“What you question is the school’s story about letting him go (Babe Kwasniak, above) after the season for the sake of his son’s senior year. They knew they had a generational player and believed they had enough talent around him to sneak up on Division VII. I’ll bet they kept the trophies.” (Press Pros Feature Photos)
The first reader responses of spring deal heavily with Jeff Gilbert’s recent feature on former Cornerstone Christian basketball coach, Babe Kwasniak. In addition…baseball, Ray Reilly, and ‘tunes’.
When feature writer Jeff Gilbert posted his post state-tournament story about the firing of Cornerstone Christian boys basketball coach Babe Kwasniak (April 19, 2025) we had no idea that it would become the most-read basketball story of the entire 2024-’25 season.
In fact, as the shares continue to pile up it’s been clicked on more than the story of the Russia-Cornerstone Christian title game, itself – a first in the history of one of Ohio’s best small-school basketball legacies.
Typically, a story of this kind would attract readers and responders from inside the state, itself. And it has, along with hundreds (we suspect) of readers outside the state with Ohio ties. And true to the personality of the man, himself, and his self-professed admission of being a “disrupter”, in his own words, “If I think something’s not right I say something about it.”
Many of you have, too, both pro and con.’
“First, a shout out to the Press Pros people and to Mr. Gilbert for actually sharing the story. There should be a lot of red faces over this, and impressively, Mr. Kwasniak stands by who he is…a sinner saved by grace.” … Hayden Conley
“Funny thing, those Cornerstoners. They only got tired of the coach after a great four-year run, a state runner-up finish, and after his son, the most prolific scorer in the history of the OHSAA used up his eligibility. A very Christian thing for them to do.” … Brad Britton (via Facebook)
“People at Cornerstone knew what they were getting when they hired him, same as they knew at VASJ. Fire the coach and keep the trophy.” … Geo. Cevic
“What you question is the school’s story about letting him go after the season for the sake of his son’s senior year. They knew they had a generational player and believed they had enough talent around him to sneak up on Division VII.” … Vincent Tobik
“Nothing that a good handshake line and post-game prayer shouldn’t have resolved.” … Ed Lavorcik
“Whatever happened to all have fallen short? Here’s the perfect mutual opportunity to put your faith where your mouth is.” … Craig Criswell
“It’s little wonder that America doesn’t win wars anymore when you resist the example of tough-willed leaders for young people like Babe Kwasniak. Not always perfect, but neither is life.” … Joseph Minor (Tampa, Fla)
“You can be a strong leader and teacher without being a side show. We all become more respected when we learn that. Great work by Jeff Gilbert.” … Doug Blankenship
On the subject of Ohio State’s struggles in baseball, and how long it will take to fix….
“As the only one in the state who writes regularly about Ohio State baseball, how long do you believe it will take to clean up the mess and play winning baseball again?” … Doug Davis
(Ed. Note: Good question, Doug, and one that has a predictable set of answers. One, it will take some coaching stability. Three coaches in four years is hard to overcome. Two, I believe that the kind of success you speak of will come when people’s expectation for an Ohio State sport other than football rises to the level of both personal and financial interest. Think about the outcry come fall if the Buckeyes go 2-7 to start the season, and compare that to baseball. Three, the season needs to be moved back to play in warm weather, thereby giving Snowbelt schools the opportunity to competitively recruit, market college baseball, and sell enough tickets to pay its own bills. And many Big Ten coaches that you talk to believe they can. And last, the culture of amateur baseball that’s preparing kids to play at the Ohio State level ain’t gettin’ it done. There really isn’t anything elite that I see about ‘elite’ or ‘travel’ baseball – like AAU basketball making you a better free throw shooter. Meet me halfway on I-75 between Miami County and Toledo and I’ll give you some more solutions.)
Many of you have let us know that you like and appreciate the work of outdoors writer Ray Reilly, including Linda…..
“I bet you don’t hear from many women who like to fish, but I wish there were more Ray Reilly contributions on your website. The recent article about crappies and bluegills was one of his best. Please pass that along.” … Linda Schoenly
(Ed. Note: Linda, we’ll see that he hears from you, although he’s a regular reader, anyway. Ray’s talent is storytelling and his creativity. I think he lives in his Lincoln Navigator and he’ll go anywhere to find the next good story. That’s likely why you don’t read as much as you’d like.)
More people have written to inquire about ‘tunes’ on Press Pros….
“How did you get to know so much about music and the old tunes you write about? As a record collector and music fan I wish you did more.” … Telford Benedict
(Ed. Note: I grew up around music, have a degree in education and performance from Ohio State, and listen to a lot of Sirius XM radio on the road. Music history is really no different than sports. Everyone has a story.)
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