By Emily R. Evans
The Truth Reporter
“The mission of the African American Sports Legends of Northwest Ohio a component of the African American Legacy Projects (AALP), is to honor and preserve the history and contributions of African American athletes, coaches and distinguished individuals who have made a significant impact in sports. In alignment with the AALP’s broader mission, this initiative seeks to discover, document, and celebrate those whose achievements have positively influenced both the African American community and the world. Honorees may be permanently recognized as sports legends of northwest Ohio and a dedicated venue” (This year’s Program).
The ceremony started off in a beautiful setting on Friday June 13, 2025, at The Pinnacle located in Maumee. The event included a meal that was served along with refreshments and entertainment music. This year’s honorees were accompanied by their family and friends.
The Class of 2025 Inductees:
- Nate Washington – Football (Scott High School, Tiffin University, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans)
- Todd Mitchell – Basketball (St. Francis de Sales, Purdue University)
- Ted Jobe – Track & Football (Scott High School, University of Michigan)
- Chris Wormley – Football (Whitmer High School, University of Michigan, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers)
- Dan McLemore – Basketball (Libbey High School, Bowling Green State University)
- Coach Willie Oliver – Track & Field (Scott High School) – honored posthumously
- Mahogany Green – Basketball (Bowsher High School, Cleveland State, Head Coach at Hamilton College)
- Ann Archer – Basketball (Waite High School)
The evening’s first honoree was Elizabeth Ann Archer, who made history as the first African American female to play basketball at Waite High School from 1974 to 1978 where she graduated. She was a multi-sport athlete who excelled in track and field, earning a spot on the All-City Track Team. She competed in multiple events in track where she consistently placed high in those events and paved the way for a whole new generation of athletes making her city, school as well as her family very proud. She has earned many accolades later in life as being one of the Midwest’s top female electricians.
Archer is an advocate for women in skilled trades among many other things. Starting off as the first African American female to play basketball at her school, she says” it was very intimidating and scary at first” but she felt welcomed once she got on the team. It was intimidating being the only one that looked like her but once she settled in she felt comfortable and the coaches and everyone made her feel loved. That’s when she started to tell other women that they were also welcome and they should come join the team and start playing basketball and get involved in more sports.
Toledo City Councilwoman Cerssandra McPherson was present to award each honoree with a resolution recognizing their achievements in the city of Toledo and beyond. She noted that “Toledo is ecstatic to have them be a part of the community and of all of their achievements.” Lucas County Commissioner Anita Lopez came to the stage next to also congratulate all of the honorees and to state how proud she was of everyone in attendance.
Next to be presented with her award was Mahogany Green. Since 2018, Green has coached the women’s basketball team at Hamilton College. She is a Toledo native and a Bowsher High School Rebel. She had a decorated playing career at Cleveland State University, scoring 1,366 points and earning All-Conference honors before playing professionally in Turkey. She returned to Cleveland State as a coaching assistant launching a Division I coaching career that includes stops at Colgate, Loyola Chicago, Kansas, Central Michigan, Eastern Kentucky, Purdue Fort Wayne and Cleveland State.
She stated that she was very humbled to be a part of the ceremony and excited that her family was there beside her including her sister who motivated her to start her sports career. She noted that she was just blessed to be here and a part of the festivities.
Ted Jobe was the next honoree. He was born in Mississippi and later moved to Toledo with his family where he was the youngest of five and attended Sherman Elementary. He attended Scott High School where he placed high in the 440 yard dash on the track team and played for the football team. He was a four-time state finalist in track, amongst many other achievements.
He attended the University of Michigan on a football scholarship graduating with a degree in education and has served Toledo Public Schools for 36 years. He stated that during his career he has met over 18,000 children that he may not remember if they approached him now but he loved them all just the same.
Pastor Dan McLemore has dedicated his life to faith, education and community service. He is a graduate of Libbey High School, He pursued higher education at BGSU university where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education, a master’s in Counseling and a doctorate in Biblical Studies. He served two years in the U.S. Army, 22 years in the National Guard where he retired with the rank of Sergeant First Class. His advice to anyone listening is “to keep your spirit, your faith and your beliefs.”
Todd Mitchell attended St Francis De Salle High School helping to lead the basketball team to the school’s first ever Division I championship. He entered Purdue University on scholarship and finished his college career with 1,699 points and 740 rebounds ranking as one of Purdue University top performers in both categories.
Mitchell played professionally in the NBA with the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs before heading overseas for a decade-long career in Europe and Israel.
He is committed to youth development has many sports accomplishments and has co founded oledo Basketball camp. He was joined by a proud group of family and friends who expressed their love and support all of his many accomplishments.
Coach Willie Oliver was recognized next as a very memorable man who served his community in a with distinction. His award was accepted by his daughter and his achievements were celebrated by all in attendance as well as city wide. He earned a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and then taught history and government at Jesup W. Scott High School for nearly 40 years. He was a head coach at Scott for the girls’ and boys’ track team. He was a mentor and father figure to many generations.
Nate Washington is a Toledo native who started his football journey at Scott High School, where he developed as a standout wide receiver. He attended Tiffin University and became one of the most decorated athletes in school history. At Tiffin he had his jersey retired and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and during his impressive 11-year career in the NFL with four different teams, he appeared in 159 games, had 7,000 receiving yards and 44 touchdowns. He also was on two Super Bowl-winning teams,
He is now the leader of the 85th foundation with support youth foundation and mentorship and education. He has accomplished so much more and his award was accepted by his mother. His mother related that as a child he was very busy and very determined and she is very proud of his accomplishments and also very proud that he continued his education.
Chris Wormley was the last to be honored at the night’s ceremony. He is a graduate of Whitmer High School where he earned all-state honors as a defensive lineman. He played football at the University of Michigan where he was on a team that won 51 games. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens and after three seasons in Baltimore, he then went on to Pittsburgh Steelers. He joined the Carolina Panthers in 2023 before going back to the Ravens the following year. He has over 150 tackles among many other achievements.
Wormley is now a real estate investor and the founder of the Wormley Family Foundation which is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the kids and strengthening our community. He stated that it’s important to him to give back to the youth since the city of Toledo has supported him for over 20 years and he would love to give back to those who come after him.
This year’s eight members of the Sports Legends Class of 2025 were formally inducted into the African American Sports Legends of Northwest Ohio on Saturday, June 14, in a ceremony held at Jerusalem Baptist Church. The induction ceremony was the culmination of a weekend of activities that enabled family, friends and admirers to salute the area’s sports heroes.
As usual, BCSN’s Tom Cole served as the master of ceremony and, as usual, Cole’s deep connections with the Toledo athletic scene, as a commentator and author, allowed him to share his observations about the honorees with the audience.
The Sports Legends ceremony is the brainchild of Robert Smith, founder and director of the African American Legacy Project. Over the years, Smith has assembled an outstanding group of former athletes to form the board that is responsible for selecting new members to the Sports Legends Hall of Fame.
Smith provided his own observations about the individuals in the latest Class to close out the ceremony on Saturday.