Class of 2004
Gary Henschen
Gary Henschen was the founder and the first Commissioner of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. In 1986, Gary had a vision to bring collegiate summer baseball to players from the Interstate-75 corridor. He also insisted that it be the first collegiate summer league to use wood bats. He garnered a corporate sponsor (Pepsi Cola), created a protocol of rules and requirements for the prospective franchise and got it approved for certification from the NCAA governing body. Armed with these key elements, Gary and his staff attended the MLB winter meetings securing funding that would complete the process of obtaining operating capital and equipment. Under Gary's direction, the GLSCL began play in the summer of 1987 with franchises in Cincinnati, Lima, Bowling Green, Toledo, Muncie and Columbus. He was the GLSCL Commissioner for the 1987 and 1988 seasons before stepping down from his position after two years. The GLSCL Player of the Year award is named after Gary. It is safe to say that without Gary there would not be a Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League.
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Class of 2004
Lou Laslo
Lou Laslo was part of the original front office of the GLSCL when the league was founded in 1986. Lou started as the GLSCL President and was promoted to Commissioner before the 1989 season. He helped lead the first expansion phase of the GLSCL with the admission of the Grand Lake Mariners and the Sandusky Bay Stars in 1990. The GLSCL Pitcher of the Year award was named after Lou. He stepped down as the GLSCL Commissioner in 1994 to become a scout for the Detroit Tigers until retiring 2004. Laslo was named the Tigers Scouts of the Year in 2000. Lou tased award in 2015 at the age of 73.
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Class of 2004
Ron Miller
Ron Miller was part of the original front office of the GLSCL when the league was founded in 1986. Ron started as the Treasurer in 1986 and was promoted to President in 1989. Miller became the third commissioner of the GLSCL in 1994 and remained in that position until the end of the 2000 season. He oversaw league expansion into Northwest Ohio with the additions of the Northern Ohio Baseball Club, the Youngstown Express and the Stark County Terriers. The annual post season award for the top position player is now called the Ron Miller Top Prospect Award.
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Class of 2004
Eric Wedge
Eric Wedge was the first marque player in the GLSCL as a member of the Lima Blues in 1987. Wedge hit .325 with 8 home runs and 32 RBIs after a successful freshman season at Wichita State University. He hit a home run as was the Most Valuable Player of the first GLSCL All-Star game which was played at Wrigley Field against a collection of all-stars from the Central Illinois Collegiate League. He would lead Wichita State to the 1989 College World Series championship before being drafted by the Boston Red Rox in the third round. Wedge played in parts of four seasons for the Red Sox and Colorado Rockies. He went on to manage the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners. Wedge lead the Indians to the ALCS in 2007 beaming the American League Manager of the Year. In 2019, Wedge became the head coach at his alma mater Wichita State University Shockers.
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Class of 2004
Barry Ruben
Barry Ruben took over the Lima Blues after its first season and built the franchise into a juggernaut in the GLSCL. Ruben changed the team’s name to the Lima Locos and moved to Shawnee High School in order to play night games under the lights. Ruben would later move the team to Simmons Field opening the opportunity to maximize revenue by being able to sell beer. These moves, in addition to success on the filed, helped develop one of the largest and most loyal fan bases in all collegiate summer league baseball. Ruben, a local businessman who owned the Lima Bargain Center and Lima Floor Covering, also developed unique fan giveaways at Locos game with the prizes being sold at the bargain center which proved to be a cross promotion for both business. Ruben was the owner and general manager of the Locos until 2004. He stepped down as the GM but continued to be the owner until his passing in 2012 at the age of 71. The Locos won 3 GLSCL titles (1993, 2004 and 2011) while making 5 finals appearances during his tenure. Barry’s legacy lives on to this day thanks to the strong foundation he built for the franchise.
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Class of 2004
Tom Francis
Tom Francis was a longtime broadcaster at WIMA starting in 1959 and was the “Voice of Lima Land.” Enjoyed a 51-year career at WIMA, 25 of which hosing the morning show. His radio partner Mike Mullen, who joined him on the morning show in 1974 gave him that nickname. Francis partnered with Barry Ruben to by the fledgeling Lima Blues after the 1987 season and the rest is history. Ruben and Francis recruited a board of directors of local businessmen, marketing staff, media and baseball types to help guide them through the process. The first move was to rebrand and change the team to the Lima Locos. Next was moving its home field to Shawnee High School where the team to host night games. And finally a move to Simmons Field giving the team the opportunity to sell beer to its fans while generating a new form of revenue stream. The Locos have won a total of 6 GLSCL titles with the first three coming during the Ruben/Francis partnership. Francis passed away in 2014 at the age of 79.
