Alumni / Hall of Fame

Arnie Boigner
Class of 1987 
Athletic Accomplishments

• Standout two-sport athlete at Brooklyn High School who excelled in both football and wrestling
   
• Earned First Team All-Conference honors in football, including recognition on both offense and defense as a senior, and was selected for the East-West All-Star Game
   
• Received Cleveland Plain Dealer Honorable Mention Player of the Week honors and was nominated for the Ohio North-South All-Star Game
   
• Qualified for the Ohio State wrestling tournament as a senior, helping Brooklyn High School achieve a fifth-place finish at the state championships
   
• Defeated a two-time state champion in the regional wrestling finals, one of the most notable victories of his high school career
   
• Continued competing in football and wrestling at Ohio Northern University, earning two First Team All-Conference selections, two All-American honors, and back-to-back Offensive MVP awards in football
   
• Set school rushing records at Ohio Northern, tied the NCAA record with a 99-yard touchdown run, and earned an invitation to try out for the New York Giants following his collegiate career

Chris “Sparky B” Biller
Class of 1988
Cultural/Performing Arts

• Co-founded Sound Trax DJ Company in 1984 with Mark Murphey, launching his professional music career
   
• Built a successful career as DJ “Sparky B,” becoming recognized as one of the top DJs not only in Northeast Ohio, but the entire country
   
• Worked extensively as a wedding, event, and dance DJ throughout his career
   
• Performed with major artists including Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, Morgan Wallen, and Vanilla Ice, among many others
   
• Partnered with major organizations and brands such as Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Disney
   
• Raised millions of dollars for charity while performing across North America, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, maintaining strong ties to the Brooklyn community
   

Mark Murphey
Class of 1988
Major Contributions to the Brooklyn City Schools District

• Lifelong contributor to the Brooklyn community through roles in education, athletics, and law enforcement
   
• Three-sport high school athlete, lettering in football, baseball and basketball
   
• Played football and rugby at Marietta College as a starting defensive back (3 years) and punter (2 years)
   
• Recognized for musical talent, earning “Future Male Vocalist” and performing with the 1986 BHS show choir, which placed 3rd nationally and performed at the Grand Ole Opry
   
• Returned to Brooklyn after college to work as a teacher and coach at Buckeye and Brooklyn schools
   
• Served as a Brooklyn police officer since 1998, including 13 years as a D.A.R.E. officer and two terms as FOP President
   
• Positively impacted countless community members as a mentor and public servant

Dr. Michael Valente
Class of 1997
Academic/Career Accomplishments

• Graduated from Brooklyn High School as Valedictorian, earned an Honors Diploma, was a member of the National Honor Society, and served in student government as Class President and Class Vice President
   
• Four-year football letter winner (1993–1996) who earned three All-Ohio selections, multiple All-District and All-MAC-8 honors, and helped lead the Hurricanes to a MAC-8 Conference Championship
   
• Received the Northeast Ohio Scholar Athlete Award and ranks among the top scorers in Brooklyn football history, with school records in field goals and extra points
   
• Graduated magna cum laude from Gannon University with degrees in Biology and Philosophy and was recognized as the Outstanding Senior Award recipient
   
• Earned his medical degree from the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed advanced surgical and colorectal surgery training through prestigious residency and fellowship programs
   
• Serves as a senior staff colorectal surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic and holds faculty appointments at both the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine and Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
   

Ryan Petkac
Class of 2002
Athletic Accomplishments

• Earned nine varsity letters at Brooklyn High School as a four-sport athlete in basketball, football, baseball and track
   
• Four-year varsity basketball starter and three-year team captain, demonstrating exceptional leadership on and off the court
   
• Two-time all-conference selection, two-time conference champion, and Brooklyn High School’s all-time assist leader with 428 assists
   
• Served in the United States Air Force from 2004–2008 as an Intelligence Analyst with Air Force Special Operations Command
   
• Completed two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and earned the Joint Service Achievement Medal for his service
   
• Recognized with prestigious military honors including Air Force Special Operations Intelligence Airman of the Year and the Command Chief Professionalism Award
   
• Earned a Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration from Kent State University and has built a successful career developing talent strategies for global corporations

2001-2002 Varsity Boys’ Basketball Team

• Historic season, finishing 14–0 in the MAC-8 Conference and winning back-to-back conference championships
   
• Core athlete group had also won the previous year’s conference title with a 12–2 record, giving Brooklyn High School its first outright championship in 22 years
   
• After a narrow opening loss to Strongsville High School (64–62), the team responded with an impressive 21-game winning streak
   
• Highly ranked all season in the Cleveland Plain Dealer Top 15 and also earned recognition in the Ohio state poll
   
• Senior class finished with a combined 39–6 record over two seasons, reaching two district finals and building a dominant program run
   
• Led by standout award-winning players Kevin Albany, Keith Aufmuth, Ryan Cosic, Dominick Grassi, and Ryan Petkac
   

Team Roster: Kevin Albany, Keith Aufmuth, Jared Barker, Brett Bayard, Ryan Cosic, Jamie DeLuca, Dominick Grassi, Nick Latimer, Donnie Maddron, Cal Nageotte, Richie Neale, Kyle Petkac, Ryan Petkac, CJ Scarcipino, Justin Schwark

Ball Boy: Jared Howells
Managers: Leo Fong, Justin Grillo
Head Coach: Jeff Shepherd
Assistant Coaches: Jeff Lapuh, Rocky Neale, Paul Petkac, Scott Urig

Bob Hennings
Ron Szudy School Community Engagement Award

A proud 1982 graduate of Brooklyn High School, Bob Hennings has dedicated his life to serving both the Brooklyn City Schools, City of Brooklyn and the nation.

For 31 years, he served the City of Brooklyn in a variety of roles, including part-time firefighter, Advanced EMT, garbage truck operator, snowplow driver, city arborist, and as a member of the city's mechanics department. These diverse experiences gave him a deep appreciation for public service and reinforced the importance of teamwork and community service.

In addition to his municipal service, Bob proudly served 28 years in the United States Army, retiring with the rank of Sergeant First Class (E-7). During his military career, he began as a mechanic before completing specialized training as a Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Defense Sergeant and later serving as a Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Sergeant. His military service instilled the values of leadership, discipline, teamwork, and dedication that continue to guide him today.

Brooklyn has always been home to Mr. Hennings and his family. Both of his sons, Ian and Logan, are proud graduates of Brooklyn High School. He has remained actively involved in the district through extensive volunteer service, including serving with the Brooklyn Athletic Boosters since 2016, as a track coach since 2020, and as a middle school football coach since 2022. He also volunteered for approximately four years alongside Mr. Kaspar, helping construct sets for Brooklyn High School theater productions, and has served as a volunteer van driver transporting equipment for the Brooklyn High School Band since 2022.

His lifelong commitment to service and to the Brooklyn community ultimately led him to serve on the Brooklyn Board of Education. Mr. Hennings is honored to continue giving back to the schools and community that have given so much to his family. He remains committed to ensuring that every Brooklyn student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.