John McClendon, Jr.

Induction Year : 1996

Sport: Basketball

One of the most successful college basketball coaches of all time, with a record of 523-126, John McClendon, Jr. is enshrined in the National Basketball Hall of Fame. His milestone 500th victory came at Cleveland State where he coached from 1966-69. Earlier he coached the Cleveland Sweeny Pipers (1959-61) to NIBL and national AAU championships. John learned the game as a student of its creator, Dr. James B. Naismith, at the University of Kansas. Won an unprecedented three consecutive NAIA titles at Tennessee State. Also coached at Hampton Institute, North Carolina Central, Kentucky State and the professional Denver Rockets of the ABA, and served on the coaching staffs of three U.S. Olympic teams. After 21 years as a national and international basketball consultant, he returned to Cleveland in 1991 and became a special assistant to the athletic director of Cleveland State and is a Professor in the University’s Black Studies program.

George Chandick

Induction Year : 1996

Sport: Basketball Meritorious Service

George Chandick’s outstanding 18-year post-college career as a player and player-coach in the Greater Cleveland Basketball League set the tone for a lifetime of devotion and service to athletics in the Greater Cleveland area. A lengthy list of achievements and honors as a coach, official, team sponsor and participant, George embraced a variety of sports, from youth baseball and track and field to horseshoes. His tenure as Council President and later Mayor of Seven Hills, and as a teacher of elementary physical education for 38 years in the Cleveland Public School System enhanced, rather than stemmed, the tide of his activities on behalf of young athletes.

Phil Argento

Induction Year : 1996

Sport: Basketball

One of the most prolific scorers in Cleveland high school basketball annals, Phil Argento astounded fans with a 66-point outburst against Cleveland South in 1964. He played for Cleveland West High from 1962 through 1965, twice winning all-scholastic honors. Phil went on to play at the University of Kentucky for fabled coach Adolph Rupp from 1967-1969. He became a starter as a sophomore and captained the Wildcats as a senior. Drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, he played instead in the National Amateur Basketball League for five seasons and later became a high school coach.

Barry Clemens

Induction Year : 2009

Sport: Basketball

Rarely does a Division III basketball player make it to the NBA. Barry Clemens not only made it, but carved out an 11-year career, including two seasons, 1972-73 and 1973-74, with the Cavaliers. Clemens was born in Dayton and grew up on a 200-acre farm in Xenia, Ohio. At Xenia High School, where he graduated as the Salutatorian in 1961, Clemens starred in basketball while also running track and cross country. Recruited by numerous Division I colleges, including Ohio State and Ohio University, he instead chose to attend Division III Ohio Wesleyan. In four seasons at OWU, Clemens finished as the school’s and Ohio Athletic Conference’s career leader in scoring, leading the Battling Bishops to a 71-23 record. His career high at OWU of 41 points came against Baldwin-Wallace in January 1965. The New York Knicks made Clemens, a 6-6 forward, the 19th pick of the 1965 NBA draft. It was a draft that also included Bill Bradley, Rick Barry, Walt Frazier and Billy Cunningham. In 11 seasons with five teams, used primarily as a reserve noted for his deadly perimeter shooting, Clemens averaged 6.7 points and 3.2 rebounds. Today, he is Managing Director for Wachovia Securities and lives in a Cleveland western suburb with Vivian, his wife of 42 years. They are the parents of three children:  Justin, Jennifer and Matthew.

Bobby Brown

Induction Year : 2009

Sport: Basketball Football

You have seen Bobby Brown hundreds of times over the years. But you never noticed him, and that’s just how he liked it. Involved in basketball and football officiating for half century, all Brown wanted everyone to know was that the call on the floor or field was the right one. It nearly always was just that. After attending Rhodes High, Baldwin Wallace College and a Captain’s tour with the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II, Brown settled down with his wife Dorothy in Parma. He began officiating basketball and football games in 1948 and never stopped. He spent 33 years working football games, 24 at the collegiate level. He was president of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials-Board No. 55 in 1959-60. Besides 25 sectional, 23 district and 18 regional high school tournaments, he refereed three state football championships. In Cleveland, he officiated 14 city championship basketball games and 12 football title games. He has been a high school basketball rules interpreter and spent 24 seasons as an observer for the Ohio Athletic Conference football officials and 24 as Cleveland State’s basketball observer. Somehow he found time to serve terms as the Parma School Board President in the 1960’s and head the Cleveland Touchdown Club in the 1980’s. Numerous awards have come Brown’s way over the years for his steadfast dedication and unassuming dignity. At age 90, he adds this latest honor in his typical humble fashion. It’s the right call once again.

Deceased.

Marge Fischlin

Induction Year : 1976

Sport: Basketball

Known as an aggressive team player, a good guard and consistent scorer, Marge Fischlin played for a half dozen of the best amateur teams in Cleveland and also starred for one season with the Chicago Baby Ruths. She was selected to the Tri-State Tournament all tourney team and the National Tournament all-tourney team during her notable career.

Cornelia "Nellie" Kyr

Induction Year : 1976

Sport: Basketball

Cornelia “Nellie” Kyr led the Newman-Stern girls basketball team to a world championship in the 1920’s, topping all scorers in the four-game championship series with 31 points. Considered one of the finest shooters in the game, she held a one-game record of 37 points. In its world championship season, her team won 41 of 43 games.

Flora Graham Sanders

Induction Year : 1976

Sport: Basketball

Flora Graham Sanders starred for teams which compiled a record of 17 Class A Inter-City or Tri-State championships. Although listed as a forward, she frequently played and was equally effective as a guard. Flora was noted for her consistency as a scorer. A versatile athlete, she also earned titles or played on championship teams in softball, golf, bowling and dance skating.

Leo Dorsey

Induction Year : 1976

Sport: Basketball

Leo Dorsey was an outstanding forward, starring on leading teams in the Muny League from 1922 to 1930. A top scorer in Cleveland for many years, he averaged 19 points a game in the days when teams scored a total of 35 to 40 points. His clubs won six Muny crowns. Leo was a member of the Fairplay team that played the first basketball game ever in Cleveland Public Hall on January 30, 1922.

Ray Zorman

Induction Year : 1976

Sport: Basketball

An all-scholastic basketball player and captain of the 1922-23 Cathedral Latin High School team, Ray Zorman became a two-time (1926 and 1927) all-city and all-Ohio cage star at John Carroll University. In the ensuing eight years he played on three Muny League, two Northeastern Ohio AAU and one Industrial League championship teams in Cleveland. Also was an excellent baseball player, he played professionally for four seasons.