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Chagrin Falls Alumni Association

Keeping Tiger Pride Alive

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Dr. Eric Pamer

Class of 1973

Dr. Eric “Rick” Pamer is an infectious diseases expert and currently the Faculty Director of the Duchossois Family Institute at the University of Chicago where he is a professor in the Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, and Pathology.  As a physician and scientist, Rick specializes in immune defense against infections associated with cancer treatment and whose research focuses on the microbiome’s impact on resistance to a wide range of microbial pathogens.  The institute is dedicated to investigating and developing new knowledge about the human biological defense systems, including the microbiome, and their therapeutic and commercial potential for preventing disease and maintaining lifelong wellness.  He came to Chicago from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, where he has served as head of the Division of Subspecialty Medicine since 2011 and director of the Lucille Castori Center for Microbes, Inflammation and Cancer since 2010. He joined Memorial Sloan Kettering in 2000 as chief of infectious diseases and has served as professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine since 2001. Prior to his tenure in New York, he worked at Yale University from 1992 to 2000 as an assistant and associate professor of infectious diseases and immunobiology.

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Rob Crombie

Class of 1970

Selected by his classmates as “Most Artistic,” it is not a surprise that Rob Crombie has become one of the most sought after oil painters in our region.  However, Rob took a break from the brush for nearly 30 years for a career in the print world and to raise a family.  Once he returned to his passion, he would find joy and an opportunity to give back.  He travels quite a bit to small villages in France for inspiration.   His work is on display in Cleveland, St Remy France, South Carolina as well as in Summer shows around the region. While garnering success as an artist, Rob has gone above and beyond to open the world of art to adults and children throughout Northeast Ohio. He is a popular instructor at the Valley Art Center and gives considerable time to art groups as well as students in public schools to support their efforts to learn to paint.  Rob has also made it a priority to work in our most underserved schools in Cleveland and Akron where children may be most inspired and helped.

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Dr. Bill Albers

Class of 1970

Dr. Bill Albers was an orthopaedic surgeon for over 30 years.  For 23 years he had a private practice in Lynchburg, Virginia.  During that period, Bill volunteered as a coach in both basketball and softball at his daughter’s school, Holy Cross Regional School.  The school earned three state titles in girls’ basketball and four in softball.  Bill was voted the “State Coach of the Year” on three occasions and the school would later name their athletic field area, “William E. Albers Field.”  For nearly a decade, he successfully juggled a number of roles when he and his wife moved to Tennessee where he joined Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics.  In addition to his work as a surgeon, he wrote three chapters in what is regarded as the preeminent text on orthopaedic surgery, Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics.  Bill also taught 2nd year residents trauma surgery at the University of Tennessee Methodist Hospital and was voted as the “Teacher of the Year” by the residents.

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Lisa Gorretta

Class of 1972

Lisa has had a successful career as a businesswoman, entrepreneur, consultant, professor, president, and official to name a few. Upon graduation from OSU Lisa went to work for the family manufacturing company.  They added a horse products division to Gorretta Machine and Mfg Company called “Paddock Products” that designed, produced and marketed stable equipment. When the company was sold Lisa started a tack shop in all products for the Sport Horse enthusiast. It was nationally recognized as one of the top 100 tack shops in the US. After selling that business, she started her consulting firm, The Paddock Group LLC, specializing in equestrian based businesses. She specializes in equestrian retail but also works with startup companies bringing new products to the market.  Lisa does some career coaching for young professionals finding their pathway as trainers, instructors or officials. She has served as an Entrepreneur in Residence and as an Adjunct Professor teaching Management of Equestrian Activities for Lake Erie College.  Another important aspect of her career is that of show official in the sport of Equestrian. She has been a Technical Delegate for the United States Equestrian Federation for the Dressage discipline for over 35 years. She is considered an expert, nationally and internationally, in equipment and rules and regularly conducts continuing education forums for dressage judges and technical delegates on competition rules, equipment and professional conduct, ensuring that competitions are run in compliance with current rules, thus providing a level playing field for all competitors, with the welfare of the human and equine participants considered at all times.  She has officiated at several major international competitions, notably serving as the assistant Chief Steward for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada and the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. Lisa is also an active volunteer in sport governance, serving as Co-Chair of the Dressage Sport Committee and as a member of the Board of Directors for the US Equestrian Federation. She serves currently as the President of the United States Dressage Federation, a 33,000 member non-profit organization based at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington Kentucky and dedicated to the sport of Dressage and the recognition of the achievements of its members. She is the Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the US Dressage Finals, a national head-to-head dressage competition for Adult Amateur and Professional competitors.

