Heidelberg Athletics Hall of Fame
Stuart R. Shoaff grew up playing the game of football and many other sports in North Royalton, near Cleveland.
Shoaff lettered all three years In his sport of choice - football - earning all-conference honors in both his junior and senior seasons. Shoaff earned another seven varsity letters, three in basketball, three in track and one In baseball. He culminated a brilliant high school athletic career in his senior season when he scored four touchdowns in one game.
Shoaff was recruited to Heidelberg by former Coach Joe Malmisur. presently the director of athletics at Youngstown State University. Malmisur considered Stu to be "one of the finest all-around football players that I ever coached in my career. He was called upon to play many positions, at times sacrificing his personal talents for the good of team play. More importantly. I considered him more than just a former athlete. He is a friend with whom I have kept in contact."
Shoaff was a three-year letterman and starter in football, earning all-OAC honors his senior year and also earning team MVP honors. He played fullback, defensive end and linebacker.
He also lettered two years in track as a freshman and a sophomore, but gave it up to concentrate on football. This turned out to be a good move on his part. since he was signed as a free agent linebacker with the Cleveland Browns in 1968, playing the next year with the Buffalo Bills.
Off the field at Heidelberg, Shoaff was an active member of the Excelsior Society, serving as the vice president his senior year. He also was a member of the campus H-Association, the Spanish Club and the Young Republicans.
In 1970, Shoaff entered into FBI training at Quantico. Va. He was assigned to duty in Memphis and Chicago and is presently assigned to the Cleveland office. His responsibilities include positions as Senior SWAT Team Leader, Expert Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Physical Fitness Coordinator and Primary Relief Supervisor of the Narcotics Squad, just to name a few.
Shoaff has received letters of commendation from former FBI directors J. Edgar Hoover and William Webster and has appeared on the national television show "America's Most Wanted."
Stu has served as a Deacon and an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He is active in the North Olmsted booster and soccer organizations. He is married to Linda Raish, a 1970 Heidelberg graduate. and they have three children. Kurt (17). Krista (15) and Kati (11).
In 1979, Stu was inducted into the North Royalton High School Hall of Fame for outstanding achievement in athletics. With this induction. he joins his father. George R. Shoaff. who previously was inducted and become the only father/son Hall of Fame combination.
(This profile appeared in the 1990 Hall of Fame Banquet program.)
