Clearview star Uszynski became a better coach

When trying to list the best football coaches to come out of Lorain, Jim Uszynski is one of the first to come to mind.

Now, the Clearview High School graduate and veteran of the coaching circuit will be enshrined in the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame, further cementing the legacy of a great football player who became an even better coach.

A 1964 Clearview graduate, Uszynski quickly showed his athletic prowess when he won the starting quarterback position as a freshman. That was just the start.

He would hold the starting position all four years, earning All-Lakeland Conference first team and Most Valuable Back honors in his senior year.

Uszynski’s stellar high school career caught the eye of Division III powerhouse Muskingum College, coached by the legendary Ed Sherman.

It was there that Uszynski truly flourished.

As he did at Clearview, Uszynski earned the starting quarterback spot as a freshman, beating out eight others for the job.

Under Uszynski’s leadership, Muskingum twice qualified for the Grantland Rice Bowl — including the inaugural edition in 1964. Uszynski also led the Fighting Muskies to Ohio Athletic Conference titles in 1965 and 1966.

During his college career, Uszynski was 33-3 and passed for 1,771 yards.

After graduating from Muskingum in 1968, Uszynski immediately turned to coaching.

Uszynski started his career as an assistant at Utica, but quickly returned to Lorain County to start his head coaching career, starting at Columbia before moving on to North Ridgeville. In his three years at North Ridgeville from 1975 to 1977, Uszynski took an 0-10 team and improved them to 9-1 in 1977, with the Rangers claiming the Lakeland Conference Championship. For his efforts, Uszynski was named the district Coach of the Year.

After his stint in North Ridgeville, Uszynski returned to his roots as an assistant coach with Admiral King and Southview, before taking over the Lorain High Steelmen in 1985. Uszynski would remain with Lorain until 1989.

The Lorain Sports Hall of Fame enshrinement banquet is May 19 at German’s Villa, 3330 Liberty Ave., Vermilion. For ticket information, contact Ron Feldkamp (440-244-3449) or Tom Bauer (440-213-8719, tbauer0403@gmail.com).