Mario Gerhardt, the Chagrin Falls High School Boys’ Soccer Coach, has decided to leave his position after 47 years. While with the district, his career record was 521-261-111. He was the soccer coach with the most wins in OHSAA history and coached 33 All Ohio players, 11 Regional All Americans and one All American athlete.
Gerhardt started the program in 1970 and has been the head coach ever since. The team was the state runner up in 2003 and made the regional championships five times.
“We appreciate all the years Mario has given to the Chagrin Falls’ Soccer Program,” said Athletic Director Charlie Barch, Chagrin Falls Schools. “During his career, he was the Ohio Coach of the Year three times, Greater Cleveland Coach of the Year six times and Conference Coach 10 times. The lessons he taught our student-athletes both on and off the field will always be remembered. We appreciate all the time and hard work he put into creating and growing the program.”
Other impressive stats include:
- 11 district championships, 27 sectional championships, 18 conference championships
- NSCAA Regional Coach/Finalist for National Coach of the Year (2004)
- OHSAA Sportsmanship Ethics, and Integrity Awards Winner (1997-98)
- OSSCA Pinsenschaum Sportsmanship and Ethics Award (2010)
- Chagrin Falls Athletic Hall of Fame (2015)
- OHSSCA Hall of Fame (1993)
“Mario has had a remarkable career journey at Chagrin,” said Superintendent Robert Hunt, Chagrin Falls Schools. “His program was a model of consistency and his quiet demeanor on the touchline was a testament to his success.”
After Gerhardt’s 500th career win, he said this in a Cleveland.com interview, “In high school, you are supposed to win games and we mold these athletes into a team that wins games.” He also always told his student-athletes, “Play to win, but not at the cost of sportsmanship and fair play. Know that soccer is a beautiful game.”
