Kernan, Paden among 6 named to Hiram Athletic Hall of Fame

HIRAM -- Two Chaney High graduates who now live in Boardman -- Michael Kernan and Frank Paden -- were among six former Hiram College athletes inducted into the Hiram Athletic Hall of Fame recently.
Kernan, a defensive back on the Hiram football team under coach Don Charlton and a 1988 graduate, helped the 1987 Terriers to qualify for the NCAA Division III playoffs -- the first and only Hiram team to make it to the postseason.
Charlton coached at Warren Western Reserve High before going to Hiram.
Paden, a 1973 Hiram graduate, was a four-year starter on the offensive line for the Terriers' football team, and also played for the baseball squad.
The other new Hall of Fame members are Elizabeth Fanjans Ritthaler (1978, field hockey), Angie Horner Showalter (1994, volleyball, basketball, intramural softball, flag football), John Lampe (1993, basketball, golf) and Greg Piscura (1979, baseball).
The group was inducted during the 42nd annual Hiram Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the DiGirolamo Lobby of the new Coleman Sports Center on the Hiram campus.
Kernan three-time All-PAC pick
Kernan, now president and chief executive officer of Kernan Insurance & amp; Financial Services, Inc., was a three-time football selection to the all-Presidents' Athletic Conference first team at Hiram.
He also led the Terriers in interceptions all three years, and was voted Hiram's Defensive Most Valuable Player as a junior and senior.
In Kernan's senior year, he was named a Pizza Hut All-American. He also competed in intramural rugby and basketball.
While at Chaney High, Kernan was involved in a pair of firsts while playing quarterback.
He earned the distinction of throwing the first touchdown pass at Stambaugh Stadium. And he was selected the first Most Valuable Player of the inaugural Mahoning-Trumbull County All-Star high school football game in 1984.
Kernan's coaches at Chaney were Ed Matey and Ron Berdis.
In addition, Kernan also coaches at Ursuline High as head softball coach and assistant basketball mentor.
Paden is long-time banker
Paden, a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity at Hiram, now is a banker in Canfield and an Ohio business leader.
Paden has been with Farmers National Bank of Canfield for the past 31 years and now serves as president and chief executive officer. He has been working for Farmers ever since he left Hiram.
He also is a board member of several non-profit organizations and is the director of the state's trade organization.
While at Chaney High, Paden played football for three years under coach "Red" Angelo, and made All-City in his senior year in 1968 to lead the Cowboys to the City Series championship.
Paden and wife Marsha have three grown children: Bradley, Suzie and Laura.