Bay Alumni Foundation announces 2015 HOF inductees

Jim Liberatore, Class of 1980

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The Bay Alumni Foundation is honored to announce the 2015 inductees for the Bay High School Distinguished Alumni / Educator Hall of Fame. The Bay High HOF has recognized exemplary lifetime contributions to male and female participants as far back as 1931 and currently has over 65 members. A full list of prior inductees can be viewed at www.bayalumni.com.

“The 2015 inductees – both alumni and educators – are individuals who have dedicated their time and talent to a highly diverse set of organizations, activities and occupations – all of them being highly accomplished and dedicated to excellence in many unique areas," said Lee Rohlke, president Bay High Alumni Foundation. "Their commitment to Bay High School, the city of Bay Village, fellow classmates, co-workers, many civic and volunteer organizations was, and is, phenomenal and greatly appreciated.”

The inductees will be honored during the homecoming game on Oct. 2 at Bay Memorial Stadium. The Bay Alumni Foundation is hosting the formal induction ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 3, with a brunch at the Fountain Bleau in Avon Lake. Tickets are $30 and all are welcome. Please send checks for your reservation to Bay Alumni Foundation, 377 Dover Center Road, Bay Village, Ohio 44140.

Please join us in welcoming the 2015 inductees:

Jim Liberatore, Class of 1980. Current president of the Outdoor Group Cable Network (OGCN), which includes the Outdoor Channel, the Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network. Prior to OGCN he was president of SportsTime Ohio and vice president of sales at Madison Square Garden and Madison Square Garden Network. While with SportsTime Ohio Jim initiated the Hoops for Hunger basketball game between Rocky River and Bay Village culminating in over $80,000 being donated to the Cleveland food bank. Jim Liberatore is a fine example of an alumni giving back to the community and his high school alma mater.

Michael DiLauro, Class of 1967. Professor of media arts and director of the Academic Media Center at Robert Morris University. He has been the faculty lead for the study abroad program and served as the co-director for the Rooney Scholar Program. He lectures throughout the United States at universities, cultural centers, religious groups and Italian American identity. As a producer, Michael has been the recipient of five Emmys and other awards for TV and film.

Chris Ronayne, Class of 1986. President of University Circle Inc., a nonprofit community service corporation responsible for developing service and advocacy for the University Circle area. Before joining UCI, Chris served the City of Cleveland as planning director, chief development officer and chief of staff; he was also the chief architect of the city waterfront district plan, an ambitious effort to reconnect people of Cleveland to Lake Erie.

John Wichman, Bay High Educator. Mr. Wichman inspired many generations of Bay High students by bringing history to life. By 1970s standards, his incredible presentation using technology and props left a lasting impression with all his students. One student said Mr. Wichman transported his world history class every day from Wolf Road to Ancient Rome. From his favorite saying, “nothing is new,” to his chariot race soundtrack from "Ben Hur," the students at Bay High were lucky to have such a gifted, dedicated, inspiring educator. Mr. Wichman still resides in Bay Village.

Ivan (Ike) Ganyard, Class of 1947. Ike was always involved – as class president his senior year and in football, basketball and track. As an engineer, Ike helped develop new methods for a multitude of applications. Ike refereed both high school and college basketball and football. He received many special recognition awards for his professionalism, fairness and accuracy in his decision-making. He was also instrumental in our own Bay Alumni Foundation and was involved in or initiated many civic organizations.

Edward Wells, Bay High Educator. As an educator at Bay High School in the 1950s, Mr. Wells was known for his professionalism and his compassion. He was an Ohio State graduate with a master’s degree in American history. Mr. Wells encouraged students to think outside the box and dig deeper into each of his lessons to learn more about the individuals in history. There was never a dull moment in Mr. Wells’ class, telling his students a seemingly endless supply of little-known stories about the famous and not-so-famous individuals in world history. Mr. Wells passed away in 1982 after 42 years as an educator.