Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame

Ron Berdis: A highly-successful player and coach at Chaney High School. He lettered three years while earning defensive Most Valuable Player laurels and All-Cityhonors his senior season. He attended Mount Union College from 1970-1974, lettering all four varsity seasons. He set the consecutive PAT mark at the school when he connected on 44 attempts; one of four kicking standards he authored for the Purple Raiders upon graduation. He also received four defensive awards for his outstanding play as well. He returned to Chaney as an assistant coach in 1978 and was named head coach in 1987, finishing with a record of 128-72 in 20 seasons. He led the Cowboys to eight playoff appearances, 14 City Series championships and two unbeaten regular seasons in 1996 and 2000.

J.D. Bossone: Joins his father, the late John Bossone (2000) as one of just a handful of family members and father-son combinations to be so enshrined by the Curbstone Coaches. Began bowling at age 4. Since that time he has participated in 15 Youngstown Bowling Association City Tournaments; two Youngstown Masters Tournaments; two Ohio State Bowling Tournaments, and American Bowling Congress National Tournament; three Professional Bowlers Association regional tournaments and a United States Bowling Congress Masters Tournament. He was the 1982 Coca-Cola H.S. Championship Regional Champion, placed sixth at the 1989 Waukegan (Ill.) U.S. Open Qualifier, was seventh in the 2004 Youngstown Masters and fourth in their 2007 event, placed 213th at the 2007 USBC masters and that same year, recorded a 21st place finish at the PBA Dayton Open. He has rolled five 800 series, 20 perfect games, three 299 games and two 298 games and is the architect of a 231.1 career average.

Ron Ellis: Played as a youth in the Boardman Little League, Youngstown Babe Ruth League and Youngstown Class B League. In high school, was a four-year letterman, helping Boardman to the Steel Valley Conference title as a first team all-league selection his senior season when the Spartans advanced to the state championship game. He later played at Ohio State and was named second team All-Big Ten shortstop as a junior. Played three years in the Indians’ minor league system.

Bob Hannon: The Slippery Rock University graduate arrived in Youngstown in 1987, serving as weekend sports anchor at WYTV before assuming the sports director’s position the following year. His sports coverage has resulted in station awards by the Ohio Associated Press for “Outstanding Sports Operation” and “Best Regularly-Scheduled Sports” show. In 2008 he will enter his 20th season as the voice of YSU football where he has broadcast six Division I-AA title games.

Rudy Hubbard: A native of Hubbard who was a standout player at Ohio State and later outstanding football coach at Florida A&M. Earned three letters in basketball and track & field at Hubbard High, and was named All-SVC three times. At Ohio State, he was a gifted receiver and fine blocker; his TD catch against Indiana as a junior was the only score in a 7-0 Buckeyes’ win. He later coached for Woody Hayes from 1968-73 before taking the Florida A&M job.

Anthony Lariccia: A graduate of Struthers High School and Youngstown State University, he is one of the area’s greatest philanthropists. He joined Merrill Lynch in 1973 and was named vice president four years later, a position he continues to hold today. The Lariccia family has donated in excess of $5.3 million to Youngstown State University and over the years, over $11 million to countless area organizations and individuals.

Don McCloud: A football standout at Girard High and Youngstown College, earning four football letters and two in track & field with the Penguins. Later became a respected football official for over 30 years in the City Series, Steel Valley Conference, Trumbull AA League, Tri-County League and Inter-County League. Nominated to work the state playoffs eight years, including three state championship games.

Greg Richardson: Known as “The Flea,” arguably one of the area’s great boxing champions. A graduate of North High, he won the national Golden Gloves and AAU championships while in high school and was a member of the U.S. International team. Posted an amateur record of 142-10. Turned pro in 1982 and compiled a 31-8-1 record over 14 years. He won the WBC bantamweight title in 1991 with a 12-round decision over Raul Perez. Also held a host of regional belts.

Dan Wathen: Longtime athletic trainer at Youngstown State, Wathen is one of the most respected strength and conditioning coaches in the nation. The Kentucky State weightlifting champion from 1971-73, he earned best lifter honors in the heavy classes in 1973. A former member of the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) and the United States Powerlifting Federation (U.S.P.F.), he was the Kentucky state powerlifting champ from 1971-75 where he garnered their best lifter award in 1971. Prior to his arrival on the YSU campus he had served as an assistant trainer at the University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University as well as with the Cleveland Browns.

Roseanne Winner: A 1974 graduate of Austintown Fitch High, she has been a member of the Youngstown Women’s Bowling Association for over 30 years. Has bowled in 28 YWBA city tournaments, 25 Ohio Women’s Bowling Association tournaments and 13 national tourneys. Along with her late husband Earl, they have been the proud sponsors of the YWBA senior tournament since 2001. She has a highest game of 259 to her credit and a highest 3-game series of 679.

Bob Matey: One of the finest players in Chaney High history, was a two-time All-City selection as a linebacker and fullback. Later played at Iowa State under coach Johnny Majors, and followed him to Pittsburgh as an assistant coach. Also coached at Texas A&M.

Edward Garasic: A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, he starred for the Brown Drugs entry of the Class B League where he batted .357. He also starred on the local softball sandlots, playing both fast-pitch and slow-pitch for many teams, including General Fireproofing, Local 1331, Hillcrest Tavern and the ACC Club, leading his team in many tournaments over the years. He was inducted into the Youngstown Old-Timers Hall of Fame in 1994.

Garcia Lane: A graduate of South High where he was named to many all-star teams, later played at Ohio State and was a three-year starter for the Buckeyes. He played professionally for both the Philadelphia Stars (1984-85) of the USFL and the Kansas City Chiefs (1985).

Donald Smaltz: One of the area’s most successful track & field and cross country coaches at Jackson-Milton and Poland. His teams established many school and area marks. He coached many individual champions and was the seven-time Mahoning Valley Coaches association coach of the year. One of the founders of the Peace Race, he’s been inducted into the Poland High School and Youngstown Roadrunners halls of fame.

Mike Zordich: Another Chaney High football standout, where he was a two-time All-City and All-Northeast Ohio selection, and all-state as a senior. Later played at Penn State, earning four letters and the team’s MVP award as a senior. Was a consensus All-America before embarking on a 12-year NFL career with the Jets, Cardinals and Eagles.