Four individuals, one team inducted into Strasburg Athletic Hall of Fame
STRASBURG -- Four individuals and the 1978 girls’ basketball team were inducted into the sixth class of the Strasburg Athletic Hall of Fame this past weekend.
The new inductees were Ron Hurst, Brett Hershberger, Samantha Reardon Pearson, Dr. James Houglan and the 1978 girls’ basketball team which was coached by Hurst.
The inductees were also introduced prior to the tip-off of the varsity boys’ basketball game between the Tigers and Buckeye Trail on Friday night.
About 135 individuals attended the banquet held in the school cafeteria on Saturday. The girls’ softball and cheerleading teams served the meal catered by Cathy’s Cookies, Candies and Catering of Mineral City.
Athletic Director Gary Spinell served as Master of Ceremonies in the absence of Charlie Jones.
Former Strasburg Superintendent Al Osler gave the invocation.
Lucas Boylan introduced Hershberger, Osler introduced Hurst, Bruce Pearson, Samantha’s husband, introduced Reardon Pearson and Janet Von Kaenel introduced the 1978 girls’ basketball team which compiled an undefeated regular season record.
Hurst, who spent 31 years as Strasburg's head football coach, led the Tigers to four Inter-Valley Conference championships (1980, 1983, 1984, 2002) and three consecutive state playoff appearances (2000 to 2002).
Named the 2000 Division IV Coach of the Year by the Associated Press, Hurst was inducted into the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2012.
He also has the football field at Strasburg named after him and is currently the boys and girls cross country coach.
Hershberger, who currently serves as a teacher, coach, and assistant athletic director at Strasburg, was part of the 2000-01 Tigers boys' basketball team that reached the Ohio State Tournament Final Four.
After high school graduation, Hershberger was a four-time letterman for Mount Union's basketball team before returning to Strasburg.
Reardon played shortstop for Strasburg's first two state championship-winning softball teams (1987, 1988). In the final of Strasburg's first state title win (a 9-0 final over Mineral Ridge), Reardon went 2-for-4 at the plate and scored two runs.
The 1978 girls basketball team advanced to the Class A Regional semifinals before falling to Buckeye Trail 59-48.
Houglan was unable to attend and Spinell provided information about Houglan, a 1951 Strasburg High graduate, a gifted athlete, who also served as the Strasburg teams doctor for many years.
The Hall of Fame committee is comprised of voting members John Boylan, Chuck Dreher, Diana Flickinger, Bill Hensel and Terry Straub. Spinell is a non-voting member.
The criteria for the honor are:
Contributor - has been or is a staunch supporter of Strasburg Athletics for many years.
Coach - A coach at any level or gender of Strasburg Local or a Strasburg graduate who has made an impact in the coaching profession which has separated his/her accomplishments from others.
Athlete – an outstanding player at Strasburg High School or at the next level college or professional.
The event was not held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Four individuals, one team inducted into Strasburg Athletic Hall of Fame
