The Minerva Athletic Hall of Fame will welcome six new members later this month, recognizing former athletes, coaches and contributors whose accomplishments and dedication have helped shape the school’s athletic programs.

The 2026 induction ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, at 6 p.m. in the Minerva High School Auditeria.

This year’s class includes Mason Butler, Pat Couch, Jonathan Lieser, Ryan Smith, Jacob Stewart and Bob Wiley. Smith will be inducted posthumously.

The inductees represent decades of athletic achievement and service, from record-setting performances on the field to years spent coaching and supporting generations of Minerva athletes.

Meet the 2026 inductees

Biographical information provided by the Minerva Athletic Hall of Fame.

Mason Butler — Player, Class of 2014

Butler earned four varsity letters as an offensive lineman for the Minerva football team from 2010 to 2013.

He was a two-time first-team All-Northeastern Buckeye Conference selection, earned first-team All-Stark County honors three times and received special mention All-Ohio recognition in 2013.

Butler continued his football career at Tiffin University, where he earned four varsity letters and was a four-time second-team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection. He also received three Division II preseason All-American selections.

He earned Tiffin University’s Senior Achievement Award after making 45 consecutive career starts.

Butler later played professional indoor football with the Nebraska Danger and Arizona Rattlers. He started all 18 games during his season with Nebraska, helping the team reach the playoffs.

He now lives in Louisville with his wife, Kaylee, and daughter, Enola. He is a full-time trainer and co-owner of three myFitLife personal training and sports performance facilities in Louisville, Hartville and Uniontown.

Pat Couch — Contributor

Couch dedicated 53 years to Minerva Local Schools, serving as a business teacher, National Honor Society adviser, cheerleading adviser and athletic ticket manager.

She retired from teaching in 1996 after 32 years but continued working in the athletic department, overseeing ticket sales for Minerva football and basketball games.

Couch fully retired from the district in 2019, concluding a career that spanned more than five decades.

She continues to reside in Minerva.

Jonathan Lieser — Player, Class of 2009

Lieser established himself as one of the most accomplished golfers in Minerva High School history.

A four-year letterman, Lieser held the team’s No. 1 position throughout his high school career and became the first golfer in school history to earn first-team All-Northeastern Buckeye Conference and first-team All-Stark County honors in all four seasons.

During his senior season in 2008, he was named NBC Golfer of the Year and Stark County Player of the Year. He also earned first-team Northeast District honors after finishing second at the Division II sectional tournament and third at districts.

Lieser continued his golf career at the University of Mount Union, where he earned first-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors three times.

During his sophomore season, he helped Mount Union qualify for the national tournament, where the team recorded what his Hall of Fame biography identifies as the second-best finish in school history. He finished that season ranked 20th nationally.

Lieser lives in Louisville with his wife, Hillari, and their two daughters, Quinn Palmer and Rory Magnolia.

Ryan Smith — Contributor, Class of 1991 (posthumous)

Smith, a 1991 Minerva graduate, will be honored for his decades of dedication to youth football and the Minerva athletic community.

He served as a volunteer youth football coach from 1991 to 2025 and spent 15 years running Minerva Youth Football.

Beyond coaching, Smith was an advocate and supporter of Minerva Lions athletics, dedicating countless hours to helping young athletes develop on and off the field.

His Hall of Fame biography emphasizes that his legacy extends beyond football victories to the young people he mentored and the community he served.

The tribute concludes with three words: “Forever a Lion.”

Jacob Stewart — Player, Class of 2018

Stewart earned varsity letters in three sports during his time at Minerva, excelling in soccer, baseball and football.

A four-year soccer letterman, Stewart received second-team All-Ohio honors in 2017 and was a two-time first-team All-Northeastern Buckeye Conference selection.

He was part of Minerva’s 2015 soccer team that finished 21-1, won a Division II East District championship and advanced to the regional finals.

Stewart finished his soccer career with 57 goals, ranking sixth in school history, and 13 assists. His 30-goal season also ranks sixth in school history.

On the baseball diamond, Stewart earned three varsity letters and was named first-team All-East District in 2018. He batted .472 that season, the second-highest single-season average at Minerva since 2000.

He also earned a varsity letter in football, tying a school record with a 65-yard punt in 2017.

Stewart now resides in Cleveland and works for Bober, Markey, Fedorovich.

Bob Wiley — Player/Coach, Class of 1967

Wiley, a 1967 Minerva graduate, will be recognized for his extensive coaching career and contributions to the school’s wrestling program.

He served as Minerva’s head wrestling coach for 13 years, compiling a 97-37 dual-meet record.

Under his leadership, the Lions won five Senate League championships, produced 14 state qualifiers and crowned one state champion.

Wiley also spent 32 years as an assistant football coach, six years as head baseball coach and coached junior high basketball.

His coaching accomplishments earned him Stark County Coach of the Year honors in 1983, 1984 and 1985, along with five Senate League Coach of the Year awards.

He was inducted into the Stark County High School Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004.

Wiley now lives in Florida with his wife, Kathy.

Tickets and ceremony information

Tickets for the Sept. 26 induction ceremony are $30 per person and must be purchased by Friday, Sept. 18.

Tickets are available at the Minerva High School Athletic Office from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Payment must be made in cash or by check payable to Minerva Athletic Pride.

No tickets will be sold at the door.

For additional information, contact DeeDee Lautzenheiser at 330-868-6705.

Photos courtesy of Dunlap Photography.