BBHHS Athletic Hall of Fame inductions return
by Dan Holland
Following a lengthy hiatus, the Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School Athletic Hall of Fame held an installation and rededication ceremony, banquet and reception Oct. 3.
The program, initially created in 1988 by the Bees Athletic Boosters and designed to honor outstanding coaches and student-athletes, went defunct in 1992 following the installation of 27 inductees.
Former BBHHS Athletic Director Dan Kalinsky, who serves on the BBHHS Hall of Fame Committee, and longtime Cleveland radio and television sports personality Mark “Munch” Bishop hosted this year’s event.
This year’s 11 inductees, who were also honored prior to the Oct. 2 homecoming varsity football game at the Bee Hive, include three coaches: Joan Ganim and Ron Ganim (gymnastics) and the late Tony Niccoli (boys soccer).
Student-athletes inducted during this year’s ceremony include Alecia Farina (2016, gymnastics); Lori Helle (1993, soccer); Jeremy Johnson (2009, football, wrestling); Darcy Jones (1989, volleyball, basketball, track); Lyndsey Maurer (2000, volleyball, basketball, softball); Josh McAdams (1999, cross country, track, wrestling); Mike Patterson (1977, soccer, gymnastics); Scott Roth (1981, basketball) and Shannon Williams (2018, volleyball).
Joan Ganim, who accepted the award for herself and her late husband, built a high school gymnastics dynasty, beginning with the opening of Gym World in Broadview Heights in 1975.
The BBHHS gymnastics team, coached by the Ganims and for the past seven years by their daughter, Maria Schneider, has won 26 team state gymnastics championships since 1994, including an unprecedented 23 consecutive titles extending back to 2004.
“This is a great honor. I just loved teaching kids, and my husband did too,” Joan said. “And, it’s an honor being inducted into the hall of fame along with coaches Joe Vadini (1989 inductee, football, wrestling) and Tony Niccoli. Ron [Ganim] and Joe [Vadini] coached at the same time, and Tony and I started teaching at the same time.
“It’s a wonderful community here. I’ve supported them for years, and they support the athletes and have wonderful academics here for the kids – it’s just a great school system,” she added. “Although, growing up, I said I would never support Brecksville, as I was from Independence, and we were rivals. But here I am, 50-plus years later.”
Highlights among this year’s class include a former NBA player and coach (Roth), a member of the 2008 USA Summer Olympics team (McAdams) and a number who went on to compete at the collegiate level.
A new location for the BBHHS Athletic Hall of Fame, along a cafeteria wall outside the high school’s main gym, includes a touch-screen kiosk, wall mural and a plaque for each inductee.
“We have so many wonderful community members and students who have gone through here, and we need to recognize the great work they did,” BBH Superintendent Jeffrey Harrison said. “They set the example and standards for our current students. So, to get this going again took a lot of hard work by a small group of employees in the district who have a passion for it.”
BBHHS Athletic Director Mark Maslona said he was “thrilled with the terrific turnout” and with all of the excitement as the district reintroduced its Athletic Hall of Fame.
“These new inductees were just so very deserving, and we now look forward to keeping the momentum going next year and beyond,” he said.
Photo caption: This year’s class of BBHHS Athletic Hall of Fame inductees includes, front row from left, Mike Patterson, Lori Helle, Joan Ganim, Alecia Farina and Shannon Williams; back row from left, Jeremy Johnson, Darcy Jones, Lyndsey Maurer, Josh McAdams, John Dauria, accepting on behalf of Scott Roth, who was unavailable, and Justin Thacker, accepting on behalf of the late Tony Niccoli. Photo submitted by Bill Henning Photography.