SHELBY — Rob Mahaney thought this past Friday night couldn’t have gone any better.
I’d have to agree with Shelby’s head football coach. As a Shelby alum myself, it was special to covering the undefeated Whippets last week when Friday night meant so much more than football.
Hundreds of district graduates attended the Whippets’ Week Seven game against River Valley as part of Shelby’s alumni weekend.
Prior to kickoff, the Shelby High School administration and family of the late Chuck Ridenour stood at midfield as the press box was dedicated to the longtime Shelby Daily Globe sports editor.
Shelby Superintendent Michael Browning presented Ridenour’s family with a plaque as those gathered at midfield — all dressed in red and gray — stared up at the new signage reading “Chuck Ridenour Press Box.”
It was a moving moment, reinforcing the impact Ridenour had not only on Whippet football, but Shelby sports programs across the board.
‘A Shelby sports legacy’
Ridenour was elevated in April 1981 to sports editor of the Shelby Daily Globe. He worked at the newspaper for more than four decades until his death Dec. 23, 2022.
Over the course of his career, the veteran sports writer claimed several awards and honors; United Press International Award, 2010 OHSAA Media Service Award – Northwest District, 2017 Shelby Athletics Charles “CW” Williams 6th Man Award, 2020 OHSAA State Award for Sportsmanship, Ethics, & Integrity, Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame Inductee and Shelby HS Hall-of-Distinction Inductee.
He was also the team photographer for Shelby athletics and the Shelby YMCA. A Shelby athletics All-Ohio photographer and historian, Ridenour was also the director of North Central Ohio Soap Box Derby.
As a former Shelby athlete, I remember picture days for football and track and field.
Ridenour perfectly captured each team and athlete — while displaying the high amount of patience that’s required when working with groups of sweaty teens under a baking sun.
He also endured other extremes to share the stories of Shelby athletes.
The blistering cold conditions of late-season high school football games. The pouring rains and strong winds of March and April track meets.
Ridenour’s level of dedication was a testament to his passion for Whippet athletics and his community.
Last Friday ‘couldn’t have gone any better’
The Whippets (7-0, 4-0) pieced together a 55-21 victory over River Valley last week to remain unbeaten. It’s a game I’m sure Ridenour would’ve loved to cover.
Speaking with Mahaney after the game, the Shelby coach said he was thankful his team was on the field to watch the pregame ceremony.
“With that and it being alumni weekend with alumni in our locker room, we talked a lot about what it means to play Shelby football,” he said. “It is the 2024 team’s turn to carry the torch of Shelby football.”
Although Ridenour is no longer on the sidelines or the press box, the memories remain of his positive influence and support of Shelby athletics.
“To see his entire family out here and see the sign go up and to top it all off with the way our kids played tonight, it couldn’t have gone any better,” Mahaney said.
Junior standout Brayden DeVito honored Ridenour with his play on the field Friday, piling up nearly 400 yards of total offense and seven TDs.
After the game, DeVito said it was great to dedicate the press box to the late sports writer.
“He (Ridenour) was such a great guy,” the quarterback said. “My entire childhood, he did all of our pictures. He always had a joke and always made us laugh.
“I am proud of the way we honored him,” DeVito said.
‘Maestro of the 4-color pen’
Four colored stripes stretch the corners of the new press box signage at the Whippet Athletic Complex.
The red, green, black and blue lines are a nod to the four-colored pen Ridenour could always be seen with at sporting events — a stat-keeping strategy unique to Chuck.
Shortly after he passed, I remember Ridenour’s daughter, Brooke Alt, handing me a pen — four-colored, of course — at a Shelby football game.
“In memory of Chuck Ridenour. Maestro of the 4-color pen,” was labeled on the side.
It’s a pen I keep attached to my camera bag at each athletic contest I cover.
Since joining Richland Source in June 2023, I’ve had the pleasure of covering several games with Alt, who took over photography duties for her father.
While only a small part in local coverage of Shelby athletics, I hope the work I’ve done and continue to do would make Ridenour proud.
We never shared a press box or a sideline as two journalists, but Ridenour’s presence is still very much felt in any arena or stadium where the Whippets are competing.