By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Kent Roosevelt High School and the city of Kent is mourning the death of retired educator and boys basketball head coach Fred George, who died on April 20 at the age of 84.

George’s impact on the district and community was tremendous and spanned three decades.

He was the Rough Riders’ boys basketball coach from 1979-1993 and was named the Metro League Coach of the Year in 1982, 1986 and 1990. He finished his career with 178 wins, which ranks as the 10th-most in Portage County history and is the most in Kent Roosevelt boys basketball history.

More information about George from his obituary:

• Born on November 7, 1941 to Frederick and Velma George in Cleveland, Ohio, Fred graduated from Cathedral Latin High School in 1959 and John Carroll University in 1964, where he played basketball. He received his Master’s in Administration from Cleveland State University in 1973.
• Fred taught and coached at West Tech High School in Cleveland, Ohio, where he met his wife of 56 years, Carol. After winning the Basketball City Championship title and being named Cleveland Area Coach of the Year in 1978-1979, Fred was awarded the Key to the City of Cleveland by Mayor Kucinich. He continued his teaching and coaching career at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Kent, Ohio until he retired after 30 years. Fred dedicated much of his time to helping kids, from organizing camps, giving rides to those without them, and pursuing college basketball scholarships on their behalf. His players knew he cared as many came to visit long after his retirement.
• Beyond coaching, Fred loved to golf and watch football, college basketball, the Cleveland Cavs, Indians and Browns, and spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

George’s full obituary and calling hours information.

FIELD AD AARON MALE RECOGNIZED

Field High School Athletic Director Aaron Male was recently awarded the Tim Flannery Horizon Award by the Northeast Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administration Association.

The award is given annually to athletic administrators for their professionalism and engagement within their school district and league interactions and representations.

Male is in his second year as the AD at Field.

COLLEGE SIGNINGS

   • Mahlia Friedman, Kent Roosevelt girls track and field, University of Mount Union

   • Becca Brady, Crestwood girls basketball, Hiram College

   • Bobby Bradley, Crestwood baseball, Bryant and Stratton

   • Maddy Sheridan, Crestwood girls track and field, Ohio Wesleyan University

   • Wyatt Januska, Crestwood football, Kent State University

   • Mikey Hager, Crestwood football, Grove City College

   • Audrey Julian, Crestwood cheer, Findlay University

   • AJ Brock, Crestwood boys soccer, Lake Erie College

STUNT NATIONALS IN NASHVILLE

Two Portage County graduates competed last weekend at the USA Cheer Nationals as members of the Malone University Stunt team: Rootstown’s Allison Smith and Field’s Julia Gartner.

Both graduated in 2025.

ROOSEVELT INTRODUCES ‘STICK SERIES’

Kent Roosevelt High School hosted its first “Stick Series” session  on Saturday, with field hockey players from grades 5-11 working together to train.

The series is open to veteran players or first-ever players just trying to figure out if they want to pursue the sport.

The Rough Riders’ “Stick Series” is held on Saturday’s at the school’s stadium from 10 a.m. to noon.

AURORA SOFTBALL’S AMAZING WIN STREAK

Tallmadge softball’s 10-4 win over Aurora on Wednesday snapped an incredible league winning streak for the Greenmen.

Aurora had won 48 consecutive Suburban League games prior to the loss to the Blue Devils.

The last Suburban League loss for the Greenmen came all the way back on April 3, 2023 (5-3 vs. Tallmadge).

In the 2023 season, Aurora ran off its next 13 league wins, then went a perfect 14-0 in league play during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The Greenmen then won the first seven Suburban games this season.

FLAG FOOTBALL UNDER THE LIGHTS

The Field and Rootstown girls flag football teams are set to play under the lights on Friday at Kenneth Lohr Stadium on the campus of Field High School.

The matchup between the Falcons and the Rovers will be considered a scrimmage and is set for a 7:30 p.m. start.

Both programs recently finished their first season as a club sport.

CHAD KISER RESIGNS AT LABRAE

Windham High School graduate Chad Kiser has resigned as the boys basketball coach at LaBrae High School.

Kiser had led the Vikings for the last 20 years and achieved great success with 349 career wins (349-123 career record), 11 league championships and four district titles (in nine district championship game appearances).

The Vikings also reached the Division V Final Four in 2013, losing to Versailles 64-52 in the state semifinal. It remains the first and only Final Four appearance for the program.

PEEPS NAMED NORTH-SOUTH MVP

Kent Roosevelt High School senior Gavin Peeps was named the Most Valuable Player in the prestigious North-South All-Star Classic on Saturday at Massillon’s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

Peeps, a quarterback who has committed to Kent State University, helped lead Team North to a 24-3 victory.