This year, Coventry decided to showcase their school’s athletic history by establishing a hall of fame. Friday night they announced the class formally at halftime of the Coventry-Southeast game, before having the official Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday.
“A lot of other schools have them already,” Coventry Athletic Director Jim Vivo said. “It would help to bring pride in our athletic history. Something our current athletes can aspire to and pride in the community.”
The inaugural class was selected by the community.
“We solicited nominations from our community, there was a committee set up of administrators, coaches, faculty, community members. We all voted on them, most votes were elected. This is a big class because its the first one, probably only five from here on out, but these people are all deserving.”
Here is a a little backround of these great alumni.
Dave Eckard ’59 – Eckard was the 1959 Beacon Journal Co-Player of the Year. He was also a 1st team All District performer for three years. Dave was selected, by unanimous vote, to the All Metro Team during his season year. Dave still holds several school records. He tops the list for points scored in a game, season, and career as well as the record for rushing touchdowns scored in a season and a career. Dave also participated in track while at Coventry and was a three time sprint champion. He placed 3rd and 4th at the state meet. Dave was recruited heavily by colleges and universities across the nation. Dave accepted an athletic scholarship to The Ohio State University and played for the legendary coach Woody Hayes. Dave later attended the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Dave was the owner/operator of Eckard-Baldwin Funeral Home. Dave passed away in September of 2001.
Leroy Phillips ’58 – Leroy graduated from Coventry High School is 1958. He spent over twenty-seven years coaching boys and girls in Coventry. He was also an employee of the Coventry Local School District for almost thirty years. There may not be another person who has touched the lives of so many Coventry athletes. Leroy was well-respected and loved by everyone. Leroy passed away recently. His absence is felt at all Comet contests at all levels. Leroy was one of the most recognizable Comet fans in recent memory. He loved the Comets and probably bled “Blue and Yellow”.
Dave Riggs ’74 – Dave holds the distinction of being the first wrestler to compete on the mat for Erwine Junior High School at 70 pounds. He is also Coventry High’s first state champion and runner up. Dave holds a career individual record of 63-4. He received an Athletic Scholarship to the University of Arizona where he continued his wrestling career. While at Arizona, Dave was a four year varsity wrestler and Team Captain. Dave was a PAC-10 Conference runner-up and competed in the Olympic Trials in 1980. After his wrestling career ended, Dave took up coaching. He has been coaching wrestling on the high school level for twenty- eight years, twenty-two of those years as a head coach. Dave’s record is very impressive, to say the least. As a head coach, he has produced eighteen state champions. Dave’s teams have won 214 matches over his career. Dave is currently coaching at Massillon Perry High School. While at Perry, Dave has helped to lead the Panthers to thirteen Federal League Titles.
1978 Wrestling Team – The ’78 Wrestling Team holds the distinction as being the first state champion in Coventry High School history. The team still holds the state record for single elimination point record at the State Tournament. The team won four consecutive Suburban League Championships and three consecutive NEO Sectional and District Championships. At the State Tournament, the team won four individual state championships and had two runner-ups. Team members included Mike McCahan, Randy Glover, Keith Foxx, Bill Potts, Ken Riggs, Mike Spurr, Ray Hughes, Gus Kallai, Chris Kallai, Mike Potts, Mike Scott, Alan Hutnick, and Ralph Glover. The team was coached by Dale Huston and Dick Miller.
Jeffrey Starkey ’92 – Starkey participated in basketball, football and power lifting while at Coventry High School. Jeff was an outstanding running back and linebacker for the Comet teams that he played on. Jeff was a very hardworking student athlete that wanted to excel and improve each and every time he stepped onto the football field. Jeff earned three varsity letters in football. He earned several post season honors as well. He was a member of the All PAC 7 first team after his junior and senior seasons. He was elected captain of the ’91 Comets by his teammates. During that same season, Jeff was named Team MVP and earned All Northeast Ohio and All State honors. Jeff continued his football career at Mount Union College. While at Mount Union, Jeff played defensive end for the Purple Raiders and was a member of one of their early National Championship teams. Jeff received his degree in education and began his teaching career as a history teacher at Jackson Middle School. This job enabled him to coach football on the high school level. Jeff currently serves as the head football coach at St. Henry High School near Dayton, Ohio. He won two State Championships within his first five years as head coach at the school. Jeff and his wife Melissa are the proud parents of two boys.
William Cox ’58 – Cox attended Coventry High School from 1955-58 earning 10 varsity letters. While he excelled in track and field, football, and golf, Bill is arguably one of the best basketball players to have graduated from Coventry High School. During his senior season, Bill led his team in scoring in all of its games. He was also the team’s leading rebounder and captain. Bill received several post season honors and awards following his outstanding senior season. He was selected to the All Metro League first team, All District first team, and All State team. Bill still holds several school records. His 24.8 points per game average is still the best in school history. Bill received 13 scholarship offers to play basketball at the collegiate level. Bill accepted a scholarship to Bowling Green State University where he continued his playing career. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Bowling Green in 1963 and a Master of Education Degree in 1966 from BGSU as well. Bill was an educator for 37 1⁄2 years. In addition to his classroom duties, Bill also coached several varsity sports on the high school level. Bill is a past president of the Portage County Basketball Officials Association and the Ohio Track and Field and Cross Country Officials. He currently serves as the assignor for the Portage Trails Conference track officials.
