Bryant, Charles “Boom Boom”

 

Charles “Boom Boom” Bryant – (1994)

 

After three years as an assistant in football and basketball, as well as head golf coach at Massillon High School, Chuck Bryant emerged as defensive coordinator for the 1969 Lorain High School football team. Responsible for the rebirth of the high school golf program in Lorain, he served as the school’s head golf coach in 1971 and 1972 and produced the only undefeated golf team in LHS history.

In 1972, it was on to Lorain Southview High School where Bryant served as head football coach until 1978, then as head golf coach in 1981 and 1982. Chuck returned to Lorain High in 1983 where he served as the Steelers’ offensive coordinator in football in the 1983-84 seasons.

Temporarily leaving the school system’s athletic programs, Bryant resurfaced as assistant football coach with the Southview Saints in 1989 through 1991 when he was appointed faculty manager of athletics, a position he still fills.

In addition to his many years in the coaching ranks, Chuck has enjoyed 24 years officiating high school basketball, including working 10 state and 18 regional basketball tournaments. A past president of the Northern Ohio Officials Association, he is one of two men ever to play, coach and officiate in Ohio state basketball tournaments.

In 1992, Bryant became the first, and thus far the only, official to be voted into the Lorain County Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

During 10 years of officiating collegiate basketball games, Chuck has counted eight Ohio Athletic Conference tournament games, including a conference championship contest. He racked up 12 North Coast Conference tournaments, including three championship games and two Region 22 NAIA tournament games, one of them a championship game.

Even with his full schedule of teaching, coaching and officiating, Chuck found time to participate in basketball and as a catcher-pitcher and first baseman in slow-pitch softball. It was in 1970 softball action in Lorain that former LHS cage great Tom McConihe, after watching Bryant propel several monstrous home runs, pinned the label “Boom Boom” on Chuck.The moniker stuck over the years during which he played for more than a dozen local and area teams and at least another half-dozen traveling teams that went on to championship years.

“Boom Boom” played in 11 national softball tournaments, including two Softball World Series, and four Ohio Valley Softball Classics. It was in the Lexington Blue Grass Classic that he lifted one over the scoreboard that eventually landed 400 feet from home plate.

Earlier in his traveling fast pitch career, Chuck blasted one pitch high over the wall at the Ohio State Penitentiary. Only three men have ever accomplished that feat—the other two being prison inmates!

Although Bryant’s accomplishments before residing in Lorain did not qualify him for enshrinement in the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame, we offer this review:

•Zanesville High School: three-year starter in football, All Ohio first team by AP, UPI and INS; three-year starter in basketball, including All League and second team All State Tournament.

•Ohio State University: three-year starter in football, including offensive captain as senior, Buckeyes’ leading pass receiver three years, played in Blue-Grey Game, Senior Bowl, All America Bowl and member of College All-Stars versus NFL champion Green Bay Packers in which he was MVP runner-up.

•Professional football: drafted in third round as tight end by St. Louis Cardinals with whom he played one season (1962) when recurring ankle and knee injuries shortened his pro career.

One final note, Chuck’s father, Clay Bryant, was a former baseball coach with the Cleveland Indians.