Golden Bears honor No. 1 fan

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Ernest Hight, also known as the Golden Bears’ “Friendly Heckler,” was honored Friday at Rayen Stadium the East-Austintown Fitch football game.

Before the long night was over, Hight ended up having a special official to heckle.

Hight, who recently celebrated his 88th birthday, is regarded as East’s No. 1 fan. Among his hobbies is attending East varsity games home and away in every sport.

Hight recently was inducted into the North High School Hall of Fame for his involvement as a fan and member of its Booster Club until the school’s closing in 1980. He adopted East.

Another hobby of Hight’s is heckling referees, including his son David Hight. For 23 years, David Hight has been a football and basketball official,

“I know for a fact Ernest Hight is the number-one East fan because he rooted against my kids — his own grandkids — whenever East played Liberty,” David Hight said.

David Hight’s presence was a bonus. When umpire Don Sebo was injured in the third quarter, Hight suited up and finished the game.

Sebo was knocked down during a long run by East quarterback Zane Cylar. Paramedics eventually were able to get Sabo on his feet, but he was taken off the field in a stretcher.