Windham - Leo Kot, the legendary coach who guided the Windham Bombers football teams from 1949 to 1966, will be the topic of sport historian George Belden’s upcoming talk at the Windham Historical Society on Monday, April 19. The talk is free and open to everyone.
Belden has spent the last year researching Kot’s life, from his boyhood in a coal mining town, his years as a tailgunner in the skies over Europe during World War II, his football career at Kent State University, and finally his 34 year teaching and coaching career at Windham.
He has talked to scores of former players and colleagues, Kot’s relatives and descendants, and many people who knew Kot as their Ohio history or driver training teacher. Kot touched the lives of thousands of Windhamites who should enjoy hearing stories about him.
Kot also coached baseball, golf, and jv basketball, winning Portage County championships in every sport he mentored.
Special focus will be on his 1953 and 1966 PCL football championships, and several members of those teams will be present that evening.
Belden will deliver his talk at the Renaissance Family Center (formerly East Elementary School, 9005 Wil Verne Drive) on Monday, April 19, at 7 PM.
Doors will open at 6:15 PM for a meet-and-greet. Visitors are urged to come early for the best seats.
The Windham Historical Society will have copies of Ralph Pfingsten’s lavish new book, The History of the Ravenna Arsenal, for sale that evening. The Society receives a handsome commission for each copy sold, and thus far has been able to donate over $2000 to the Windham 2011 Bicentennial Committee from the sales.
This will be the final meeting of the Historical Society before their summer break. In July, the membership will have their picnic hosted by the JeepSkool at the old Silica Sand Quarry in Windham Township.
Both The Windham Historical Society and The Windham Bicentennial groups have very active Facebook pages. Facebook members can join either just by typing those names into the Facebook search box.
The Society is always interested in obtaining, whether permanently or on loan, any object with relevance to Windham. Items of special interest include films, pictures, scrapbooks, ephemera, newspapers, advertising, tokens, school items, sports items, or family genealogy.The society has extensive facilities for copying paper items.
For more information on any aspect of the Society, please call Society President Lynnea St. John at (330) 326-6061, or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
