The annual Steve Studer Memorial Lift-a-Thon will be held in the WHS main gym on Sunday, April 15 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Come out and support our Tigers.
For additional details contact one of the following:
One Tiger, now in its ninth year of operation, is non-profit organization whose purpose is to “benefit Massillon youth by supporting and promoting the institutions and programs that deliver success skills.” Annually, One Tiger honors individuals that have an extensive track record of giving support to the kids in this manner. This year’s honorees are Dale Walterhouse and Esther Bryant.
A lunch at Washington High School kicked off the event and then the recipients were honored in the auditorium by proclamations from Mayor Kathy Catazoro-Perry, by those closest to them with short speeches (each one punctuated by an enthusiastic ring of the Massillon-McKinley victory bell) and finally by presentation of the One Tiger awards. The event concluded with dinner at Tiger Town Grille and Pub.
Dale Walterhouse
At the request of his Upper Sandusky High School coach Leo Strang, Dale Walterhouse moved to Massillon to coach at Lorin Andrews Junior High. After stints as Jones Junior High and Washington High School sophomore coach, Walterhouse became varsity assistant and served under head coaches Strang, Earle Bruce, Bob Seaman, Bob Commings and Mike Currence. He coached six state championship and two national championship teams and was a member of the inaugural class of the Tiger Hall of Fame. His Massillon coaching career spanned 24 seasons, compiling a record of 201 wins, 21 losses and 4 ties.
Coach Walterhouse taught health, physical education, and general chemistry in the Massillon School System, served as district supervisor of health and physical education, and was briefly Washington High School’s athletic director. An active member of the Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club, Walterhouse has served as president and treasurer as well as president of Sideliners.
Walterhouse has served his community through the Massillon Alumni Scholarship Committee, the Community Improvement Corporation, the Civil Service Commission, the Spring Hill Historic Home board of directors, the Lions Club as chairman of the eye screening program, the Ohio North-South All-Star football game assistant events director, and state football playoffs parking coordinator. He served as a Massillon city councilman and the manager of The Elms Swim Club.
Walterhouse and his wife Jo have three children—Kathy, Kurt, and Steve, eleven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
“You’ve been a wonderful asset for this city,” said presenter and former Tiger player and past Football Booster Club President Brock Herring. “You always had the best interest of the Massillon kids in your heart. You were like a dad to many of us.”
“It’s our community that comes out on top because of people like these (Dale and Esther),” added former Football Booster Club President Steve Berecek. “For Dale, it was a labor of love. He always wanted to give back to the community.”
Dale graciously thanked One Tiger and all of the presenters. “Massillon has been very good to us,” Dale said. “I’ve surrounded myself with great people and it is great people that make you successful. I give football a lot of credit for my being here today. You can do a lot more with team than individual.”
Esther Bryant
A 1959 graduate of Washington High School, Esther Bryant studied at Kent State University and the Washington Beauty Academy in Akron, where she taught for many years. She also taught at the Jane Skinner Modeling School and Christina’s Hair Weev (the inventor of the hair weave) before opening her own beauty salon and boutique in Massillon, Juannee’s Total Image.
As a Stark County Human Services foster parent, she recognized a need to provide basic life skills and cultural experiences for foster children. With the assistance of Rev. Reginald Hye at Friendship Baptist Church in Massillon, she founded Lighthouse Visions. For 22 years, as CEO/executive director of Lighthouse Visions, she tirelessly bettered the lives of foster children, until she suffered a serious stroke in 2015.
Bryant served the community in many capacities, volunteering with Westark Family Services, Downtown Massillon Association, Massillon WestStark Chamber of Commerce, the Fair Housing Board, Massillon Museum, Canton NAACP, Massillon Woman’s Club, CAN (Collaborative Agency Association), Board of Stark County Community Action and the Massillon Parks and Recreation board.
Bryant has two daughters—Judge Valarie Hill and Bridget Hill, three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She is a member of Friendship Baptist Church, where she served as pianist for more than 50 years. She now sings in the choir. She also attends Massillon Connections Church and leads praise workshops.
Margy Vogt contributed to this story.
Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore has released the 2018 schedule, having filled the remaining open spot with Montclair, New Jersey. Montclair joins two other out-of-state opponents, including East St. Louis, Illinois, and Sun Valley, Pennsylvania. This marks the fifth time that three or more non-Ohio teams have appeared on the schedule. The Tigers also have eight home games for the first time since 2004. Once again it will be a very challenging schedule.
Here is a rundown of each opponent:
Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary – 2017 record: 10-4. The Irish move to the opener from Week 9, replacing Mentor. Last year St. V scored a touchdown with 3:15 remaining in the game to defeat the Tigers 13-10. In the Division 3 playoffs they advanced to the state semifinals where they lost to Tri-Valley, 24-6. The Irish have defeated Massillon in four of the last five years.
Canton GlenOak – 2017 record: 3-7. Last year the Golden Eagles had an uncharacteristic subpar season, which included a 24-10 loss to Massillon. The Tigers have won four of the last five matches.
Warren Harding – 2017 record: 3-6. The Panthers suffered through the loss of graduated quarterback Lynn Bowdon. One of the losses was to Massillon, 31-21. The Tigers own a 3-2 edge over the past five years.
Montclair, NJ – 2017 record: 12-0. Last year Montclair captured the New Jersey North I Group 5 championship with a 35-14 win over Union City. This should be a balanced matchup for the Tigers.
Akron Firestone – 2017 record: 4-6. The Falcons return to the schedule for the third consecutive year. Last year the Tigers defeated Firestone 35-6. The Falcons were 3-2 in Akron City Series competition.
Austintown Fitch – 2017 record: 6-4. Last season Massillon broke a 28-28 tie in the fourth quarter by scoring 10 consecutive points. The Tigers have now won the last two meetings following three consecutive losses.
East St. Louis, IL – 2017 record: 10-2. This may be the toughest opponent on Massillon’s schedule. East St. Louls, with Cleveland Glenville-like talent, is considered to be a national power and annually plays teams from across the country. Last year they lost to another national power in Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport, LA), 14-6. There is a chance that this game will be televised nationally.
Sun Valley, PA – 2017 record: 5-7.
Louisville – 2017 record: 5-5. Having been booted out of the NBC, the Leopards are now forced to schedule independently. Ergo, the Tigers will visit Lousville this year in a first-ever meeting. Last year the Leopards started out with three consecutive losses: Canfield (28-48), North Canton (14-41) and Austintown Fitch (21-42).
Canton McKinley – 2017 record: 8-3. Last season Massillon held off the Bulldogs 16-15 in the inaugural meeting of these two teams at Canton’s Tom Benson Stadium. The Tigers now have beaten McKinley in six of the last seven games, with the lone loss coming in 2015 by the score of 30-28. The Bulldogs advanced to the playoffs last year but were defeated in the first round by Lakewood St. Edward.
February is the time of year when football players from around the country determine if college football is in their future. And this is no exception in Massillon, where five former Tigers, with much help from head coach Nate Moore, have determined their future endeavors. They are:
The Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club congratulates these fine players and wishes them success in all their future activities.
Smoke The Burger Joint has generously offered to host a fundraiser for the Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club. The event will be held at the Massillon restaurant (15 Tommy Henrich Drive NW) on Thursday, February 22, 2018, from 4:00 pm to 8:00. Fifty percent of the proceeds during the sale event will be donated to the Booster Club, which helps support the Tiger football program with items such as post-game meals and training equipment. Be sure to come and bring all your friends and relatives.
Perry’s foray into the ranks of Division 1 for the post-season playoffs turned out to be a brief one year. Next season the Panthers will return to Division 2, most likely aligned with the Massillon Tigers in Region 7. Starting with last year’s introduction of competitive balance by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, team assignments are now made annually rather than every other year. The reassignment must be welcome news for the Perry camp, which qualified for the playoffs last year with a fine 9-1 record only to lose 24-7 to Cleveland St. Ignatius in the first round. In each of the two previous years the Panthers advanced to the Division 2 state finals, losing both times to Cincinnati LaSalle.
