Loveland, Ohio – It was a wonderful week in the sports world for the Loveland Tigers as the Loveland High School sports programs grabbed several huge victories as well as some prestigious individual awards! If you missed any of the exciting competitions last week don’t worry Loveland Magazine has you covered in this week’s Loveland Sports 411 With Cassie Mattia!
The Loveland Tiger Girls Soccer Team collected both a win at Fairfield and a loss at Lakota West last week. Tuesday the Tigers lost 2 to 1 to Lakota West and Thursday won 4 to 0 against Fairfield. Last week, the girls’ soccer team was given the honor of having multiple players selected to the 2019 All Enquirer Cincinnati, NKY preseason girls soccer team. Selected to the Ohio Division 1 First Team was Kaitlyn Andrews and Maria Bashardoust while Claire Massey was selected to the Second Team and Abby Pawliskowski was Honorable Mention. Head Coach, Todd Kelly has seen a lot of success over the past 22 years he’s coached the Tigers, collecting over 250 wins, and a D-1 state title in 2017. The Loveland Girls Soccer Team also landed the number 2 spot in the first Southwest Ohio High School Soccer Coaches Association poll of the 2019 season, which was released on Friday, Aug. 23. The Girls Soccer team will be back in action at Anderson on Tuesday, August 27th at 7 PM. Below is one of the tweets sent out at the Fairfield game last Thursday!
The Boys Soccer Team is also making quite a name for themselves as they were ranked number 9 in the 2019 Southwest Ohio High School Soccer Coaches Association poll! The Tigers played Lakota East Tuesday where they battled hard until the very end but unfortunately, lost 2 to 1. The Boys Soccer Team bounced back on Thursday scoring a win against Fairfield 4 to 1. Loveland’s Emmett Webb is the number 6th offensive player in the ECC while Dylan Schwinn is ranked number 2 on the defensive side in the ECC. The Boys play again Tuesday, August 27th at home against La Salle at 7 PM.
Emmett Webb is this week’s @RPDiamondprint Athlete of the Week! Emmett had a great week for the Boys Soccer team! Scoring 2 Goals and 1 assist last week. https://t.co/MwQePEtl36
The Girls Volleyball Team had quite the week last week placing two big wins under their belt! The Tigers beat McNicholas on Tuesday winning all 3 games, 25-19, 25-16, 25-19, then beat Sycamore on Thursday at home, 25-10, 25-22, and 25-11. The Tigers are now 3-0 and are really getting recognized citywide for their performance. Maya Jepson holds the 11th spot in the ECC for attacks and 4th spot for serves while Abbie Miller holds the 4th position in the ECC for assists and Clara Planner holds the 3rd spot and Diana Clark the 5th spot for Digs. Clark and Planner are also in the top 6 in ECC for Passing. Jillian Hayes, who Loveland Magazine recently featured in our 1-on-1 interview series, had an excellent week last week not only landing herself the number one spot in the ECC for blocks but also awarded ECC Athlete of the Week.
The Girls will tee off at Eagles Nest today at 4 PM against Milford.
The Boys Golf Team battled hard against Anderson on Wednesday, winning 154 to 157. Thursday the Tigers were matched up against Kings and added another win onto their record, 161 to 162. The Boys Golf Team is now 2-0 in the ECC!
The Loveland Girls and Boys Cross Country teams took Moeller by storm in the Moeller Prime Time Invitational on Friday. The Varsity girls ran a great race placing 2nd out of 18 teams! The Girls Cross Country team went 11-15-21-24-25-26-42 for a total of 96 points. Junior Ansley Richards, who currently has the 2nd best 5k time in the ECC, finished first for the Tigers with a time of 20:04. Next to cross the finish line was junior Ellie Carr (20:28), sophomore Sarah Madix (20:48), and sophomore Bella Dillhoff (20:46). Freshman Aly Colegate finished next for Loveland with a time of 20:58 and sophomore Audrey O’Keefe rounded off the top 7 with a time of 20:59.
The Boys Varsity Cross Country Team had an incredible race at the Moeller Prime Time Invitational placing 6th out of 16 teams with several of the Tigers running their best 5k times! The boys’ team went 8-27-32-49-50-61-75 for a total of 166 points. Tigers sophomore Ryan Chevalier had the top time for the Tigers running a 16:47! Crossing the finish line next was senior Kyle Griffin (17:29), sophomore Sam Neiger (17:36), and senior Alex Ditchen (18:03). Junior Ajay Stutz (18:04) and senior Sam Dippold (18:19) were among the top 7 Tiger finishers. Pictured below, sophomore Ryan Chevalier placed 8th out of 220 racers. Chevalier currently has the number 1 5k time in the ECC.
Shout out to the Loveland girls for finishing runner-up at Moeller's PrimeTime Cross Country Invitational! Varsity girls' results here https://t.co/tcSexDBRAj
On the boys' side, Turpin finished third and Loveland sixth! Varsity boys' results here https://t.co/cIxZ9T1tob
The Loveland Girls Tennis Team remains undefeated collecting a total of 4 wins last week! Monday the girls played the Sycamore B Team at Sycamore and won 3 to 2 and Wednesday they traveled to Wilmington beating them 4 to 1. Thursday the Tigers played at Kings and won 5 to 0 then rounded off the week at Hamilton winning 5 to 0. The Girls Tennis team remains number 1 in the ECC and several of the girls are ranked at the top in the ECC with their individual statistics! Anna Svitkovich is ranked number 1 in the ECC for First Singles while Tess Broermann and Alex Hytree are ranked number 2 and 3 in the ECC for Second Singles. Sarah McKenzie and Grace Haught are also ranked in the ECC grabbing the number 1 and 2 spots for Third Singles. The Tigers intend to keep their winning streak alive as they face Milford on Tuesday at 4 PM.
This completes the August 19th through 25th Loveland Sports 411! Please feel free to drop us an email (cassiemattia@lovelandmagazine.com), a message on FB or on Twitter if you have Loveland sports results, photos or videos you want to share with us! Don’t forget to root on your Loveland Tigers Football Team Friday at Sycamore at 7 PM! Stay tuned for next week’s edition of Loveland Sports 411 With Cassie Mattia!
Coach Cruse believes his new captains, Liam Hamill, Austin Haas, Tyler Shelley, Nate Holman, and Gabe Ogdan will be exactly what the Tigers need to lead them to a successful season.
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – As a former student-athlete, I can tell you there is no better feeling than being selected to lead your team to success. Loveland High School’s new head football coach, Andy Cruse, selected the 2019-2020 team captains for the varsity squad Friday morning. Coach Cruse believes his new captains will be exactly what the Tigers need to lead them to a successful season.
“We are so incredibly excited to have these five student-athletes represent and lead our football team as captains this year. We had a lengthy process to become a captain and all five of these young men were exceptional. This is an important group of captains as we lay the foundation for the culture of this football program,” Cruse said.
After an in-depth interview process and an intense vote by the Loveland Football players, LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV was able to catch the announcement of the 2019-2020 Loveland High school Varsity Football captains. Senior running back Liam Hamill, Senior offensive linemen Tyler Shelley, Senior linebacker Austin Haas, Senior defensive linemen Nate Holman, and Junior defensive end and offensive linebacker Gabe Ogdan were all given the captain title for the Loveland Tigers!
So what exactly goes into becoming a team captain or even getting a shot at the title? Whether your playing for your elementary school or playing in the professional leagues the captain or captains always have one quality that tends to be innate, and that quality is the ability to lead. I decided to invite Loveland’s newest captains to be a part of Loveland Magazine’s One on One series so that you the readers could really get a feel for how hard these guys work to not only lead their team but also lead in the classroom and the Loveland community.
I want to congratulate you guys on such a big accomplishment and really an all-out milestone for your football careers! Being selected as a captain is such a huge honor. How do you feel now that you have been given the captain title? Did you expect it or was it a total shock?
Liam Hamill –
Thank you that means a lot. I am very excited to help the coaches create a new culture, and turn this program back around. Growing up watching the games and being a little kid was very cool, it’s weird that I’m the one playing under the lights now for my last season. Being selected as a captain means a lot to me and I hope I can be a great example to the underclassmen and future Loveland football players. Coming into senior year I put many hours of my days working out with the team and by myself so it wasn’t a total shock to me being voted captain.
Tyler Shelley –
Well, first of all, thank you, it truly is an honor to answer these questions, to start it off it is such an honor to get the privilege to be a captain of the Loveland football team, getting new coach’s at the beginning of this season made everyone have to prove themselves all over again, so to see that I’ve been noticed by the coach’s is a true honor! To get the title of captain of the team I was expecting because I have put in the hard work and I have the dedication to the team to make a great leader, but at the same time, I was shocked because it’s an extreme privilege and not everyone gets that privilege!
Austin Haas –
I’m extremely excited and honored to be named one of the captains, I definitely did not expect to be selected. It was a total shock and it took a little bit for it to really sink in.
