Ashland County Sports Hall of Fame
Ashland County Sports
Hall of Fame
 
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Class of 1996
'Dan Bowersox
'Charles Chuck
''Campbell *
'Dave Crecelius
'Jim Diffendorfer
'Randy Fierbaugh
'Larry Hastings
'Jim Reynolds, Jr.
'Tim Richmond *
'Tammy Eisel Shaw
'Dr. Mel Woelfling *
''( Deceased * )
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Selection Committee
'George Valentine ,
'''Chairman

'Gaylord Meininger
'Marvin Sprang
'Wayne Dessenberg
'Ron Marquette
'Tom Herron
'Don Sprang


 

Dave Crecelius

Dave Crecelius

Dave is considered one of the most versatile and talented athletes to graduate from Ashland High School. He began his love for athletics in grade school in Sandusky, Ohio, where he participated in the youth football program.

The Crecelius family moved to Ashland in 1977 just as Dave was about to enter his freshman year. A three-sport athlete, he immediately provided an impact to the Arrow football, wrestling, and track programs. Dave earned nine varsity letters and established many records along the way. He was co-captain of Arrow football under Coach Dave Gray and participated in the prestigious North-South All Star game. In wrestling, he was a three-time heavyweight champion and set a record for the most pins. He participated in two state wrestling championships. In track, he still holds the high school shot put record. His most coveted honor at AHS was being recognized as Athlete of the Year in both his junior and senior years. The only other athlete to be tapped for the same honor is Hall of Fame member Jim Minnich.

Dave never forgot his classroom responsibilities in high school and earned a 3.96 GPA and was selected into the National Honor Society.

After being recruited for his football talents, Dave entered the Ohio State University in 1981. At OSU, Dave was a four-year letterman at the defensive tackle position for the Buckeyes. In 1984, the Buckeyes were Big Ten champions and Dave played in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. Dave’s football awards include the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Week and the Galbreath award for academics. In 1983 and 19884, Dave was chosen for the National Academic All-American Team. As a senior, he was selected as one of eleven players for the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete award, earning him a trip to New York City. Dave was also named into SPHINX, The Ohio State University’s most prestigious honorary award for service.

After Dave graduated from OSU with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, he was presented with the National Collegiate Athletic Association Post Graduate Scholarship in recognition of outstanding achievements as a scholar and athlete. This resulted in his receiving his Maters in Business Administration fro The Ohio State University.

Upon graduating, Dave went to work for the Liebert Corporation in Columbus, Ohio. In1992, Dave left Leibert to join Balmac, Inc., an engineering firm in Hilliard, Ohio, that specializes in vibration analysis and the manufacture of dynamic balancing equipment. Today, Dave is president of Balmac

In 1994, Dave received a patent for BOCCERBALL, a game he invented while attending OSU. He and his wife, Debbie (Baumeister), whom he met at OSU, formed Let’s Play, Inc., in 1995, to manufacture and market BOCCERBALL. Dave and Debbie have been married nine years and one son, Will, who is two-years old.

Nominator: Mrs. William Crecelius



 
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