Sunday, April 04, 1999
HIGH SCHOOL INSIDER
Moeller's state title could end up costing school cash
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Division I state basketball championship won by the Moeller boys last week could prove costly to the school.
Immediately after Saturday's victory over Shaker Heights at Value City Arena in Columbus, officials from Ohio State University viewed the alleged damage to between 50 and 100 portable chairs in the Moeller student section.
“Any school that causes damage to a facility is responsible,” Ohio High School Athletic Association commissioner Clair Muscaro said.
“Moeller was mailed a letter this week to notify them of the damage and of their options. That's all I'll say about the matter.”
Heavy duty portable chairs, weighing about 10 pounds each, were used on both ends, where the students from Shaker Heights and Moeller were seated.
Once the damage was discovered, arena maintenance workers were instructed to carefully inspect every chair. Many were piled in the upper portion of the lower grandstand behind where the Moeller students were seated.
A supervisor noted that each chair was valued at $350, which is $50 more than Moeller athletic director Dick Beerman was told.
Muscaro admitted that the OHSAA hadn't been billed by Ohio State for the damages as of Wednesday, although there has been some discussion since the tournament.
Officials at the Schottenstein Center did not return five phone calls made throughout the week.
Assistant commissioner Hank Zaborniak and Bob Goldring, Director of Media Relations for the OHSAA, were both present after Saturday's game and aware of the damage.
During Elder's drive to the 1993 Division I state championship, there was damage to the metal stands in the end zone at St. John Arena where the students were seated.
The school was billed for damages, but it took years before an agreement was reached with the OHSAA.
NICKNAMES: According to the OHSAA, Panthers and Tigers are the most popular nicknames at Ohio schools, with 35 using the names, followed by Wildcats (33), Bull dogs (31), Eagles (27), Warriors (26) and Vikings (20).
WESTERN BROWN HALL: Western Brown will induct 10 members into its recently-formed Hall of Fame.
Selected for the initial class are Frank Bates (AD 1971-91), Tim Chadwell (1974-78), Wendel Donathon (1982-85), Dan Liming (1973-77), Dona Layman (1969-73), Perry Ogden (coach 1972-96), Kerri Kidwell (1985-89), Gerri Crowe Bolin (1983-86), Robert Wallace (No.1 fan 1945-99) and Sabrina Tackett Armstrong (1987-91).
ANDERSON TO NKU: Jeff Anderson, La Salle's all-time leading scorer with 47 goals and 27 assists, has signed to play soccer for Northern Kentucky University University.
A four-year starter, Anderson was named to The Enquirer's first-team All-Star squad.
REF'S HONOR: Bob Hartman, one of Cincinnati's most highly respected football and basketball officials who reffed for 40 years and is a former teacher at Princeton High, will receive the Ohio High School Officials Association's highest honor: The Hall of Fame.
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