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SearchSport Legend and Mayor
I just finished reading Northern Kentucky Sports Legends of the 1950’s by former Bellevue High School coach Charlie Coleman.
Pop quiz: Who was the Bellevue mayor who, as a sophomore was the starting quarterback for the UC Bearcats when they played in the Sun Bowl, while during that same year was the starting guard for the basketball team in the National Invitational Tournament? Then, after graduation, he signed a contract with the New York Yankees baseball team. Clue: His son, Hank, lives in Bellevue.
In case you are a newer resident to Bellevue, the answer is Will Hundemer.
If you want to learn more about local sports legends, make sure to watch Vue From the Top, my monthly podcast, which features Charlie Coleman, Mike Swauger and Dave Fessler, available on Campbell Media the last week in May.
Saving the Marianne
I have finally heard an idea that not only possibly saves the Marianne Theater from deteriorating, but also returns its use to the citizens of Bellevue. Here are a few quotes from the memorandum of understanding that I will sign on behalf of the Board of Council:
“The historic façade will be restored to its original grandeur, celebrating Bellevue’s cultural heritage. The front lobby will become a welcoming snack bar, open to all, serving drinks and light bites and providing a space for neighbors to gather. The front portion of the building will house a small theater for films, live performances, lectures, and community events. The rear of the building will be transformed into an educational makerspace, offering hands-on workshops in arts and creative media for students and community members of all ages.”
The directors of the Marianne Arts & Education Center, Inc. are Patrick Hogan, Tim Vogt, Ryan Salzman and Kevin Wright. There have been three or four viable ideas brought to the city over the past eight years I have served as Mayor. All of them would work economically, but they either required too much parking or were for turning the building into housing. Many people have desires and suggestions, but no one has come up with the funding necessary to repurpose the Marianne.
This is the first time I have heard a good idea from a team of people whom I consider capable of making this happen.
WIFFLE Ball Anyone
One of the hottest up-and-coming sports is WIFFLE Ball. I heard from Terry Hatton at the Bellevue Veterans Club that they were now hosting the Greater Cincinnati Wiffleball League (GCWL).
The Greater Cincinnati Wiffleball League was founded in 2013 and has grown into a competitive community league featuring approximately 12 teams each summer and fall season. The league was born from a conversation between two friends (Jim Bryant and Mark Clayton) at a bar in June 2013, reminiscing about the games they played as kids when the topic of WIFFLE Ball came up.
Over the years, the league has played at several locations throughout the Cincinnati area, but for the past six-plus years, Bellevue Vets has proudly served as its home field. The league also gives back by making annual donations to support the Bellevue Vets and its mission.
In 2023, the organization officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, further strengthening its commitment to community impact. Today, the league’s mission extends beyond the game, with a focus on supporting veterans organizations and youth sports programs throughout the region.
Scott Fluegel is the president and Owen Weber is the vice president. Now comes the best part. They have agreed to help us get a regulation field at the new section of the Beach Park by them supplying all of the labor to remove all the weeds, bring in top soil to cultivate into the top surface, plant grass and install all of the hardware necessary. Their extensive knowledge and dedication to bringing this sport to our city are astounding.
The GCWL will be hosting a national tournament at the Bellevue Veterans fields July 24- 26. Teams from California and Michigan have already signed up. There is a $10,000 prize to the winning team. They are expecting a total of 60 teams from around the country. Each team has eight players. This means there will be hundreds of extra people coming to Bellevue for those three days. This will help many of our businesses.
This sport is for people of all ages. Many thanks to Terry Hatton for connecting me with this group.
Memorial Day Parade
Don’t forget that the popular Bellevue-Dayton Memorial Day Parade is May 25, 2026.
The Grand Marshal will be Vietnam veteran Jerry Delaney, a very worthy choice. There will be a program honoring veterans at the Bellevue City Hall at 9:30 am the morning of the parade.
The parade planners have some new programming to offer including a 5K race the morning of the parade, and a small business/homes patriotic decoration contest.
Please come and support our veterans by attending the parade.