GIRARD HALL OF FAME | Biographies

The Girard Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Saturday at Leo's Ristorante in Howland. Cocktails will be served from 6:30-7:30 p.m., with the dinner and ceremony to follow. No tickets will be available at the door. Here are biographies of the inductees.
JOHN "JACK" BRITT
Class of 1940
Because of his career in sports and education and those he came in contact with, he is regarded as a dedicated community and civic leader. His high school career at Girard won him three varsity football letters from 1937-40 and an All-County selection at the guard position. His education at Kent State University was delayed by three years of Navy service in World War II. He played four seasons with the Kent State football team as a starting tackle and his efforts earned him the Outstanding Senior Athlete Award in 1947.
Upon graduating with his master's in 1950, he began an illustrious career as an educator and coach. He had two choices when he finished college: to remain at his alma mater and serve as assistant coach or begin coaching at Painesville Harvey High School. He compiled an 89-19-2 record in 12 seasons at Painesville, while leading them to two unbeaten seasons, six Northeastern Conference championships.
He served as principal and assistant superintendent of Painesville Harvey Schools and President of the Kent State University Alumni Association. He received the American Educators Medal from the Freedom Foundation in 1970 and has the vocational wing and media room at the high school named in his honor. Even after his death in 1980, honors continued to come to his family. The Ohio High School Football Coaches Association enshrined him to its Hall of Fame in 1985. The same honor came from the Harvey Athletic Boosters and their HOF in 1997. Most notably, in 1991, the Painesville school system would rededicate their football stadium in his name.
SAM PAGANO
Class of 1949
He was president of the Class of 1949 and an outstanding high school football player. His 1948-49 seasons at tackle made him responsible for opening gaping holes for teammates "Deets" Delbene, Mel Triplett and "Tiger" DeMas.
After a successful 1949 season as a hard-charging defensive tackle on the Kent State freshman team, he was honored as the team's "Outstanding Defensive Player." He then transferred to Youngstown College where he finished his college playing days for legendary coach "Dike" Beede.
He would then serve three years in the United States Army before embarking on a 28-year career as a local educator in the Howland School District. His commitment to his community would soon become evident. He was owner/operator of Hubbard Funland, a local fun spot. He owns eight patents for the invention of Hold 'n View educational pieces. He was a member of the Girard Board of Education from 1984-88 and chairman of the committees to restore the Girard High band shell, football stadium and press box.
JOHN "TIGER" DEMAS
Class of 1950
To the city of Girard, his friends and family, he is simply known as "Tiger". For the class of 1950, he simply did it all. His accomplishments in football, baseball and track complement his selection as Homecoming King, senior class president and the school's first Civics' Day mayor.
Although Girard football did not belong to any league until after his graduation in 1950, he gained three varsity football letters as a halfback and was chosen team captain and Most Valuable Player his senior season. He was the team's leading rusher that year in the same backfield with GHOF legend Mel Triplett. His contribution to the Girard baseball team was also one of leadership. A three-year letter winner and team captain, he led Girard to a Steel Valley Championship in its first year of league affiliation. He was named the team's Most Valuable Player.
Recruited by the likes of Kent State, Youngstown State and the University of Cincinnati, he chose the John Carroll Blue Streaks to continue his education and athletics. After his freshman football season, he was presented with the John D. Connors Trophy as the Most Valuable freshman football player. After transferring to YSU, he became a starter at defensive back.
He is Hartford High School's all-time winningest coach compiling a 64-11 record and three league championships. He fell only one win shy of a State Championship in 1958. Coaching stints at Brookfield and Austintown Fitch preceded a teaching and administrative career that lasted for more than 20 years.
STANLEY HOSKING
Class of 1954
He was an outstanding two-sport performer at Girard High School. For the class of 1954 he was a three-year letterman for the high school basketball team and voted captain of that team his senior season. In his junior season, the 1953 Indian cagers were crowned Steel Valley Champs, District Champs and were finalists in the Ohio State Tournament.
His sport of choice was football. From 1952-54 he earned three varsity letters and was voted to the All-Steel Valley Conference squad as a fullback. As a senior, he was selected Most Valuable Player by the Girard Sports Boosters.
After graduation, he served three years with the 24th Infantry Artillery Division in Korea where he participated in the Far East Comman Inter-Serivce Football League. As a two-year starter at fullback with the Army All-Star team, he competed against similar teams from the Navy, Air Force and Marines. His efforts earned him a selection to the All-Far East and All-Japan teams.
In 1958 he enrolled at Geneva College and immediately made a contribution to the Covie football team. He lettered three years at Geneva as a fullback. As a senior, his teammates selected him as one of their co-captains. His 1,091 career rushing yards were amassed in only two complete seasons, while he missed most of his senior year with a leg injury.
