HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS East High School

Tony Cardarelli
Chosen for football, Tony was a two-year letterman in football and baseball. He was an offensive and defensive end in football from 1945 through 1947 while playing outfield on the baseball team during the 1946-47-48 seasons. He entered Heidelberg College in the fall of 1948, where he played four years of football and earned a degree in Business Management and Sales.
David Craig Hight, Sr.
Selected for football, Dave was a four-year member of the football and basketball teams. In his senior year, he was chosen All-City, Northeast Ohio, and Honorable Mention All-State teams as an offensive lineman. He was also team captain and lead blocker for Hall-of-Fame inductee J.C. Penny. During his senior year in basketball he was a second team All-City selection and team captain. Dave earned a full Academic-Athletic Scholarship to Ohio University and was a four-year member of the football team. In 1989, Hight began his coaching career at East High as assistant football coach. After the closing of East he became the first football and track coach at the newly formed East Middle School. Dave is also an area referee in college and high school football and high school basketball.
Harvey D. Brown
Inducted for football, Harvey was a two-year varsity letterman, starting defensive/offensive tackle, 1963 to 1965. Ernie was picked for the all-City team and was East's MVP his senior year. He also played varsity basketball from 1964 through 1966. In 1978, Harvey played semi-pro football with the Youngstown Hard Hats. He stayed with the team for two years.
Steve Demidovich
Honored for golf, Steve played from 1955-57 and was team captain in 1957. His highlights were: 1955 NEO Champions, City Champions in '55 and '56 and Yankee Run Tourney Champions in 1956. Steve was a member of the National Honor Society, Echo Staff, Student Council, Social Committee Charman, and Prom Attendant and an intramural Referee. Steve caddied for 12 years at the Youngstown Country Club where he and his brother, Bill, won a Chick Evans Caddy Scholarship to Ohio State University. Steve played on the 1958 OSU freshman golf team with Jack Nicklaus. He was also the OSU Intramural Doubles Golf Champion in 1960.
Stephanie R. Hubbard
A standout sprinter, Stephanie earned a letter in track for four years. She ran the 100, 200 (advancing to the state finals her sophomore year, finishing sixth) and led off the 800 relay, which broke the district record her sophomore year. She also lettered three years in basketball as point guard. Stephanie was selected for the Homecoming Court and was Junior and Senior Class President. She was also selected for inclusion in "Who's Who in American High Schools."
Ronald P. Canacci
Honored for football, Ron lettered three years and was the starting quarterback and middle linebacker and was MVP his junior year. He was picked second team All-City in 1962 and was team captain his senior year. Ron also played basketball and lettered two years, playing guard and forward, and played right field and catcher in baseball, lettering three years, and was the 1962 batting champion.
Mike Flores
Inducted for football, Mike was a two time All-City selection as a junior and senior. He was also the defensive MVP for the City Series. Mike was the first player at East to win the covetedMike DeNiro Trophy for Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman. His impressive performance at East earned him a full scholarship to the University of Louisville. His junior season at Louisville saw him break the team's single season sack record and he was voted most outstanding defensive lineman. During his senior season Mike broke his own record for sacks as well as tackles an and the was voted the most inspirational player. Mike is Louisville's all-time sack leader and he is the current single game sack record holder for his 1991 Fiesta Bowl performance as Louisville defeated Alabama 34-8. Drafted to the Philadelphia Eagles in the 11th round Mike was a preseason starter as a rookie, recording 3 1/2 sacks in the preseason. Mike was a starter the final two seasons of his four year career as an Eagle and was considered one of the top free agents as a defensive lineman. Mike was lured away to the Cincinnati Bengals but after a short stay, landed with the Washington Redskins where he finished his career and retired from professional football.
Leonard Gagliardi
Inducted for football, Leonard, a three year letterman, was the quarterback and punter for the team. After graduating from East in 1943, Leonard served in the US Navy for the duration of World War II. Leonard played football on the Navy Service team in Kansas where he was stationed. Upon returning to Youngstown after the war, Leonard enrolled at Youngstown College where he earned a degree in education.
Joe Nuzzo
Inducted in the Special Award Category, Joe played baseball at East and pitched a no-hitter his senior year. He also played Class B and AA ball but his greatest success came as a bowler. Joe is one of the few people to have pitched a no-hitter, bowled a perfect game and hit a hole-in-one. Joe began bowling at age 10 and at age 12 bowled his first 700 series (733). At age 12 his average was 200 and by age 17 he had won every junior title possible. At age 17 he joined the Men's Bowling Association where he is still active today, still bowling two nights a week and averaging 236 in one league and 211 on a "sport" bowling condition. Joe has rolled 28-300 games, 11-299 games and 10-800 series in his career. His highest 3 game series to date is 847 and his highest average was 236 in 2001. In 1976, Joe joined the Professional Bowlers Association and for the next six years competed in over 100 National tournaments and 25 regional tournaments, earning over $125,000. Joe was named the "Player of the Year" in Ohio in 1986, inducted into the Youngstown Men's Bowling Hall of Fame in 1994, the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame and the Ohio State Bowling Assoc. Hall of Fame in 1999.
