Heidelberg Athletics Hall of Fame
John Rhoades epitomizes the ideals of NCAA Division III Athletics. The Greenville, Ohio, native was a dynamic force in the classroom, on the gridiron and on the track during his time at Heidelberg.
John attended Heidelberg University from 1986-1990, earning a bachelor's degree in Environmental Biology. As a student, John held three teaching assistant positions within the Biology Department. These positions involved assisting professors in Freshwater Ecology, Entomology and Ornithology. Under Dr. Ken Baker, John conducted an independent research project in Ichthyology, A Study of the Effects of a Toluene Spill in a Local Creek, and conducted benthic macroinvertebrate work in the Water Quality Laboratory under Dr. Ken Krieger. Over the years, John has shared the biological data results with Dr. Baker and Dr. Krieger regarding the biological attainment status in the Cuyahoga River from data collected by his staff of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.
John competed in football and track and field during his time at Heidelberg,earning the four-year award in pole vaulting and All-OAC honors in both indoor and outdoor track in 1988. He was a four-time national qualifier in the pole vault. In 1989, he finished sixth at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, becoming Heidelberg's first male All-American. At the time of his graduation, John was the record holder in the pole vault.
In football, John was a three-time varsity letterman. In 1987, he was presented with a game ball after blocking a field goal against the conference champions Wittenberg University, preserving a season-ending 27-25 win for the Student Princes. In 1989, John was All-OAC Honorable Mention as a defensive back and was presented with the Coaches Award in 1987 for Most Improved Football Player. In 1989, he was honored for Touchdown Saving Plays and Outstanding Consistency.
After graduation, John pursued his passion in the environmental field and began his employment with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District over 25 years ago as an investigator within the Water Quality and Industrial Surveillance (WQIS) Department. In 2015, John was promoted to the manager of WQIS. John currently plans, organizes, manages and controls the activities of the department, directs and manages the enforcement of federal and state regulations federal and state regulations, the District's Code of Regulations, the environmental monitoring program, emergency responses and other water quality programs. He holds many certifications and is a member of two HazMat teams.
John, the son of the late John and Jane Rhoades, and brother of Michelle Rhoades, currently resides in Rocky River with his wife, Kristin and children, Hunter and Halle.
(This profile appeared in the 2016 Hall of Fame Banquet program.)
