Jun 30, 2025
CAREER HONORED — Among those who helped recognize retiring Steubenville Big Red baseball coach Fred Heatherington, center, were, from left, school board members William Hendricks, Gregg Agresta, Tom Timmons and Ruth Ann Bruzzese. — Contributed
STEUBENVILLE — Fred Heatherington spent more than three decades leading Steubenville High School’s baseball team to success on the field, and on Wednesday, he was recognized by school board members as he formally entered retirement.
Heatherington ended 36 years with the school district in which he also taught career-based intervention. He began at Steubenville in 1980 and has been coaching since 1989. Superintendent Melinda Young praised him for his abilities as a coach and a positive influence upon the athletes.
“I don’t know how we’re going to be able to replace you,” Young said. “I’m not sure you know of the impact and the lasting impression you have had on and off the field.”
Athletic Director John Arlesic shared Heatherington’s equally impressive record, which yielded 697 wins, 21 sectional championships, 18 district titles, six regional crowns, three state poll championships, 14 Ohio Valley Athletic Conference titles and the distinction of being a five-time OVAC Coach of the Year recipient, among other distinctions. Under his tutelage, Big Red ranked third in Ohio and seventh in the nation in all-time wins.
“More than 50 players have gone on to play at the next level,” Arlesic commented.
Board members concurred that he left an indelible mark upon the district, being only the third baseball coach at SHS in nearly 80 years.
“Talk about the end of an era,” said board member Greg Agresta, noting Heatherington’s dedication to the school and sports program.
Heatherington was humbled by the recognition and thanked officials for their support, saying he was just one small part of the program’s prosperity.
“It’s not just me, it’s the whole system.”
Among other matters, the board:
• Assigned Young and Pugliese West Elementary Principal Lynnett Gorman to coordinate all federal and state programs;
• Approved the use of Harding Stadium by Steubenville Catholic Central High School for 2025 football games;
• Approved senior fees for the 2025-26 school year;
• Approved staffing agreements with the Jefferson County Educational Service Center to provide attorney services, school psychologist, public relations coordinator and VI aide for the 2025-26 school year;
• Approved memberships to the OASBO and Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding for the 2025-26 school year;
• Approved final appropriations and amendments to certificate of available resources for Fiscal Year 2025 and temporary appropriations for July 1 to Sept. 30 for the 2026 fiscal year.
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