Tom “T” Mariana was a 1930 Ravenna High School graduate and was a major figure in the landscape of Portage County athletics. And was so for decades.

He was a multi-sport athlete for the Ravens, then became the Director of Recreation for Ravenna in 1937 when he was 25 years old. He developed the Summer Playground Program and many other programs that created opportunities for the town’s youth.

Mariana founded the Portage County Hot Stove League and served as its President for 20 years. He also was a highly regarded baseball umpire, football referee and basketball official.

He helped establish the Portage County Umpires Association and the Portage County Sports Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the Ravenna High School Hall of Fame in 1989.

Mariana died in 1999, at 90 years old, and a life of dedicated volunteer service to Ravenna.