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Class of 2004
Jerry and Janice DiCuccio
Jerry DiCuccio was owner and founder of the Columbus All-Americans. He was a local attorney in Columbus, Ohio and huge supporter of Ohio State University. The team played at Bill Davis Stadium on the OSU Campus and the teams was named in honor of the All-American players from Ohio State. Jerry along with wife Janice truly believed the All-Americans was a family run business and they took care of nearly all facets of the franchise’s operations. One thing the DiCuccio’s did was always have good teams and skilled baseball men guiding the way. The All-Americans 8 GLSCL championships still remains a record to this day. The All-Americans won the first three league championships in 1987, 1988 and 1989.
GSLCL Hall of Famers Joe Carbone and Roger Ingles, along with former Ohio State baseball great Brian Mannino, all served as head coaches during championship runs for the All-Ameicans. The franchise also made the finals and were GLSCL runners-up three other times including its final season before the franchise folded in 2008.
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Class of 2004
Joe Carbone
He was the first head coach and general manager of the Columbus All-Americans leading the team to the first two league championships in 1987 and 1988. Carbone at the time was also the assistant coach at Ohio State University. After taking over as head coach at Ohio University, Carbone worked behind the scenes to help build the GLSCL as one of the top summer collegiate leagues in the Midwest. He helped lay the groundwork for the Southern Ohio Copperheads which joined the GLSCL in 2002 and played at Ohio University. Carbone coached at Ohio University for 24 seasons until his retirement in 2012. Along with teammate Mike Schmidt, he played second base and was a captain on the Ohio University team that finished 3rd in the 1970 College World Series under head coach Bob Wren. For Carbone's accomplishments and continued commitment to development of the GLSCL, the league named the Manager of the Year Award after him in his honor.
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Class of 2005
Paul Quantrill
In 1988, Paul led the Muncie Chiefs in appearances and saves while accumulating 38 strikeouts and allowing only 8 walks. After his performance in the Great Lakes League, the University of Wisconsin graduate was drafted in the 6th round by the Boston Red Sox in the 1989 MLB draft. Quantrill made his Major League debut on July 20, 1992 for the Red Sox. Quantrill pitched for 7 different major league teams and was an American League All-Star in 2001 while playing for the Toronto Blue Jays. Quantrill was also a member of the 2004 New York Yankees which made it to the ALCS before falling to his former team the Boston Red Sox. He holds the distinction of being the first Major League Player to have pitched in 80 games for four consecutive seasons. After his retirement in 2005, Quantrill became a successful coach serving on the staff for Team Canada during the World Baseball Classics in 2009, 2013 and 2017. He was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010.
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Class of 2005
Roger Ingles
Roger started his Great Lakes career in 1990 as the manager for the Lima Locos compiling a 23-20 record. In 1995, Roger came back to the GLSCL and guided the Columbus All-Americans to the best record in the league at 23-17. The 1996 edition of the Ingles-led All-Americans compiled a 34-10 record and a two-game playoff sweep of the Grand Lake Mariners to claim the league championship. Ingles led the All-Americans to their third straight championship playoff appearance in 1997 and suffered a heart-breaking 12-11 extra inning loss in the final game. In 2001, Roger Ingles returned to the Great Lakes League as the Commissioner of the league, a position he held until 2004. Roger’s wisdom and guidance has propelled the Great Lakes League to become one of the finest summer wooden bat leagues in the nation. While Commissioner, Roger was instrumental in securing franchises such as the Indianapolis Servants and the Southern Ohio Copperheads.
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Class of 2005
Wayne and Margaret Miller
Wayne and Margaret became involved with the Grand Lake Mariners in 1994 as a host family. In 1995, Wayne joined the Grand Lake Board of Directors and subsequently the Millers purchased the team. The Millers spent countless hours in fundraising, organization and support for the Grand Lake Mariners. The Millers were fixtures at Mariners games dating back to when the team played at Jim Hoess Field in Westview Park. Wayne stepped down as general manager of Mariners in 2010 citing health concerns leaving a tremendous void in the organization. Wayne and Margaret’s contributions and dedication to the Mariners and the GLSCL has been recognized by the other teams in the league by their inclusion into the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League Hall of Fame. Wayne passed away in 2013 at the age of 80.
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Class of 2006
Tom Brunswick
Tom was an assistant coach of the Grand Lake Mariners during their first two years of existence – 1990 and 1991. In 1993, Tom took over as head coach and served in that capacity through the 2001 season. During the nine years as head coach, Tom compiled a record of 215 wins and 146 losses while earning a play-off record of 14 wins and 9 losses. His teams were league champions in 1995 and 1997 and finished second in 1995, 1996 and 1998. During Tom’s tenure, over 40 Mariners were drafted by Major League Baseball with seven players occupying a MLB roster spot.
