2017 Inductee Jim Depolo,
Wrestling Coach from 1990-2009
It is not always easy stepping into the shoes of a Bellevue Athletic Hall of Fame coach, but not only was Jim DePolo up to the task, he follows his predecessor, Chuck DeLuca (Enshrinement Class of 2007) into the Hall of Fame.
After wrestling for three years and graduating from North Olmsted H.S. in 1976, DePolo wrestled at Cuyahoga Community College for 2 years before finishing his schooling at BGSU. He made his way to Bellevue shortly after this and made Bellevue his home. The rest is history as he assisted the wrestling program for six years before becoming the head coach. DePolo became the Redmen Wrestling Head Coach in 1990 and led the Redmen program for 19 years. He carried on the great tradition of Redmen wrestling that was resurrected by DeLuca in the years prior. DePolo enjoyed the longest and most successful tenure of any Redmen wrestling coach.
Of the 19 years coaching the Redmen Wrestling Team, Coach DePolo led the team to 16 Northern Ohio League titles, two second place finishes, and one fourth place finish. Overall, his team wrestling dual meet record was 193-26-2 with 13 of those losses coming during one season. He coached six sectional championship teams (1996, 98, 2001, 02, 03, 04), two District runner-up teams (1993 & 2002), and he coached the 1993 team to a fourth place OHSAA State Tournament finish.
Overall, DePolo coached 87 NOL champions, 173 District qualifiers, 68 State qualifiers, six State runners-up, and six State Champions, including Levi Spurlock in 1994, Josh Didion in 1996, his son, Matt DePolo, in 1999, Anthony Coleman in 1999, Jeffery Pelton in 2007, and Dawson Riedy in 2008.
Today, Jim is retired from The Bellevue Manufacturing Co (2015) after 29 years. He held the positions of quality supervisor and production and safety supervisor. This is where he also met Chuck DeLuca for the first time. Jim is married to Cindy (Roth), a 1977 Bellevue graduate. Jim & Cindy have one son Matt (Enshrinement class of 2012), who is married to Melinda (Francis) of Bellevue. Jim & Cindy also have two granddaughters, Madeline (5) and Macy (2)
After wrestling for three years and graduating from North Olmsted H.S. in 1976, DePolo wrestled at Cuyahoga Community College for 2 years before finishing his schooling at BGSU. He made his way to Bellevue shortly after this and made Bellevue his home. The rest is history as he assisted the wrestling program for six years before becoming the head coach. DePolo became the Redmen Wrestling Head Coach in 1990 and led the Redmen program for 19 years. He carried on the great tradition of Redmen wrestling that was resurrected by DeLuca in the years prior. DePolo enjoyed the longest and most successful tenure of any Redmen wrestling coach.
Of the 19 years coaching the Redmen Wrestling Team, Coach DePolo led the team to 16 Northern Ohio League titles, two second place finishes, and one fourth place finish. Overall, his team wrestling dual meet record was 193-26-2 with 13 of those losses coming during one season. He coached six sectional championship teams (1996, 98, 2001, 02, 03, 04), two District runner-up teams (1993 & 2002), and he coached the 1993 team to a fourth place OHSAA State Tournament finish.
Overall, DePolo coached 87 NOL champions, 173 District qualifiers, 68 State qualifiers, six State runners-up, and six State Champions, including Levi Spurlock in 1994, Josh Didion in 1996, his son, Matt DePolo, in 1999, Anthony Coleman in 1999, Jeffery Pelton in 2007, and Dawson Riedy in 2008.
Today, Jim is retired from The Bellevue Manufacturing Co (2015) after 29 years. He held the positions of quality supervisor and production and safety supervisor. This is where he also met Chuck DeLuca for the first time. Jim is married to Cindy (Roth), a 1977 Bellevue graduate. Jim & Cindy have one son Matt (Enshrinement class of 2012), who is married to Melinda (Francis) of Bellevue. Jim & Cindy also have two granddaughters, Madeline (5) and Macy (2)
Dennis Sabo introduces Bellevue wrestling coach from 1990-2009, Jim Depolo.