Nate Holman –
Being voted Captain is definitely a huge honor and I am extremely grateful to be selected. It shows that my brothers on the field trust me to lead them throughout the week and especially on Friday nights. Whether it’s on the field, in school, or out in the community; I have always tried my best to lead by example and make my reflection as a football player a positive one. Taking the field for Friday Night High School Football is something that is indescribable, you have to experience it to understand. Being chosen by my peers to lead them on the field was a completely unexpected and very humbling experience.
Gabe Ogdan –
Right now I feel extremely thankful that I was voted upon by both my peers and coaches… what an honor! I will say that this did come as a shock especially only being a junior, but welcome nonetheless!
Tell me a little about the process of being selected to be a team captain for Loveland? I heard that there was a bit of an interview process. What was that like? There was a team vote as well?
Liam Hamill –
The first thing you had to do was fill out a captain’s application with a couple of questions. Then we had an interview with the coaches and some players on the leadership council. Lastly, the coaches and players all had the chance to select four players each vote counted as 1. We had a team meeting and everyone spread out across the room and voted anonymously. The coaches Tallied up the votes and shared the results.
Tyler Shelley –
Well, the process was lengthy, but we got through it! The coaches have selected a few players from each class of players to be on what’s called the “Leadership council” I was selected along with senior Nate Holman to sit through every single captain application interview, during this captain application interview players who would be asked questions by not only the council but by coach cruse and coach holland who were also present during the application process, then yes there was a team vote, we sat down in the auditorium and coach cruse presented the names in front of us, coach cruse made it very clear to every player that it wasn’t a popularity contest, it wasn’t a vote for your best friend, it was a player that would represent your team in a great manor!
Austin Haas –
The first thing we had to do was fill out an application to be considered. From there we were brought into an interview with coaches and select players. They asked us questions about leadership and how we would lead the team, and what we could do to bring this team above and beyond.
Nate Holman –
The process was incredibly thorough and extremely rigorous. It was more than we had ever done in the past. Coach Cruse established a Leadership Council made up of the Coaching Staff and 2-3 players from the Junior and Senior classes. 14 potential Captains met with the Leadership Council to answer questions about why they felt they should be Captain. All 14 guys had great submissions and reasons why they could be chosen for Captain. After that, we had a team meeting to review what a Captain should be, and the whole team selected 5 Captains out of the 14 deserving candidates.
Gabe Ogdan –
The interview process was surprisingly nerve-wracking. I usually am fairly confident, especially around friends and people that I’ve been around since middle school or longer, but the interview process was a necessary step and I’m extremely happy that it panned out the way that it did. I honestly didn’t know what to expect coming from the team vote, but I’m flattered to be named not only as a captain but sub-sequentially as a leader as well.
Assuming all of you have leadership backgrounds, tell me what other leadership positions you have held or are currently holding. What do you think holding these leadership positions will do for your future? What have you learned from the positions?
Liam Hamill –
I personally believe I have always played a huge role on the football team, being very vocal and excelling on the field. I want to try and play college football with that being said, I think being selected as captain will look very good in the eyes of college coaches. Growing up into the young man I am today, I have learned so much about life from football. The game truly is very emotional and not an easy sport whatsoever, that’s why not everyone does it. Facing adversity, being coached, pushing myself to extreme limits, are things that are going to help me later on in life.
Tyler Shelley –
Well, my first responsibility was when I was being put on the leadership council, which is not only an honor but a privilege as well as being a captain! I believe these will help me in my future by giving me strong leadership qualities, helping me be a strong vocal leader, helping me be a better student, son, and father down the road! By these responsibilities having to be earned I have learned that you have to work your hardest to achieve the greatest, you must go through the “process” to achieve your end goal and that is “greatness!”
Austin Haas –
This is my first official leadership position, but I believe that following behind and watching other great leaders has given me the tools to truly help lead this team.
Nate Holman –
I have led my youth group at church, and 5th graders at Camp Kern as a Counselor. Whether the groups I led were younger, or my peers, I have learned to be patient, positive, and promote others through encouragement. I believe these experiences will help shape my future by exposing me to opportunities for what I would like to do after college.
Gabe Ogdan –
Starting varsity as a freshman exposed me early on to the level of maturity and expectations held by my teammates, and set me up for success in leadership areas around my teammates and peers. One highlight of my school year was being invited to the first annual ECC leadership summit held at Kings High School, this taught me many valuable lessons about leadership and how to help prepare others to respond to adversity.
Let’s talk football! The season is right around the corner, what are you most excited for? Any particular teams you look forward to competing against? What would you say are Loveland’s biggest strengths this year? If you were to predict this season’s results, where would you say Loveland will fall in the league or post-season play?
Liam Hamill –
I’ve never been more excited, and sad for something at the same time. Playing football under the lights at Loveland is something special, the support from the community is amazing and it really is an honor to play Loveland football. The team has put so much work in this offseason and I’m ready to see what we can do. I’m also sad that it’s my last year because high school flies by and I didn’t really acknowledge it until now. I still can’t believe that I’m a senior and I preach to the underclassmen that they should cherish every moment they get. I look forward to playing every team this year because it’s a blessing to play the game and never know when it’s your last game or play. Are biggest strength is our offense. I have a mentality that I would never go into something thinking I’m gonna lose so I think the Loveland tigers will win the league this year!
Tyler Shelley –
The season is around the corner makes the energy so much stronger, but what I’m personally excited for is for week one, playing against sycamore in their stadium, ready for revenge, and striving for greatness! Loveland is a completely different team from the past few years, the energy these coaches have brought to this program is insane! So our biggest strength in my eyes would be the energy! I would say at the end of this season it will be a winning season and going to playoffs, obviously everyone’s goal to win state but for now, it’s week one!
Austin Haas –
I am most excited to be able to go out there and play for Loveland every Friday and give this community and team everything I have. I have some ties in sycamore, so I am always looking forward to that game, but every time I get to play is a blessing. Our biggest strength is the fact that we are an underdog, and we are hungry and looking to make a statement.
Nate Holman –
I am very proud of how much mentally and physically stronger we have become as an entire team. The culture is completely different. There is something about the energy that is just infectious! I know countless people have said this before, but this year is going to be different. We are not where we want to be, but every day we are working our tails off to get closer to it! I live and breath this sport, and the way we have turned things around for this season is going to be amazing! I can’t wait to play Sycamore for the Season opener because it’s my 18th birthday and I couldn’t have asked for a bigger party or a better game to play with all my friends. I just can’t wait for this community to come out and see how hard we have worked to make this program a success. I have no doubt in my mind that we will win this year and make a run for the ECC Title!
Gabe Ogdan –
I am most excited about the development of the new culture this season. Recently we were shown a video that was focused on emphasizing the PROCESS over the PRODUCT. This team has already taken tremendous strides and I can’t wait to see what comes in the future. As for who I want to compete against, everyone. I eat up the competition!
I can definitely say I know exactly what you guys are growing through in regards to preparation for the season as my Dad has been a football coach for 20 plus years! Tell me about your practices and what kind of workouts you have been doing in order to get prepared for the first game. How long do you prepare for the season? Do any of you do things on your own in order to better your skillset? What are your favorite workouts/practices and what are your least favorite?
Liam Hamill –
We have been lifting since about two weeks after last season ended because my senior class was really focused on winning games this year. There were many different guys on the team including myself, that I know worked out and did things on there own. My favorite workouts are when we do a lot of in-game scenarios. My least favorite workouts would probably be lifting, and then working out on the field after.
Tyler Shelley –
Our workouts and practices I could throw in the same category and that are challenging! Every practice and lift is a fast pace, there is never a dull moment! To practice for our first game is basically running a bunch of plays and getting repetition, to understand the little things to focus on the big things! The preparation for this season began way back in January with offseason lifts and conditioning! I’ve done the small things by myself, being the center having to snap the ball, getting my dad our back and snapping to him to get reps, it’s the little things that help! Definitely being a lineman the number one thing I hate is the running part of practices… that sucks!
Austin Haas –
I love all of every practice, I only have so much time left, and I am happy as long as I get to play. We have really never stopped working and grinding for the next season. I watch many hours of film and study our playbook. My favorite practice is the team because we are competing all the time. I do not have a least favorite.
Nate Holman –
We have been working really hard as a team and it shows. We are all in the best mental and physical shape of our lives. The culture of high energy and high expectations is really setting in. That process started earlier this year when Coach Cruse set a tone of excellence and learning how to compete. Our practices have an entirely different feel to them. While we have workouts every day like we always have, what I love about this coaching staff is that we haven’t been just reviewing film and X’s and O’s; we’ve been learning HOW to watch film and more behind the WHY of the X’s and O’s. We have had motivation speakers every week, some have been in person, while others have been YouTube videos. Practices are high energy with a high tempo. There is no standing around, and before you know it, time is up and we have accomplished something great that day…one more step toward our goals. I do a lot on my own. I spend an extra 30 minutes before every practice working on my defensive footwork and moves to make a greater impact on my team. I spend several hours a week on film at school and at home with my dad, who has taught me about this game.
