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Athletic Wall of Fame

The Gow School initiated the Wall of Fame in 2002 to honor outstanding coaches and athletes.

Plaques honoring the winners are displayed in the Gow Center.

2018 - Toma Blatchford '12

Drew Hendley '91A natural athlete, Toma Blatchford attended The Gow School from 2009 to 2012. As a tennis player, Toma played singles for four consecutive seasons and was named captain of he team in each of those seasons. He earned the team's Most Improved Player Award as a freshman and a senior. Toma led the tennis team to three consecutive MMHSAA Division II titles from 2010 to 2012, and he finished his Gow tennis career with 28 victories. Toma attended the prestigious Chris Evert Academy in Florida for one semester and played Division III tennis at Curry College for four straight years.

2018 - Jimmy Ayers '11

Drew Hendley '91A natural athlete, Jimmy Ayers attended The Gow School from 2009 to 2011. During this time, Jimmy earned six varsity letters in cross country, basketball, and rowing. He was named captain of the basketball team in his senior yea and earned First Team All IAC Honors. Jimmy won the Most Improved Rower Award as a senior. While at Gow, Jimmy also competed in two Buffalo marathons and one cross country ski race. A rare two- time winner of the 1939 Competitive Spirit Award in both his junior and senior years, Jimmy was one of the finest most versatile athletes to ever attend Gow. Today, he is an avid runner and cyclist.

2018 - Michael Mitsche '09

Drew Hendley '91A natural athlete, Michael Mitsche attended The Gow School from 2006 to 2009. Michael wrestled for three seasons and was captain of the team in his senior year. As a junior, he was a member of the MMHSAA Division II Championship team, and in his senior year Michael earned a spot in the CHSAA state tournament. Michael was also an outstanding rower. He earned three varsity letters in rowing, captaining the team in both junior and senior year. He also competed in the Canadian National Rowing Championships and was the junior singles champion at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in 2008. Michael attended Coe College in Cedar rapids, IA where he wrestled for one seasons.

2018 - Paul Allen '89

Drew Hendley '91A natural athlete, Paul Allen attended The Gow School from 1986 to 1989. Paul was a member of the varsity basketball team for four consecutive years and during his tenure, Gow won two IAC basketball championships. Paul also played lacrosse and started on the varsity soccer team beginning as a sophomore. At Muskingum University, he was a walk- on in soccer and started the schools lacrosse program. After college, Paul created a youth lacrosse program in Avon, OH, and is the current head coach for the coach high school team.

2018 - Roger Adams '71

Drew Hendley '91A natural athlete, Roger Adams attended The Gow School from 1966 to 1970. Roger was an exceptional athlete who played tennis, lacrosse, and ski raced. He was captain and leading scorer for the undefeated 1969 Gow soccer team. At Notre Dame College, Roger was voted Athlete of the Year in 1972 and inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991. Roger graduated from the University of Windsor in 1976 where he played both basketball and football. He was drafted as a tight end by the Saskatchewan Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League in 1977.

2012 - Drew Hendley '91

Drew Hendley '91A natural athlete, Drew Hendley attended The Gow School from 1989-1991. He participated in varsity basketball and varsity soccer, but it was in tennis that he truly excelled. Drew played at the top of the line-up, and in his junior year, he achieved a singles record of 8-0 for the varsity tennis team that finished 7-1 for the season. He went on to Muskingum University, where he played 1st singles and 1st doubles. After graduating, he moved to Florida and coached tennis at Saddlebrook Resort. Drew continues to be an avid golf and tennis player.

2012 - Grant Phillips '80

Grant Phillips '80Grant Phillips participated in varsity soccer and lacrosse at Gow, and his passion for lacrosse continued. In 1992, Grant co-founded the Ontario Minor Field Lacrosse League. The league started out with nine and grew to over 140 teams. In 1997, he founded and coached the Niagara minor travel team to participate in tournaments across the USA. He has coached for Brock University and Wilfrid Laurier University. Grant returns regularly to South Wales to run workshops, observe practices and impart his wisdom to a new generation.

2008 - Timothy Sean Bridgman '91

Timothy Sean Bridgman '91During his two years at Gow, Sean Bridgman played varsity basketball and soccer, and he raced on the downhill ski team. He was a member of the IAC Championship Soccer team in 1990. Sean earned 1st team All-Star recognition in the IAC for soccer in his junior and senior seasons, and 1st team honors in basketball during his senior year. He led the basketball team in scoring during his senior season. In 1991, he received the 1939 Award for Competitive Spirit in Athletics.

2008 - Adam Jacobson Steinberg '86

Adam Jacobson Steinberg '86An outstanding athlete, Adam Steinberg played varsity soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. In his senior year, he was captain of the varsity basketball team and earned 1st team All-Star selection in the IAC with a 23 point per game average. Adam returned to Gow from 1991 to 1994 as a computer science teacher and coached soccer, cross-country, lacrosse, and basketball. In 1994, Adam helped found the Marshall University Rugby Team while he was in graduate school.

2007 - 1969 Soccer Team

1969 Soccer TeamThe 1969 Soccer Team was the first team in Gow School history to be undefeated and untied with a record of 10 – 0.

