Euclid City Schools

 John Berlan was a big-time performer for Euclid Panther athletic teams. A strapping 6'4" 225-pounder, he starred as an offensive guard in football and as a shot putter and discus thrower on the track and field team. Success did not stop for him at the high school level. It continued to spiral onward and upward as he moved on to college.

John earned four letters in high school, two in football for Coach Ron Seymour and two in track and field for Hall of Fame Coach Bob Ramlow.

In football John almost was a forgotten young man. Like most football linemen, he toiled out of the limelight. This was especially true for those who, like John, played on teams that were not championship teams. Six years earlier, Dan Fowler, another promising Euclid lineman, was initially under-publicized for his football exploits. For John, Coach Seymour used his college contacts to get a college opportunity for John, as he had done earlier for Dan. This time the University of Toledo came calling for John as it started its rise to prominence as a football power in the Mid-American Conference. (Eventually five Euclid players, counting John, would wind up on UT teams.)

John had most of his publicity in high school on the track and field team. He still holds three records in the shot put relays for both the Euclid and Mentor Relays (164'5" and 162'11", respectively) and the individual shot put throw at the Mentor Relays (59'6 1/2"). He also had the longest discus throw at the Euclid Relays in 1980 (173'3 1/2").

When he got to Toledo on a full football scholarship, John's stock rose dramatically. As a sophomore in 1982 he was an Honorable Mention Selection for the All-MAC Team. In his junior and senior years he made the All-MAC First Team. He became a four-year letterman by the end of his fourth season. In that final season for him, the Rockets

won the MAC Championship and played in the California Bowl. Along the way he found time to letter as a junior on the track team.

After college John married Danielle Nichting, who graduated from Euclid High School after John in the Class of 1984. Together they have two young daughters, Marlene and Caroline.

Not one to forget a favor, John graciously has written a message to thank his former coach for nominating him to the Sports Hall of Fame and, probably more importantly, for not letting his athletic career end in high school. John writes:

"I first learned of my Hall of Fame notification nomination when I received a letter from Coach Seymour. My wife called me and asked if she should open the letter. I told her not to worry as it was probably an invitation to Coach Seymour's retirement party. When I got home and opened the letter, I was humbled for even being considered for the Euclid High Schools Sports Hall of Fame.

"It brought back many wonderful memories of my great coaches: Ron Seymour, Jeff Hartmann, Art Bortnick, and Track Coach Bob Ramlow and also the fond memories of all my teammates who laid it on the line at each and every workout, practice, and game. The high level of competition at Euclid High School allowed me to move on and to play at the college level.

"Through the efforts of Coach Seymour, who went above and beyond the call of duty for any player who wanted to play football, I was granted a full scholarship to the University of Toledo.

"Coach Seymour, I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to nominate me for this honor. Obviously, without your gracious word to the college recruiters, I wouldn't be filling out this (inductee information) form. I always thought the glory days were over, but it is always nice to remember those great times. I hope to see you or talk to you soon. Thanks again."

John is a State Farm Insurance Company Claims Analyst and lives with his family in Bay Village, Ohio.

Inducted on October 2, 2008