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In 2013, the members of the Southwest District Athletic Board initiated an award entitled Friend of Athletics Award. The objective of the award is to honor those individuals who have given much to their local school athletic programs. Nominations are taken annually during the months of December. School personnel can nominate, and the board chooses recipients. Criteria is that the nominee must have given twenty-five (25) or more years of service. Since 2013 one-hundred and one (101) individuals have been honored. This year we honor nine individuals on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the Schiff Family Conference Center - Cintas Center, at 12:30 p.m., prior to the start of the District Boys Division I Basketball Championships. Congratulations to our recipients!
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Mr. David K. Ahner - Trotwood-Madison
Mr. David K. Ahner has been a dedicated member of the Trotwood-Madison City Schools game operations team since 1994, contributing his expertise to the sports of football, soccer, volleyball, and both boys' and girls' basketball. His primary role has been operating the scoreboards at these events. Over the years, Mr. Ahner has built meaningful and lasting relationships with our student-athletes, who have come to know and appreciate him for his unwavering support. As a resident of Trotwood, Mr. Ahner is a well-known and respected figure in our community. He is a familiar and beloved presence at our home events, where his warm greetings are always anticipated. Year after year, Mr. Ahner goes above and beyond to support our student-athletes, leaving a lasting impact on everyone he encounters.
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Mr. David K. Ahner
Nominated by:
Jonas Smith
Athletic Administrator, Trotwood-Madison
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 Mr. Danny Blair - Norwood
Danny has been the "Voice of Norwood" for over 20 years. He has entertained home and visiting fans with his passionate calls. He is even known to have a "hot mic" which picks up his honest takes. In addition to announcing football, he has served as a volunteer basketball and football coach in the Norwood community.
Danny has been a valued member of our community!
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Mr. Danny Blair
Nominated by:
Chuck Richardson
Athletic Administrator Norwood HIgh School
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Mr. Thomas McCartney - Cincinnati Christian
Thomas McCartney has served in a variety of positions in the Cincinnati Christian school system. Thomas was a high school Math and Science teacher for many years. He has coached boys and girls basketball teams. He has served as an Athletic Director. Thomas has been an announcer and scoreboard operator for boys and girls soccer and boys and girls basketball games. His dedication to the Cincinnati Christian community is obvious.
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Mr. Thomas McCartney
Nominated by:
Brian Gunter
Athletic Administrator
Cincinnati Christian School.
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Mr. Tim Kellis - Monroe
Tim Kellis, or Coach K as he's known, has been a fixture in the Monroe Jr/Sr High School Athletic Department and the Monroe community since the late 1990's.
Over the course of a lifetime, there are people who enter and exit one's life and no matter how short or how long they were there, the impact they leave is immeasurable. Tim Kellis is one of those people and that can be attested to by the thousands of former student-athletes, coaches, parents, teachers, administrators and community members that he has served over the years, myself included.
I first met Coach K, 1O years ago while serving as Athletic Director at Eaton High School and our friendship has grown as we work together to support the Monroe High School community.
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Mr. Tim Kellis
Nominated by:
Eric Silverman
Athletic Administrator Monroe High School
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 MaryJo Phillips - West Carrollton
MaryJo has served as secretary at West Carrollton. She is responsible for Dean of boys attendance , letters of recommendation, and counselers. As a valued game worker, she has filled the roles of ticket taker and seller for fall, winter, and spring sports. She also serves as a substitute teacher in the school district.
MaryJo has been a great addition to our school. She is always willing to help and serve the West Carrollton community.
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MaryJo Phillips
Nominated by:
Penny Stanley
Athletic Secretary
West Carrollton High School
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 Joe Pyfrin - Talawanda
Joe Pyfrin has been known as the "Voice of the Brave" for the past 49 seasons starting in 1975 serving as the announcer at all Talawanda High School Football games. Mr. Pyfrin was a 1963 graduate of Talawanda who would come back after graduating from Miami University as a teacher, coach and administrator for Talawanda High School from 1968 - 1991. He then served as Director of De Russel Lee from 1991 to 1998 when he retired.
Mr. Pyfrin is a member of both the Talawanda Athletic Hall of Fame and the Butler Country Athletic Hall of Fame. He has been the program emcee for both of these hall of fame ceremonies for numerous years.
The Talawanda School District and Athletic Department is very fortunate to have such a loyal friend and supporter of young people in the community.
