Church desperately needs healthy and holy men to enter and be formed in the Heart of Jesus Christ. Our parish was blessed to have many men enter the seminary through the years. I didn’t feel I could stay at the parish level when the needs of formation were becoming more crucial and immediate. I knew I had to go deeper helping them know the love of the Father so profoundly that they will choose to live a life of sacrificial service. I absolutely love daily meetings with these outstanding men who want to renew and restore our Priesthood."

Bline attended the University of Akron, earning a B.A. in Child Life in 1985. He was ordained on May 30, 1998, and earned his Spiritual Direction Certification from the Institute of Priestly Formation at Creighton University in 2019. He is also the uncle of current Hoban students, senior Riley and freshman Rory Peters.

"I choose to serve Hoban’s board because our world, society and Church have been through so much…so much instability and hurt and scandal…I want to help our youth to not forget their true identity in the Heart of Jesus," Bline said. "I am blessed our Bishop has agreed to let me be a part of Hoban’s mission."

Traci Buckner

A distinguished educational leader and author, Traci Buckner is executive director at Akron Children’s Museum, a vibrant, interactive space located in the heart of downtown Akron designed for children to learn through play.

"I am honored and excited to serve the faculty, staff and families of Hoban as a member of the board of directors," Buckner said. "I look forward to using knowledge and gifts to support this amazing community!"

Buckner joined Akron Children’s Museum after 18 years of service in the Akron Public School system. She most recently served as program officer at GAR Foundation, the largest private charitable foundation in Akron, where she worked to advance the foundation’s strategic funding priorities through grant-making and convening.

She is the founding instructional leader of the National Inventors Hall of Fame School…Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Learning, and served as Director of Specialty Programs. In this role, she led the district’s efforts to expand STEM best practices throughout Akron Public schools and to develop and direct innovation efforts in the district’s non-traditional schools. Buckner also authored the book STEM Leadership, a guide on creating a STEM culture in a school or district as well as a children’s book, We All Make Tracks.

Buckner has gained broad recognition for educational leadership and civic engagement. She consults and speaks locally and nationally. She resides in Akron with her husband, Tobin, and their two teenage sons.

BRIAN REILLY, M.D. ’05

Brian Reilly is the product of a large Irish-Catholic family. As the middle of seven children to Tom and Maureen Reilly, he graduated from Hoban in 2005.

Reilly studied psychology at Saint Louis University in Missouri before returning to Ohio to pursue his medical degree at Northeast Ohio Medical University. He continued his medical training at Akron Children’s Hospital, where he completed his Pediatric Residency and Sports Medicine Fellowship.

Currently, Reilly practices at Akron Children’s Hospital as a Sports Medicine Physician and General Pediatrician in the Emergency Department with a variety of responsibilities in medical education, research and quality improvement. He also serves as a team physician for Highland High School and the University of Akron. He resides in Copley with his wife, Tomilee.

"True to the Holy Cross mission, my time at Hoban was critical in fostering my personal growth in mind, body and spirit," Reilly said. "I am humbled for the opportunity to give back to a community that gave so much to me. In joining the Board of Directors, it is my hope to continue to expand the Holy Cross mission outside the walls of the high school and help develop the next generation of servant leaders."

ANGELA (SPITALERI ’95) IANIRO

Angie (Spitaleri ’95) Ianiro, the eldest of four children to Italian-American parents Peter and Celeste Spitalieri, serves as the executive director of the Northern Ohio Italian American Foundation (NOIA) and publisher of La Gazzetta Italiana newspaper, working in Cleveland’s historic Little Italy neighborhood.

After graduating from Hoban, Ianiro attended John Carroll University, earning a B.S. in psychology in 1999. She started her career at John Carroll University in the alumni and development office. During her time there, she realized her passion for connecting people and facilitating a sense of community.

In January 2006, Ianiro aligned her passion for relationship-building and her deep respect for her Italian American heritage by becoming the executive director for the Northern Ohio Italian American Foundation (NOIA).

Angie’s involvement and presence in the Italian American community can also be seen in her role as the publisher of La Gazzetta Italiana, the leading monthly Italian American newspaper. The print and digital publication focuses on sharing cultural news and highlighting the important contributions of Italian Americans.

"I believe in the mission of Hoban and want to be a part of the future," Ianiro said.