Who is Cleveland State's Greatest Athlete Ever?

Have you ever wondered who Cleveland State University's greatest athlete of all time is?

I've often thought about it, but never researched the topic as I did for this piece. Since 1929, Cleveland State (Fenn College until the year 1964) has had thousands of student-athletes represent this fine institution in a variety of sports.

To put together a top ten list is obviously very objective, the final decision being mine. Explore this list I have conducted, perhaps knowledgeable readers or long term professors may question my choices. While we all hope Cleveland State has many more winning teams and great athletes in the foreseeable future, it is important to reflect on those special athletes who proudly represented this college and may have been the best ever at it.

10. Dave Zahoransky, Wrestling, 1984-1988: The list kicks off with Dave Zahoransky, the first of three wrestlers in this Top 10 list. While wrestling for the Vikings, Zahoransky compiled a career record of 73-36-1 and qualified to wrestle in three NCAA Tournaments. The three-time NCAA qualifier earned All-America honors in 1986 and 1988.

Interestingly, Zahoransky is the only wrestler in Cleveland State history to qualify for the NCAA Championships in three different weight classes, 134 lbs., 142 lbs., and 150 lbs. He was inducted into the Cleveland State Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004.

9. Tenille Whiteside, Softball, 1994-1997: Whiteside is hands down the best softball player to ever play for Cleveland State University. She is the career leader in putouts (1,156) and batting average (.355) for the Vikes and her name is ever present through the CSU record books. In 1997 she hit for a .417 average and led the team in hits on two occasions with over 58 in 1995 and 1997. As a freshman in 1994 Whiteside had 48 RBI's and is the Vikings all-time leader.

Whiteside is also in the top tier of the CSU record books for triples, home runs, at bats, runs scored, and even walks drawn. Whiteside's balanced play of both hitting and fielding qualifies her as the best softball player of all-time, and one of the elite athletes in Cleveland State history.

8. Ali Kazemaini, Men's Soccer, 1980-1984: Many may know him as the current head men's soccer coach here at CSU. But in the early 1980's Kazemaini helped lead the Vikings to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with the team fashioning a record of 45-25-10 during his four seasons with Cleveland State. Kazemaini's name prominently appears in the CSU record books five times for points, goals, assists, games played, and games started for the Vikings.

In 1984 the current coach was selected to play on the 1984 U.S. Olympic team and in 1985 he was drafted in the first round of the Major Indoor Soccer League Draft. In his first season, Kazemaini was selected as the league's Rookie of the Year. Coach Kazemaini played professionally for 11 years.

7. Dianne Foster, Women's Basketball, 1979-1984: The second female athlete to make this Top 10 list is the greatest women's basketball player ever in CSU history. Foster is first all-time in points scored with 1,851 and second all-time for the Lady Vikes in steals, snatching 355 in her career. Her ability to score from anywhere on the court while being a strong defensive presence makes Foster the best overall women's basketball player for Cleveland State ever.

She also leads the Vikings with field goals made, sinking 801. The next closest is CSU great Audra Cook with 693. Foster is sixth all-time in field goal percentage shooting a respectable 46.7% in her career.

6. Tony DiGiovanni, Wrestling, 1972-1976: When I hear the adjective "tough", I think of former Cleveland State 134-pound wrestler Tony DiGiovanni. Yes, I confess he coached me and my brother in high school, but nevertheless his accomplishments during the early 70's and his aggressive wrestling style may never again be witnessed on this campus. DiGiovanni qualified for the NCAA Championships on three occasions and took fifth place in the country as just a freshman. However, his senior season is one to be remembered and what makes him the sixth best CSU athlete of all time. In his final campaign DiGiovanni broke three Viking season records, tied two others, and broke five career records during the 1976 season. In his final year DiGiovanni went 30-3-1 (.909 winning percentage), including a 16-0-1 mark in dual meets. DiGiovanni is a two time College Division All-American, a two time Cleveland State "Most Outstanding Wrestler" award winner, and as a head coach at Solon High School has won a State Championship team title, coached numerous individual state champions, and is a member of the Coaches Hall of Fame.

5. Jerry Dybzinski, Baseball, 1973-1978: Let's be real, men's baseball at Fenn College and Cleveland State has been around since 1932 and there have not been too many seasons or even players to remember. But in 1973 the Vikings made their first trip to the NCAA Tournament losing in the Super Regional round. The team put together impressive records from 1973-1978 of 20-10, 19-11, and 22-13. Sure baseball is a team sport, but much of the success during this time was due in part to former major leaguer Jerry Dybzinski.

Dybzinski, who was inducted into the CSU Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988 graduated as the school's all-time leader in runs (83), hits (112), and triples (7). The former Viking is one of four CSU players to play in the major leagues. Dybzinski played as a utility player for three seasons with the Cleveland Indians, two with the Chicago White Sox, and one with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

4. Vito Colonna, Men's Soccer, 1968-1972: Should Colonna be higher? Probably. The top four on this least are almost in a separate league of their own and their order interchangeable. Ever look in a CSU men's soccer record book? You'll think Vito Colonna is a misprint because his name appears so much. Greg Murphy, of the Cleveland State Sports Information Department ensures me that it is not. Colonna is the all-time career leader in points with 163 and goals scored with 65. He also owns those records for a single season with 50 points and 22 goals.