“WE DOCUMENT THE HISTORY SINCE 1904 OF THE CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT ATHLETICS TO CONNECT THE PAST TO THE PRESENT FOR THE FUTURE.” - Nicole Antoinette, Founder

The Sports Legends of Cleveland is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to document the history since 1904 of the CMSD Senate League sports programs, including its teams, athletes, coaches, athletic directors, and athletic commissioners, connecting the PAST to the PRESENT for the FUTURE.

Committee Members

Al Drews, West High, ‘59

Alicia Moore, East Tech, ‘74

Anthony Longino Thomas, John Adams, ‘85

Cheryl Dzuro, Rhodes, Athletic Director

Dennis Harris, Kennedy

Don Price, Glenville, ‘67

 Dr. Wanda Shoulders, John Hay, ‘79

Joe Gilbert, Marshall, AD

John Lunter, Lincoln/Lincoln-West, ‘69

John Ramicone, South, ‘62

Ken Tischler, Marshall

Lawrence Boston, Kennedy

Leroy Carter, East Tech/Central

Michael Bailey, West Tech, Coach

Nicole Antoinette Smith, Rhodes, ‘88

Robert Canady Sr., East High

Robert Zellers, CMSD Athletics

Steve Koronchalk, Rhodes

Tangetta Cox, John Adams, ‘91

Tim Isaac, East Tech

Timothy L. Hudak, History Book Author

Tyrone Owens, Rhodes, Coach 

Wayne Moss, Collinwood

Willie Brown, John Adams

The vision of the Sports Legends of Cleveland is threefold: (1) To recognize and honor the past and current student/athletes who have excelled in CMSD, collegiate, professional, and international levels of athletic competition; (2) To recognize CMSD administrators, teachers and coaches for their contributions and leadership to the athletic program; (3) To revitalize the middle school and high school sports programs within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and transform student-athletes into legendary student-athletes who can excel at the local, collegiate, professional, and international levels.

Establish and maintain a “Recognition Program” to honor outstanding student/athletes, administrators, teachers, and coaches for their participation in and continued support of the CMSD athletic program to create a sustainable sports model that can be implemented throughout the middle and high schools within the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.

Desiree Powell formally became the Commissioner of Interscholastic Athletics & Student Activities for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District in July 2017. Powell is responsible for empowering scholar-athletes and participants through the development of character, ethics, intellect, and leadership. She will also work with stakeholders to promote students' personal development, value system, and integrity through practice, training, and competition.

From 2006 through 2017; Powell served as a K-8 Physical Education teacher, Curriculum Manager of Health & Physical Education, and an assistant high school principal for CMSD. Her career path started with the City of Cleveland/Division of Recreation as an Administrator for Camp Cleveland and Gunning Recreation Center. After leaving the City of Cleveland she became the Community Services Director and Female Athletic Director for Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District.

Powell has experience serving as a former junior college and high school volleyball coach. Since graduating from Kent State University, Powell has dedicated her career to providing programs and experiences for youth and athletes. Her lens is three dimensional; recreational, academic via physical education and health, and the last via athletics and student activities. Her goal is to bring all three in alignment for the comprehensive advancement of youth.

Currently, Powell serves as the President of the Ohio Association of Administrators of State & Federal Education Programs (OAASFEP), a member of the National Association of Professional Women, and lastly a board member of the Cleveland Positive Coaching Alliance. You can find her on the golf course for relaxation. She resides in the City of Cleveland.