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Tim Lockert

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1972

Tim participated in the unique combination of football, wrestling, and tennis while at Chagrin. His greatest success came in football where he was a standout during one of the greatest eras of Tiger football. As a starting offensive guard and linebacker during his junior and senior years, he helped lead the Tigers to a 19 – 1 record where they were CVC Co-Champs in 1971 and undefeated and CVC Champs in 1972. He earned numerous honors from 1st team CVC, MVP in the CVC, All-Ohio and the Cleveland Touchdown Club recipient in football. He would take his talents to Rose-Hulman University in Indiana. Tim would play four years and would be selected as captain during his senior year playing middle linebacker. Even forty years since graduating from Rose-Hulman, he is still on the top ten list for unassisted tackles in a season with 71.

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Dr. Mario Gerhardt

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Coach

Dr. Mario Gerhardt began the Varsity Boy’s Soccer Team in 1970 and is now in his 46th season as its Head Coach. He is the winningest boys high school soccer coach in Ohio with 504 wins entering the 2015 soccer season. The teams Mario has coached continue to have success in the postseason with one State Runner-Up finish (2003), 5 Final Four trips, 11 District titles, and 26 Sectional championships. His regular season includes 18 conference titles. He has coached 59 Academic All-Ohioans, 32 All-Ohioans, 11 Regional All-Americans, & 1 All-American. 45 of his players continued on to play varsity college soccer. He has also been recognized by his peers by being selected as the Ohio Coach of the Year 3 times, Greater Cleveland Coach of the Year 6 times, and Conference Coach of the Year 10 times. In 2004, he was selected as a NSCAA Regional Coach and was a finalist for National Coach of the Year. Mario has previously been inducted in the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame (1993) & Ohio North Youth Soccer Hall of Fame (2003). He has also been honored for with the NSCAA Robert W. Robinson High School Long-Time Service Award (2009), OSSCA Pinsenschaum Sportsmanship and Ethics Award (2010), and the OHSAA Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity Award (1997-1998).

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1971 Boy’s Cross Country Team

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame

Coming off a Runner-Up finish in the 1970 OHSAA State Cross Country Championships in 1970, the boy’s cross country team would end up one place higher in 1971 when they scored 94 to outdistance Coshocton by 9. The finish would be the first team state title for Chagrin Falls. Although John Hurst never took a coaching course, when he arrived at CFHS in 1963, he was “appointed” cross country coach. It didn’t take long for the program to take off. The program was only in its 9th year in 1971, but had a 58-8 record in dual meets and in the previous 7 years in the CVC, Chagrin won 5 league championships and never finished below second. In 1971, the team finished 7-0 in dual meets. Not only did they have a perfect 7-0 dual meet record, they recorded the lowest score a team can accomplish twice, which is 15. That meant the top 5 runners finished 1st – 5th place. In the other meets, they never totaled over 20. They would win 4 large regular season meets that season – Warrensville, Gilmour, Chagrin, & CVC. The JV squad also had a tremendous season going 7 – 0 in dual meets and won three large meets – Gilmour, Chagrin, & CVC. Coach John Hurst ‘52 would later be a Chagrin Falls Schools Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 1995 inductee. Those that earned a varsity letter that season included Glenn Bomback ‘72, Mark Freemantle ‘72, David Hart ‘72, Mark Lodwick ‘72, Dan Miller ‘72 , Dwight Woodward ‘72, John Brandon ‘73, John Jackson ‘73, Todd Gardenier ‘73, Sam Narten ‘73, James Nelan ‘73, Rick Pamer ‘73, and Alan Streater ‘74.

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Chan Diamond

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1972

Chan was a standout athlete in 4 sports earning 12 varsity letters in his Tiger career. His letters were two in football and basketball, three in track and a remarkable five in baseball. Originally baseball was a summer sport and with the eventual change to a spring sport, it allowed Chan the fortunate opportunity to earn five letters in baseball. The spring season was certainly a busy one for Chan would sometimes compete in both baseball and track on the same day. He would typically have to pass on heights in the pole vault until the game ended or the Tigers were up to bat. At that point he would change uniforms and make a jump. Chan would be a CVC placer in both the long jump and pole vault and finished his senior year with a 6th place in the OHSAA tournament in the pole vault. He would later compete in football and track at Baldwin Wallace College.

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STEVE SHUTTS

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1970

Steve was a great all-around athlete, earning 11 letters during his career at Chagrin. He was a 4 year starter in baseball where he did everything but catch. In football, Steve was a 3 year starter playing defensive back and quarterback. He also excelled in basketball as a 3 year starter at the guard position. He was selected for several all league teams. While in college, Steve played basketball in Iran as an exchange student at American University. Steve joins his brother Bob in the Athletic Hall of Fame, and his father Ken who is a member of the Heritage Hall of Fame.