Adrianne Cole ’96 – Cole participated in five varsity sports while in high school earning 10 varsity letters. Adrianne was a 4 year letter winner for the Lady Comet basketball team. She was a co-captain of her basketball team for three seasons. She earned All District honors three times during her playing career and was an All State selection after her junior and senior campaigns. Adrianne reached the 1,000 points scored plateau during her junior season, the fastest in school history. She scored over 1,400 points in her career. In softball, Adrianne was a three time All Conference selection and served as team captain during her junior and senior years. Adrianne continued her softball career at Mount Union College. She was selected to the All OAC team four times. She was also the MVP of the Ohio Athletic Conference in 1998 and again in 2000. Adrianne is a three time All American as well. She still holds 13 individual records at Mount Union. Adrianne graduated from Mount Union in 2001. She later earned a Master Degree at Kent State University. She worked in the Athletic Department at Kent State for three years as an Athletic Trainer. She currently works for Akron General Wellness Center and also serves as the Head Trainer for the Akron Racers Professional Softball team.
Randy Glover ’78 – As a wrestler, Glover’s individual record speaks for itself. Randy’s record during his four year career stands at 106 wins and only 6 defeats. He was a 4 time Suburban League champion during his career. Glover is the first four –time state qualifier in school history and also the first two-time state champion in school history. Randy was a member of the 1978 State Championship Team, the first in Coventry High School history. Randy went on to become one of the most successful high school wrestling coaches the State of Ohio has ever produced. He is the first coach in the modern era to win a State Championship at two different high schools (Coventry and St. Vincent/St. Mary). During his coaching tenure he has coached 37 state qualifiers, 22 state placers, 9 state champions, 1 four-time State Champion, and 1 National Champion. Randy was the 2001 Plain Dealer and Summit County Coach of the Year. In 1993, Randy was selected by the Associated Press as the Division II State Coach of the Year. Randy is currently the Head Wrestling Coach at Glenoak High School in Canton, Ohio.
Ron Rector ’62 – While at Coventry High School, Ron was a member of the varsity basketball, football, and track teams. He was selected as a co-captain of the 1961 Comet football squad. Ron’s exploits on the gridiron landed him a football scholarship to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Ron was a four-year letter winner at Northwestern. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in his career at Northwestern. Ron also won the Big Ten punting honors as a senior, with an average of 40.5 yards per punt. After his playing career at Northwestern ended, Ron was chosen to participate in the annual Blue-Gray Classic in Montgomery, Alabama. This game matched the senior all stars from across the country against one another. He also participated in the Hula Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii in January 1967. In that game, Ron caught the game winning touchdown. Ron was drafted in the 9th round of the 1966 National Football League Draft by the Green Bay Packers. Ron was one of the last rookies released by the Packers. After a brief stop with the Washington Redskins, Ron was picked up by the Atlanta Falcons. He became a starting running back for the Falcons and finished out the 1967 season with them. The Falcons had high expectations for Ron as their starting halfback for the 1968 season. These hopes were never realized. While motorcycling down I-77 on June 29, 1968, Ron apparently lost control of his motorcycle near the Delaware-Franklin County line. He received a severe head injury from which he died the following day. Ron is remembered annually by the Coventry High School Athletic Department. Each year, an outstanding Coventry student-athlete is presented with the Ron Rector Award.
1933 Boy’s Basketball Team – One of the first great teams in any sport in Coventry High School Athletic History. The 1933 team was led by Coach William Lachman and Manager Howard Walton. The ’33 team captured the Class B Championship in Summit County and the Class B District and Sectional Championships at Kent. The 1933 Team advanced to the State Semi-finals in Columbus. Team members included: James Anderson, Robert Roderick, William Hyatt, Wilbur Scheible, Carl Hunter, Theodore Steele, Thomas Lies, Thomas Taylor, Leroy Miller, Delbert Walton, and Harold Palmer. The sole surviving member of that team is Delbert Walton, who will be accepting this honor on behalf of his coaches and teammates.
James Harrison ’97 – While competing on the Comet Football squad, Harrison helped to lead the Comets to a 25-5 record which included a 15-12 victory over archrival Manchester, ending their undefeated season. An outstanding two way performer for the Comets, James rushed for over 1,000 yards during his junior and senior seasons. James continued his playing career at Kent State University where, in addition to his exploits on the gridiron, James made the Dean’s List in 2000 with a 3.4 GPA. While at Kent State, James was named the outstanding defensive player after the 2000 and 2001 seasons. He was also an All MAC selection during his college playing career. James is currently a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 2007 season was quite an impressive one for James individually. He was selected, by his teammates, as their Defensive MVP. He was also elected by his peers to represent the AFC in the Pro Bowl game in Honolulu, Hawaii this past February. James was also an Associated Press 1st Team All-Pro selection following the 2007 season.
Penny Lee Haser ’80 – Perhaps the only Comet Athlete to earn All Conference (Suburban League) Honors four (4) consecutive years in three varsity sports – basketball, softball, and volleyball. Penny was named to the All District Team twice in both softball and basketball as well. Penny also earned All State honors in basketball after her senior season. Penny scored 1390 points in her basketball career. During her senior season, she averaged 25 points per game, scoring 42 points in one contest. Penny received a Division I Athletic Scholarship to Akron University. She received her Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree from Akron U. Penny currently works at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center as a Transition Coordinator.