ROLAND "ROLLIE" MUSHRUSH
Class of 1962
He was a multi-sport star from the class of 1962 who would enjoy a fine college and coaching career after his days at Girard High School. His biggest rewards have come from seeing the development of young people as students and athletes. His basketball career at Girard lasted three years and included a selection as a co-captain in his senior year. He finished fifth in scoring in the Steel Valley as a senior and was chosen to the second team All-Steel Valley. At Hiram, he was a four-year letter winner and standout receiver. He statistically finished among the top 10 of Ohio Athletic Conference receivers all four years. Voted by his teammates as a co-captain his senior year, he led the team with 17 receptions, 300 yards and four touchdowns. He participated at every available level of baseball from Little League through Class AA locally and later starred for the Hiram baseball team capturing four letters at the varsity level. For his accomplishments in football and baseball he was inducted into the Hiram College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984. His coaching career began and he frequently was asked to revitalize programs that were on the skids. He had success coaching baseball, basketball, football and track at Painesville Harvey, Ashtabula, Conneaut and Caverna (Ky.) high schools. He has 15 years of experience as a head football coach and is currently in his second year as head coach at Fairless High School.
JIM STACCHIOTTI
Class of 1973
His career at Girard is a gold standard example of what a student/athlete can accomplish. Scholastic awards, recognition, extra-curricular activities and athletic accomplishments are almost too numerous to list.
He played football for Girard from 1970-73. He excelled as an offensive/defensive tackle and handled the placekicking. He was equally outstanding in the classroom earning several awards in biology. He was junior and senior class president, served as president of student council and Civics Day Mayor. He received a Congressional Recommendation to West Point Military Academy and the Naval Academy in Annapolis for football.
At Syracuse, he earned two varsity football letters at offensive/defensive tackle and graduated in 1977 with a dual degree in sociology and education. He had NFL tryouts with the Baltimore Colts, Cincinnati Bengals and New Orleans Saints where he just missed making the final roster.
He has written and recorded four records, completed a master's degree, published a book, was accepted into law school and a doctoral program and was elected to Who's Who Among American Teachers. He currently has a 25-year teaching career at Newton Falls High School and oversees the operations of the only city-owned business as manager of the Girard Lakes.
ANDY SAXON
Class of 1975
He was regarded by many as one of the top baseball talents in the area during his playing days. His contribution to athletics at Girard and in the Mahoning Valley encompasses 30 years and continues today.
He was a three-year varsity letter winner in baseball from 1973-75. He captained the 1975 team and was selected to the All-Mahoning Valley Conference first team as a junior and senior. His career batting averages of .340 helped lead Girard to two MVC titles, two sectional titles and one district championship. As a wide receiver for the Indian football team he earned two varsity letters and was rewarded with a selection to second team All-Mahoning Valley Conference as a senior.
After graduation, he received a full scholarship to attend Youngstown State University and play for legendary coach Dom Rosselli. He was a four-year starter and letter winner and captained the Penguins as a senior. He ranked in the Top 10 amongst Division II second baseman in batting with a .332 average.
His coaching career began in Girard as an assistant boys baseball coach in 1981 and lasted 11 years. He accepted the position of girls head basketball coach in 1987 and is currently the winningest girls coach in Girard history with almost 200 wins. He was twice selected Trumbull County girls basketball Coach of the Year and District Coach of the Year in 2002. He has won seven sectional championships and has two-district runner-up finishes. The 2001-02 season earned him a nomination for Division III Ohio Coach of the Year honors.
BOB COURTNEY
Class of 1983
He was an excellent triple-sport star from the class of 1983. While competing in football, baseball and basketball, he was consistently in a leadership position during his career at GHS.
As a quarterback, he had size, speed and the prototype frame. He was Honorable Mention All-Mahoning Valley Conference as a junior. In 1982, as a senior co-captain, he threw for 1,071 yards and 10 touchdowns. His senior season awards are numerous and include first team All-Mahoning Valley Conference, first team All-Trumbull County, first team All-Northeast Ohio and Honorable Mention All-State. His contributions to the Indian basketball program began in the 1980 season as a sophomore. He was selected as Honorable Mention All-Mahoning Valley Conference three times and a second team All-Trumbull County selection in his senior year. He co-captained the '83 team and finished second in the MVC in rebounding with 16 per game. He averaged 12 points per game and finished third in MVC field goal percentage for the season.
He attended Youngstown State University on a scholarship and started 18 games at quarterback for the Penguins. He compiled an 11-7 record and was twice named Ohio Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week. He completed nearly 50 percent of his passes and threw for 2,458 yards and 14 touchdowns. He went on to play professionally in England for the Nottingham Hoods for one season as a player/coach.
TOM KOLIC
2002 Community Service Award
He will always be remembered for his diligent coverage and promotion of the athletes and students of Girard High School. He wrote for the "Girard News" and the "Review" for more than 30 years covering the Girard sports scene and more passionately for those who played. His "Korner" sports column was popular and directed solely to the Girard High athletes and coaches.
He gave much more of himself to the youth baseball program of Girard, serving as a Little League coach for 22 years, Pony League commissioner for four years and a reliable local umpire for 20 years.
He has served as Girard High's football and basketball statistician for more than 35 years traveling all over the valley following the Indians. He has been an officer for the Girard Athletic Boosters for more than 22 years, including terms as president and vice president. He has served as a trustee for the Girard Hall of Fame during its formidable years, quick to offer memories, facts and statistics when needed. He is a Girard resident and married 44 years to the former Josephine Sabino, with two sons, Tom and Mike.