Inducted in the Special Award Category, Joe played baseball at East and pitched a no-hitter his senior year. He also played Class B and AA ball but his greatest success came as a bowler. Joe is one of the few people to have pitched a no-hitter, bowled a perfect game and hit a hole-in-one. Joe began bowling at age 10 and at age 12 bowled his first 700 series (733). At age 12 his average was 200 and by age 17 he had won every junior title possible. At age 17 he joined the Men's Bowling Association where he is still active today, still bowling two nights a week and averaging 236 in one league and 211 on a "sport" bowling condition. Joe has rolled 28-300 games, 11-299 games and 10-800 series in his career. His highest 3 game series to date is 847 and his highest average was 236 in 2001. In 1976, Joe joined the Professional Bowlers Association and for the next six years competed in over 100 National tournaments and 25 regional tournaments, earning over $125,000. Joe was named the "Player of the Year" in Ohio in 1986, inducted into the Youngstown Men's Bowling Hall of Fame in 1994, the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame and the Ohio State Bowling Assoc. Hall of Fame in 1999.
Inducted for football, John played football from 1936-38, lettering all three years. He played right tackle, both offense and defense, and did all the place kicking. In the New Castle game of 1937, New Castle was leading 6-0 until East scored a touchdown and John went to kick the extra point. The field was muddy and there was a bad pass from center so John picked up the ball and threw it to Jim Wary, the fullback, and East won the game 7-6. This was the first time East beat New Castle. As a senior, John was an All-City selection in 1938 and also was named honorable mention all-state.
Jim Jordan
Jim "Bones" Jordan, as he was nicknamed, was a member of the varsity baseball team from 1951-53. He was noted for his outstanding defensive plays in the infield. He was also an offensive standout batting over .300 in 1953. Jim also played basketball and was a member of the 1952-53 team that shared City Championship honors with North High. After graduation, Jim played in the Class B league with Brown Drugs and maintained a batting average of .300 while contributing with outstanding defensive plays. Jim progressed to the Class AA league with Anthony Fence but injuries ended his hardball career. Jim then played local fast pitch softball with Smiley's Tavern and Costello Paints. He also played slow pitch softball for the next decade with ACC Club and the ACME Club. At age 50, Jim played in the hardball Oldtimers USA League where he excelled in both offensive and defensive play in the infield. Jim was chosen as "Mr. Baseball" for the Oldtimers in 1990 and in 1991 was inducted into the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame for softball. In 1994 Jim was inducted into the Oldtimer's Baseball Hall of Fame.
Bill Berger
Inducted for golf, Bill began caddying at age 10. In 1952 and '54 Bill won the Youngstown Country Club Caddy Championship and in 1957 became assistant golf pro at Itasca Country Club near Chicago. During 1957-'59 and 1962-70 Bill competed on the PGA tour. He returned to compete in PGA Senior tour qualifiers. He still competes in local PGA events in the Chicago area.
George Panno
Honored for golf, George lettered three years from 1944-46. He alternated first and second man on the City Championship team. George was also president of his class. After graduation from East, George was a fire fighter in the US Army in 1947 and '48. George attended Heidleberg College where he lettered in golf. He later transferred to Miami of Ohio where he graduated in 1953 with a BS in business. In 1955, George began his career with the Youngstown Fire Department.
George K. Clark
Honored for football, George was a two-year letterman, the starting fullback on the City Championship Team of 1958 and a second team All-City selection. He also lettered three years in baseball and spent his summers playing Class B baseball for Campbell AC. George was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" and "Most Intelligent."
Dennis E. Malaska
Inducted in the Special Award Category, Dennis graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Comprehensive Science from the University of Toledo in 1974. He later earned his Master's in Education Administration in 1980 from YSU. Dennis began his teaching and coaching career first at Liberty High, then at South High and came to East in 1978. He stayed to coach and teach through 1988. He was head coach of the girls basketball team from 1978-81 and from 1985-88. The girls were City champs in 1976, 1985, '86, '87 and '88. Dennis was also athletic director in 1979-80. Dennis also assisted the football program and was boys track coach.
Cosmo Santillo
Honored for football, Cosmo Santillo was an outstanding all-around athlete. Cosmo was a natural at left tackle. During his junior year, Cosmo intercepted a pass against Boardman, whose teams had been undefeated for three years. The interception set up the second TD of the game and East won 33-0. Cosmo lettered both years when the 1943 team were City champs and the 1944 team shared the honors with South and Chaney. Cosmo lettered in basketball, played on the golf team and was the Golden Cloves and Knights of Columbus Heavyweight Boxing Champion.
Ronald Denson
Inducted for football, Ron lettered three years. He was selected for the All-City Team his junior year as an offensive back and his senior year as a defensive back. He played both ways his three years in high school. He won the MVP award as a senior. Ron also played basketball, track and baseball.
Benjamin Harrison Gardner
Inducted for football, Ben was All-City second team guard from 1929-31. After high school, Ben became a well-known grower of produce, where he was known as the "Cucumber King". He grew and packaged cucumbers in Cuba, Floria and Mexico.
Vanessa Mitchum Ballinger
Inducted for basketball, Vanessa also ran track. She lettered four years in high school as point guard. The team won the City Championship four years, from 1983-87. Vanessa was a First Team All-City Selection her senior year and was team captain. Vanessa was inducted into the National Honor Society and was the Homecoming Queen her senior year.
Ernest J. Anderson
Inducted for basketball, Ernie was a guard on the 1968 team which won the city championship as well as the Meadville Tournament. Voted "Mr. Hustle", Ernie was quick, fast and could rebound, and was considered one of the best defenders in the city.
Gene K. Janecko
The featured speaker, Gene is a 1944 graduate of Campbell Memorial High. In 1943, he was starting left halfback and intercepted six passes. He later played at Ohio State before joining the Merchant Marines in 1945. He returned to play at Youngstown College until a knee injury ended his career.