The excitement is building as we prepare to honor the 2025 class of inductees into the Cardinal Mooney High School Athletic Hall of Fame! Join us for this special evening of celebration on Saturday, Feb. 22, at The Lake Club in Poland.
This annual event is a proud tradition that showcases the dedication, talent, and excellence of Mooney’s outstanding athletes. Tickets are still available! Secure your spot and be part of this unforgettable night by visiting our website today.
Don’t wait—reserve your place now and celebrate Cardinal Mooney pride with us!
Jim Cooney
Jim Cooney, a dedicated educator and administrator at Cardinal Mooney High School for 46 years, played an instrumental role in shaping student-athletes both on and off the field. A 1957 Ursuline High School graduate, Cooney earned his Bachelor’s from The Athenaeum of Ohio and a Master’s in Education from Xavier University. Joining Mooney in 1964, he served as a religion, geometry, and calculus teacher before becoming Dean of Students and Assistant Principal, known for upholding the values of Sanctity, Scholarship, and Discipline.
In 1993, Cooney founded the CMHS Athletic Hall of Fame to honor outstanding athletes and contributors, serving as Chairman for 28 years. His leadership ensured the Hall of Fame’s ongoing tradition of celebrating alumni and supporting scholarships. Known affectionately as “the long arm of the law,” Cooney’s commitment to discipline and support for athletics left a lasting impact.
Now residing in Poland, Ohio, with his wife, Mary Ann, Cooney remains a respected figure in the Mooney community. His legacy continues to bridge the gap between goals and achievements for generations of Cardinals.
Ashley (Cuba) Buchta
Ashley Buchta, a 2009 Cardinal Mooney graduate, was a soccer standout, leading the team to three consecutive district championships and earning multiple honors, including First-Team All-Ohio and NSCAA All-American status. She continued her career at the University of Pittsburgh, setting records for goals and points, and later played professionally in Finland and for the Washington Spirit Reserves. Buchta also serves her community through various youth-focused programs.
Danielle (Daltorio) Lorenzi
Danielle Lorenzi was a multi-sport athlete at Cardinal Mooney, excelling in volleyball, basketball, and track. She earned All-SVC honors in volleyball and was a key contributor to multiple championship teams. On the track, Lorenzi set a school record in the 800m and helped lead her team to several SVC titles. She was recognized for her athletic achievements with Senior Athletic Achievement Awards and the Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award.
Phylanice (Hill) Nashe
Phylanice Nashe made history as the only female in Mooney history to qualify for the OHSAA State Tennis Tournament and went on to compete at John Carroll University. She earned multiple honors and helped lead her team to Ohio Athletic Conference championships. Nashe, a successful entrepreneur, attorney, and civic leader, now resides in Nashville, where she mentors aspiring entrepreneurs and serves on multiple boards, including the Nashville Symphony and the National Museum of African American Music.
Tim Marlowe
Tim Marlowe, a three-sport athlete at Cardinal Mooney, was a key player on the state championship football team and excelled in basketball and baseball. He went on to play football at Nebraska, earning a full scholarship and contributing to the team’s Big Ten Championship appearance. Marlowe now works for his family’s business, Marlowe’s Premium Coffee, and has coached at Youngstown State University, where he helped lead the team to an FCS national runner-up finish in 2016.
Aaron Ortenzio
Aaron Ortenzio, a 1996 Cardinal Mooney graduate, earned All-SVC and All-Ohio honors in football, helping lead the team to multiple championships. He continued his athletic career at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, earning All-Freedom Football Conference recognition and later being inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame. Commissioned in 2000, Ortenzio has had a distinguished career in the Coast Guard, including a recent promotion to commanding officer of Air Station Miami. He holds multiple military awards and serves as chief of incident management for Coast Guard District 7.
Michael Scarsella
Michael Scarsella, a key member of Cardinal Mooney’s state championship golf teams in 1988 and 1989, earned All-SVC and All-State honors during his high school career. After studying at the University of Notre Dame and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Scarsella returned to Youngstown to work in his family’s business and later earned an MBA. He is now Senior Vice President of HME and Therapy for Compass Health. A passionate golfer, Scarsella continues to enjoy the sport with his family, especially with his three sons.
L.J. Sutton
L.J. Sutton, a standout basketball player at Cardinal Mooney, earned All-SVC and All-Ohio honors and became one of the school’s Top 5 all-time leading scorers. Sutton led the Cardinals to a sectional championship and was named MVP at the Frank Bubba Classic. He continued his success at Walsh University, where he surpassed 1,000 points, won four AMC championships, and played in a national championship game. Sutton is now a fifth-grade teacher at STEAM Academy and continues to coach youth sports, inspiring the next generation of athletes.
Joe Irwin
Joe Irwin, a standout in high school baseball, played a key role in Cardinal Mooney’s Steel Valley Conference championship and earned First Team All-SVC and All-District honors. As a senior, he posted an impressive .406 batting average and an 8-2 pitching record, leading the team to a 18-3 record. Irwin continued his career at Wallace State Junior College and Mount Union, earning 156 strikeouts. He now works in sales at Compco Industries and enjoys life with his wife, Jessica, and their two children, Hank and Nora.
John Simon
John Simon was a key defensive player on Cardinal Mooney’s 2006 state championship football team, earning All-Ohio honors and Division IV Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. He played four years at Ohio State, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors and leading the Buckeyes to Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl victories. Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, Simon played nine NFL seasons, including helping the New England Patriots win Super Bowl LII. He is now a kinesiology graduate and lives with his wife, Brittany, and their sons, Enzo and Eli.
Michael Hernan
Michael Hernan, a key member of Cardinal Mooney’s historic soccer team, earned First Team All-SVC honors and helped lead the team to the 2002 Division II State Championship, the first state title in Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties. After high school, Hernan attended Ohio State University and later became an assistant coach for the Mooney soccer team. He now works as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones and lives in Orange County, California, where he remains active in his church and community.
Taylor Hill
Taylor Hill was a standout football player for Cardinal Mooney, earning All-Ohio honors and helping the team achieve three state championship appearances and 28 consecutive wins in his junior and senior seasons. Hill played college football at Michigan University and later at Youngstown State University, where he was named Defensive Player of the Week. His dedication and success on the field continue to inspire future athletes.
Ed Policy
Ed Policy went on to attend Notre Dame and Stanford Law School before building a distinguished career in sports management. He held leadership roles in the Arena Football League and later worked with the NFL. In 2012, he became Vice President and General Counsel for the Green Bay Packers and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2018. Ed has played a pivotal role in the Packers’ success and will become the team’s President and CEO in 2025. He is an active community leader in Wisconsin and a father of two sons.
