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Class of 2013 / Biographies

Zanesville City Schools \ ZCS Hall of Fame \ Class of 2013 / Biographies

Dr. Joe Booth

Edward Joseph “Joe” Booth, a lifelong resident of Zanesville, is the second of four sons born to Edmond Booth, a urologist, and Edna Booth, a beautician. Joe graduated from Zanesville High School as a well-rounded Blue Devil, having served as the President of the Class of 1961, a member of National Honor Society and a varsity letter winner in football, wrestling and track.

Joe completed his university undergraduate studies at Otterbein College with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He was a member of Zeta Phi Fraternity, and earned varsity sports letters in football, wrestling and track. He graduated with high academic honors in 1965. He continued on to Ohio State University Medical School, specializing in Urology, following in his father’s footsteps. He completed his residency at Cincinnati General Hospital before returning to Zanesville in 1974. He was a member of the Air Force National Guard for six years during this time. His private practice was at 2110 Maple Avenue until he retired after 30 years.

Joe married Elizabeth “Betty” Troyan in 1970 and while in Cincinnati they had two children, Darin and Kristen. Upon returning to Zanesville, three more daughters arrived: Annie, Elizabeth and Jamie. All the children graduated as Blue Devils and went on to receive higher educations, becoming professionals.

For four years, Joe was coach of Y-City Baseball Biddy League and for six years was the team physician for the Zanesville track team. He was President of the Muskingum County Medical Academy and co-founder and the first President of the Zanesville Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. He and Betty continued volunteering in this chapter for 25 years. Joe was also the Muskingum County Coroner for three years. He was an avid runner and completed several 26.2-mile marathons. Joe was a true outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and hiking.

Joe’s passion for his career, life, wife and children make him the type of man who stands apart, yet doing so in quiet repose. He firmly believes that if you pass kindness on, it will multiply. Joe and Betty reside in Zanesville and are the proud grandparents of four grandsons and one granddaughter.

Presenters: Dr. Eric Zurbrugg & Dr. Jack Booth
Acceptors: Dr. Joe Booth & Mrs. Betty Booth

Todd David Cerney

Todd was born in Detroit, Michigan on August 8, 1953. In 1955, the family moved to Zanesville, where Todd attended the Zanesville public schools. He studied guitar with Chuck Spires.

After graduating from Zanesville High School in 1971, he attended Earlham College. He served his work-study semester as a recording engineer at Creative Workshop in Nashville. He was offered and accepted a position there since he was so proficient in his work. A year later, he returned to Earlham to complete his Bachelor of Science degree. His thesis was a short film and a photographic exhibit with self-composed and rendered music.

Todd returned to the Nashville studio job in 1977 and wrote music, played and performed back-up singing. Twice in 1981 he made a TV production tour in Germany. During those years, he added the harmonica to his instrumental abilities.

CV Warner-Chappell noticed his songs and he joined their writing staff. While with them, he co-wrote and received a Grammy nomination for the song “I’ll Still Be Loving You.”

After a period with Sony Corporation, he became an independent writer, producer and performer, adding mandolin, keyboard and bass to his instrumental proficiency. He added a home studio to produce demonstration tapes and CDs.

Todd was married in 1984 to Kip Kirby, a writer, editor, TV interviewer and media consultant.

By 1988, Todd was with the group, “Music Speaks Louder than Words.” During this time, he also wrote with Russian song writers in Moscow. “Good Morning Beautiful,” which he co-wrote, became a number one song that gained him ASCAP awards. Writing with and for many rock groups, he expanded the scope of his musical genre and added more gold records. He played with “Toast” and was a member of the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble and a frequent lecturer at Writer’s Workshops. With the Nashville Song Writers Band, he toured foreign embassies, bases and hospitals.

Todd developed metastatic malignant melanoma and died on March 14, 2011. As an organ donor, his corneas were harvested so others might see. His ashes were scattered around the world.

