Schools
Copley Honors Football Coach at Game Against Firestone.
Stuart Tolle was a beloved science teacher and football coach who died unexpectedly in 2009.
students, parents and football fans remembered the late Stuart Tolle at a presentation before the Indians' game against Firestone High School Friday.
Tolle, 47, died unexpectedly in 2009 of a heart attack. He signed with the Cleveland Browns in the mid 1980s as a free agent and was on the team's reserve squad. He also played briefly for the Detroit Lions. He taught science at Copley High school for 10 years and was a football coach.
"He was one of those guys everybody loves," said senior class advisor Bill Rhoades, who taught with Tolle at Copley and Coventry high schools. "He was a motivator, and more than a coach and teacher to some of these kids. He was a father figure.
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"His dog Claire was always with him, even at school," Rhoades said. "He died on graduation day. He went to commencement, then came home and mowed the lawn."
A plaque with Tolle's picture was presented by class of 2010 president Ariel Cohen, treasurer Brian Ruhaak and secretary Derya Tektas as a gift from their class. The Indians won their game against the Falcons 24-14.
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