Westlake Alumni Association Announces 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees

Class includes 2 Athletic, 2 Distinguished, 1 Honorary and 1 Team

The Westlake Alumni Association will be announcing the induction of six (6) new members to the Westlake Alumni Hall of Fame on Friday January 24th between the JV Boys and Varsity Boys basketball game. Then on Thursday, September 25th the induction dinner ceremony that will take place at The LaCentre as part of Homecoming Weekend.

In the Athletic Category

Bob Smith: Bob graduated in 1969. Bob achieved the highest finish for any golfer in school history as State Runner-up in his senior year. In addition, Bob’s was low medalist by winning a playoff in the 1969 Southwest Conference Tournament. He then tied for low medalist at the District Championships. Bob in his junior year was a District Medalist and a State Top 25 finisher. He also placed in the Ohio Amateur Competition. Bob went on to play at Purdue University. Bob also had a very successful business career as President of Arnco Inc, a fiber optics company.

Bob MacKenzie: Bob was an outstanding three sport athlete who graduated in 1971. Bob earned 9 letters, 3 each in football, basketball and track during a time when WHS was a 3-year high school. He was one of the captains for all 3 teams. Bob was All-SWC in football and played on a defense that recorded 6 shutouts in 9 games on their way to the SWC Conference Championship. In his senior basketball year, Bob was All-Conference and still holds the single game record of 29 rebounds. In track, he was the record holder in the high jump for many years. Was President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a senior.

In the Distinguished Category

Nick DiCello: Nick DiCello is a proud member of the class of 1965 and a member of the very first varsity wrestling team at Westlake High School. A graduate of Ohio University; Nick DiCello has become one of the more prominent business men in Northeastern Ohio. In 1978 while working for a contracting company; Nick learned that the business was closing. Rather than being unemployed Nick took a chance and created a new business venture. That willingness to make something out of a failure created Ohio State Waterproofing. Now almost 50 years later; Ohio State Waterproofing is the top provider of basement waterproofing services. His efforts include 16 franchises across the United States.

Chad DiLillo: Anyone who has had the opportunity to attend a Westlake High School athletic contest would surely remember Chad DiLillo. Chad’s presence provides an infectious enthusiasm to any contest in which the Demons participated. This 2010 graduate became known as the “Number One Fan” as he cheers for his beloved Demons. More than a cheerleader, Chad’s warm smile and his extended hand made him an ambassador for sportsmanship and support for high school athletics. Chad’s passion for sports coupled with his dedication to high school sports made Chad an important fixture at Demon athletic contests.

In the Honorary Category

Art Daniels: Art Daniel’s career covered 35 years of teaching, coaching and serving the Westlake Schools. As the Head Boys Basketball coach; Art led the Demons for 12 years. After serving as the Demon boy’s coach; Art later became the Head Girls Basketball coach. In 2012 Coach Daniel’s was awarded the SPORTSMANSHIP, ETHICS AND INTEGRITY AWARD by the State of Ohio Basketball Coaches Association. More than a coach Art Daniels served The Greater Cleveland Basketball Coaches as its Vice President for a period of 15 years and served on the girls’ advisory board of the Ohio Basketball Coaches Association for 4 years. In 2011 the Westlake City Schools selected Art as Exemplary Educator of the Year.

And in the Team Category

2012 Boys Baseball Team: The 2012 baseball team reached the pinnacle in any season – THE STATE FINALS! The farthest any team at WHS has ever played in the State Tournament. The team’s success included a regular season SWC Co-Championship achieved by winning 8 of their last 9 conference games. In Coach Jeff Short’s final season and led by 15 senior players, the Demons then won 6 straight tournament games eventually facing Cincinnati Moeller in the State Tournament Finals. The Demons fell 9-6 but clearly captured the hearts of the Westlake community. A season to remember.

The Alumni Association is looking forward to a wonderful night celebrating the new inductions on January 24th and on September 25th. The public is welcome to attend both events. For more details, please contact Megan Moutoux (moutoux@wlake.org), Westlake Alumni Coordinator.