Presenter: Dr. Robert Friel
Acceptors: Dr. & Mrs. Charles Cerney

Wayne Clark

Wayne grew up in Frazeysburg and started in athletics at age 9. By the time he was a 7th grader, his idols were his junior high coaches. From 9th grade on, he wanted to be a coach. Now, 53 years later, he is still living that dream.

In 1970, Wayne began his teaching and coaching career at Licking Valley High School. He served as Head Track and Assistant Football coach. He then went to graduate school at Ohio University, where he was a graduate assistant in track and field.

Wayne came to Zanesville High School in 1976 as Assistant Football and Assistant Track coach. He became the Head Track coach in 1977 and spent the next 22 years in that position.

In 1984, Wayne revived the men’s cross country program. As that program flourished, the track and field program also grew. Shortly thereafter, Wayne and his staff instituted not only a girls program, but also a junior high cross country team. Both programs immediately prospered.

When Wayne retired in 1999, ZHS had 14 different athletes win more than 30 All-Ohio awards. Three won 7 individual State Championships. Also, during his era, ZHS teams won more than 20 District and League Championships, including Regional Runner-up and championships in cross country.

Wayne received 19 District or League Coach of the Year Awards during his tenure at ZHS. He was also President of the Track Coaches Association in Ohio. He received the highest award given by that group in 1994, the Ed Barker Award.

Since his retirement, Wayne has worked for M-F Athletic Company, the largest distributor of track and field equipment in the United States. He has been the guest speaker in 19 states, teaching hurdles and sprint relays, and continues to do track camps for athletes in four different states. In addition, he directs the Ohio High School Clinic, the largest and most respected in America.

Wayne proudly served in the Viet Nam War and came home a decorated combat infantryman.

He resides in Zanesville with his wife and “assistant coach” Dee Reynolds Clark. They have two daughters, Lesa and Lori, and are the proud grandparents of two grandchildren.

Presenter: Lori Clark Robinson

Chris Gaiters

Christopher Gaiters is a Homicide Sergeant with the Minneapolis Police Department and an Adjunct Instructor at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and Hennepin Technical College.

While attending Zanesville High School, Christopher was a multiple-sport letter recipient. He lettered in football, basketball and track. He was selected to the All-Ohio high school football team. Christopher also represented Zanesville High School in the high hurdles and high jump at the state high school Track and Field Championships.

After graduating from Zanesville High School in 1986, Christopher earned a football scholarship to attend the University of Minnesota. While at the university, he was awarded the Chicago Tribune’s Most Valuable Player to his team, University of Minnesota Athlete of the Year and third team All-American honors for football.

In 1990, Christopher signed a professional football contract with the Minnesota Vikings as a wide receiver. In 1991, he signed a contract to enter the World League of American Football (NFL Europe) draft. Christopher was drafted by the New York/New Jersey Knights, and later completed the season with the Sacramento Surge.

After completing his career as a professional athlete, Christopher returned to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, where he completed his education. He earned his Master of Arts degree and Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and an Associate in Applied Science degree from Inver Hills Community College.

Christopher currently resides in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul Metro area with his wife and four children.

Presenter: Coach Whit Parks

Dale Mautz

For over 60 years, Dale has enjoyed serving and supporting Zanesville High School Athletic programs.

Dale was born in Zanesville in 1924. He attended Munson Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High and graduated from Lash High School in 1942. He worked as a mould maker at the Zanesville Mould Company for 44 years. Dale married Juanita Bailey of Zanesville in 1946, and together they raised four children who were all involved in Blue Devil activities.

In the early 1950s, Dale joined the Zanesville High School Athletic Boosters and served as Secretary in 1961 and as President in 1985. He planned sports banquets, organized basketball previews, and sold programs at the football and basketball games. He worked on the chain gang at home football games for 38 years (1967-2005), and for 20 years assisted with the scoreboard during boys and girls basketball games.

