Al Buckeye
Born: 1928 in Lakewood, Ohio
Died: Dec. 4, 2017 in Avon Lake, Ohio
Family: Wife – Gloria. Children: Diana; Eric; Tom; Alen and Patty. Seven grandchildren
Athletic highlights
Avon Lake High School
1986, 1988: Two-time Class AA state champion girls cross country. His state teams also were third (1994), sixth (1985), eighth (1984) and 12th (1997)
Girls cross country: regional championship (1986). regional runner-up (1988). district titles (1986, ’94, ’96). district runners-up (1984, ’87, ’88, ’95)
1984, ’86-89: 5-time Southwestern Conference champion, girls cross country
Coached four-time All-Ohio runner Colleen Byrne (1994-97), along with all-state runners Amanda Cooper (1994), Jennifer Saul (1988), Julie Hart (1988), Vivienne Lochhead (1988), Missy Bailey (1986) and Lisa Clark (1984)
Rocky River High
1966, ’68: 2-time Southwestern Conference champion, boys cross country
Nevada High School (Ohio)
1954: Class B state champion boys track
Halls of fame
1987: Avon Lake Sports Hall of Fame
2005: Winford Athletic Hall of Fame
2008: Rocky River Hall of Fame
2011: Wyandotte County Sports Hall of Fame
Coaching tenure
1954: Nevada High School (Ohio) boys track
1955-58: Burton High School
1960-63: Loudonville High School track and started the boys cross country program
1964: Ontario High School boys cross country
1966-71: Rocky River High School boys cross country
1972-77: Coach AAU girls track and cross country
1978-79: Avon Lake high School girls track
1980-81: Avon Lake High School boys cross country
1982-97: Avon Lake High School girls cross country
Professional highlights
Enlisted in the U.S. Navy and is a World War II veteran. Over his lifetime Buckeye has coached baseball, basketball, track, tennis, football and swimming. He served on the Avon Lake recreation commission for three years. Buckeye taught high school from 1952-80 at Greenwich, Nevada, Burton, Willoughby North, Loudonville, Ontario and Rocky River.
Education
1946: Lakewood High School
1952: Ashland College (bachelor’s degree)
1958: Kent State University (masters degree)