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ROBERT DEAN

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Teacher/Coach

Bob taught social studies and served as the Department Chairman during his 25 years at Chagrin Falls High School. During this time he also served as the varsity football team’s defensive coordinator. Our teams were known not only for their tenacious defenses but also for the very innovative schemes, which our teams used. The “Deaner” created these after hours of film study of our opponents from which he created tendency charts. Our 1972 defensive team still holds a school record giving up only 17 points during the entire season while going undefeated. Bob was a former outstanding football player and captain of his team at Thiel College and was a fixture on the Chagrin Falls Varsity Football staff. He was also an assistant coach on one of our state qualifying girls’ basketball teams.

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J. PAUL SNAVELY

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1971

Paul was one of Chagrin’s finest running backs. With a potent combination of power and speed, he led his Tiger football teams to 8-2 (1969) and 9-1 (1970) records. The Tigers were Chagrin Valley Conference champs his senior year. For his efforts, he was named the Most Valuable Player in the CVC in 1970. The Plain Dealer named him to its All Scholastic Football Team and Football Dream Team. He also won a Cleveland Quarterback Club Award in 1970. In addition to football, Paul participated in wrestling and track at CFHS.

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JOE BURWELL

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1974

Joe is the first soccer standout to be named to the Chagrin Falls Schools’ Athletic Hall of Fame. When soccer was in its infancy at CFHS, he was his school’s most outstanding performer. As a senior, he was an All-Ohio selection. Twice an All-League pick, he was co-captain and MVP of his own team. He doubled as a kicker for the Tiger football team. Joe carried his soccer prowess on to Kent State University where he was a Collegiate All-Ohio player and twice named to the All Mid-American Conference team. In 1977, he was drafted by the Cleveland Cobras professional soccer team, but he opted to continue his educational career.

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DOUGLAS M. GROTH

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1976

Doug excelled in three sports at Chagrin Falls High School. He lettered four times in baseball and was an All-Ohio selection during his senior year. He was First Team All-Conference in football, basketball and baseball during his senior year. Doug earned a football/baseball scholarship to Bowling Green State University. At BGSU, he lettered three years in baseball and twice in football. After college, he played professional baseball in the Cincinnati Reds organization for two years.

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GLENN BOMBACK

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1972

Glenn was an integral part of some of Chagrin’s most successful cross country and track teams. In track he established a new school record (4:27.1) in the mile. He placed 2nd in the mile at the State Meet in 1972. Glenn was the league champ in the mile when his 1971 track team won the Chagrin Valley Conference Championship. He helped spark the cross country team to a state title in 1971 and a state runner-up finish in 1970. He placed 4th in the State Cross Country Meet in 1971. Glenn continued his winning ways at Lakeland Community College. His 1972 team finished 14-0 in dual meets and placed in the top 10 at the National Junior College Championships.

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ROBERT H. WILLARD

Chagrin Falls Alumni Hall of Fame
Class of 1970

Bob was the recipient of a full football scholarship to Ohio State University. There, he played for Woody Hayes on the last OSU football team (1973) to win the Rose Bowl. It was also with distinction that he competed in athletics at Chagrin Falls High School. He excelled in both football and wrestling. His dominance as a lineman in football did not go unnoticed by opposing coaches, as he was a unanimous All League selection and the Chagrin Valley Conference’s Most Valuable Player his senior year. The Co-captain of the 1969 Tiger team was also a Northeast Ohio All District football team selection. Bob was a superb wrestler, winning several tournament championships. He was undefeated in dual meet competition during his senior season and ranked as the number one heavyweight in the Greater Cleveland area.

Email Us:

If you have an updated address, phone number, or email, then please include that in the message area below.

    Contact Info:

    alumni@chagrinschools.org

    440.247.4387

     


    CFAA Alumni Director:

    Brian McKenna '88

    Office Manager:

    Jana Young ‘82

    Find Us:

    Chagrin Falls Alumni Association

    400 East Washington Street
    Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

    We invite you to join the growing numbers of volunteers who are helping to ensure a bright future for the CFAA and Chagrin Falls Schools. Whether it is through your time or resources, all of us appreciate your generous gifts. To become more involved, contact the Alumni Association. We look forward to your comments, questions, and suggestions. Don’t forget that we appreciate your help in making the CFAA run successfully with the donation of your annual dues of $20 or more.