CPS and ABC Announce the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2019

Fourteen athletes and coaches will be recognized for their accomplishments on April 18

CINCINNATI, March 7 – Fourteen outstanding alumni and coaches from the Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS)will be inducted as the Class of 2019 in the CPS Athletic Hall of Fame, presented by Underground Sports. Their accomplishments are in everything from cross country, football, basketball, and baseball to tennis, and swimming. This year we are inducting Honorees that range from as early as the Class of 1922 to the Class of 2005 with coaches working as recent as 2003. “These athletes and coaches have distinguished themselves both on and off the field of play,” said Josh Hardin, CPS Manager of Athletics.

The Class of 2019 Living Athletes are Toby Gilbert (C.A.P.E., 1986), Annie Ruth Napier (Aiken, 1981), Dick Gordon (Walnut Hills, 1961), Kirk Springs (Woodward, 1976), Robert Longmire (Withrow, 1973), Walter Williams (Taft, 1962), Dante Love (Withrow, 2005).

The Class of 2019 Coaches are Ed Jackson (Woodward, 1990-2003) and Bob Jacobson (Central Vocational, 1958-1967/Western Hills, 1967-1975).

The Class of 2019 Posthumous Athletes are Earl Putman (Hughes, 1950), Tom Price (Western Hills, 1939), Dick LeMay (Withrow, 1956), Ethan Allen (Withrow, 1922), Dick Hauck (Western Hills, 1947).

Local sports broadcasters John Popovich and Lincoln Ware are emceeing the dinner and induction ceremony at the Stadium Club East of Paul Brown Stadium.

CPS Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2018

Brian Leshner, Executive Director of the event host Activities Beyond the Classroom (ABC), said, “Extracurricular activities such as athletics provide opportunities to build leadership, teamwork, responsibility, and self-discipline. ABC is proud to help honor these outstanding inductees, all of whom are excellent role models for current Cincinnati Public Schools students.”

In addition, Josh Hardin, District Athletics Manager for Cincinnati Public Schools stated, “Cincinnati Public Schools has an incredibly rich and historic pedigree when talking about athletics. We are privileged to have an opportunity to invite these model athletes & coaches back to our district and community to recognize their accomplishments.”

The event is open to the public, but a ticket is required for entry to the event. Tickets are $40.00 each and can be purchased by calling Activities Beyond the Classroom at 513-281-9870 or online at abccincy.org/2019-cps-hall-of-fame.