2009 inductees
Jeff Young
Basketball 2009
A four-year standout at Walsh University. As a sophomore, averaged 14.6 points and was named first-team All-Mid-Ohio Conference and NAIA All-District 22. In senior season, averaged 20.1 points and led Cavaliers to NAIA playoffs. Was named All-MOC and All-District 22 and was District 22 Player of the Year. Scored 1,814 career points and graduated as school's all-time leader in that category. Member of Walsh University Hall of Fame. Currently is Walsh's men's basketball coach. Has guided the team to five consecutive trips to the NAIA national tournament.
Gene Scruggs
Official 2009
University of Akron Hall of Fame inductee for football and track in 1980. Akron Amateur Softball Hall of Fame 1997. OHSAA Officials Hall of Fame inductee in 2008. Star athlete at Garfield High School. First black official to work a state championship basketball game in 1973. Worked three state tournaments.
David Pearce
Official 2009
Track official at National Team Trials (1995-1999 and 2002). Officiated Master Indoors (1989, 1992). Officiated Junior Nationals (1989, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2001-02). Worked NCAA Division I Indoor Championships (1996-98). Held OHSAA Class I certificate 36 years, worked 31 years at state tournament, including 17 years as Head Check of Course. Ohio Officials Association's Achievement Award winner in 1996 and 2000. Ohio Track and Cross Country Coaches Association's Contributors Award winner in 1992 and 1996.
Gary Robison
Golf 2009
Has been Northern Ohio PGA Player of the Year eight times and three-time Northern Ohio Senior PGA Player of the Year. Won the 1986 Ohio Open Championship along with the 2004 Senior Ohio Open. He is a four-time Northern Ohio PGA section champion along with three Northern Ohio Match Play titles. Qualified for three PGA Championships (1989, 1992, 1993), the 1997 U.S. Open, five Senior PGA Championships (2005-09) and three U.S. Senior Open Championships (2006-08).
Larry Nance
Basketball 2009
A 1981 graduate of Clemson University, where he is a member of the Hall of Fame. Was second-team All-ACC and honorable mention All-American in 1981. Drafted in the 1st round by the Phoenix Suns, where he played seven seasons. He was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers and played another 6+ seasons. He made three All-Star game appearances, was voted to the All-Defensive Team (second team) twice and holds Cavs record for most blocked shots in a game with 11. Was the winner of the NBA's first Slam Dunk contest. Had his number – 22 – retired by the Cavaliers on Jan. 30, 1995.
Mark Croghan
Track & Field 2009
Four-year track star at Ohio State University. America's top-ranked steeplechase runner from 1992-97. Competed in three Olympics (1992, 1996, 2000). Six-time U.S. champion in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Four-time member of the U.S. World Championship track team. Elected to Ohio State Hall of Fame in 1999. Was named OSU's Male Athlete of the Year in 1991.
Art Bailey
Football 2009
University of Akron Hall of Fame inductee in 1979. All-Ohio Conference selection in 1958. Established eight rushing and scoring records at Akron. Inducted into Copley Hall of Fame's charter class in 2008.
Robert "Bud" Bond
Football 2009
Four-year letterwinner for Ohio State University under Woody Hayes (1952-55). Played on Rose Bowl and National Championship 1954 team that went 10-0. Also Big Ten champs in 1955. Played both center and linebacker. Garfield Hall of Fame inductee in 1975. Coach Hayes said Bond played the greatest game a freshman linebacker could play in recording 25 tackles vs. Wisconsin and standout running back Alan Ameche.
Leon Jones
Football 2009
Four-year letterwinner at Youngstown State (1992-95), where he played in three Division I-AA national championship games (winning two) under Jim Tressel. Holds the career tackles record with 512 and is fifth in career interceptions with 13. He was a first-team All-American by the Associated Press, AFCA, Football Gazette, Sports Network and the Walter Camp Foundation. His junior season, he was named National Defensive Player of the Year by the Sporting News, Football Gazette, and College Sports Magazine. Team MVP as a senior and later named to YSU's Hall of Fame.
Dave Fross
Coach 2009
Began career at Malone College in 1972 and led his alma mater to a 28-8-1 record, the Mid-Ohio Conference crown and was named NAIA District 22 Coach of the Year. He took over University of Akron baseball program in 1974 and has more victories than any NCAA Division I coach in Ohio. Won the 1991 Mid-Continent Conference title and won the 1996 Mid-American Conference crown, leading Akron to it's first NCAA postseason tournament birth. His 1992 squad compiled a 42-18 record – the most wins in Zips baseball history. Has been inducted in the Stark County, Wayne County and the University of Akron halls of fame.