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At your service: Strauss honored for contributions
By Greg Gulas
BOARDMAN
For the past seven decades, Boardman’s Ed Strauss has been more valuable to area athletic departments than Mariano Rivera was to the New York Yankees as Major League Baseball’s top reliever.
That dependability dates back to the 1952-53 school year when during his second year of teaching at John Handley High School in Winchester, Va., a simple “Yes” when asked if he would fill-in as scorekeeper for a judges’ basketball game that his course in athletics would forever be altered.
A coach for many years in various sports, keeping score for the school whose most famous alum is the late singer Patsy Cline was simply too much fun to pass up.
He then became the go-to guy when a fill-in was needed and when he moved back to the area, the Woodrow Wilson High School graduate became a fixture at several other teaching stops along the way.
Today, he’ll receive the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association “Honor Award” for his many years of behind-the-scenes service, that coming during ceremonies at the state’s annual North-South Basketball All-Star game at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus.
“I must say that I am truly humbled by this honor. I heard that I was nominated, yet never really knew anything about the award,” Strauss said. “I am sure that there are many other deserving candidates out there statewide, so to be selected is something very special and an honor that I will cherish and never forget.”
Nominated by longtime OHSHCA District 1 director and former Boardman High School boys basketball coach Dan Gorski, Strauss is one of eight recipients this year to be honored.
“I had one last chance to nominate someone before leaving my post this past fall and I am very happy that it was Ed who was selected. The award is not about coaches or officials, designed instead to honor those who have dedicated their lives as behind the scene participants,” Gorski said. “Coach Strauss has given so freely of his time to Spartans athletics and he’s enjoyed every minute along the way. From scorekeeping to serving as team videographer to any other task that needed performed, he always went above and beyond the call of duty and is just so deserving of the honor.”
Longtime Spartans girls basketball coach and current Columbiana Clippers head mentor Ron Moschella echoed Gorski’s remarks.
“Ed and I go back about 36 years and I can honestly tell you that I have never met a finer individual in all my life. He has kept score for me at both Boardman and now Columbiana and has never taken a penny; instead doing it for sheer enjoyment,” Moschella said. “He’s been there through thick and thin and he’ll never know how much he has taught me over the years. I really look up to him and have done so for quite some time.”
Former Boardman athletic director Dave Smercansky said having Strauss around ensured that things would be run right and always honestly.
“Ed always gave you more than what you expected of him. He’s honest, a complete gentleman and just a one-of-a-kind individual,” Smercansky said. “I’m the fortunate one to have gotten to know him as well I have over the years because everything that he ever did was always for the kids and the program.”
Current athletic director and longtime Boardman track coach Denise Gorski called the honor a fitting tribute for his many years of service.
“The best descriptor I can think of about coach Strauss is that he has always been Mr. Dependable. He dedicated his life to our young adults and is someone today who is still willing to lend a helping hand if needed,” she said. “He’s definitely one of the good guys of area sports.”
The OHSBCA annually honors individuals outside the coaching ranks for their contribution to basketball and the association on both the local and state levels.
In 2014, odd numbered districts each selected someone worthy of the honor while next year recipients will come will come from its even numbered district membership.
The criteria used for eligibility and selection was based on exemplary service to high school basketball and those considered must have been nominated by a district director or officer.
Each district is allowed to receive one Distinguished Service Award per year.