James E. Gorsline

JIM GORSLINE

Family

Married to Margaret Ruth (Marge) for 64 years — college sweethearts

Two (2) Daughters - Susie Johnson (Pat) and Cathie Petrus (Matt)

Seven (7) grandchildren — Brad Johnson (30), Steve Johnson (28), Jaret Johnson (24), Matthew Johnson (23), Jacob Petrus (22), Lucas Petrus (19), Sydnie Petrus (14)

Berea, Ohio resident 64 years

High School

Graduated from John Marshall High School in 1954  Graduated in the top 5% of his class

Earned 8 letters in Football, Basketball and Baseball

Received the Most Valuable Player award in Football and Basketball  Captained the Basketball and Baseball teams

Was named to the All-Greater Cleveland Area Team in both Basketball and Baseball  

Was named to the All-Ohio Team in Basketball

Was recruited by several Colleges and Universities in all three sports  

Received the JMH Donald McGray award for outstanding student/athlete 1954

 Member and President of the National Honor Society

Member and President of the French National Honor Society

Kent State University

Three-year starter in both Basketball and Baseball at Kent State University  Was captain of the Basketball team in 1957 and the Baseball team in 1958

Was an All-Mid-American selection in both Basketball & Baseball in 1957 and 1958

In Baseball:

Was a four-year letterman

In his three years as a starter, he batted in the prestigious 3 spot in the batting order

In 1957 led the team in doubles, triples and RBI’s

In 1957 was named to the All-Mid-American team as an outfielder

In Basketball:

Received the Outstanding Sophomore Award in 1956

Received the Leading Free Throw shooting award in 1956, 1957 & 1958  In 1956 was ranked in the top 10 in the nation in field goal shooting %

Had a career scoring average of 15 points per game  

Had a career free throw shooting percentage of 78%

Upon graduation was the 3rd leading scorer in KSU history and today still ranks in the top 10 scorers in KSU history

Holds the KSU record for most free throw attempts (22) in a single game

Holds the KSU record for most free throws made (17) in a single game

In both 1957 and 1958 was named in Dell College Sports Publications as one of the top 50 college basketball players in the Midwest

Pursued in professional basketball by the NBA Hawks and Royals and the Semi-pro Akron Goodyear Wingfoots

Graduated from KSU in 1958 with a BS degree and in 1962 with a Masters degree (major Mathematics)

Athletic Participation Other Than High School & College

Summer Sandlot Baseball:

Youngest player to ever play in Lakewood Class A Baseball (age 16) — this baseball league included many college players and Ex Minor League players

Won the league batting championship twice — 1st time at age 17

Basketball:

For 7 years played amateur and AAU basketball

On 3 occasions won the MVP awards in the Lake Erie AAU and Ohio AAU championships

Post College

Taught Advanced Mathematics at Berea High School for 29 years

Mathematics Department Chairman for 8 years

Actively involved in the beginning of computer education in the Berea Schools  Authored a computer education textbook that was used in the Berea Schools

Assistant Football coach for 4 years

Head Golf Coach at Berea High School for 8 years

Won 4 Conference Golf Championships

Won 3 District Golf Championships

3 times participated in the State Golf championships in Columbus

Head Basketball Coach at Berea High School for 18 years

Over 200 victories

1 Conference Championship

8 2nd & 3rd place finishes

3 Sectional Championships

1 District Championship

Ranked in the top 15 in the state in 1969

Greater Cleveland Coach of the Year Award in 1965

The United Methodist Church of Berea Active member for over 55 years

Member of Trustees Committee of the church

 Chairman of the Finance Committee

Member of The Church Council

Church Treasurer

Volunteer for SCAN (Southwest Food Pantry)

Occasional Volunteer for the Cleveland Sight Center

Authored 2 customized accounting software packages for the Delta Gamma National Fraternity

Other Awards

Member of the John Marshall High School Hall of Fame (April 20, 2007)

Member of the Berea High School Athletic Hall of Fame (for basketball & golf coaching accomplishments)

Member of the Kent State University Athletic Hall of Fame (2006)

Recipient of the Greater Cleveland Basketball Coaches Association Golden Deeds Award (for significant contributions to the game of basketball in the Greater Cleveland area)

Member of the Berea —Midpark High School Distinguished Staff Hall of Fame

Funeral Service, Friday, October 28 at 11:00 am at United Methodist Church of Berea, 170 Seminary Street, Berea, Ohio, 44017. Friends may call Thursday, October 27 from 3:00-7:00 pm at United Methodist of Berea. IN LIEU OF FLOWERS donations may be made to the church.

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