Brooklyn Hall of Fame
The Brooklyn Hall of Fame Committee is made up of a group of former Brooklyn High School Alumni.
Nominations will be accepted from January 1, 2026 - March 1, 2026
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Nominations will only be accepted through this form.
Presenting the Brooklyn City Schools Hall of Fame Class of 2025
Brooklyn City Schools is proud to announce the Hall of Fame Class of 2025 which features distinguished alumni and athletic teams from the district’s proud history. The Hall of Fame Class of 2025 includes Shaelyn Bauchens (Class of 2015), Jeremy Brown (Class of 1996), Mark Butler, Jr. (Class of 1988), Sean Francis (Class of 1991), Michael Keough (Class of 2003), and The Hon. Manal Boukzam Saab (Class of 1983).
Several athletic teams will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame for their accomplishments, including the 1989-90 Hockey Team and the 1995 Track Team. Brooklyn will also recognize Andy Celcherts with the Ron Szudy School Community Engagement Award for his contributions and service on behalf of the district, City of Brooklyn, and Northeast Ohio. On behalf of the Brooklyn City Schools, congratulations to Andy Celcherts and the Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on their remarkable achievements! Go Hurricanes!
Shaelyn Bauchens
Class of 2015
Athletic Accomplishments
Shaelyn Bauchens made an immediate impact when she joined BHS as a sophomore, quickly establishing herself as a powerhouse athlete and a natural leader. From the moment she stepped on the court, her dedication, talent, and determination set her apart—not just from her teammates, but from the entire conference.
Appointed team captain in her very first year and retaining that leadership role for all three seasons, Shaelyn's presence elevated the program’s culture and performance. Her consistent excellence earned her First Team All-Conference honors in the PAC for all three years of her high school career, and she was named BHS MVP each of those seasons.
Shaelyn left an influential mark on BHS volleyball, setting career records in three major categories with 579 kills, 772 digs, and 152 serving aces. Her standout play caught national attention early on, culminating in a verbal offer from Cornell University during her sophomore year—a testament to her skill, composure, and academic discipline.
Shaelyn went on to compete at the NCAA Division I level, representing Cornell University for four years and continuing to demonstrate her drive both on the court and in the classroom. Throughout her college career, she met the rigorous academic standards of the Ivy League, a reflection of the discipline and balance required of top student-athletes. Shaelyn lives in Cincinnati, Ohio and works at Procter & Gamble as a Data Analyst.
Jeremy Brown
Class of 1996
Athletic Accomplishments
Jeremy Brown's athletic journey began at Brooklyn High School, where he distinguished himself as a three-sport letterman in football, basketball, and track & field. A natural leader and gifted athlete, Jeremy quickly rose to prominence across all disciplines, particularly excelling on the football field and the track.
As a varsity player, Jeremy earned All-Conference honors for his outstanding performance as safety both his junior and senior years. He led the Brooklyn High School Football team by serving as captain his senior year. Simultaneously, he etched his name in the school’s record books in track & field, graduating in 1996 as the school record holder in both the High Jump and 300-meter Hurdles.
Jeremy was the leading point scorer on back-to-back conference-winning track teams in 1995 and 1996, securing first-place finishes in the high jump (1995, 1996) and the 200-meter dash (1996) at the conference meet. His dominance earned him the title of “Most Valuable” for field events during his sophomore year and “Outstanding Player” in both 1995 and 1996. The Plain Dealer also recognized his elite performances, naming him “Player of the Week” in both 1995 and 1996.
Jeremy’s athletic excellence continued at Baldwin-Wallace College, where he competed in both track & field and football. As a varsity football team member in 1996 and 1997, he balanced intense dual-sport demands while continuing to thrive. In track & field, he became a National Qualifier for the decathlon in 1999 and 2000 and earned All-American honors in 2000. Jeremy also earned All-Conference recognition in multiple events, including the javelin throw, 400-meter hurdles, and 4x400-meter relay.
In his senior year, Jeremy was named “Most Valuable Male Athlete” for Baldwin-Wallace Track & Field, capping off a remarkable career. Jeremy lives in North Olmsted, Ohio and is employed as an Account Executive in the financial service industry. Jeremy enjoys spending time with his two children, Bailee(16) and Pierce(12).
Mark Butler, Jr.
Class of 1988
Athletic Accomplishments
Mark Butler, Jr. was a two-year varsity letterman for Coach Jerry Younger and a starting defensive back his junior year earning First Team All-Conference honors during his junior and senior years. A two-sport star in football and basketball, Mark garnered statewide recognition in both sports, establishing himself as one of Brooklyn’s most celebrated athletes.
His senior season in 1987 was extraordinary with the following honors:
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In basketball, Mark’s court presence was equally commanding. He earned Second Team All-Conference honors as a junior and rose to First Team All-Conference as a senior. That year, he also received First Team All-District (Northeast Ohio) and All-Ohio Honorable Mention recognition. As the team’s assist leader and second-leading scorer, he helped guide the Hurricanes to Conference and Sectional Championships.