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Mr. Joe Pyfrin
Nominated by:
Jake Richardson
Athletic Administrator
Talawanda High School |
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 Bill Wheeler - Lakota West
Bill Wheeler has been doing Stats for Lakota West for 25 years. He started working with girls basketball for all home games, most away games and all tournament games. He also did computer stats for the State Tournament at Ohio State for multiple games. In 2003, he began doing stats for boys basketball as well and soccer for a number of years.
Bill has been an extremely reliable and loyal part of Lakota West Athletics, and we are thrilled to be able to nominate him for this award.
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Mr. Bill Wheeler
Nominated by:
Scott Kaufman Athletic Administrator
Lakota West HS |
 John Witt - Talawanda
John Witt has been a true pillar of Talawanda Athletics. John retired from Talawanda physical facilities department and managed Talawanda's Athletic Facilities. He served as a bus driver for Athletics for many years and has volunteered for 35 years to serve as the scorebook keeper, clock operator, and scoreboard operator for football as well as boys and girls basketball-supporting the coaches, players, and officials alike. His tireless efforts in these roles have helped create a seamless game-day experience, enabling Talawanda Athletics to thrive.
Mr. Witt is more than an asset to Talawanda High School Athletics--he is a true friend to the entire community. His service to Talawanda and its athletic programs has had an immeasurable impact, helping shape the lives of countless student-athletes and fostering a culture of dedication and teamwork. |
Mr. John Witt
Nominated by:
Jake Richardson Athletic Administrator
Talawanda High School
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 Dan Zimmerman
Dan Zimmerman has kept the scorebook at Talawanda High School basketball games for 50 years starting in 197 4. During his 39-year teaching career at Talawanda, he also worked home and conference track meets and was responsible for parking at all home football games. For many years, his students created Senior Cutout Awards, which were presented to all senior athletes at the conclusion of their seasons.
Since his retirement in 2012, Mr. Zimmerman has also served as a timer at Talawanda High School football games. He is a member of the Talawanda Athletic Hall of Fame and has also kept the scorebook for Miami University's men's and women's basketball games for 27 years.
Mr. Zimmerman is a valued member and friend of the Talawanda school district and athletic department. The Talawanda community is very fortunate to have someone so dedicated and supportive of our students and student-athletes |
Mr. Dan Zimmerman
Nominated by:
Jake Richardson
Athletic Administrator
Talawanda High Schoo |
Since the inception of this award in 2013, the following individuals have been honored as Friends of Athletics Recipients who have given twenty-five years or more of service to their high school:
2025 Recipients
Mr. David Ahner, Trotwood-Madison School District; Mr. Danny Blair, Norwood High School; Mr. Tim Kellis, Monroe High School; Mr. Thomas McCartney, Cincinnati Christian School; Ms. MaryJo Phillips, West Carrollton HIgh School; Mr. Joe Pyfrin, Talawanda High School; Mr. Bill Wheeler, Lakota West High School; Mr. John Witt, Talawanda High School; and Mr. Dan Zimmerman, Talawanda High School.
2024 Recipients
Mr. Jim Engle, Cincinnati Public Schools; Nick Falzerano, Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Local Schools; Howard Fisher, Felicity-Franklin High School; Lonnie Hathaway, Vandalia-Butler City School District; Mr. Jeff King, Sr., Wyoming High School; Mr. Jim Martin, Indian Hill High School; Mr. Thomas Mitchell, Wayne High School; Mr. Roger Mumpower, Troy High School; Steve Peteres, Franklin High School; Ruby Rias, Northwest High School; Daryl Riffle, Ansonia High School; Greg Smallwood, Waynesville High School; Mike Vetorino, Bellefontaine High School; Earl Willson, Milford High School.
2023 Recipients
Mr. Ed Bazile, Northmont High School; Mr. Jeff Corn, Madeira High School; Mr. Dennis Dupps, Indian Hill High School; Ms. Micky Geier, Ross High School; Mr. Stanley Jones, Anderson High School; Mr. Tim King, Mason High School; Mr. Doug Lyons, Tecumseh High School; Mr. Steve Shuck, Princeton High School, Greater Miami Conference; Ms. Bonnie Turner, Fort Loramie High School.
2022 Recipients
Mr. Bob Ashby, Lakota West High School; Mr. Jamie Brashear, Monroe High School; Mr. Jim King, Newton High School; Mr. Brian Miller, Newton High School; Tim and Peg Summers, Versailles High School.
