Often professional athletes are criticized for letting fame and fortune go to their heads.
That cannot be said of James Harrison, recently inducted into the Coventry High School All-Sports Hall of Fame. In fact, quite the opposite is true. His good deed has made a big impression.

The Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker purchased 75 pairs of Nike “Super Speed D” football cleats for the Comets’ team.

“It was a great thing for him to do for us,” said talented senior wide receiver Jeff Walker. “Coventry is a small school and when you see somebody go big, it let’s you know your dreams can still come true.”

The shipment of cleats arrived two days before the team’s first game. The retail value of the gift: $7,000.

“It meant a lot,” senior leader Richard Geiger said. “He came from Coventry and he still cares about Coventry. It shows that he cares for his school and looks out for us. The cleats are nice.” 

A 1997 CHS graduate, Harrison signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2002 and had a monster 2007 season. He became a national name Nov. 5 on Monday Night Football, during a 38-7 win over Baltimore. Harrison had a season’s worth of statistics with 10 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, one interception, and one fumble recovery. He was voted Steelers MVP and selected second-team All-Pro (combined AFC, NFC), also playing in his first Pro Bowl.

“He’s come back every year for us and talked to the kids and made himself visible on the sidelines and at practices over the years,” Comets coach Jay Newcome said. “It means a lot to the kids just to see somebody who has been in their shoes, played at the same stadium as they do, same practice field, walked the same halls at the school, that has reached the pinnacle of his profession, being an All-Pro and Defensive MVP for the Steelers. Just to see somebody from Coventry be able to do that is really an inspiration.”

In 2001, at Kent State, Harrison earned first-team All-MAC, with 98 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss (including 12 sacks), and three interceptions. Harrison isn’t the first All-Pro player from Kent State to help the Steelers. Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert led the Golden Flashes to a 1972 MAC title and was a member of “The Steel Curtain.”

As a Comet, Harrison led CHS to a 25-5 grid record during his three varsity seasons and a 15-12 win over rival Manchester in 1995.
 
Correction

A few weeks back, I unknowingly repeated a typo that had the 1993 Coventry High boys’ basketball team being inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame (We moved here in 1996). I’m sure some of those former Comet cagers didn’t realize they had had such a great season. But upon further review, it was the 1933 boys’ basketball team, which advanced to the Class B state semifinals that was honored in the inaugural class. 
 
Volleyball Update

Lake High senior Rachel Gambow has been awarded an athletic scholarship to play volleyball at NCAA Division I Towson University in Maryland.

A 3.9 GPA student, Gambow was second-team All-District last year and an All-Federal League selection. An athletic 5-foot-9 outside hitter for the Blue Streaks, she is being recruited to play the libero for the Tigers.

Also being recruited is Manchester High junior Amber Silver. The 6-foot middle hitter has received mail from Division I universities in Ohio, after being selected All-PAC her freshman and sophomore seasons.

Green High graduate Jill Wolosiansky (Eastern Michigan University) isn’t the only local woman excelling in volleyball at the Division I level.

2008 Lake graduate Brittany Poling is seeing plenty of action for Division I Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa. The 5-foot-11 outside hitter has started 13 of 14 matches for the Dukes and has registered 117 kills, 33 digs, and 21 blocks. Duquesne is 10-4.

Coventry High grad Liz Fazio is a junior OH for Division I Cleveland State. Fazio battled injuries her first two collegiate seasons and has started just one match for 2-9 CSU. She has 50 kills, 11 digs, and six blocks.
 
It’s Going To Turn

First-year Springfield High football coach Kevin Vaughn remains optimistic, and for good reason. As proud as he is of this year’s seniors for providing a “foundation for the future” and their help in “building a new tradition,” Vaughn is genuinely excited about a talented freshman team.

Springfield’s ninth graders are 2-0 in the Portage Trail Metro with a 30-28 win over Southeast and a 58-14 win against Norton.

Five different Spartans scored touchdowns in the Norton win, but the player who has everyone bubbling is Dillon Matthews. He had five rushing touchdowns in a 48-38 loss to Ellet in the opener.

“Dillon enjoys Springfield and he grew up here,” Vaughn said. “His friends are here. He’s come up through our youth program and his family is totally supportive of the program. They see we are doing things the right way.”

Everyone associated with SHS football is excited by the progress being made at all levels. “The varsity (0-5) has been competitive in four of five games so far,” Vaughn said. “We haven’t put a complete game together, but we’re getting closer.”

The Spartans had 279 yards of offense in a 24-14 loss to Norton on Sept. 19. Springfield has not won a game since 2005.

This year’s varsity squad has seen a slew of sophomores and juniors gain playing time. That nucleus, plus this year’s freshmen group, bodes well for the future.

“Dillon is a pretty talented kid, but the good news is the rest of the freshmen are starting to come along,” Vaughn said.