Mark continued his football career at Ohio Northern University, becoming a four-year player and three-year starter. In his senior year, he earned All-Ohio Athletic Conference Honorable Mention, capping off an outstanding collegiate career.
After college, Mark returned home to serve. Since 1997, he has been a firefighter with the Cleveland Fire Department, dedicating his life to protecting others. He also found athletic success in this chapter, contributing to seven state championship teams while competing in the Ohio State Firefighters Softball Tournament—the only seven titles in Cleveland Fire Department history—and is one of only three people to have played on all seven. Mark was also on the USA Softball championship teams in 1989 and 1993.
Mark and his wife, Kim, have been married for over 30 years, raising four children in Cleveland. Since 2002, he has been giving back to the community as a coach of boys and girls basketball and football at Brooklyn and St. Thomas More and also serving as Athletic Director at St. Thomas More.
Sean Francis
Class of 1991
Athletic Accomplishments
Sean Francis was a three-sport athlete at Brooklyn High School from 1987 to 1991, earning nine varsity letters across football, hockey, and baseball. He earned three letters in football, four in hockey, and two in baseball.
As a senior, Sean was the starting quarterback of the football team and received Second Team All MAC-8 honors. On the baseball diamond, he played second base during his sophomore and junior years, choosing to forego his senior season to pursue junior hockey opportunities in Canada.
Sean’s greatest impact came on the ice as a key member of the Brooklyn High School hockey team. His sophomore year, the team made history by winning the first-ever Baron Cup Championship in school history. As a junior, with just nine players on the roster, the team defied the odds to win the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey Blue Division title. Sean served as team captain his junior and senior years, earning First Team All-Division honors both seasons and being named to the Greater Cleveland All-Scholastic Hockey Team. In his senior year, he was honored as the All-Sun News MVP and was selected First Team All-Scholastic by area coaches as one of the top players in Greater Cleveland. Sean finished his high school hockey career with 331 total points, a total that stood among the top in the OHSAA record books for nearly 20 years.
Following graduation, Sean played Junior "A" hockey in Quebec City, Canada, and later competed at the ACHA Division I level for Ohio University. After his playing career, he dedicated 15 years to coaching high school hockey, leading programs at Brooklyn, Holy Name, and St. Edward.
Beyond athletics, Sean has served as a Bedford Police Officer for 29 years, including the past 11 years as a School Resource Officer at Bedford High School. He has also been a member of the SWAT team, bike unit, and served as a Field Training Officer and In-Service Instructor for his department. Sean lives with his wife of 27 years, Jennifer, and they have four children: Patrick, Nolan, Meghan, and Molly.
Michael Keough
Class of 2003
Athletic Accomplishments
Michael Keough is a respected athlete, coach, and leader whose career has been one of dedication, discipline, and service to his community. A standout student-athlete from an early age, Michael excelled in athletics and in the classroom at Brooklyn High School. Michael was a two-time Academic All-Ohio recipient and graduated top 10% from Brooklyn High School in 2003.
As a wrestler and team captain, Michael was a two-time District and State qualifier, competing at 160 pounds in both 2002 and 2003. Michael was Second Place All MAC-8 Conference in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. His performances on the mat were not only dominant in competition but also historic—he still holds multiple school records today including:
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In addition to wrestling, Michael was a four-year varsity football player at Brooklyn High School, showcasing his versatility and commitment to his teams as he played both offense and defense. Michael was named team captain his senior year.
At John Carroll University, he continued his athletic journey, competing in wrestling and playing football while excelling academically. As a JCU wrestler, Michael was presented with the most valuable freshman award for the 2003-2004 season. He was a starter at 157 pounds on a team that won the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) in 2003-2004. He went on to win another OAC championship in 2004-2005 as a starter at 165 pounds.
Today, Michael serves as the head wrestling coach at Brooklyn High School, where he inspires a new generation of athletes with the same dedication and passion he brought to the mat. Michael currently lives in Lakewood and has been a logistics manager at Dayton Freight since he graduated from John Carroll University. Michael enjoys spending time with his children, Ethan (15) and Olivia (14) who are both musically and athletically involved at Highland High School.
The Hon. Manal Boukzam Saab
Class of 1983
Career Accomplishments
Manal is active in industry leadership as well as philanthropy on the local, national, and international levels. She was appointed by Michigan’s Governor as the first Chair of the Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs [CMEAA] for the State of Michigan. Manal is a Trustee of the American Task Force on Lebanon [ATFL], a trustee and past Vice Chair of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint Board of Trustees, past Chair of the National Advisory Board for the Arab American National Museum, and the American Druze Foundation Board of Trustees. Under her chairmanship they endowed a fellowship in Druze and Arab Minorities at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. She is an active Emeritus Trustee of the Board of Governors of ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a founding member of the national professional advisory board of the Center for Arab American Philanthropy, past Trustee and co-founder of TAKREEM USA, and René Moawad Foundation, USA (RMF USA). As co-founder of the Lebanon Relief Project, she was responsible for shipping $50 Million worth of medicines and medical supplies to Lebanon in the aftermath of the August 2020 Beirut Port Explosion.