Gabe Ogdan –
Being injured I haven’t been able to participate this year, but I still feel as if I am right there with the team in everything that they do. That being said I am also taking this time off to gain weight, gain upper-body strength, and better my football IQ as a whole.
I would love to know more about you guys! How long have you been playing football? Was football a newfound passion for you growing up or were your parents or siblings heavily involved with football, therefore, you became passionate about the game? What were your family and friends’ reactions to your captain’s title?
Liam Hamill –
I have been playing football since the first grade. I’m the youngest in the family and both my brothers played football when I was little, my dad also played in college. I grew up on a street with all older kids which I got beat up on all the time, which made me a very physical kid. The first time I played and actual football I game I fell in love with the game. There truly isn’t anything like it, you can physically hurt people and not get in trouble for it. Not saying that’s a good thing, but there are lots of kids who have built up anger in them who can result in football. My family and friends were very proud of me and look forward to what the team does this year.
Tyler Shelley –
I have been playing football since first grade so this will be my 12th year of playing! Football was definitely a passion growing up always watching pros and college athletes, and wanting to be them one day! My family is a big football family, my dad played, my brother played and my mom loves watching it, everyone gets involved one way or another! My family and friend’s reactions were as expected and that was supportive, they were all happy for me!
Austin Haas –
I have always loved football, most of my family are baseball people, but I have always loved football. My mother was extremely happy for me, my dad as well
Nate Holman –
My friends and family were extremely proud of me earning the title of Captain. They know me the best and know how hard I have worked throughout my life. I grew up playing football in “Friday Night Lights” in West Texas. I started in Kindergarten playing flag football and progressed through the Pop Warner program after that. We moved to Loveland in the middle of my 5th-grade year and that’s when I started playing for Loveland in the youth program in 6th grade. My dad has taught me a lot about football, and how it translates into everyday life. My dad and I share a bond through football that has made me love the sport even more.
Gabe Ogdan –
I have been playing football since 5th grade, but I have been a football fan since I was born. The thing I heard most after being chosen as a captain was “proud”, and that makes me feel so proud of myself and thankful for the wonderful community around me.
Alright, now it’s time to brag about yourselves! Tell me about some of your accolades! What honors or awards have you been given in your football careers? Do you have any favorite football moments or memories you would like to share? Are you planning on playing football at the collegiate level, if so, where?
Liam Hamill –
I was first-team all-conference, and Southwest all-district last year as a junior. I have so many memories from football, but if I had to pick one it would have to be when I returned a 95-yard kick return last year against walnut hills. I plan on playing football at the next level, but I’m not sure where I am going to play yet.
Tyler Shelley –
Well to start off freshman year I got brought up to varsity and got JV reps, then sophomore year got varsity reps as well as my junior year, during my junior year I also got named second-team all ECC! Those were some of my highlights, but last year was my best knowing that I could keep up with two, four-star recruits going division one! I am open to going to college but I haven’t truly made up my mind on where though!
Austin Haas –
I, unfortunately, do not have very many accolades. My favorite moment was last year at the walnut hills JV game, seeing us come together and feed off of each other to beat them was a great moment.
Nate Holman –
Some of the most memorable moments in my high school football career have been being elected the Freshman team captain, filling in as the fullback my sophomore year against Kings and being handed the ball 10 times in a row for an 85 yard quarter-long Touchdown Drive, my first varsity start last year as a junior, playing against my cousin who was the quarterback at West Clermont, and many others last year that went on to play football at very high levels in college. I am excited for a great season of football and the opportunity to play in college after high school.
Gabe Ogdan –
High Honors academics both freshman and sophomore years, heart and hustle award sophomore year football. My favorite football memory is simply every moment around my guys, these teammates are my brothers and we would do anything for each other. My dream is to play college football at the University of Wisconsin.
Loveland City Schools were just ranked among the top 10 schools in Cincinnati, which I think is pretty awesome considering there are so many great schools in this area. Tell me about your experience attending Loveland City Schools. What has made the experience so great? Do you think because you go to Loveland you will have advantages in college or even after college because of everything the school has offered you? What has it been like participating in sports at Loveland? Do you have any favorite coaches, teachers or classes you want to mention?
Liam Hamill –
Loveland has great teachers and coaches. My experience at Loveland has been awesome. Meeting new people and making friends along the way had made high school more enjoyable. I believe Loveland does the best the can do to help you exceed at the next level. The Loveland community is the best out there, they come to support every sport, and definitely now how to pack a stadium or gym. Coach Cranford because he helped become the young man I am today.
Tyler Shelley –
Loveland is a great school they have great programs and great teachers! The teachers have definitely made my school experience the greatest, all the teachers I’ve had have helped me in any way possible if I’d ask they would help! I believe going to Loveland will help me out of school because they help with skills out of school that you need to learn to go through life! The sports at Loveland are definitely an amazing thing, there is some type of feeling you get walking out on that field on a Friday night in front of your community and representing your community! I would hate to say a favorite because they all have made a major impact on my life, in my eyes, they all are my favorite!
Austin Haas –
The people around the town made Loveland great to be in, it gave me the skills to handle stress and look to the future. Loveland sports are very fun and give us a great team-building environment.
Nate Holman –
I have had some great teachers since I have gone to Loveland, but the 2 who stand out the most to me are Mrs. Viox and Mrs. Rose. What I think sets us apart from other schools is the impact the community has on the school and the school has on the community. Loveland is full of traditions and is just all-around fun to be a part of, and having the opportunity to represent Loveland on and off the field for the community is just something else.
Gabe Ogdan –
Everything good that Loveland has to offer can be accredited to the wonderful community we have here. I truly believe that there is no other community like the one in Loveland and I am forever grateful for the awesome people of this city. Shoutout to Dad, Coach Hart, and Coach McClain, you guys are all like family to me and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
Now for the fun questions! This is just a random selection of questions that I like to throw out there so our readers can learn a little bit more about you and your interests! Here we go…
What’s your favorite food?
What’s your favorite hobby other than football?
Do you have a “football” role model?
What’s your favorite movie?
What’s your pre-game routine? Any superstitions?
Nike or UnderArmour?
If you could trade places with anyone who would it be?
Who is your favorite college football team? NFL team?
What do you plan on doing as a career after college?
How would you describe Coach Cruse using one word?
If you had to select the most effective leader on Loveland’s Football team who would it be and why?
Liam Hamill –
Steak. Hanging out with friends. DeAndre Hopkins. The Other Guys. Listen to 50 Cent and get in my zone. Nike. Nobody, I love myself! Bengals. I’m not sure yet. Passionate. Me, because I can make big plays in big-time situations.
Tyler Shelley –
My favorite food is definitely steak and a baked potato, nothing beats that! My favorite hobby is playing video games with friends, or hanging out with friends and having fun! My football role model is Barry Saunders, he’s just a dude! My favorite movie is benchwarmers! The pre-game routine is just getting dressed and hyping everyone up! I love Nike! My favorite college team is UC! After college, I would love to be a police officer and move on after that to a maximum goal of CIA or FBI! Describing coach cruse in one word would be “ hard-working” I know that’s two words but he’s a truly a great man, and he has achieved most of his goals and he is still pushing and I admire that! The most effective leader in my eyes would be Coach cruse because he knows how to bring the energy, and he’s a great man!
Austin Haas –
Steak, playing with my puppy, ray lewis, top gun, I pray before every game, Under Armour, Ray Lewis, Bengals, LSU, I am joining the air force after high school, energetic, Gabe Ogdan, he is a natural leader that is hungry to play and will bring everyone to there best.
Nate Holman –
Chinese. Fishing. My dad. Roadhouse. No superstitions, just music that gets my heart pumping, my blood flowing, and my headbanging! That’s a tough one! I like them both, but if I have to choose, Nike wins with a slight edge. Peter Pan, so I can never grow up, and play football for the rest of my life! Clemson Tigers and Cincinnati Bengals. Either some form of Business or Education. Energetic. This may be breaking the rules a bit but the coaching staff as a whole are the most effective leaders. They have come in and turned things around and I can not wait for Loveland to see it on full display on August 30th. GO TIGERS!
Gabe Ogdan –
Wings, lifting, Julian Edelman or JJ Watt, Varsity blues or the Program, Listen to music and get in the zone, Under Armour, JJ Watt, Wisconsin Badgers, and Cincinnati Bengals, Doctor of Physical Therapy, FEARLESS, Austin Haas, the most uplifting and positive kid I’ve ever met.
We are so excited to see what the Loveland Football team accomplishes this year and couldn’t be more impressed with the leadership Andy Cruse has instilled in his 5 new captains! The season is quickly approaching so we encourage all of the Loveland community to take a look at the Tiger’s football schedule below so you can plan when you will be sporting your Tiger stripes! If you would like to follow more in-depth on what exactly the Loveland football team is up to you can visit lovelandtigers.org or follow @Loveland_FB on twitter.
Watch this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video as Head Coach Andy Cruse introduces the captains, how and why they were chosen, and watch each captain talk to the team.
Jordan Guskey, of the Muncie Star Press, writes about former Loveland High School standout Drew Plitt and how he landed the starting quarterback role for Ball State this season.
