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MARION — Gratitude and thankfulness were recurring themes Friday night as the 31st class of the Marion Harding High School Athletic Hall of Fame was inducted during a ceremony and banquet in the high school's cafetorium.
For 2007 graduate Bryson *****, Marion Harding's all-time rusher and touchdown scorer as well as an All-Ohio shot put thrower, the thanks were many.
"I want to thank you for always pushing me to get better every day and believing in me when I didn't believe in myself. Sometimes all it takes for a kid to realize his true potential is a stranger who believed in and showed up for them. It didn't go unnoticed," ***** said of his many coaches.
The thanks continued for his teammates and his family.
But ***** wasn't alone. L.J. Scott, a 2014 grad and another star running back and track star who went on to play college football at Louisville and Eastern Kentucky, told stories and anecdotes about many of his teammates and family members who helped and inspired him to be an elite athlete. But his gratitude went beyond family bonds. It is a big reason why he came home to start his teaching and coaching career at his alma mater.
"I always felt taken care of by everybody in Marion. I want to thank you guys because I'm not up here without you guys," Scott said.
Scott's aunt, Danita Snow, gave thanks for her family, saying she wouldn't have achieved what she did without them, too. A 1988 grad, she was a five-time All-Ohioan in the shot put and discus and the highest placing Harding girl in state track and field history as a runner-up in the shot put in 1987. She still holds records in the program.
Harding Hall of Fame: John Wright loved the 'individuality' of track and field
Marion Harding Hall of Fame: It was never over until it was over for the 1984 baseball team
"I'd like for a young girl right now to break my records. I'm willing to take a step back and let another child see what I see and see how it feels. I went through a lot when I went through high school to be where I'm going to be.," she said.
J.C. Church, a 1980 graduate and a record-setting distance runner in cross country and track and field, brought his first running shoes to the podium, sneakers that he taped together daily to patch up the holes. He said he asked his grandson to imagine wearing these shoes to school, and he said there was no way.
"I said, 'Yes, there is a way.' People said things and they had remarks, but you have to make a decision. If you have the right coaches and the right atmosphere that speak value and put their arm around you, you can get bitter or you can get better. I chose as hard as I could to become better," Church said.
He is forever grateful for what Marion Harding did in giving him a purpose as a runner and a teammate.
"One of the greatest honors of my life is to be inducted into this hall of fame tonight because I love this school so much," Church said.
Mike McCreary was a coach, teacher and administrator from 1974 until his retirement in 2009 and was later a school board member. While he was one of the early architects of the Marion Harding wrestling program, first as a longtime assistant coach and then serving as its head coach 1983 to 1989, he is best remember for the love, care and respect he showed all students, especially as his time as an assistant principal and principal at the high school in the 1990s and 2000s.
"What will be remembered most are the changes he made in the lives he touched," oldest son Matt McCreary said of his father, who died in 2022. "I think his legacy is best captured by Randy Lawrence, one of his former colleagues who said I watched Mike teach the unteachable, reach the unreachable, parent the parentless and love the unlovable. I've never met a more selfless advocate."
When John Wright graduated in 1980, he left as a former state qualifying relay member in track and field as well as Ohio's record-holding triple jumper. He credited then-head track coach Lee Myers and his teammates for giving him the gumption to get out of bed and go to school. Without them, he said he doubted he'd ever graduate.
"I just want to thank everybody for showing up," he said.
Garry Williams, a 1975 graduate, was given the special recognition award after spending the last 50 years as a Marion Harding sports historian. He's also spent decades helping coach in the youth and middle school programs in a variety of sports at the city schools, besides also being an avid supporter at games, matches and meets. Williams shared favorite memories of all the inductees.
Finally, most of the living members of the 1984 Class AAA state runner-up baseball squad reunited and were recognized at the banquet, including their head coach Larry Merchant.
"It was a privilege for us and an honor to carry than banner for Harding," team member Bill Black said.
