BEAVER TOWNSHIP — For the past five decades, Struthers native Tom Bochenek has been a mark of consistency on both the Cleveland, state and national sports scene.

Be it basketball, baseball or football, whatever season is in full swing or overlaps the other, Bochenek has been in demand for his sports media relations savvy and statistical know-how for the Cavaliers, Indians/Guardians and Browns, as well as regional and statewide high school and college sports telecasts and broadcasts.

The 1974 Struthers High graduate told the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s meeting at Avion Banquet Center that it has been a labor of love and continues to be as much fun some 52 years after his graduation.

“This past weekend, I worked the Division IV, VII and II boys state basketball finals and it truly is amazing to watch the talent that is on display at that level,” he said. “You are seeing the best of the best, individually and teamwise so providing key notes and information to the on-air talent is paramount. Anything to help make the broadcast a bit more interesting for our listening or viewing audience is my task.

“I look for the unconventional way of doing things, working outside the box and it is all about preparation. There is no shortage for preparation and I still do that to this day when I am called upon.”

Bochenek’s love for sports, especially football and basketball, can be traced to his late father, Frank, who served as a bus driver for the Wildcats’ teams.

“I would accompany my dad to all Struthers away games in the 1960’s and was in awe of the players and teams,” Bochenek said. “By the time I was in eighth grade, Joe Paris, who was the Struthers director of athletics at the time, had me on the sidelines keeping statistics and charting plays so I was hooked.”

Upon graduation, he attended Kent State University where he earned his undergraduate degree in journalism-public relations, all the while working as a student assistant in their sports information office (1974-80).

After receiving his diploma from KSU, he became the first ever assistant SID for the Golden Flashes and later served as sports information director at the University of Mount Union.

Since 1986, he has been the game night assistant for public relations for the Cleveland Cavaliers, talent statistician for the Indians/Guardians telecasts, is an associate producer for ESPN and ESPN regional college football-basketball games and since 2010, has served as graphics coordinator for OHSAA championship football and basketball games on Spectrum News 1 and Fox Sports.

In addition to his front row seat to all of the action, Bochenek has worked and assisted the best of the best in Cleveland media.

In baseball, he works closely with Matt Underwood, Rick Manning and Andre Knott while in basketball, John Michael and Brad Daugherty, as well as Austin Carr and Jim Chones are the recipients of his tub-thumping.

For 23 years, ending after the 2024 season, he was the lead statistician for all Cleveland Browns football games while overseeing a staff of five in their press box.

“It’s being consistent with my work habits, planning stages and just staying on course with my daily prep,” Bochenek said. “Double, triple and oftentimes quadruple-checking info for complete accuracy is necessary while there has to be an open line of communication daily with the on-air talent. I look for the greatness in my research while consistency with routines, after a game, the next day and leaving at the same time to arrive at the park or arena is a top priority.”

Bochenek recalled the greatness of the late Struthers Wildcat diamond great, Andy Kosco, who spent 10 years in the Major Leagues (1965-74) with seven different clubs.

“Andy Kosco was one of the very best overall athletes, not just from Struthers but the entire Mahoning Valley,” he said. “In 1966, I had the privilege to attend ‘Andy Kosco Day’ in Cleveland and it was an exciting time for everyone who went up to Municipal Stadium to see their doubleheader with the Minnesota Twins.

“We left disappointed, however, because Andy got zero at-bats from manager Sam Mele in the twin bill. I still have the box scores of both of those games, along with his career statistics. Still today, he remains one of the best athletes ever to come out of Struthers and play sports at Struthers High School.”

Next week, Joe DeRosa, retired NBA-college basketball official and owner of the highly popular Smitty Official and Referee Apparel franchise, will serve as guest speaker.