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.
Kelker, Frank L. (Doc)
Frank "Doc" Kelker
Induction Year : 1978
Sport: Football
Among the finest players in Western Reserve University’s football history. Named as an end on the 1937 Little All-American Team. Also named to the All-American Team. Also named to the All-Ohio and All Big Four teams during his brilliant Career. Played in 53 consecutive games without experiencing defeat: 28 at Dover (Ohio) High School and 25 at Western Reserve. Picked to be on Sports Illustrated’s 1962’s Silver Anniversary All-American Football Team.
Motley, Marion
Marion Motley
Induction Year : 1978
Sport: Football
Named to the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1968. In an eight-year career with Cleveland Browns, beginning in 1946, he established himself as one of the great runners in pro history. Led Browns in rushing in six of his eight seasons, led team in scoring in 1949 and tied for leas in 1947. Averaged 5.7 yards per carry for his career, gaining a total of 4,712 yards. Was also an excellent defensive player. Named to the All-American Conference All-Pro teams from 1946-49 and to the National Football League All-Star Team in 1950.
Gain, Bob
Bob Gain
Induction Year : 1978
Sport: Football
An All-American tackle at the University of Kentucky he established himself as one of the finest defensive tackles in Cleveland Browns history during an illustrious career which lasted from 1952 through 1966. During that time he was named to the All-Pro team five times (in 1958-59-60-62 and 1963), played in six National Football League championship games and on the Browns’ World championship teams of 1954, 1955 and 1966. He was also honored by the Cleveland Touchdown Club as the “Defensive Player of the Year.”
Adams, Chet
Chet Adams
Induction Year : 1978
Sport: Football
A product of Cleveland South High and Ohio University, he started his professional career with Cleveland Rams, but elected to leave them to become a member of the Cleveland Browns when the All-American Conference was formed in 1946. Played for AAC championship teams in each of his three seasons with the Browns. A defensive tackle, he bulwarked a powerful line, which allowed the fewest points in the league in each of his three AAC seasons.
Deceased.
Thomas, Gwyneth
Gwyneth Thomas
Induction Year : 1978
Sport: Tennis
Ranked among the best women tennis players ever produced in Cleveland. Member of 1961 Wightman Cup Team. Won U.S. Womens’s Hard Court Doubles Championship (with Sally Moore) in 1958. Was U.S. Junior Champion in 1954. Ranked among top 15 women in U.S. amateur tennis five times, reaching high of sixth in 1961.
Dorr, John
John Dorr
Induction Year : 1978
Sport: Tennis
Top name in Cleveland men’s tennis for nearly 15 years. Cleveland City Champion in singles and doubles from 1936 through 1950. Won No. One national ranking in senior USLTA doubles competitions in 1954.
Nejman, Barbara Schaeffer
Barbara Schaeffer Nejman
Induction Year : 1978
Sport: Swimming & Diving
A 26-time finalist in national diving championships, Was a member of the United States’ 1976 Women’s Olympic Diving Team, finishing eight in Montreal in the three-meter springboard. Gold medalist in 1973 Pan-African Games, and was named the Outstanding Women Diver in the 1969 U.S. National Championships while still a senior at Berea High School. Later competed for Indiana University and Clarion State College.
Bettendorf, Edward
Edward Bettendorf
Induction Year : 1978
Sport: Swimming & Diving
All-American swimmer at Yale in 1967, 1968 and 1969 and a high school All-American for Fairview High in 1963, 1964 and 1965. Set national AAU age group records for 100-yard backstroke, 100-yard freestyle and 200-yard individual medley at 16 years of age. Captained Yale team as senior and later served as that university’s head swimming coach.
Wagemaker, Elisabeth
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.
Putney, Lommler Gladys
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.