Original WWR Raiders reunion is May 4

WARREN — The first reunion of the original Warren Western Reserve football teams of the Classes of 1967, 1968 and 1969 will be held   May 4 at G’s Golden Gate Restaurant.

The Parkman Road Northwest restaurant was the site of the teams’ many pre-game meals and team send-offs.     Dick Strahm, the Raiders’ original coach, will be the featured speaker, along with a number of the team captains.

“I am honored to attend this event and get reacquainted with the many fine coaches and players who started the West Side Pride traditions,” he said.

Warren Western Reserve High School was founded in 1966 and the first year Raiders had an inaugural 5-5 season, followed by three successive 9-1 seasons.

In the school’s third season, the team played the much anticipated, first ever cross-town game against Warren G. Harding High School.   The Raiders won that game 14-6 and went on to a No. 5 ranking in the state that year.

Strahm coached the Raiders for four seasons with a record of 32 wins and eight losses.   Strahm went on to coach at the University of Toledo and Kansas City before going to the University of Findlay.   His record at Findlay from 1975 to 1998 included 183 wins, 64 losses and five ties. His total coaching record is 253 wins, 83 losses and 6 ties.

Strahm was named National Coach of the Year four different times.   He also has been elected to the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame.

Event organizers say interest among former team members and coaches has been extraordinary.

“This event is long overdue,” said Ted Teringo, one of the   organizers. “The first three years were very special times for everyone involved and there has never been a reunion for the great friends we made during those years.”

Another event organizer, Bill Lee, added: “It has been 40 years since that first graduating class, and our classmates and coaches have been difficult to track down.   However, everyone we reach has been excited to participate.”

A website,   wwrfootball.com,   has been established to share information and provide ticket purchase information.

For the reunion, cocktails will be from   6:30 to 8 p.m., open bar; cash bar thereafter. The buffet is at 7:30 p.m.

To secure a place, RSVP must be accompanied by your deposit check for $35 for each ticket.   Make checks payable to WWR Football and mail to: WWR Football, 4016 Townsfair Way, Suite 201, Columbus, OH 43219; Attn:   David Zoba. Tickets are limited to the first 200 received.

Event organizing committee member volunteers are needed, as well as address and contact information for many missing teammates.