Guskey, quotes Plitt, “That was always my goal, to be the guy, and that was how I practiced every day — go out there and play my best and do whatever I can to help the team.”
Dean Parker on the set of his upcoming short film, which has the working title The Bartender and the Drunk, coming this fall.
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – Have you ever sat down and thought about what it takes to make a great film? Have you ever wondered just how the lions in the Lion King remake look and sound so real? Did you ever look beyond the “scary” parts of a horror movie and look into why those scary parts are so effective? This is what makes a good move excellent and, well, Loveland local Dean Parker knows exactly what it takes to make an excellent movie!
Dean Parker attended Loveland City Schools where he began his journey into film making. Parker began making films at a very young age where eventually that developed passion took him to Ohio University’s Scripps College of Communication to study Integrated Media Production. Dean is also a former paid intern, writing and doing videography and video editing at Loveland Magazine. Several awards and opportunities later, Parker landed himself in L.A. interning for Lifeboat Productions! After following Parker’s amazing story, I decided to invite Dean to Loveland Magazine’s One-on-One series so that he could share with our readers just how he has accomplished everything thus far! Sit back in your chair, grab your popcorn and enjoy, One-on-One with Dean Parker.
Dean on the set of his short film “Virtually in Love”
Ijust want to say before we start, Wow you have quite an impressive resume in the film industry! Where did all this passion for film and the performing arts come from? Was it passed along from your family or was it a newfound talent?
Dean – Thank you for the kind words. I don’t really know exactly where my passion entirely came from, to be honest. It’s really a mix of a bunch of things. I’ve just always liked stories and being a part of creating stories. I used to read all the time growing up and would like to write short books for fun. My dad also had an old camera that I would use to film silly videos with me and my friends. I think it’s fascinating how books, theater, and films can leave an impression on someone through the stories they tell and how they tell them. So, I think that impression stories left on me, especially through film, made me want to become a part of that industry and create. Definitely a newfound talent, for sure.
You went to Loveland High school, GO TIGERS, what did you learn at LHS that has helped you through your career path? Did you partake in any special courses at Loveland for film, if so, what were they? Brag about yourself for a minute! Share with our Loveland Magazine readers some of your high school accolades!
Dean – At the time when I was at LHS, they didn’t have the really cool video production class they just added. The only course they had was the LHSNN class, which is the school news. I was the lead editor for the news, and I had to learn how to use new editing software and how to meet deadlines on a tight schedule. That was a fun class because I got to collaborate with the other anchors on coming up with different news specials and skits. Other than that, I had to teach myself everything else. Mr. Barrett, who runs LHSNN and the video classes, was also very supportive of me especially when it came to the different shorts I was making. I was also very fortunate to meet a really cool group of friends in high school that were also interested in becoming filmmakers. We all worked on various projects together and we taught each other different things that helped us grow. In fact, those students started the LHS film club, which I believe is still around? Hopefully, it is! Beyond that, LHS let me have the premiere of two of my films in the auditorium, which was extremely nice. They were very supportive of me and a lot of the students came to see the premieres, as well as our principal and superintendent. I was very grateful to everyone for coming out to see the films.
You later made your way to the Ohio University, why did you select OU? What degree are you going for? Share with us your experience at OU and how it has helped you become the amazing film artist you are today!
Dean – My degree at OU is called Integrated Media Production, which is basically a create your own major within the media school. I selected OU because of its great media program that includes some amazing opportunities. I’ve participated in an advanced narrative production class called 419 Productions. In that class, we got to make a major short film that takes us an entire year from prepping, to raising a budget, to actually filming and editing it. Then we have a premiere at the end of the year. I have participated in many other student film sets and have learned so much from each one, mainly due to the other students who teach me different things. I also work in my school’s video equipment room and have familiarized myself with most of what we have there. And then there’s amazing our LA program, which takes students out to LA for real-world experience. All these things have helped shaped me into the filmmaker and person that I am today. I have learned so much more about the film over the past three years than at any other time in my life.
Let’s really get to know Dean! Tell us about your family! Who inspires you? Would you say your family has helped you become what you are today? Anyone in the family into film making? What were some of your favorite films growing up? Have you drawn inspiration for your films through some of your favorite films of the past?
Dean – My dad runs his own company which makes home inspection software. My mom works as a territory manager at BGR. I have two sisters, one of whom currently goes to LHS. My other sister plays soccer at Miami University. I’m inspired by Chris Martin, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Damien Chazelle, and Bo Burnham just to name a few. My family has always been so incredibly supportive of me in my film endeavors. Some of them even came out to visit me in LA and I showed them around. They always watch my films and have helped me attend film festivals too, which I am very grateful for. I actually don’t have any family members that are into filmmaking, but my great-grandfather owned a drive-in movie theater so maybe that’s where I got my urge to be in the industry. Growing up, I loved Toy Story and Harry Potter movies. My favorite movies currently are The Social Network, Whiplash, Lord of the Rings, and American Beauty, just to name a few. I definitely have drawn inspiration from some of these films and into my work.
Ivisited your website deanparkerfilms.com and looked over all of your films and they are so interesting! Dean, tell us about the films that you have made and what has inspired each of them. I saw you made a film called No Love in Loveland, tell us about how Loveland inspired you to create this film. What is your favorite film you have made? What film took the longest to make? What film are you most proud of?
Dean – For No Love in Loveland, it was inspired by what I was feeling during my time at LHS, or more so during my freshman year. I thought it was interesting how the dating culture was in school and all the different ways of how quickly people got into and out of relationships. Not to mention all the crushes people had on each other and how they went about approaching that situation. Maybe it was because a lot of people knew each other at our school due to the size. It was a bizarre and funny time and I wanted to make a film that showcased that. So, I played on how our city was called Loveland to poke fun at the situation.
Regret is by far the most personal film I have made. I would like to tell you exactly how I was inspired to make that film but it’s still too personal for me to fully explain. All I’ll say is that it was inspired by a time in high school where I was struggling with the thought of something to come. Now, it was with this film that I met my good group of Loveland film friends. I needed crew members and they reached out to me and offered to help. I continued to work with those guys on my other two films after that. If it wasn’t for this film, I don’t know if I would’ve met them and I’m grateful that I did get to meet them.
Images I came up with shortly after the time I wrote Regret. I was inspired to make the film after meeting certain people and seeing how the way they presented themselves online and the image they were trying to show off was different than when I really got to know them. I’m proud of all the work we put into making that film. It was by far my most ambitious project at the time, especially due to the length and complexity of the shots. We all had a fun time working on it though, and the cast and crew got really close. I would also say it’s my most successful film so far, due to the number of festivals we were fortunate enough to be a part of.
Together was actually based on a short story a friend of mine wrote. When I read the story for the first time, I knew it could make for a good short film. I spent time talking to the writer of the story about what she intended and then putting that to film. It was exciting to interpret someone else’s story, write a screenplay for it and then bring it to life. I think that’s my favorite film I have put out so far. Currently, the film I’m editing right now is taking the longest to make (it’ll be worth it, I promise). But prior to that, it was Together. That film had some complications at the beginning of production that put filming on halt for almost two months. We scrambled to get that film shot in time before I had to go back to OU for the sophomore year. Then I had to edit it while I was at school and my roommate was using his free time to make the music. But it all worked out, thankfully.
Dean with some of his OU friends on the set of a student production.
You have collected some unbelievable awards over the past few years! What were some of your proudest awards? Tell the readers about how recipients are selected for these awards and what you had to do to be considered. You have been to a number of film festivals, which I’m sure was really exciting for you to be part of! What are some of your favorite film festivals you have attended? Have you been invited to any extremely exclusive film festivals?
Dean – Thank you again for the kind words. I’ve been very fortunate to be a part of some very neat festivals. One of my favorite festivals I was selected into was the Nashville Film Festival, which is a major festival. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to attend, but just being selected was very exciting. Being a finalist for some awards and also winning one at the All-American High School Film Festival was also great. I got to attend that festival and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I also enjoyed attending the Golden Lion Film Festival here in Cincinnati. I won the best short film award and best of fest award back in 2016, which was so crazy. That festival has greatly expanded since I was a part of it and it’s cool to see how they’ve grown. The thing is, with all the great accolades I’ve been fortunate to receive, there is actually much more losing than winning. I’ve been rejected from way more festivals than I have been accepted. This is a very common thing for all filmmakers submitting to festivals. But to me, I see it as another reason to get better with every project. Also, each festival is different and is looking for particular films to make up their lineup so that it also plays into how one gets accepted. I submit to all my film festivals through the website filmfreeway.com. If you are a filmmaker looking to submit to festivals, that website is currently the #1 festival submission platform.
Ok, you have been in L.A having the time of your life! You are interning for Lifeboat Productions? Tell us about your experience thus far in L.A. I saw that you got the opportunity to be at the Jimmy Kimmel show? What was that like? Talk about the new film you are producing Virtually in Love.
