The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Roger Goudy dies at age 69
Former superintendent went on to serve as president and CEO of the national Amateur Athletic Union organization
Roger Goudy, who once served as Madison Schools superintendent and then headed a national organization focused on amateur sports, has died.
Goudy, 69, passed away on Nov. 28 at Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights, according to his obituary.
A resident of Madison Township, Goudy held the position of Madison School District superintendent from January 2009 through June 2015.
He left the district about eight months after being elected as president and chief executive officer of the Amateur Athletic Union. Goudy was succeeded as Madison Schools superintendent by Angela Smith, who still leads the district.
Smith, who served in several different administrative positions in Madison Schools before rising to superintendent, said Goudy was a friend and mentor to her.
“He was a larger-than-life personality who was grateful for all he accomplished in his life,” Smith said on Dec. 2. “He lived life to the fullest and was the embodiment of the motto ‘family first.’ “
Goudy advocated for Madison students and took them “under his wing” to ensure they would graduate, Smith added.
While Goudy achieved a great deal during his time as superintendent, his “shining accomplishment” was the construction of South Elementary and Madison Middle schools, Smith noted.
“Those buildings represent his commitment to our community and his passion for education,” Smith said.
Michelle Hayes, Madison School Board’s current vice president, also has fond memories of Goudy.
Hayes began serving on the panel in January 2010, and got the opportunity to work with Goudy through most of his stretch in the district.
“I am honored and humbled to know him,” Hayes said on Dec. 2. “He was one of the kindest, most generous and passionate men I have known.”
Besides his experience as Madison Schools superintendent, Goudy’s public service background included stints on Solon City Council and Solon School Board.
Goudy was appointed as Madison Schools superintendent after working for about nine years as business manager in in the South Euclid Lyndhurst School District.
In October 2014, Goudy attained another career milestone when he was elected as president and chief executive officer of the Amateur Athletic Union. The AAU is an organization dedicated to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.
Prior to that 2014 election, Goudy had volunteered with AAU for more than 35 years. For many of those years, he also served as the organi
zation’s secretary and national volleyball chairman. He won a second consecutive four-year term as AAU president and CEO in 2018.
On Dec. 2, the AAU posted a news release on its website announcing Goudy’s death and highlighting his affiliation of more than 40 years with the organization.
The Behm Family Funeral Home at 26 River St. in Madison Village is in charge of arrangements for Goudy’s funeral. A private service will be streamed live on the funeral home’s Facebook page at 2 p.m. Dec. 5.
A party to celebrate Goudy’s life will be announced in the summer of 2021, his obituary stated.
“I am honored and humbled to know him. He was one of the kindest, most generous and passionate men I have known.” — Michelle Hayes, Madison Schools current vice president