Vonda Ward

Induction Year : 2012

Sport: Basketball

Vonda Ward grew up in a sporting family. Both her parents trained racehorses at Northfield Park. Vonda, however, enjoyed spectacular success in two totally unrelated athletic careers before she was 30.

The six-foot, six-inch native of Macedonia, Ohio, was a two-time high school All-American in basketball at Trinity High School in Garfield Heights. She led her team to the state championship in 1990. She continued her basketball career at the University of Tennessee, where she played on legendary coach Pat Summitt’s national runnerup in 1995. In the late 1990s she played pro basketball briefly in Germany and later with the Denver Xplosion of the American Basketball League.

Vonda then turned her attention to women’s professional boxing, which was at the advent of its popularity. Vonda enjoyed a meteroric rise as a heavyweight. She knocked out her first 15 opponents, setting up a showdown for the women’s IBA world heavyweight championship which she won with a hard-fought 10-round decision over Monica McGowan on Aug. 16, 2002, in Canton, Ohio.

Vonda was still unbeaten, having won 20 fights in a row, when she lost her title to the dangerous Ann Wolfe, who knocked her out in the first round in a nationally televised fight on May 8, 2004, in Biloxi, Miss. Vonda celebrated her return to the ring seven months later in Cleveland with a fourth round knockout in what turned out to be her last fight. Her record stands at 22-1, with 17 wins by knockout. There have been several attempts to match her with Leila Ali, daughter of the all-time great heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, but Ali has rejected every proposal.

Although she has not had a fight for almost eight years, Vonda remains in fighting shape. At the age of 39 she is in the gym every day in her job as a personal trainer.

Larry Chernauskas

Induction Year : 2012

Sport: Basketball

After playing varsity basketball at St. Francis College of Pennsylvania and serving two years of active duty in the United States Army, Larry Chernauskas moved to Cleveland where he became a revered high school basketball coach and math teacher.

At the age of 26, after only two years as an assistant coach (Gilmour Academy and John Marshall), Larry was named head coach at West Tech, where he stayed for the next 26 years (1956-82), accumulating a long list of championships and honors coaching the boys teams.

That was barely half of his coaching resume, however. He then made a seamless transition to coaching girls. He coached the girls teams at St. Joseph Academy (1982-85), Gilmour Academy (1985-91) and Magnificat High School (1991-97).

Larry’s combined overall record is 508 wins and 280 losses. At West Tech his boys teams won five West Senate championships. His girls teams at Gilmour advanced to the regional tournament four times. His Magnificat girls reached the regional four times and the state final four twice. He was named Cleveland area coach of the year four times—twice at West Tech and once each at Gilmour and Magnificat. In a Plain Dealer contest he was voted “Favorite Coach” by the readers in 1968.

In retirement he was honored by St. Edward High School with its “Most Respected Opponent” award. He was inducted into the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches’ Hall of Fame and halls of fame of St. Francis College, West Tech, Gilmour and Magnificat. He and his wife, Janet, have been married for 55 years and still live on Cleveland’s west side.

Joseph Oros

Induction Year :

Sport: Basketball

Leading scorer in Cleveland high school basketball for three straight seasons at Collinwood High (1932-34) and was a rare three-time all-scholastic selection. Outscored the entire Shaw High team in 1934 contest with a 29-point effort, and duplicated the feat with a 25-point outburst against East Tech. Went on to play with several Class A teams in Greater Cleveland amateur basketball, and led the league in scoring many times.

Stella Walsh

Induction Year : 1980

Sport: Basketball

One of the finest all-around woman athletes of the 20th century, her basketball career spanned an amazing 48 years, beginning in 1927 and concluding in 1975. Starred for many of Cleveland’s finest women’s teams, capturing innumerable All-Star, Outstanding Player and MVP awards. Organized the Polish Olympic team which built a 54-game winning streak, and won the Polish American championship in 1941-42 and 1942-43. She was the top scorer and Most Outstanding Player in both championship tournaments and was named to the Polish National All-American Team each year. Later played for the renowned world champion Rochester Filarets which set a record of 202 consecutive victories. In 1955, in her 28th year of organized basketball competition, she played for the North Hollywood Knickerbockers, winners of the California State AAU title, setting a state tourney record of 130 points and being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

Elisabeth Wagemaker

Induction Year : 1978

Sport: Basketball

Enjoyed successful 18-year amateur career, beginning in 1918. During this time she played for the following teams: Clark Muny (1918-21), Favorite Knits (1922-23), Rosenblums (1924), Newman Stern (1925-29), Allerton Hotel (1930-35) and Cleveland Aces (1936), all of which earned World Championship titles.

Gladys Lommler Putney

Induction Year : 1978

Sport: Basketball

Amateur career stretched from 1924 through 1937. Played with Muny Championship Favorite Knits (1926-27) and Blepp Coombs (1927-30) and on City Class A Championship teams for four additional seasons. Named to National AAU All-Tournament second team while playing for Chicago Baby Ruth Girls in 1934-35. Returned to Cleveland and played for Fisher Foods’ City and Inter-City champs in 1935-36 and 1936-37 seasons, then turned professional to play three seasons with famed All-American Redheads.

Catherine McAleer

Induction Year : 1978

Sport: Basketball

Played amateur basketball in Greater Cleveland for 19 years. During her career she played for the following teams: Clark Muny (1918-21), Favorite Knits (1922-23), Rosenblums (1924), Newman-Stern (1925-29), Allerton Hotel (1930-35) and Cleveland Aces (1936-37), all of which earned World Championship titles.

William "Willie" Fleishman

Induction Year : 1978

Sport: Basketball

All-scholastic at Cleveland John Adams high in 1931. Played for Ohio State freshman team, then transferred to Western Reserve where he earned All-American recognition while leading team to two Big Four championships. Was WRU’s leading scorer for three seasons and considered by many the best basketball player in its history. Charter member of Case Western Reserve Athletic Hall of Fame.

Johnny "Sunny" Kuhar

Induction Year : 1978

Sport: Basketball

Starred for numerous Cleveland amateur teams between 1915 and 1926. Was on championship teams in Class B and the Cleveland Industrial League. Twice named to Class A All-Star Team, won Class A foul-shooting championship three years.

Wally Edwards

Induction Year : 1978

Sport: Basketball

Played with Harlem Globetrotters for nine years, later served as playing manager of New York Broadway Clowns and the Vancouver Royals. With Globetrotters he played more than 15 games against the College All-Stars, never losing, and also played on the winning team in the 1946 World International Cup Tournament in Mexico City. Played high school basketball at East Tech, co-captaining the team and leading it in scoring.