Several schools have vacated Division 2 due to changes in effective enrollment, but they are being replaced by Perry and the following:
Given these changes, and if the OHSAA continues with the current assignment scheme, Region 5 will have 28 members, Region 6 will have 26 members, Region 7 will have 30 members and Region 8 will have 23 members. To balance out the regions, expect the OHSAA to reassign some of the teams in Region 7 to Region 8.
Notes:
Art Hastings, Massillon’s stellar running back from some 60 years ago, has been inducted into the Stark County High School Football Hall of Fame. He joins the 2018 Class that also includes Alliance quarterback Charles Babb, Canton McKinley receiver Reggie Corner, Central Catholic running back Vince Gliatta, North Canton running back / defensive back Charlie Grandjean, Canton Lincoln coach Don Nehlen and Canton McKinley end Erie Sheeler.
The list of Hastings’ accomplishments for the Tigers is impressive. After rushing for 571 yards during his 1958 sophomore season, he lit it up the next year by rushing for 1,245 yards with an average of 10.6 yards per carry (3rd all-time). Art also rolled up 1,485 all-purpose yards. For his effort he was named 3rd Team All-Ohio.
Hastings topped it off during his senior year by rushing 159 times for 1,274 yards, scoring 20 touchdowns and tallying 134 points. He also returned 12 kickoffs at an average of 21.5 yards per return. Arguably Hastings’ best performance was a 220-yard rushing effort against Canton McKinley in a 42-0 victory, where he rambled for touchdowns of 15, 29, 51 and 5 yards . He also set the record for the longest touchdown run from scrimmage, 93 yards vs. Springfield South. At the conclusion of the season Art was named 1st Team All-Ohio.
During his 3-year career for the Tigers, Hastings racked up 3,090 yards (first among all Massillon running backs), while scoring 34 touchdowns. He also contributed to three wins against Canton McKinley. His teams, coached by Leo Strang, compiled a record of 28-2-1, capturing two state / national championships (1959 and 1960).
Congratulations to Art Hastings.
The 2017 Massillon Tigers Football Banquet will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at the St. George Cultural Center, located at 363 1st St. SE in Massillon.
Tickets are $25.00 per person and can be purchased at the WHS Ticket Office or at Keller’s Office Furniture downtown.
Engraved beverage glasses will be on sale for $10 each.
Doors will open at 5:30 pm and dinner will be served at 6:00 pm.
Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of the 2017 Tigers!
The 2017 football season was a banner year for the Tigers as they advanced to the state semi-finals. A fitting tribute to an individual Tiger player or loyal Tiger fan would be to purchase a brick in the Walk of Pride. Be part of one of the most distinctive features of Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. The entrance to the stadium consists of personalized bricks, which form a walkway for our fans. Named the Tiger “Walk of Pride,” the walkway captures our tradition of excellence. Tiger Football has produced outstanding athletes and the best fans in the nation.
The Tiger “Walk of Pride” provides a unique opportunity to leave an enduring symbol of your support for Washington High School athletics.The bricks are available in 4″x 8″ for $100.00 or 8″x 12 ” for $250.00.
Your order will be processed quickly and you will have your choice of placement. Contact John Liebermann @ 330-445-9250 or v1968vet@yahoo.com if interested.
Report by Rick Dalsky, Booster Club Secretary
The Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club held its last General meeting of 2017 in the WHS media center on Monday 11/27/17 at 7:00pm. Booster Club President Steve Berecek welcomed everyone and thanked the players and coaches on a great season. He then announced that the Canton Repository has 5 former Massillon Tiger players up for election to the Stark County HOF. Please consider voting for them.
President Berecek then introduced Tiger Head Coach Nate Moore who was greeted with a standing ovation. 14 Tiger football players came to the meeting and they individually gave their thoughts on the season. Quarterbacks Coach Jarrett Troxler also was at the meeting.
Coach Moore talked about the season and mentioned how proud he was of his players. The Winton Woods game file was shown and Coach Troxler commented on the offense and Coach Moore on the defense. They also answered many questions from the audience.
Next year’s schedule is as follows:
John Liebermann thanked all who helped us win the coupon bonanza for the fifth consecutive season. The Booster Club receives $2,000 for this accomplishment.
Door prizes were awarded.
Thank you to the team, coaching staff and fans for a great season.
Go Tigers!! BEAT St. Vincent !!