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Cleveland, OH

Ohio State officially hires longtime SEC athletic director to lead Buckeye sports

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Ohio State officially hires longtime SEC athletic director to lead Buckeye sports


COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State has decided on the first new leader for its athletic department in nearly 20 years.

Texas A&M’s Ross Bjork will succeed Gene Smith, the school announced Wednesday. His identity as the frontrunner became widely reported on Tuesday.

Per a news release, Bjork will begin his duties July 1, pending approval by the OSU Board of Trustees. An introductory news conference will be held Wednesday.

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Bjork, 51, is in his fifth year as A&M’s athletic director. While he has no background as an administrator in the Big Ten, he has spent the past 12 years as one in the most high profile football conference in the nation. Prior to A&M, he spent seven years at Ole Miss.

“Few athletics directors have established such an impressive and strong record of success in athletics, in the classroom and throughout the community,” Ohio State president Ted Carter said in the release. “The bar is incredibly high at Ohio State, and we have found in Ross a highly intelligent and effective leader — not to mention a fierce competitor.”

Smith announced his retirement, effective at the end of the school year, in August. Bjork’s hire became official barely two weeks after new president Carter began his duties. A 14-person search advisory committee began working last October to “nominate candidates and provide input and feedback to the search firm, Collegiate Sports Associates.”

Bjork is stepping up from an athletic program of 20 sports with more than 600 athletes to the largest in the country — boasting 36 programs and 1,000 athletes. His achievements at A&M included new school records in overall grade point average and the NCAA’s Graduate Success Rate and Academic Progress Rate. Recently he led the launch of the largest fundraising campaign in that athletic department’s history, which included redevelopment of the football complex.

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Bjork also worked with the Texas legislature to develop a name, image and likeness law in Spring 2021. He also oversaw the creation of programs which provided athletes assistance with “finance, personal branding, networking and media training.”

He then oversaw the creation of AMPLIFY and AMPLIFY Local Exchange, which equips student-athletes with education and resources related to finance, personal branding, networking and media training.

“I have been extraordinarily blessed to be a product of college athletics as a student-athlete and fortunate to work with so many outstanding student-athletes, coaches, staff and university leaders throughout my career, and Ohio State represents the culmination of these efforts,” Bjork said in the release. “To be a part of Buckeye Nation, along with its storied traditions and long history of achievement, is a tremendous honor and a welcome challenge for me and our family. I can’t wait to get started.”

While Bjork arrives with significant major conference football experience, he also comes with some baggage related to his football coaches.

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Bjork defended Ole Miss football coach against a multitude of charges by the NCAA of rules violations, including failure-to-monitor by the coach and a lack of institutional control. The NCAA infractions committee accused Ole Miss of “an unconstrained culture of booster involvement in football recruiting.”

Freeze was eventually fired.

At A&M, Bjork was the AD when coach Jimbo Fisher was given a fully guaranteed contract extension in 2021. When he fired Fisher after last season, it necessitated a $76 million buyout.

Bjork’s first athletic director experience came at Western Kentucky (2010-12) after five years as senior associate athletic director at UCLA.

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Cleveland, OH

Amerks Hang on to Secure 3-2 Win in Cleveland

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Amerks Hang on to Secure 3-2 Win in Cleveland


December 22, 2024 – American Hockey League (AHL)
Rochester Americans News Release

(Cleveland, OH) – Zachary Metsa scored the game-winning-goal moments after Cleveland’s teddy bear toss tally, while Devon Levi and Rochester’s defense stood tall to secure a 3-2 win over the North Division rival Monsters Sunday afternoon at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

The win is Rochester’s fifth consecutive victory on the road, along with its sixth win over the past seven games. The Amerks improved to 16-9-3-0, giving them 37 points on the season and tying them with Cleveland for second in the North Division as the AHL starts its annual holiday break.