Dean – L.A has been quite the experience and I definitely see myself living there. Yes, I interned at Lifeboat Productions as a production office and development intern. Most of what I did there is read tons of screenplays and then provide coverage, which is basically a form of feedback. I also helped around the office by prepping the conference room, answering phone calls, greeting clients, and anything else they might’ve needed me to do. They also had me pitch a screenplay in development to the company executives, which was great practice for me.
LA is a much different world than Loveland. Way more people, buildings, and cars. In fact, there really isn’t anywhere to park. Traffic happens all the time, any hour, any day of the week. But it’s all part of the experience. And there’s always something to do. Lots of events and cool places to see. Through my school, I’ve gotten to do some studio tours like Warner Bros, and Sony Pictures. I’ve also gotten to go to Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland. And I’ve run into some celebrities as well. I once saw Ryan Gosling while I was out for dinner, which was crazy.
I’ve gotten to attend Jimmy Kimmel twice, actually. The most recent time I went, Quentin Tarantino was the guest and he was promoting his new movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. In fact, at one point, Leonardo DiCaprio came out and surprised the audience with an invite to come to the movie premiere. So, I went and got to see the movie a few days before it came out. If you go onto YouTube, you can find the video when this happened. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEEkXCCgz2o.
I got to write and direct one of the short films for our school program while we were out in LA. The film is a science-fiction drama called Virtually in Love, which is sort of like an episode of Black Mirror. The film takes place in the near future and is about a man who is struggling to make a romantic connection in a time where everybody is disconnected due to technology. We had an open casting call and got to work with some really cool LA actors. We had a lot of tight deadlines with making the film but managed to get it done well. It was a great learning experience and made me reflect on what I know about filmmaking and how I can get better. That film will also go through a festival run for a bit and will be released shortly after.
Now is your chance to promote yourself! Tell us about your future plans! Any films or big projects in the works? Any fun opportunities?
Chanse McDuffie and LeJon Woods from a scene in The Bartender and the Drunk directed by Dean Parker
Dean – I am currently still editing a short film I directed back in the spring that is set to come out sometime this fall. It’s currently titled The Bartender and the Drunk, but that is just a working title. We actually have a Facebook Page you can go check out if you want to follow updates on the film. I am really excited for this to be released. I had a stellar cast and crew, and this is the first short film I’ve directed where I didn’t write the screenplay. We also self-funded this film through GoFundMe and were fortunate enough to reach our goal of $2,500. Once the film is completed, I’ll be using the rest of the budget to send it off to various film festivals.
Besides that film, I’m going to keep helping out on projects when I get back to school, and my buddy and I are also looking to possibly make a short in the fall as well. After I graduate, I plan to eventually move out to LA with some friends to get started working in the “real world.”
Now let me ask you some fun, but random questions! What’s your favorite color? Who’s your favorite director? Any hidden talents? What’s your favorite food? Who do you emulate? What’s the last film you saw? Any recent films you have seen that you recommend? Lion King original or Lion King remake? What do you hope to be doing in 5 years?
Dean – My favorite color is blue. My favorite director is Damien Chazelle. I can sing, but anyone who knows me well knows that’s not a hidden talent. I can also make a really good grilled cheese apparently. My favorite food is a tough question. I like steak and calamari a lot. I’m kind of a picky eater but I’m getting better. I guess I emulate my dad. My sisters tell me that a lot. The last film I saw was The Farewell, which I recommend. I also recommend Booksmart, and Toy Story 4, which is my favorite film of the year so far. I’d definitely pick the original Lion King; the remake was not good at all. In five years, I hope to be working in LA on or at least starting to work on my own feature film, whether or not done independently.
To keep up with Dean Parker and his film career you can visit deanparkerfilms.com.
DEAN PARKER’S AWARDS
VISUAL ARTS SEMI-FINALIST: 2016 Cincinnati Overture Awards
TOGETHER
WINNER: Best College Student Film, 2018 Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival
WINNER: Best in Show – College Division, 2018 American Youth Film Festival
NOMINEE: Best Editing, 2018 Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival
NOMINEE: Best Musical Score, 2018 Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival
NOMINEE: Best College Film, 2018 Austin Student Film Festival
SEMI-FINALIST: Los Angeles CineFest – November 2017 Edition
IMAGES
WINNER: 60th CINE Golden Eagle Award for Narrative Youth Media
WINNER: Best Editing, 2016 All-American High School Film Festival
WINNER: Best High School Student Short Film, 2017 Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival
WINNER: Best Youth Film, 2017 Boise Film Festival
WINNER: Best Structure, 2017 Premiere Film Festival
WINNER: Best High School Film, 2017 UPIKE Film & Media Arts Festival
FINALIST: Best Overall Film, 2016 All-American High School Film Festival
FINALIST: Best Drama, 2016 All-American High School Film Festival
FINALIST: Best Cinematography (Sam Smith), 2016 All-American High School Film Festival
NOMINEE: Best Student Film-High School, 2017 Alhambra Theatre Film Festival
SEMI-FINALIST: Los Angeles CineFest – August 2016 Edition
HONORABLE MENTION: Best Dramatic Student Film, 2017 Lionshead Film Festival
2017 OFFICIAL SELECTION: Nashville Film Festival
2017 OFFICIAL SELECTION: Scout Film Festival
2017 OFFICIAL SELECTION: Benicia Film Festival
2017 OFFICIAL SELECTION: Lake Charles Film & Music Festival
REGRET
BEST OF SHOW: 2016 Golden Lion Awards
GOLDEN LION AWARD: Narrative Film, 2016 Golden Lion Awards
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (Sam Smith): 2016 Blue Ridge Young Filmmakers Festival
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (Sam Smith): 2017 Premiere Film Festival
2016 OFFICIAL SELECTION: All-American High School Film Festival
2016 OFFICIAL SELECTION: Royal Starr Film Festival
2017 OFFICIAL SELECTION: Ballston Spa Film Festival
2017 OFFICIAL SELECTION: Lake Charles Film & Media Festival
2016 OFFICIAL SELECTION: Drop Your Shorts – Fall Edition
2017 OFFICIAL SELECTION: Film Forum on the Lake
SPECIAL PRESENTATION: 2016 Hoosierdance International Film Festival
NO LOVE IN LOVELAND
SILVER KEY AWARD: 2016 Cincinnati Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
2015 OFFICIAL SELECTION: All-American High School Film Festival
2015 OFFICIAL SELECTION: Film Dayton Festival
2016 OFFICIAL SELECTION: Texas Independent Film Festival
2016 OFFICIAL SELECTION: Los Angeles CineFest – March 2016 Edition
2016 OFFICIAL SELECTION: Scout Film Festival
Dean’s Associated Products
Wake Up Mark (2018; Director – Michi Heckler)
Dean was the script supervisor for the Flat Pop Productions short thriller-comedy: Wake Up Mark. The film is currently in post-production and is expected to be released in 2019. The film is directed by Michi Heckler.
Dean was the script supervisor of the 419 Productions film: The Horseman. The film had its premiere on April 29th at Ohio University. The film was directed by Annabelle Fisher.
Dean was the editor/DIT for the short film Emma. It was created as a part of Ohio University’s film club: Rough Cut Collective. The film was directed by Samantha Houtchens.
This is a reprint of a story we published in late January
Cassie Mattia is a columnist for Loveland Magazine and a resident of Historic Downtown.
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – Have you even taken a minute and thought about what you or a loved one would do if an active shooter came into where you work, where you get your morning coffee or even where your child attends school? The question has been asked in many conversations that I have partaken in, which made me wonder; what exactly are the Loveland Police and Fire Department doing to help our community not only be safe, but feel prepared in an active shooter scenario. In the interview below Loveland Police Officer Jessie Moore (Loveland School Resource Officer) and Loveland-Symmes Fire Department’s Deputy-Chief Mike Books (EMS Chief of Operations) talk to Loveland Magazine about the active shooter training they will be teaching in schools, churches and local businesses!
Watch this LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV interview hear how your safety as well as your family’s safety is Loveland’s number one priority!
Active Shooter Event – An active shooter event involves one or more persons engaged in killing or attempting to kill multiple people in an area occupied by multiple unrelated individuals. (https://bit.ly/2RFpPV0)
EMS – Emergency Medical Services
The acronym for Emergency Medical Services. This term refers to the treatment and transport of people in crisis health situations that may be life threatening. … EMS are staffed by trained medical professionals, called EMTs, or emergency medical technicians.
ALICE – Active Shooter Civilian Response Training
ALERT is your first notification of danger
LOCKDOWN is to secure in place, and prepare to EVACUATE or COUNTER, if needed.
INFORM is communicate the violent intruder’s location and direction in real time.
COUNTER is to create Noise, Movement, Distance and Distraction with the intent of reducingthe shooter’s ability to shoot accurately. Counter is NOT fighting.
EVACUATE is to remove yourself from the danger zone when it is safe to do so.
Department of Homeland – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security works to improve the security of the United States. The Department’s work includes customs, border, and immigration enforcement, emergency response to natural and manmade disasters, antiterrorism work, and cybersecurity.
