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Columbia Local Schools News Article

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees 2025

The Columbia Athletic Hall of Fame was created to recognize the athletes, coaches, community members and officials who made outstanding contributions to the athletic programs of Columbia Local Schools. These individuals have also distinguished themselves as successful adults. The 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees were recognized on January 24th. 


Jason Ward (Columbia Head Football Coach 2006-2023) Jason led the Raiders football program as the varsity head coach for 18 years. During that time, the Raiders regular season record was 127-51, with an overall record of 135-62. The 135 wins is the most wins by a Raider football coach. During Jason’s coaching tenure, the Raiders won eight conference championships and qualified for the State playoffs 12 times. Jason was named Conference Coach of the Year and Lorain County Coach of the Year nine times, Northeast Lakes District Coach of the Year four times, and Ohio Division VI Coach of the year in 2022. He was also selected to coach in the Ohio North/South All Star game twice. Under Jason’s tutelage, many Raider football players earned high accomplishments, including 25 Conference MVPs, 17 Lorain County MVPs, and 7 District Players of the Year. Two players won the prestigious Lorain County Golden Helmet Award. Many of his student-athletes were named All Ohioians- 13 were selected 1st Team, 18- 2nd Team, 23-3rd Team, and 16 Honorable Mention. Two players were selected as the All Ohio State Player of the Year. 


Jason started his career after graduation from Ohio University in 1996 with a degree in Sports Industry. He taught English for 20 years and obtained his Masters in Administration degree from Ashland University. He is currently the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Columbia High School. Jason is married to Lisa, has two daughters Marisa and Lydia, and resides in Grafton.


2013 Softball Team - The Raider softball team had a stellar season in 2013 which culminated at the OHSAA State Tournament held at Firestone Stadium in Akron.


The Raiders played 27 games and won the Patriot Athletic Conference with an unblemished record of 16-0. They ended the regular season with 23 wins and 4 losses. The tournament trail started with a first round bye, then they defeated Wellington 4-1 to win the Sectional Championship. The Raiders were District Champions with wins over Brooklyn 2-1 and Independence 2-1. Columbia earned a spot in the State Tournament by defeating Loudonville 5-3 and Leavittsburg LaBrae 3-2. The State Semifinal game was played on June 7th. The Raiders defeated Columbus Bishop Ready 3-1 to advance to the State title game. The next day, in a hard fought close game, the Raiders lost to Bloom-Carroll 3-2. This Raider softball team is the only team in Columbia School history to appear in a State Championship game. They had an overall record of 29-5 and were listed #4 in the final OHSFSCA poll.


The members of the Division III state-runner up Raider softball team are: Head coach Ken Lugo, Assistant coaches Heff Hummel, Lauren Case and Emily Nagle. Players: Sara Aniol, Kristen Bouscher, Crystal Fetchet, Shelby Friedel, Samantha Goode, Shawn Hodson, Nicolle Jenny, Nicolette Kunath, Christine Lyzen, Kaley Marshall, Kailey Minarchick, Taylor Napoli, Jordan Paine, Blaze Pratt, Becky Rose, Amanda Sedlock, Emma Sullivan and Emily Viccarone. 

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