Pete Risser
Pete was born in 1923 in Ashland and attended Ashland City Schools, graduating with the class of 1941. He earned letters in basketball, football, and track. He was the leading scorer of the 1940-41 basketball team, which advanced to the state tournament. He was selected for the All-North Central Ohio league first team in basketball and second team in football although having only one year of football.
He was recruited for basketball by Kent State University, after playing in high school in the state tournament. College freshman were ineligible at that time, but as a Sophomore, he led the Kent state 1942-43 team in scoring and was selected as the MVP.
He served in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946. While in the service, he played basketball and softball for the Vero Beach, Florida Naval Air Station. After the service in the Navy, he transferred to Ohio University playing football in 1946 and 1947 and was the leading pass received for the 1947 team.
After graduation, Pete returned to Ashland and was employed by the F.E. Myers and Brothers Company, where under the sponsorship of Jack Myers, was player/manager of the Myers Pump basketball team from 1949 to 1955. Myers Pumps was one of the top independent basketball teams in Northeast Ohio. Many outstanding basketball teams were brought to Ashland by Myers Pumps, including professional teams, National Industrial Basketball League teams, the United States Second Army team and the Cleveland Browns.
Pete played softball from 1947 to 1950 for the Ashland Indians and from 1951 to 1954 for the Ashland Lumbers. Both teams were the major softball teams in Ashland at the time and continually played to capacity crowds at Brookside Park.
From 1950 to 1973, he officiated high school football and basketball games and served as President of the North Central Ohio Officials Association in 1956.
After college he developed a life long love for the game of golf and was club champion at Wooster Country Club on five occasions.
Pete wants to acknowledge Ashland as a caring community that provided dedicated teachers, outstanding coaches and generous sponsors that afforded him the opportunity to develop his athletic abilities and love of sports.
He is presently retired and living in Wooster with Norma, his wife of 56 years. They have three children, Greg of Redlands, California, Dennis of York, Pennsylvania, and Diane of Tipp City, Ohio and three grandchildren.
Nominator: Loren Doyle