Ohio Homeland Security is established to “Improve statewide terrorism prevention and protection programs by maintaining appropriate policies, developing staffing plans, and providing for continuity of operations”. They, “Maintain a process for intelligence analysis and production that emphasizes the development and distribution of strategic and actionable intelligence. Strengthen the resiliency of Ohio’s critical infrastructure and key resources (CIKR) by collaborating with public and private partners to identify vulnerabilities, share information, and facilitate the development of protective programs”.
The Hamilton County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency (EMHSA) is authorized by Ohio Revised Code to coordinate and administer countywide all-hazards emergency management and disaster preparedness functions for Hamilton County and its political subdivisions.
Run – Hide – Fight
RUN. • Have an escape route and plan in mind. • Leave your belongings behind
HIDE. • Hide in an area out of the shooter’s view. • Block entry to your hiding place
FIGHT. • As a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger.
See Something, Say Something – “If You See Something, Say Something™” is a national campaign that raises public awareness of the indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, as well as the importance of reporting suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement.
To report suspicious activity please contact your local law enforcement. Describe specifically what you observed, including:
• Who or what you saw;
• When you saw it;
• Where it occurred; and
• Why it’s suspicious.
If there is an emergency, call 9–1–1.
Stop the Bleed Program – Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign and call-to-action. Stop the Bleed is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.
Stop the Bleed Kit – A Stop the Bleed Kit contains basic products for emergency responders or civilians to address a traumatic bleeding situation. Many kits for civilian use are available for on-line purchase.
Tourniquet – A device for stopping the flow of blood through a vein or artery, typically by compressing a limb with a cord or tight bandage.
Loveland PD – Loveland Police Department is located at the Loveland Safety Center, 126 S Lebanon Road Loveland, OH 45140 and can be reached at: 513-583-3000
Loveland-Symmes Fire Department – Headquartered at the Loveland Safety Center,126 S Lebanon Road Loveland, OH 45140. For non-emergencies they can be contacted at 513-583-3001. Located throughout the city and township there are four firehouses, which house personnel and equipment that respond to emergencies when needed.
Relaxed atmosphere and friendly service welcomes you back time and time again! Located in the heart of the Historic Loveland District Just outside Cincinnati.
Loveland, Ohio– With the beginning of a new school year quickly approaching, Loveland’s top athletes have been working hard all summer to perfect their craft! Over the past few years, Loveland High school has become a powerhouse when it comes to sports, producing both collegiate and professional athletes. Well, Loveland High school has done it again! Her name is Jillian Hayes, a 6’1 multi-faceted athlete that averaged 17.3 points and 8 rebounds per game last year. Hayes is not unfamiliar with the idea of competing at the collegiate level, as her mother, Kristi Hayes broke several records in high school and at her alma mater, Drake. Kristi averaged 52 points per game her senior year in high school and went on to become the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year at Drake scoring over 1,500 points during her collegiate career. Hayes’ father, Jonathan Hayes, played 12 years in the NFL and was a tight ends coach for the Cincinnati Bengals. He is the current head coach and general manager of the St. Louis XFL team. Her brother, Jaxson Hayes, was just picked 8th overall in the NBA Draft signing to the New Orleans Pelicans.
After several collegiate offers, Jillian recently committed to the University of Cincinnati to play Bearcat basketball. As her senior year approaches, there’s no doubt the sky is the limit for her upcoming basketball season with the Loveland Tigers!
I jumped at the opportunity to chat one on one with Jillian about her passion for basketball, her love for her family, and her dedication to both athletics and her education. Instead of doing a traditional interview I decided to put a spin on the interview process and do a question and answer forum so that you, the Loveland Magazine readers, could really get to know Jillian Hayes! So sit back, kick your feet up and check out Loveland Magazine’s interview with the basketball superstar herself, Jillian Hayes!
First off congratulations on your most recent accolades and achievements! Tell me what was it like growing up in the Hayes house? Have you always lived in Loveland?
Thank you! Growing up in my house we were always on the go, trying to get from one sporting event to the next. My brothers and I grew up playing games and sports with the other neighbor kids in the driveway and the yard. I was born in Norman, Oklahoma but have been raised in Loveland since I was about 2.
When did your passion for basketball begin? I know both of your parents and your brother are top-notch athletes themselves, is that where the passion came from for the game of basketball?
I grew up around basketball it was always a part of my life. Through competition – and the more I played, the more I fell in love with it.
You are going into a very important year at Loveland High school in regards to education and sports, what are you most excited about? What has your experience been like as a student-athlete at Loveland?
I’m so excited for one last go around with all of my friends, teammates, and coaches. Being a student-athlete at Loveland has been amazing. We have such a supportive community!
I have chatted with Coach Parker about some of the athletes he has had the pleasure of coaching and he seems to really have a passion for the game of basketball and his athletes. What does Coach Parker mean to you? How has he helped you as a student, athlete, and person?
Coach Parker is such an amazing coach! You can truly tell how passionate he is for the game and his players just by watching him in games. He brings so much energy! He makes it known from the very beginning that academics come first and are very understanding when it comes to needing to stay after school to make up a test or ask questions. Every day in practice and even outside of practice he continues to push us and is always there to open the gym when we need to use it. Coach Parker really has helped shape me into the person I am today by teaching me various life lessons on and off the court.
Let’s talk about basketball! What position do you play? What position do you prefer? What’s your favorite part about the game of basketball? Do you have a basketball role model?
I play anywhere from 1 to stretch 4 for Loveland. I’ll play whatever position my coach needs me to, but I mostly play a 3 or stretch 4. I love the competing aspect of it and continuing to challenge myself to become the best player and teammate I can be. My basketball role model would have to be my mom. She averaged 52 points in her senior year of high school and was an All American division 1 player. Not only did her accolades make her great she also had such an amazing basketball IQ and had counter moves for every defender that tried to stop her.
Ok so let’s take a moment to go over your awards and accolades as a basketball player! What are your proudest accolades? Have you been selected to be apart of an elite basketball team or play in any all-star games? It’s okay to brag about yourself for a minute!
My proudest accolade is getting the chance to play for Coach Heard at UC and getting 3rd in the nation at Nike Nationals. I got the chance to play for an EYBL team for the AAU season. The EYBL is a Nike circuit that has the top competition from all around the country.
We have heard as a Loveland community about the big announcement….you have committed to The University of Cincinnati to play basketball! Are you excited to play sports at the collegiate level? Was UC your first choice? Talk about your journey to deciding where you wanted to play and why.
I am thrilled to be able to play division 1 basketball. UC was the perfect fit for me. Every time I stepped on campus it felt like home and I would just light up. The relationship I have with Coach Heard is amazing! We have such a great bond. Coach Heard and the rest of the staff already feel like family!
Your family is a huge SPORTS family with your mom being a former basketball all-star, your dad being a Bengals coach, and your brother committing to play for the NBA. Do you put pressure on yourself because of your family’s success in sports? If so why and how? What have you learned from your family?
No, each person in our family has their own story and although we are big competitors we don’t compete against each other, but rather support one another. I have learned everything I know from my family, they truly have shaped me into the person I am today.
Being an athlete myself I know that we are always reaching higher for bigger and better goals, what are some goals you would like to achieve over the next few years?
For my senior year, my goal is to help the team win sectional finals. We’ve come a little short in previous years. I would also like to make it to the NCAA tournament my first year at UC and really go on a run in the tournament.
What are you doing now to prepare for this year’s basketball season? Do you have any advice for any student-athletes out there that are trying to make it to the collegiate level?
Training with Coach Keith Braswell, lifting and explosion training. No matter what role you have I think you should always lead with confidence, have fun with it and enjoy every chance you have to be out on the court.
Let’s get a few fun facts out there about you for our loyal readers! What is your favorite color? What is your basketball pre-game ritual? What’s your favorite food? What is your favorite movie? Do you have a favorite basketball team, if so, who? What are some of your favorite hobbies? What do you LOVE about Loveland? Do you have any favorite Loveland “spots?”
Black or blue. Listening to music. Sushi. Like Mike. New Orleans Pelicans because my older brother plays for them. I like hanging with my friends and playing volleyball. I love the community because they continue to be supporters of all Loveland’s sports. Two of my favorite spots are Loveland Dairy Whip and Trailside Ice Shack Hawaiian Ice in downtown Loveland.
Thank you Jillian for your time. Loveland Magazine will certainly be following you on the volleyball and basketball courts your Senior year. Best of luck in all you do.
Cassie Mattia is a resident of Historic Downtown Loveland
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – Mother, Lieutenant, and Inspiration! These are just a few words that describe Amy Campbell. After recently being promoted to Lieutenant of the Loveland Police Department, Campbell sat down with LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV to talk about her journey to becoming such an important part of our police force all while raising 4 children!
Not only has Lieutenant Campbell impacted the Loveland Police Department in the most positive way – she has also become a vital part of the community of Loveland’s DNA.
Check out the full interview with Lieutenant Amy Campbell below and I promise you will feel inspired to take on the world after hearing her story!
Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association Golf Outing
Date: Monday, August 19, 2019
Time: 9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start (Please arrive at least 30 minutes early!)