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FIRST PERIOD

The Amerks jumped on the attack early with several scoring chances before breaking through under five minutes into the game. Brett Murray and Viktor Neuchev exchanged possession with the puck right in front of the net. Neuchev took a shot from the right side that was kicked free by Cleveland’s Zach Sawchenko. The bouncing puck was scooped up by Murray, who knocked it through multiple bodies and into the back of the goal for his team-leading 13th goal of the season.

For the first time, Josh Dunne scored against his former team. Dunne, who centered a hard-working line with Brendan Warren and Graham Slaggert, circled the zone with his linemates as Rochester maintained pressure throughout the shift. It culminated at the 10:11 mark of the first, when Warren slid a puck across to Metsa, who took a shot from the right point that Dunne tipped through traffic, eluding Sawchenko and doubling Rochester’s lead with Dunne’s fifth goal of the season.

SECOND PERIOD

Rochester dominated in shots with a 21-6 difference in the middle period, but Stanislav Svozil broke through first for Cleveland, taking a shot from the right wing with traffic taking the eyes away from Levi, making it 2-1 with 6:22 to play in the period. The goal served as the teddy bear toss goal for Cleveland, forcing the game into delay while thousands of stuffed animals were collected and donated.

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After the festivities ended, the Amerks jumped right back into the action, scoring 35 seconds later with Metsa blasting a one-timer by Sawchenko. Metsa’s shot from the right point was unintentionally tipped by Cleveland defenseman Corson Ceulemans, surprising Sawchenko and putting the Amerks back up by a pair of goals, heading into the third period with a 3-1 advantage.

THIRD PERIOD

Cleveland notched the lone third-period goal in the dying seconds of the game when Daemon Hunt managed to solve Levi with 7.5 seconds remaining and the net pulled for the Monsters to have a 6-on-5 advantage. Nikita Novikov took a matching roughing penalty with Cleveland’s Owen Sillinger with 2:56 to play. The penalty was the lone infraction called against the Amerks as the red, white, and blue never allowed Cleveland a power play, marking the first time this season Rochester did not have to kill a penalty.

STARS AND STRIPES

With 23 saves, Levi picked up his ninth win of the season and his eighth in the last nine starts. The 22-year-old ranks eighth across the AHL 2.14 goals-against-average … Murray’s 13th goal of the season is his sixth in the last five games and 11th in the last 20 … The sixth-year pro is tied for the eighth-most goals in the AHL … Rochester extended its point streak in Cleveland to six games, going 5-0-1-0 in their last half dozen visits to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

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UP NEXT

Rochester enters the AHL’s annual holiday break, with the team taking off Dec. 23-26. The Amerks return to play on Friday, Dec. 27 to begin a home-and-home weekend against the Utica Comets (6-14-1-2). The weekend begins at Blue Cross Arena with puck-drop slated for 7:05 p.m. Friday night and will be carried live on The Sports Leader 95.7 FM/950 AM The Fan Rochester as well as AHLTV on FloHockey.

Goal Scorers

CLE: S. Svozil (3), D. Hunt (1)

ROC: B. Murray (13), J. Dunne (5), Z. Metsa (2-GWG),

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Goaltenders

CLE: Z. Sawchenko – 30/33 (L)

ROC: D. Levi – 23/25 (W)

Shots

CLE: 25

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ROC: 33

Special Teams

CLE: PP (0/0) | PK (3/3)

ROC: PP (0/3) | PK (0/0)

Three Stars:

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1. ROC – Z. Metsa

2. ROC – J. Dunne

3. CLE – S. Svozil

• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board…

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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Cleveland, OH