Over the years, he contributed to the chicken barbeque fund raisers by working at the Muskingum County Fair and other community events. From setting up and tearing down the pits, hauling bags of charcoal, cooking the barbeque sauce, to turning racks, and serving chicken dinners, Dale has participated in many cookouts.

Dale not only gave his time to athletics, but he was also instrumental in helping his wife, Juanita, start the Band Boosters waffle stand. He designed the first stainless steel tanks for frying waffles. He also spent many hours helping Wayne Carpenter design, build, and paint many of the Devilettes’ props. Dale designed the pole assembly that raised a 30-foot American flag in St. John’s Arena at OSU during the Devilette State Championship in 1975.

For outstanding service and dedication to Zanesville Blue Devil Athletics, he was given Appreciation Awards in 1985 and again in 1989. Dale was recognized by the Ohio High School Athletic Association for exemplary contribution and service, and he was the recipient of the “Respect the Game” Award in 2009.

Dale continues to show his Blue Devil spirit by attending football and basketball games.

Presenter: Mr. Ron Apperson

Dr. John Miller

Dr. Johnny Miller is chairman of the Miller Group and Emeritus Professor of Communication Studies at Kent State University. Dr. Miller was also a professor at the University of Southern Mississippi and the People’s University of China.

Dr. Miller has a B.A. from Western Kentucky University and a M.A. and Doctorate in Organizational Communication from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has co-authored three books: Speak Up for Business; Managing Your Communication: In and For the Organization; and Working for the Best: Can Jump Start America.

He is only one of only 300 speakers worldwide to receive the “Certified Speaking Professional” designation from the 3,000-member National Speakers Association. Dr. Miller has lectured in all fifty states as well as major points of the globe, including Brazil, China, Japan, India, the former Soviet Union, and Western Europe. Dr. Miller’s former students include Olympic champions, Major League baseball players, 25 members of the National Football League, and network television personalities.

Dr. Miller annually speaks and conducts team-building management motivation programs for many professional associations and Fortune 500 companies. His clients include: IBM, GE, AT&T, AEP, GM, Exxon, General Dynamics, Rockwell International, Lockheed and more. Dr. Miller’s most popular keynote is “Why Not Our Best.”

Presenter: Mr. Wood Hardcastle

James Robinson

Jim Robinson graduated from Zanesville High School in 1960. While at ZHS, he played basketball and was the leading scorer in his senior year. Jim was named to the All-Central Ohio League first team and to the Central Ohio League All-Opponent first team. He also received honorable mention on the UPI Class AA All-Ohio team. Jim then played four years of basketball at Mount Union College and was coached by Wayne Ashbaugh, who had previously guided ZHS to the 1955 State Championship.

After receiving a B.A. in Secondary Education from Mount Union, Jim earned his Masters Degree from Xavier University and completed requirements for certification in School Administration. He also did post-graduate work at Fredonia State University and Xavier University.

Jim began his career in education at Lake Shore Central High School in Angola, New York. He taught social studies and was varsity basketball coach. In 1966, he returned to Zanesville and taught one year at Roosevelt Junior High and five years at ZHS. He was a member of the basketball coaching staff and also coached cross country.

Jim became principal at Maysville Junior High School in 1972 and spent the next 30 years in school administration. He served as Assistant Superintendent of the Maysville Local Schools, Principal at Roosevelt Junior High and Assistant Superintendent of the Zanesville City Schools. In 1985, Jim was named Superintendent of the Zanesville City Schools and served the next 11 years until his retirement in 1996. Following retirement from the Zanesville City Schools, Jim spent seven years as a program administrator employed by the Muskingum County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

During Jim’s tenure as Superintendent, three levies were approved by District voters in 1985, 1989 and 1994. The 1985 levy was utilized to improve school facilities. District programs received statewide recognition from the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio School Boards Association, and the inaugural Ohio’s BEST Practices Program.

Jim’s wife Judy taught English at ZHS for 32 years. Their children, Michael, Beth and Matthew, are all graduates of the Zanesville City Schools.

Presenter: Mr. Bob Mercer