Category: Sports

FOOTBALL. The first organized football game in Cleveland was reportedly played in 1887, 18 years after the first college football game was played in the United States, between Rutgers and Princeton.

The FOREST CITY BASEBALL CLUB, or the Forest Citys, was the name of several early amateur and professional baseball teams in Cleveland. The first was an amateur team sponsored by the Forest City Baseball Club, organized in 1865. In 1868 the club had 150 members and enjoyed a good reputation locally until 24 June, when the Forest City team suffered a humiliating 85-11 defeat at the hands of the Athletics of Philadelphia.

The GLENVILLE RACE TRACK, part of an 87-acre development that attracted the city's wealthy sportsmen in the summer, was located on St. Clair between E. 88th and E. 101st streets where it was considered a first-class racecourse. Once the site of horse, auto, bicycle, and foot races, the Glenville track was built in 1870 by the Cleveland Driving Park Co.

GLOVER, FREDERICK AUSTIN “FRED” (5 January 1928-16 August 2001) was a forward and coach for the AHL CLEVELAND BARONS.

GOLF, played on a large open tract of land, originated in Scotland in the 15th century. The object of the game is to hit a small, hard ball in a specified direction with clubs, and ultimately to sink the ball into a hole, utilizing the fewest possible number of strokes. SAMUEL MATHER is credited with introducing the game to Cleveland. Mather was invited to play the prestigious St.

The GORDON BENNETT INTERNATIONAL BALLOON RACES held in Cleveland on 1 Sept. 1930, were brought to the city through the efforts of Clifford Gildersleeve, Ohio governor of the National Aeronautic Assn. In 1906 James Gordon Bennett, publisher and sportsman, had spurred competitive balloon flying by offering a trophy and money to the winner of a long-distance competition.

GRAHAM, OTTO EVERETT, JR. (6 December 1921-17 December 2003) was the first starting quarterback for the CLEVELAND BROWNS.

The GRAND PRIX OF CLEVELAND, a 500-km IndyCar auto race, has been held annually at BURKE LAKEFRONT AIRPORT since 1982, and was originally known as the Budweiser-Cleveland 500. The race became the Cleveland Grand Prix in 1984, and was changed again to the Budweiser-Cleveland 500 in 1985.

The GREAT LAKES BOWL was a short-lived college football bowl game played at CLEVELAND MUNICIPAL STADIUM in 1947 and 1948.

The GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS HALL OF FAME was organized in Aug. 1976 to recognize the contributions Greater Cleveland men and women have made to this area through their sports achievements. The Hall of Fame originated as a project of the Greater Cleveland Bicentennial Sports Committee at the suggestion of Sam Levine.

Please see QUICKEN LOANS ARENA.

GEORGE GUND III (7 May 1937 - 15 January 2013) was the former owner of the CLEVELAND CAVALIERS, the

The HAROLD T. CLARK TENNIS COURTS, located on South Marginal Rd. opposite BURKE LAKEFRONT AIRPORT, were named in honor of Cleveland philanthropist and lawyer HAROLD TERRY CLARK, an avid promoter of American participation in Davis Cup competition.

HOCKEY (ICE). Hockey has remained a sport of marginal popularity in Cleveland, despite periods of great success by the city's professional teams. Collegiate, high school, and amateur hockey teams also have been organized in the greater Cleveland area. Ice hockey originated in Canada in the mid-1800s as a variation of the game of shinny.

HOLY NAME HIGH SCHOOL opened in September 1914 as part of the Holy Name Church at 8328 Broadway Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio. Holy Name was one of the first coeducational, private, Catholic schools in Cleveland. 

HORSE RACING has a long but controversial history in Greater Cleveland, beginning with the first settlers of the WESTERN RESERVE. Although betting on the outcome of a horse race was integral to the local sport, its association with illegal gambling and crime gave it a dubious reputation in the area. Nevertheless, horseracing continued to thrive.

THE I PROMISE SCHOOL (IPS) is a public school in Akron Ohio, dedicated to serving the needs of underprivileged children in grades 1 through 8. It is operated by the Akron public school district and is supported by funds from the Lebron James Family Foundation.

The INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT GROUP (IMG), credited with being pioneers in the development of modern sports agentry, began in 1960 when Cleveland lawyer and amateur golfer Mark H. McCormack represented professional golfer Arnold Palmer as his agent in business and promotional affairs.

JACOBS FIELD  See PROGRESSIVE FIELD