The Lebanese American University (LAU) awarded Manal “The Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters” at its Centennial Graduation in 2024. She is also the recipient of the Lebanese Order of Merit from the President of the Lebanese Republic. She and her husband, Ghassan, are the first Flint-area philanthropists to receive the 2010 Russell G. Mawby Award for Philanthropy, the Rotary International Crystal Award, the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award by ACCESS, the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award by TAKREEM USA, the American Task Force on Lebanon 2023 Issam M. Fares International Leadership Award, and the U.S. Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Manal and Ghassan have 3 children, Rashal (married to Michael Zureikat), Amir Baz and Sana Saab and one grandchild, George Zureikat.
1989-1990 Hockey Team
In the 1989-1990 season, the Brooklyn High School hockey team etched its name into school history with resilience, heart, and an unbreakable team spirit. With only nine players—five forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie—this small but mighty squad defied the odds in a sport that typically requires a roster of 20. Against stronger and deeper teams, they stepped onto the ice each game knowing there would be no rest, no backups, and no excuses.
Led by legendary BHS coach Stan Budzick, this group of determined young men refused to quit. They battled through a grueling season with toughness and unity, inspiring the school and their community with every shift they played. Their story was defined by character, and their commitment to one another ensured that the Brooklyn hockey program didn’t fade into history. Had this team not taken the ice that year, the future of Brooklyn hockey might have been in jeopardy for years to come.
Their unforgettable season came to a close with a hard-fought 4–2 loss in the district tournament to University School, a team that would go on to reach the Final Four. But their legacy goes far beyond that final score.
Team Roster: Bill Bauchens ’90, Mike DeFranco ’90, Scott Owsiak ’90, Sean Francis ’91, Brian Thompson ’91, Jim Vozar ’91, Dan Victor ’91, Shane Thompson ’93, and Kenny Morgan ’93.
Head Coach: Stan Budzick
Assistant Coach: Leonard Obremski
1995 Track Team
The 1995 Brooklyn High School Track Team delivered a historic and unforgettable season, emerging as a dominant force across conference, district, and invitational meets. This team learned and developed an enthusiasm for the sport thanks to middle school coach, Debbie Thamann. At the high school level, under the leadership of Head Coach and Hall of Fame member Jim Verba, the team not only demonstrated exceptional talent and determination, but also set a new standard for excellence in the program's history.
Throughout the season, Brooklyn High captured numerous accolades, including a hard-fought championship win in the competitive MAC-8 Conference. The team’s depth and performance were further highlighted by an impressive 20 athletes earning First Team All-Conference honors. Star athlete Nate French was recognized as the MAC-8 Conference Most Valuable Player, a testament to his pivotal role on the team and standout performances.
Brooklyn continued its winning ways by claiming the title of District Champions and qualifying an impressive 15 athletes for regional competition. The team also emerged victorious at both the Avon Relays and the Independence Invitational, showcasing their versatility and dominance in a variety of events.
Individual brilliance shone throughout the season. Jeremy Brown and Mikee Newton were both named Plain Dealer Runners of the Week, honoring their consistent excellence and contributions to the team’s success. Nicole Ramos achieved the most significant milestone of the year by qualifying for the State Championships, representing Brooklyn at the highest level of Ohio high school track and field competition.
The 1995 team etched its name in the school’s record books as well, setting two new school records — one in the 300-meter hurdles and another in the 400-meter relay.
With a powerful combination of teamwork, talent, and coaching, the 1995 Brooklyn High School Track Team carved out a championship season to be remembered for years to come.
Team Roster: Dan Albany, Tim Briggs, Jeremy Brown, Lorelei Broze, Jeremy Burnside, Matt Chase, Muris Dzino, Scott Farrell, Ken Fawcett, Bob Flanagan, Brian French, Nate French, David Gary, Sean Gesing, Mike Griffith, Greg Gryzbowski, Dave Hinz, Dave Khouri, Jason Kinney, Joe Kleppel, Colleen Myers, Mikee Newton, Billy Orlosky, Dave Parma, Jamie Poporad, Nicole Ramos, Sarah Shafer, Mark Stopa, Manny Tsambounieris, Dave Wallace, Mike Wallace, Steve Wallace
Head Coach: Jim Verba
Assistant Coaches: Kasey Crawford, Joan Ebert, Dennis Kollai, Jim Foerster