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This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Harding HS Athletic Hall of Fame inducts its 31st class Friday
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For 2007 graduate Bryson *****, Marion Harding's all-time rusher and touchdown scorer as well as an All-Ohio shot put thrower, the thanks were many.
"I want to thank you for always pushing me to get better every day and believing in me when I didn't believe in myself. Sometimes all it takes for a kid to realize his true potential is a stranger who believed in and showed up for them. It didn't go unnoticed," ***** said of his many coaches.
The thanks continued for his teammates and his family.
But ***** wasn't alone. L.J. Scott, a 2014 grad and another star running back and track star who went on to play college football at Louisville and Eastern Kentucky, told stories and anecdotes about many of his teammates and family members who helped and inspired him to be an elite athlete. But his gratitude went beyond family bonds. It is a big reason why he came home to start his teaching and coaching career at his alma mater.
"I always felt taken care of by everybody in Marion. I want to thank you guys because I'm not up here without you guys," Scott said.
Scott's aunt, Danita Snow, gave thanks for her family, saying she wouldn't have achieved what she did without them, too. A 1988 grad, she was a five-time All-Ohioan in the shot put and discus and the highest placing Harding girl in state track and field history as a runner-up in the shot put in 1987. She still holds records in the program.
Harding Hall of Fame: John Wright loved the 'individuality' of track and field
Marion Harding Hall of Fame: It was never over until it was over for the 1984 baseball team
"I'd like for a young girl right now to break my records. I'm willing to take a step back and let another child see what I see and see how it feels. I went through a lot when I went through high school to be where I'm going to be.," she said.
J.C. Church, a 1980 graduate and a record-setting distance runner in cross country and track and field, brought his first running shoes to the podium, sneakers that he taped together daily to patch up the holes. He said he asked his grandson to imagine wearing these shoes to school, and he said there was no way.
"I said, 'Yes, there is a way.' People said things and they had remarks, but you have to make a decision. If you have the right coaches and the right atmosphere that speak value and put their arm around you, you can get bitter or you can get better. I chose as hard as I could to become better," Church said.
He is forever grateful for what Marion Harding did in giving him a purpose as a runner and a teammate.
"One of the greatest honors of my life is to be inducted into this hall of fame tonight because I love this school so much," Church said.
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Mike McCreary was a coach, teacher and administrator from 1974 until his retirement in 2009 and was later a school board member. While he was one of the early architects of the Marion Harding wrestling program, first as a longtime assistant coach and then serving as its head coach 1983 to 1989, he is best remember for the love, care and respect he showed all students, especially as his time as an assistant principal and principal at the high school in the 1990s and 2000s.
"What will be remembered most are the changes he made in the lives he touched," oldest son Matt McCreary said of his father, who died in 2022. "I think his legacy is best captured by Randy Lawrence, one of his former colleagues who said I watched Mike teach the unteachable, reach the unreachable, parent the parentless and love the unlovable. I've never met a more selfless advocate."
When John Wright graduated in 1980, he left as a former state qualifying relay member in track and field as well as Ohio's record-holding triple jumper. He credited then-head track coach Lee Myers and his teammates for giving him the gumption to get out of bed and go to school. Without them, he said he doubted he'd ever graduate.
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"I just want to thank everybody for showing up," he said.
Garry Williams, a 1975 graduate, was given the special recognition award after spending the last 50 years as a Marion Harding sports historian. He's also spent decades helping coach in the youth and middle school programs in a variety of sports at the city schools, besides also being an avid supporter at games, matches and meets. Williams shared favorite memories of all the inductees.
Finally, most of the living members of the 1984 Class AAA state runner-up baseball squad reunited and were recognized at the banquet, including their head coach Larry Merchant.
"It was a privilege for us and an honor to carry than banner for Harding," team member Bill Black said.
[email protected]
419-610-0998
X @McMotorsport
Instagram @rob_mccurdy_star
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Harding HS Athletic Hall of Fame inducts its 31st class Friday
Continue reading...