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Class of 2015
Max McLeary
In 2005, Max was brought together with Bill O’ Conner and Steve Brown who were looking to start a collegiate summer baseball team to compete in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League. The trio founded the Cincinnati Steam to begin play in the summer of 2006. By its third season in 2008, the Steam won the regular season championship and post season tournament. It was the first of back-to-back GLSCL championships for the Steam. In its first 8 seasons, the Steam had earned a playoff berths all eight years including a runner-up finish in 2012. Under Max's leadership a total of 32 former Steam players, 27 of which were draft picks, went on to play in the affiliated minor leagues. Four of those players earned major league service time. Max was also an accomplished umpire on the high school, college and professional levels rising in affiliated baseball to the AA level. A freak accident in 1977 left him blind in one eye giving him the moniker of the “One-Eyed Umpire.” Max turned this tragedy into a positive through his infectious personality and true umpiring talent. Max had a long and accomplished amateur umpiring career. He even had a book written about his experiences titles Everything Thing Happens in Chillicothe; A Summer in the Frontier League with the One-Eyed Umpire. So many people in the game of baseball (players, coaches and umpires) owe so much to his guidance and kindness as he touched many more lives than he ever knew.
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Class of 2015
Don Mills
Don Mills was the founder of the Northern Ohio Baseball Club that won four league championships between 1999 and 2004. In 2000, the club had a 42-9 record and was named “The Best Team in Summer Baseball” by Baseball America. He also brought the league to national prominence by hosting games against Team USA. His teams produced many future MLB players. Former notable alumni from the Northern Ohio Baseball Club include: Jeremy Brown (1st Round/Oakland A’s), Chris Burke (1st Round/Houston Astros), Rock Mills (Colorado Rockies), Wyatt Allen (1st Round/Chicago White Sox), Chad Cordero (Washington Nationals), Shane Costa (Tampa Bay Rays), Jonathan Sanchez (San Francisco Giants) and Victor Menocal (Philadelphia Phillies).
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Class of 2018
Lou Mitchell
Lou Mitchell was the founder of the franchise now known as the Licking County Settlers. Mitchell was a star athlete and Hall of Fame inductee at Dennison University. A philanthropist and successful businessman in Newark, he brought the Settlers to Dennison University in 2006 where it was known as the Granville Settlers. The team played on campus at Big Red Field in 2006 and parts of 2007 before moving permanently to Don Edwards Park in Newark and was rebranded as the Licking County Settlers. Lou was very generous with his money and commitments to many local organizations such as the Licking County YMCA and A Call to College Program. Lou passed away tragically during the 2012 season at the age of 78. The Settlers would go on to win the GLSCL Championship in 2012, 2013 and 2014.
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Class of 2023
Lou Brunswick
Lou Brunswick was the pitching coach for the Grand Lake Mariners during an incredible run for the franchise in the 1990’s. Lou teamed up with his son Tom, who was the head coach and fellow GLSCL Hall of Fame inductee, making one of the greatest father-son combinations in GLSCL history. The Mariners enjoyed a 215-146 record during the Brunswick era advancing to the GLSCL Championship series in five consecutive seasons. Grand Lake won two GLSCL Championships in 1994 and 1997 and were runners-up three other times in 1995, ’96 and ’98. The team won 30 games or more three times with its best record topping out at 31-9 in 1994. Brunswick won 750 games in his 35 seasons as the head coach at Coldwater High School winning five Ohio state championships. Lou passed away in 2022 at the age of 92.
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Class of 2023
Tom Usher
Tom Usher covered the Lima Locos for the Lima News since the franchise was founded in 1987. Usher actually predates the Locos name as the franchise was called the Lima Blues during that inaugural season. Tom covered the team and the GLSCL for 35 seasons until his unexpected passing in January, 2023 at the age of 68. He covered the team during six GLSCL Championships and six more runner up finishes. Due to his longevity and passion for both the Locos and the GLSCL, Tom became the unofficial historian of both the franchise and the league. Tom’s coverage of the Locos was impartial and professional when you read his work in the Lima News but when speaking to him his love for the franchise shinned through with him using such terms and “we” and “us.” Tom was an award winning journalist covering mostly high school sports for the Lima News and the Cincinnati Enquirer before moving to Northwest Ohio. He was inducted into the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Hall of Fame in 2014.
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Class of 2024
Rob Livchak
Rob Livchak was the head coach of the Lima Locos for 16 seasons over the course of two different tours of duty winning two league titles. During his first stint (1991-96) Livchak led the Locos to the 1993 GLSCL Championship defeating the Central Ohio Wendy’s in a best-of-three series. Livchak returned to the Locos in 2000 for a successful ten-season tenure producing three divisions winners (2004, 2007, 2009). In that time, Lima won the 2004 GLSCL Championship and were runners-up in 2007. Livchak retired after the 2009 season with a career overall record 339-290. He coached 95 players that went on to become MLB draft picks with eight of them playing in the major leagues.
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