Donald W. Fenner

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Donald W. Fenner



Donald W. Fenner


OBITUARY

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Donald W. Fenner, age 90, of Mentor (formerly of Willowick), who died December 17, 2024, at home. Don was born in Cleveland, OH on August 13, 1934, to John and Emily (nee Maly) Fenner. He was a graduate of Cleveland South High School. Don was truly the best of us. A kind, generous and compassionate soul who left an indelible mark on everyone he met. He married the love of his life Margaret Ann (nee Fallon) in Sallisaw, Oklahoma on July 12, 1958, before he began his U.S. Army service in Korea. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2023. She preceded him in death on September 25, 2023.One of 10 children, Don, was honorably discharged in 1960 and then entered a 30-plus-year career as a salesperson and manager at Sears Roebuck Co. retiring in 1991. He had a second career as a property handyman where he took pride in his work at Parkshore Apartments, where he dedicated himself to enhancing apartment living. At home, his workshop in the garage became his haven where he spent countless hours crafting cemetery crosses, birdhouses, toy barns, gates, and more. There was nothing he couldn’t fix, and he saved everything “just in case” with a craftsman’s foresight. His resourcefulness and ingenuity were unmatched. His family was his greatest joy and deepest pride. A devoted father and grandfather, he cherished every moment spent with his loved ones, always putting their happiness and well-being first. His love knew no bounds, and his presence brought comfort, strength, and warmth to all who were lucky enough to call him family. Loved by all, Don had an uncanny ability to make everyone feel seen, heard, and valued. His laughter, wisdom, and kind heart will be profoundly missed but forever remembered. Don is survived by his cherished sons Donald (Robyn Francis) of Cleveland; and Jeff (Cindy) of Mentor; grandsons Christopher Fenner of Columbus; Ryan (Mary) Fenner of Hilliard; Michael Fenner of Willoughby and Brendan Fenner of New York City; sister Joan (nee Fenner) Morawski; brother-in-law Clement Nesnadny; and many nieces and nephews. He is also remembered fondly by his extended family and friends who were touched by his warmth and infectious spirit. Calling hours will be held Friday, December 27 from 3-7 p.m. at Brickman Bros. Funeral Home, 37433 Euclid Ave., Willoughby. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 28, at St. Mary Magdalene Church, 32114 Vine St. Willowick, OH 44095. Internment is at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Association of Cleveland or St. Jude’s Research Hospital. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his memory continue to bring us smiles and laughter in the years to come.



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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland police announce 6 more arrests in connection to September street takeovers

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Cleveland police announce 6 more arrests in connection to September street takeovers


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Cleveland Police announced six more arrested in connection to the Sept. 28 and Sept. 29 street takeovers in a release Friday.

Cleveland police make arrests in Columbus in connection to September street takeovers

Cleveland Police said the six were arrested on Tuesday and the charges for them all range from aggravated riot, tampering with evidence, disruption of public service and possession of criminal tools to obstruction of official business.

Cleveland Police arrested the following individuals:

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  • Duane Thomas Sanders, Jr. age 22, of Cleveland
  • Noah Scott Painting, age 20, of Brunswick
  • Robert Hezekiah Polk, age 18, of Strongsville
  • Imari Tylonic Cross, age 22, of North Canton

Below are the mugshots of the individuals arrested by Cleveland Police:

Cleveland police announce 6 more arrests in connection to September street takeovers(Cleveland Police)

Troopers arrest 2 people in connection to Cleveland street takeovers

Parma Police arrested 23-year-old David Goldwin of Independence.

Linndale Police arrested 19-year-old Ali Zahid Jumma Al Jubainawi of Akron.

Below are the mug shots of Jubainawi (left) and Goldwin (right):

Cleveland police announce 6 more arrests in connection to September street takeovers
Cleveland police announce 6 more arrests in connection to September street takeovers(Cleveland Police)

PREVIOUS: Cleveland City Council closer to enacting law that crackdowns down on street takeovers

Cleveland Police said this brings the total arrests to 15.

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4 Columbus men accused in Cleveland street takeovers face judge

According to the release, there is an active warrant for 20-year-old Ethan James Yovann of Parma Heights.

The Street Takeover Task Force Tip Line is also still active.

PREVIOUS: Cleveland Police and the city plan pilot program to deter street takeovers

Anyone with information can call: 216-623-5474 or email to police@clevelandohio.gov.

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