Place: O’Bannon Creek Golf Club 6842 St. Rte. 48, Loveland, Ohio 45140
Format: Four-person Scramble
Cost: $100.00 per player (Lunch included) / $20.00 Lunch only
Register by: August 9, 2019
Individuals, businesses, civic/social groups are encouraged to participate as golfers, hole sponsors, or as door prize contributors. If people are interested in playing in the golf outing but cannot come up with a foursome, we invite them to register anyway and we will match them up with other individual players. Anyone interested in participating in or supporting the golf outing should contact Gene Bishop, Miami Township CPAAA at 513 225-5334 or, Peggy Goodwin, Loveland CPAAA at pjgoodwin@fuse.net or 513-677-9066.
The Loveland Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association uses its share of the proceeds from the annual golf outing to fund various projects and initiatives in support of our Loveland Police Division. One such project was contributing towards the purchase of an ATV several years ago; this vehicle allowed our officers to maneuver more easily within crowds during events, etc. More recently we purchased a gas grill for use by officers and staff at the Safety Center as well as replacing two tent canopies used by the officers at various events. In addition, the Alumni co-sponsors an Emergency Services Scholarship (along with the Loveland Police Officers Association) that is open to any student living within the City of Loveland who is majoring in Criminal Justice.
Loveland Magazine writer, Cassie Mattia lives in Historic Downtown Loveland
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – Families and friends came together to celebrate one of Loveland’s largest family events of the year, The Independence Day Celebration, in Loveland’s Historic Districts. The weather was a little unwilling to start off the evening, but as the clouds finally opened up and the sunshine cast down it rays, Loveland was ready to celebrate America’s birthday!
The Red, White and Blue festivities kicked off at 4 PM at the famous Loveland Tower Clock with performances by Inquire Without. Directly across the street, kids and adults lined the sidewalk to watch the Cincinnati Circus Stunt Show.
The stunt show duo provided families and friends with excellent 4th of July entertainment as they hula-hooped fire, twirled and flipped through the air using ariel ribbons and took a spin through the “Wheel of Death!” The Circus duo performed every hour throughout the evening switching up their routine to keep the audience engaged. Right next to the Cincinnati Circus Stunt show at City Hall, “N.E.S.T” created a “Family Fun Zone,” that featured family-friendly activities such as sack races, water balloon toss, hula hoop contests, three-legged races, patriotic crafts, watermelon seed spitting competition, and an apple pie baking contest!
The 4th of July spirit spread down the Little Miami Bike Trail to Nisbet Park as the Independence Day Parade hour drew nearer and nearer! Kids were spotted all over enjoying the “Kid Zone,” which included Cool Critter’s Outreach, Heavenward Farms Pony Rides, Foam Dance Party, Disney Characters, a Bounce House, Inflatable Games, Face Painting, Balloon Artists, Branches Church Photo Booth, and several food trucks. Families enjoyed everything from sprinkled ice cream cones at the Loveland Dairy Whip mobile truck, to warm, buttery pretzels from PretzelFuls, to good old fashion Farmhouse Lemonade.
Did I mention Bite Me Gourmet Corndogs was there as well serving up some unique corndog combinations?! In addition to the food trucks that camped out in Nisbet Park, there were also several other food trucks that offered some excellent summer cook-out food selections. Chocolate Freaking Bacon served up plenty of bacon at the Loveland Tower Clock, The Beerded Pig Food Truck of Ohio handed out their award-winning bbq combinations at Cappy’s, AJ’s Cheesesteaks sliced up some delicious sandwiches at Cindy’s, and The Italian Truck gave their guests the full Italian experience, street food style, at Narrow Path Brewing.
With food and drinks comes music and Loveland’s musical entertainment selections did not fail to do what they do best….ENTERTAIN! Cappy’s featured Rooster Ridge, Lyle’s Bikes, Brews & BBQ hosted Jason Ritchie and Frank Grasso, and Bishop’s Quarter featured DJ MoCool.
As the time drew closer to 7 PM, families and friends selected their favorite spots so that they could get the ultimate view of the parade! American flags hung high and the crowd showed off their best 4th of July wear as the sound of the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department truck rung throughout the streets, officially kicking off the 2019 Independence Day Parade. The parade featured dedicated Loveland community members, such as the Valentine Ladies, Loveland City School students in their most festive 4th of July gear and of course the Grand Marshall, Pat Furterer. Both Loveland Canoe and Kayak and The Loveland Museum Center made an appearance in the parade sporting their Red, White, and Blue as well as the Cincy River Rats and Spring Master’s Tumbling.
Those gathered in the West Loveland Historic District were cooled off in a “Wet Zone” provided by spray from the Loveland/Symmes Fire Department trucks
As the parade proceeded down Loveland Madeira Road into the West Loveland Historic District, and into the heart of Downtown, children lined the street with bags waiting for those who were in the parade to throw their candy! The Loveland Police Department, as well as many beautifully decorated floats representing organizations such as the Showboat Cloggers, Loveland United Methodist Church, Saint Columban Council 13813, and the Lawn Rangers of Chatham Woods, waved to the community. After the parade came to an end, families and neighbors gathered around the Loveland Tower Clock for a performance by The Whammies.
At 10 PM, Rozzi’s Fireworks rose above the river for the annual firework show for an excited crowd covered in Red, White, and Blue! Families and friends claimed their favorite viewing spots with blankets and lawn chairs all throughout Loveland. People were seen watching the unbelievable fireworks on the gigantic hill behind Loveland Station Apartments, on the Col. Thomas Paxton Bridge over Little Miami River and throughout downtown’s parks! People gathered at Loveland High School and friend’s homes in the West Loveland Historic District. Children and adults alike ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ as the fireworks lit up the sky and the City of Loveland. The fireworks ended with some very unique Independence Day themes. Everyone who attended the fireworks was not disappointed! After the fireworks, families and friends could not stop talking about how impressed they were with the show. It just proved to be the perfect ending to another successful Independence Day Celebration in Loveland!
If you missed out on the Independence Day Parade don’t worry, Loveland Magazine was lucky enough to capture some amazing moments from the event. Click the album below to see if we captured you and your family enjoying the holiday!
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“As the game has become more physical there may be times when tempers flare and cooler heads must prevail. Having more Coaches to help facilitate that In a timely fashion is a win in my book!”– Loveland High School Varsity Women’s Basketball Coach, Darnell Parker
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – Do you know someone who plays high school basketball? If so, you may want to continue reading as the National Federation of State High School Associations announced on June 13th, 7 rules changes, 6 that will go into effect for the 2019-2020 basketball season.
During an April NFHS committee meeting, all 7 recommended rule revisions were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. The NFHS decided to wait until 2024-2025 to implement one of the 7 rule revisions. This particular revision now states the number on a basketball player’s jersey can no longer be the same color as the jersey itself. Before the NFHS made this change the number on a jersey could be the same color as the jersey if it was bordered by a contrasting color. The NFHS Board of Directors implemented a 5-year plan on this particular revision so that schools are allowed time to budget for new uniforms. Below is the official rule revision:
3-4-3e (2): The team jersey color itself when bordered with not more than two ¼ inch solid border(s) contrasting with the team jersey color.
The remaining 6 rule revisions going into effect for 2019-2020 are as follows:
3-5-4b: A headband is any item that goes around the entire head. It must be a circular design without extensions. If worn, only one headband is permitted, it must be worn on the forehead/crown. It must be nonabrasive and unadorned, and it must be no more than 3 inches wide.
3-5-4d: Add to (d) – Hair control devices are not required to meet color restrictions
3-5-5: Add Note: NOTE: Provided the shorts are not in conflict with 3-4-5, no drawstring or other part of the shorts intended to maintain them in a normal position causes potential harm to the player or others and wearing of the shorts is not objectionable in exposing the anatomy, there is no restriction on folding or rolling the shorts at the natural waistband seam.
3-5-8 NEW: MOUTHGUARD
A tooth and mouth protector (intraoral), if worn shall:
include an occlusal (protecting and separating the biting surfaces) portion;
include a labial (protecting the teeth and supporting structures) portion;
cover the posterior teeth with adequate thickness;
It is recommended that the protector be properly fitted, protecting the anterior (leading) dental arch and:
constructed from a model made from an impression of the individual’s teeth, or
constructed and fitted to the individual by impressing the teeth into the tooth and mouth protector itself.
State associations may deem a tooth and mouth protector required equipment.
Change section 6 to 7; change section 7 to 8.
9-9-1: Exception: A ball in team control of Team A in the frontcourt that is deflected by a defensive player, which causes the ball to go into the backcourt, may be recovered by either team unless the offense was the last to touch the ball before it went into the backcourt. If the offense was last to touch the ball in its frontcourt, only the defense can legally recover the basketball.
10-5-5 Note: The head coach and any number of assistant coaches may enter the court in the situation where a fight may break out – or has broken out – to prevent the situation from escalating.