2020 Recipients
Mr. Gaylen Blosser, Franklin Monroe High School; Mr. Jim Cloran, Madeira High School; Mr. Kenneth Cooper, Bishop Fenwick High School; Ms. Patty Garlough, Bethel High School; Mike Midlam, Western Brown High School; Charles McMillan, East Clinton High School; Mr. Michael Pope, Williamsburg High School; Ms. Carol Schuh, Versailles High School; Mr. Mike Schuh, Versailles High School; Mr. Donny VanHoose, Graham High School; Mr. Jerry Vianelo, Mariemont High School; Mr. Kevin Walriven, New Richmond High School.
2019 Recipients
Mr. Bob Baechtold, Mr. Ed Bailey, Mr. Joe Cline, Piqua; Mr. Tom Devers, Northeastern High School; Mr. Bob Greenewalt, Mr. Don Hoog, Valley View High School; Mr. Frank Kozarec, Valley View High School; Ms. Sharon Peters, Jackson Center High School; Mr. Paul Sheckels, Mr. Jeff Tarvin, Western Brown High School.
2018 Recipients
Mr. Dave Askins, Brookville High School; Mr. Bill Baumann, Colerain High School; Ms. Betty Berkshire, Tecumseh HS; Mr. Jim Miller, Middletown Christian High School; Mr. Dave Krebs, Bishop Fenwick High School; Mr. Gene Morris, Arcanum High School; Mr. Bob Pugh, Bellbrook High School; Mr. Jim Pugh, Bellbrook High School; Ms. Betty Roller, Tecumseh High School; Ms. Jill Roller, Tecumseh High School; Mr. Joe Steele, Goshen High School; Mr. Jerry Valentine, Tecumseh High School.
2017 Recipients
Mr. Guy Bainum, Williamsburg High School; Mr. Robert "Bo" Bemmes, Reading High School; Mr. Rick Bemmes, Reading High School; Mr. Steve Berryhill, Bellbrook High School; Mr. Joe Huff, Ripley-Union Lewis High School; Mr. Jim Leathlety, Tecumseh High School; Mr. Tom Leeds, Monroe High School; Ms. Joan Martin, Reading High School; Mr. Mike Melvin, Urbana High School; Mr. Richard Morgan, Reading High School; Mr. Mark Richardson, Brookville High School; Mr. Wayne Russell, Mechanicsburg High School; Ms. Debbie Simpson, Mason High School; Mr. John Slusher, Reading High School; Mr. John Smith, Mechanicsburg High School; Mr. Chas Veddern, Reading High School; Mr. Tom Weaver, National Trail High School; Mr. Bill Westfall, Mechanicsburg High School; Mr. Jim Westfall, Mechanicsburg High School; Judge Roger Wilson, Urbana High School.
2016 Recipients
Mr. Al Evans, Kenton Ridge High School; Mr. Rick Little, East Clinton High School; Mr. Marv Mason, Brookville High School; Mr. Jeff McCulla, Graham High School; Ms. Arlene Poppe, Mount Healthy High School; Mr. Ed Strelau, Madeira High School; Mrs. Bev Strelau, Madeira High School Mr. Fred Stemmler, Mason High School; Mr. Virgil Studebaker, Tecumseh High School; Mr. Randy Winkler, Carlisle High School.
2015 Recipients
Mr. John Borchers, Tippecanoe High School; Mr. Randy Conover, Northeastern High School; Mr. Roger Hoover, Brookville High School; Mr. Gary Rinehart, Wilmington High School; Mr. Ralph Singinger, Georgetown High School; Mr. Earl Smith, Eaton High School.
2014 Recipients
Mr. Dave Ashby, Dayton City Schools; Mr. John Birkhimer, Urbana High School; Mr. Bill Booker, Greenville High School; Mr. Larry Fuller, LaSalle High School; Mr. Harold Grice, Mason High School; Mr. Gerald Gunning, Turpin High School; Mr. Paul Harper, Northmont High School; Mr. Dave Hawkins, New Richmond High School; Mr. Frank Long, Fenwick High School; Mr. Lowell Petry, Brookville High School; Mr. Joe Scherrer, Madeira High School.
2013 Recipients
Mr. Hansel Bailey, Felicity Franklin High School; Dr. Mike Barrow, Northmont High School; Mr. Shaun Brewer, Xenia High School; Mr. Jack Flaherty, Mason High School; Mr. Jim Neu, Western Brown High School; Ms. Jane Koykendall, Madeira High School; Mr. Don Skelton, Centerville High School; Mr. Ben Wolfe, Covington High School.
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