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Warren JFK celebrates state title
By Greg Gulas
HOWLAND
When Warren JFK president and principal Joe Kenneally was a freshman at Ursuline High School, future Eagles football coach Jeff Bayuk was his English teacher.
Kenneally knew back then that JFK’s third-year head coach was a special teacher and coach, simply because he always paid attention to detail, cared to a fault about all of his students and always sought that teaching moment.
For Kenneally and others in the JFK football family, it came as no surprise that Bayuk went on to change the culture of the program and in just three seasons and led the school to its second state title.
For the proud program that won a state title exactly 25 years ago, it was a “riches to rags and back to riches” story worth celebrating.
On Thursday, the Eagles were presented state championship rings and a myriad of other awards during their annual banquet at Leo’s Ristorante.
“Jeff makes you believe in yourself and makes you understand his team concept first,” Kenneally said. “He has a ‘buy-in’ factor that just makes him a very special coach and person.”
Bayuk said that he has been smiling non-stop since Dec. 3, the day his team defeated Minster 24-6 for the Division VII state title.
“It’s an indescribable feeling and I just want to say thank you to everyone from the casual fan, to our equipment manager, to the students, players, coaching staff, administration and the entire JFK family,” Bayuk said. “It truly has been a very special season.”
While rings — 56 in all — were the focal point of the banquet, team awards, letters, certificates, a framed drawing, two commemorative hoodies, caps and decals, as well as individual awards voted on by the team were also distributed.
It took barely a week after receiving their championship trophy to set the ring idea in motion.
“President Kenneally and I met with Rich Petro, a Jostens ring representative, and we went back and forth in regards to size and what we wanted on the ring,” Bayuk said. “He showed us our options, sent us proofs, gave suggestions and the end product is absolutely gorgeous.”
The top of the ring has a blue background with gems comprising the ‘K,’ surrounded by 2016 State Champions.
On the left side is the recipients’ name and record while the right side is emblazoned with Warren JFK, contains the familiar eagle emblem within the state of Ohio and the players’ uniform number.
Inside each ring each name is engraved along with “The Blue Storm.”
“The rings were provided by a variety of benevolent supporters that wish to remain anonymous. Their graciousness is so appreciated by all,” Bayuk said.
Jacob Coates will attend Youngstown State in the fall and play for Penguins head football coach Bo Pelini.
“It’s exciting to get a championship ring and I’ll show it off with great pride,” Coates said. “Statewide, not many can say that they have a championship ring for their efforts.”
Teammate Ross Nocera didn’t envision a ring when he went 4-16 his first two varsity seasons.
“This is the culmination of a total team effort and tremendous work ethic put forth by everyone, both on and off the field,” he said.
Strength and conditioning coach Frankie Tempesta said upgrading the weight room was a necessity.
“I played for coach [Tony] Napolet, graduated in 1998 and came back to my alma mater,” Tempesta said. “We remodeled the weight room, got better equipment during Jeff’s first year and three years later this is the reward.”
Equipment manager Mike Cozy has been with the program the past 10 years.
“Jeff teaches the kids how to play without swearing or screaming and has changed the culture of the program,” he said.
Jeanine Bofenkamp is the mother of first-team all-state kicker Justin Bofenkamp.
“You hope that something like this happens, but you never know for sure,” she said. “When it does happen, it’s the greatest feeling in the world.”