Stop Clock for Jump/Held Ball-Part 3 of the NFHS Basketball Officials Manual-#3: When a held ball occurs, covering official(s) shall stop the clock using signal #2 (straight arm, open palm extended) while simultaneously sounding their whistle. Then both arms are extended straight out, at chest level, with fist clenched. Thumbs are displayed as a part of the signal. The signal is given with both arms moving in an upward motion. Should be followed with a directional signal (See #6) indicating team possession.
*Occurs when opponents both have their hands on the ball and neither can gain control
*When an opponent places their hand on the ball and prevents an airborne shooter from passing or releasing the try.
So you may be one of the many parents or spectators of high school basketball that are asking why revise these rules now? Theresia Wynns, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Basketball Rules Committee, made sure she acknowledged any revisions that could be controversial or misunderstood at the committee meeting in April. One of the revisions Wynns commented on was Rule 3-5-5, a revision that now allows athletes to roll their uniform shorts. According to Wynns, this new change to the original rule “modernizes the rule and allows players to adjust their shorts in a manner that serves no harm to the game or its integrity.”
The NFHS released a rationale on Rule 3-5-5 saying that “rolling of the shorts is only illegal by interpretation, not by the current rule.” The NFHS also stated in the rationale that changing the rule, is an attempt to modernize the rule and allow what players seem to want and what serves as no harm to the game or its integrity. The interpretation was made because allegedly manufacturers did not intend on the shorts to be rolled when in fact many manufacturer reps will tell you that the seams are intentionally made to offer options in the way they are worn.
A significant Change to control outbreak of fights
Another revision that is sure to stir up a conversation is assistant coaches now will be able to go onto the court with the head coach
Loveland Head Coach Darnell Parker
in an effort to restore order when a fight breaks out among players. Wynns gave a very good rationale as to why the NFHS revised this rule stating that “it can be difficult for officials to separate players involved in a fight on the court.” Wynns added that “this change will allow assistant coaches to enter the court with the head coach to assist officials in regaining control of the situation and restoring player safety.” There has been an outbreak of fights in high school basketball over the past couple of years so the revision of this rule now keeps the players’ safety and the integrity of the game of basketball intact according to the NFHS’s rationale to the rule change.
The NFHS said that “it is difficult in our society for officials to be able to help to separate players involved in a fight since our society has become very litigious. Changing the rule to allow the head coach and assistant coaches to assist in these types of situations will help the officials to regain control of the entire situation more quickly and especially in regard to player safety.”
Loveland Magazine asked Loveland High School Varsity Women’s Basketball Coach, Darnell Parker, what his insight was on the 7 high school basketball rule revisions.
“One rule in particular that I am a fan of is 10-5-5. In my opinion, this rule is all about establishing order as quickly as possible!” – Loveland High School Varsity Women’s Basketball Coach, Darnell Parker
“I’m always excited when the NHFS is making changes that are for the betterment of our game! When I look at these changes, the word that comes to my mind is consistency,” Parker said, “Making our game more uniform and safer should always be a top priority and that is what this batch of rule changes does. One rule in particular that I am a fan of is 10-5-5. In my opinion, this rule is all about establishing order as quickly as possible! As the game has become more physical there may be times when tempers flare and cooler heads must prevail. Having more Coaches to help facilitate that In a timely fashion is a win in my book!”
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Jarvis Global is an investment advisory firm in Symmes Township, Ohio which offers private portfolio management and retirement services to high net worth individuals.
Cassie Mattia is a writer at Loveland Magazine and lives in the Downtown Historic District
by Cassie Mattia
Loveland, Ohio – This LOVELAND MAGAZINE TV video is a slide show, with two narrations. The photos were taken during Loveland’s Memorial Day observance, the parade, and ceremony, on May 27.
The narrations begin with this year’s keynote address by Loveland resident and former Marine, Scott Gorden. The second is the keynote address that Bill Fee gave at last year’s ceremony.
You can listen to the speeches as you look at the photos.
If Gordon’s father had been able to give this year’s Memorial Day address at the Loveland Veterans’ Memorial, Scott said he would have told people, “I do not enjoy Memorial Day. I love birthdays. I love the 4th of July. I love November 10th. I respect Memorial Day.”
Loveland resident and former Marine, Scott Gorden
Because of a recent illness, Bruce Gordon was unable to give the speech he was invited to deliver so Scott filled in, citing notes his father had written on 3″ X 5″ note cards. Scott, a former Marine, using his father’s notes and his own perspective put the somber day into perspective for the hundreds of people who gathered in the Memorial Plaza. Scott said that his father made it perfectly clear to him growing up that Memorial Day was not a happy day for him and that he hated when people would wish him a “Happy Memorial Day.” Bruce Gordon would tell his son, “Memorial Day is a day of respect, a day of honor.”
Former wounded Army Veteran, Bill Fee
After a year in college, at the age of 19, Bill Fee enlisted in the Army in 1967 and volunteered for service in Vietnam. He served in combat as a rifleman in the First Infantry Division and was wounded in combat in November of 1967. Fee spent 10 months in three different Army hospitals undergoing four operations to repair a damaged shoulder. In 1984, Fee and fellow Vietnam Veteran Earl Corell co-directed the fundraising, design, and dedication of the Greater Cincinnati Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Eden Park. The Memorial dedication occurred in April of 1984.
In 2016, Fee published his first book, Memoir of Vietnam 1967, detailing the story of his time in the military’s First Infantry Division in Vietnam, and the impact the war has had on his life in later years.
Fee’s 2018 speech was so memorable and meaningful we decided to re-publish his words this way and as you will see they are a remarkable match of what Scott Gorden said this year about the purpose of Memorial Day in Loveland.
David Miller, the Publisher, and Editor of Loveland Magazine edited his photos into this video. He was drafted into the Army in 1968 and served in combat in Vietnam in an artillery battery.
He told me that he has always been grateful for the memorial to Vietnam Vets that Bill Fee and Earl Corell erected in Eden Park. “It was a very real honor and pleasure to meet Bill last year and hear what he had to say,” Miller said.
Miller told me that he attended the dedication of the memorial in 1984 and took with him his dog tags and the small number of medals he was given to anyone after serving in Vietnam.
“I got no special medals, just the ones they gave to soldiers like me that they were happy with because we knew how to take orders. I may have even taken some bits of shrapnel that I took home as souvenirs. I left it all at the base of the memorial. I guess I thought it could erase the bad taste of war, Johnson, McNamara, and Nixon. In the end, all I did was burden Bill and Earl,” Miller explained, “Within hours of getting back to Loveland that afternoon, it was either Bill Fee or Earl Corell who was on the other end of the phone when it rang.” The message he remembers is that the phone call was a simple one, but one he has never forgotten. “David, are you OK?”
Miller said that there are a lot of David Miller’s around the Cincinnati area. “They may have made a lot of phone calls that day until they reached the right, David Miller. It was very flattering that I got the call, and I have always been impressed with the concern and care. I was doing OK, just being a little defiant.”
Loveland Magazine Publisher, David Miller “having fun” in Vietnam in 1969.
While in Vietnam Miller began his lifelong passion for taking photos of people.
“We could order good Japanese cameras through the Army PX system and the price was right because we were fairly close to Japan,” Miller said, “I wanted to have photos to send home to my mom so she knew I was safe and having a good time.”
Miller laughed and said that obviously, the photo above was not one of those, “Hey Mom – I’m having fun and love Vietnam moments.”
Miller added, “I do however love the words and sentiments that Scott Gordon and Bill Fee expressed at the Loveland Veterans’ Memorial that you can hear in this video. One doesn’t have to remind either that Memorial Day is for the ‘Gold Star’ moms, dads, spouses, children, and siblings. For them and those who served and may have lost their best friend – it is a day of mourning. Their eulogies were fitting for what can be an oppressively solemn day for many.”
What is ?
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by Cassie Mattia
Liam Hamill –
Tyler Shelley –
Austin Haas –
Nate Holman –
Gabe Ogdan –
by Cassie Mattia
Dean – At the time when I was at LHS, they didn’t have the really cool video production class they just added. The only course they had was the LHSNN class, which is the school news. I was the lead editor for the news, and I had to learn how to use new editing software and how to meet deadlines on a tight schedule. That was a fun class because I got to collaborate with the other anchors on coming up with different news specials and skits. Other than that, I had to teach myself everything else. Mr. Barrett, who runs LHSNN and the video classes, was also very supportive of me especially when it came to the different shorts I was making. I was also very fortunate to meet a really cool group of friends in high school that were also interested in becoming filmmakers. We all worked on various projects together and we taught each other different things that helped us grow. In fact, those students started the LHS film club, which I believe is still around? Hopefully, it is! Beyond that, LHS let me have the premiere of two of my films in the auditorium, which was extremely nice. They were very supportive of me and a lot of the students came to see the premieres, as well as our principal and superintendent. I was very grateful to everyone for coming out to see the films.
by Cassie Mattia
![[Video Slide Show] One doesn’t have to remind Scott Gordon, Bill Fee, or David Miller of the purpose of Memorial Day in Loveland](https://lovelandmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/maxresdefault-12.jpg)
