SHILOH — Ryan Teglovic left a lasting impact on his students, athletes and community.
Beginning his coaching career at South Central, Teglovic’s alma mater, he became the head football coach in 2008 at Colonel Crawford.
Leading an Eagles program hungry for winning, he accumulated two Northern 10 Athletic Conference titles, several playoff appearances — including the program’s first — and 93 wins. Teglovic was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January 2021. He passed away in May 2022, a day shy of his 50th birthday.
Two years ago, the F.I.G.H.T. scholarship was created in loving memory of Teglovic.
While battling cancer, his family and friends clung to the acronym the scholarship is named after — which signifies “Faith in God Heals Teg.”
Ty Stevenson, who coached with Teglovic at Colonel Crawford, said at least four scholarships have been awarded the past two years to students from Colonel Crawford and South Central.
Stevenson, who’s now the head coach at Western Reserve, was one of Teglovic’s students. The pair also coached together for 15 years.
“I’ve known him since I was in elementary school,” Stevenson said. “I remember watching him play and then he was my teacher and coach in high school.”
Since Teglovic’s passing, Stevenson has helped organize several events to help raise funds for the F.I.G.H.T scholarship program.
An upcoming comedy night is set for Saturday at the Buckeye Community Center in Shiloh, located at 79 Noble Road E. Doors will open at 4:45 p.m. and dinner begins at 5:30 p.m.
The show is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. and will feature comedians Rob Durham and Zach Wycuff. Attendees are welcome to bring additional drinks. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased here.
Teglovic impacted many
When Teglovic was diagnosed, Stevenson said he wanted to know what he could do to help.
“One thing he mentioned is he’d like to do a comedy show,” Stevenson said. “I was hoping to do that before he passed, but it didn’t happen in time so we’re doing it now.”
Past fundraising events have included golf outings, a 5K run and a flag football game at Colonel Crawford — all of which received immense support.
“It shows the type of impact he had on people, not only on kids, but the community and the adults in the area and the staff,” Stevenson said. “I wanted to try and do a 5K and a comedy show so other people he’s impacted have an opportunity to give back.”
In addition to the show, Saturday’s event will also include between 20 to 25 raffle baskets.
Dinner will be catered by Center Street Meat Company out of Bucyrus.
Scholarships are awarded to students interested in entering the teaching field and have also been given to football players. Both things — football and education — were close to Teglovic, Stevenson said.
Durham’s dad coached Teglovic
Teglovic also had an impact on comedian Rob Durham’s life.
A Clear Fork High School alum, Durham now resides in St. Louis, Missouri and has taught high school English for 14 years. He’s performed comedy for 25 years.
His father, Pat Durham, coached Teglovic back in the early 1990s.
“Of all the players my dad has coached, I believe he (Teglovic) was his favorite of all-time,” Durham said.
The comic’s material keeps mostly to the cleaner side, but still includes adult topics, he said. Some subjects he talks about are married life and the life of an educator.
Durham has had a chance to work with several big names throughout his career, including Joe Rogan, Larry the Cable Guy and Bob Saget.