2006 - Robert Garcia

Robert GarciaRobert Garcia began his career as Gow's Athletic Director in 1981. He introduced varsity basketball in 1983 and represented the school as a charter member of the Independent Athletic Conference (IAC). Rob was the head varsity basketball coach from 1983 to 1992, and he recorded over 100 wins including the IAC championships in 1987 and 1988. He later served as the Director of Admissions until his retirement in 2013.

2006 - Jon H. Holt '58

Jon H. Holt '58As a student, Jon Holt played varsity baseball and soccer for three years. He returned to Gow from 1967-1972 and served as a teacher and coach. During that time, he coached the 1969 soccer team to a 10-0 undefeated season. Jon also brought back Gow’s lacrosse program. He was a founding member of the Alumni Association and served on the Board of Trustees from 1994 to 1998. Jon received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1996.

2005 - Aaron M. Krause '00

Aaron M. Krause '00Aaron Krause participated on the soccer, tennis, and swim teams at Gow. He won the 100 backstroke at the All-Catholic Swim meet three years in a row and broke the league record in his final season. After graduation, Aaron attended Towson University in Maryland. He won nine individual championships, holds five All-Conference records, was twice elected All-Conference swimmer of the year, and was the first Towson swimmer to qualify for the NCAA championships as well as qualifying for the 2004 Olympic Time Trials.

2004 - Ryan L. McGrath '94

Ryan L. McGrath '94Ryan McGrath was a versatile and dynamic multi-sport athlete during his six years at Gow. In his senior year, he captained both the varsity soccer and ski racing teams to league championships, and he won the individual ski racing title in the Kissing Bridge High School race league. He also played varsity tennis for four years. Ryan is a graduate of Elon University in North Carolina.

2003 - J. W. Frank Haner Jr. '87

J. W. Frank Haner Jr. '87A six-year student at Gow, Frank Haner excelled in varsity lacrosse, basketball, and soccer. His senior year, he was captain of all three teams and a member of the IAC All-Star soccer team. He scored 93 goals during his three-year varsity lacrosse career, and he set a school record of 43 goals during his junior year. After high school, Frank played soccer and lacrosse at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia.

2003 - Adam R. Oberkircher '83

Adam R. Oberkircher '83During his six years at Gow, Adam Oberkircher received letters in soccer, lacrosse, and skiing. He also co-captained the 1982 IAC Championship varsity soccer team. Adam played soccer for West Virginia Wesleyan College and was a member of the NAIA National Championship soccer team in 1984 and 1985. In 2001, he and his college team were inducted into the West Virginia Wesleyan College Athletic Hall of Fame.

2003 - Brian H. Talma '84

Brian H. Talma '84Brian Talma attended The Gow School for three years. He played varsity soccer, lacrosse, and tennis, and he was a ski racer. A graduate of Eckerd College in Florida, he represented Barbados in the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games. Ranked 10th in world competition, Brian joined the Windsurfing Professional Tour in 1989. He is the youngest recipient of the Barbados Service Star.

2002 - Kevin J. Behan '93

Kevin J. Behan '93Kevin Behan was the first Gow basketball player to pass the 1,000-point mark. His single game record of 51 points never has been broken. In his senior year, he received nominations for both the Nike and McDonald's All-American High School basketball teams. After graduation, Kevin received a full basketball scholarship to the Utah State University Eastern, where he played for two years. He also played one year at Division 2 Missouri Western State University.

2002 - Jamison S. Forer '97

Jamison S. Forer '97Jamie Forer was a three-sport superstar at Gow. In ninth grade, he became the second basketball player in Gow's history to score over 1,000-points. As a sophomore, Jamie started for both the varsity soccer and lacrosse teams. After high school, Jamie went on to play one year of college soccer at Norwich University in Virginia before he joined the army.

2002 - Garth W. Gittens '80

Garth W. Gittens '80Garth Gittens was a four-year member of the soccer, lacrosse, and downhill ski race teams. After high school, he played soccer and lacrosse at New England College, served on the Canadian East National Lacrosse team, and coached the Algonquin College Women's Soccer team. Garth was a superstar at Gow, but his down-to-earth humbleness made him a favorite of all his coaches.

2002 - Charles L. Hoffman '37

Charles L. Hoffman '37Charles L. Hoffman was a student at The Gow School from 1931 to 1937. While at Gow, he proved to be an exceptional skier, lacrosse player, and soccer player. A fine all-around athlete, he graduated from Hobart College with a mathematics degree. Charles passed away in 2005.

2002 - David B. Owen '36

David B. Owen '36David Owen was an outstanding lacrosse player, and he was the first Gow graduate to play lacrosse competitively at the collegiate level. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in 1940 from Hobart College. After David's death in 1997, his wife donated the funds for the school to purchase Owen House, a faculty residence.

2002 - Michael S. Schmidt '96

Michael S. Schmidt '96Michael Schmidt played varsity soccer for four years at The Gow School, and he was a 1st Team League All-Star each year. Under his leadership, the team won three regular season and two playoff championships. In addition, Michael was an avid tennis player. He finished his senior year as the undefeated 1st singles champion. After Gow, Michael played college soccer for Division 2 Regis University in Denver. He continued on to play A-League professional soccer in El Paso, Texas.