By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Three men who had legendary careers in Northern Kentucky high school sports will be inducted into the Buddy LaRosa High School Hall of Fame during ceremonies in June.
The list of honorees released this week includes all-state basketball player Dicky Beal of Holmes, record-setting quarterback Gino Guidugli of Highlands and state champion football coach Mike Yeagle of Beechwood.
The other members of the 2018 induction class are Cincinnati St. Xavier swimmer David Mosko, Elder quarterback Rob Florian and Taylor multi-sport standout Emily Thompson. The 1976 Moeller football team and the 2003 St. Ursula volleyball team that both went undefeated and won Ohio state championships will also be added to the hall of fame.
Beal was the starting point guard on Holmes teams that compiled a 58-9 record during the 1978-79 and 1979-80 seasons. During his senior season, he averaged 23.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists on a team that won the 9th Region championship and made it to the semifinals of the 1980 state tournament.
Beal was named first-team all-state and went on to play point guard for the University of Kentucky. During the 1984 NCAA playoffs, he was named most valuable player in the Mideast Regional that UK won to earn a berth in the Final Four.
Guidugli led Highlands football teams to back-to-back Class 3A state titles in 1999 and 2000 by passing for 7,516 yards and 92 touchdowns in 30 games. He was also a two-year starter in basketball and named most valuable player in the 2001 9th Region tournament after scoring 19 points in the championship game.
The Bluebirds had a 28-2 record in football with Guidugli at quarterback. He still holds several Northern Kentucky passing records, including most passing yards in a season (4,367), most touchdown passes in a season (53) and most touchdown passes in a career (92).
Guidugli continued his football career at the University of Cincinnati and set numerous team passing records. He’s now an assistant coach for the Bearcats.
Yeagle was one of the most successful high school football coaches in Kentucky. In his 15 seasons as head coach, Beechwood compiled a 183-27 record for an 87.1 winning percentage, played in 10 Class A state championship games and claimed eight state titles.
He was the first football coach in Kentucky to win four straight state titles from 1991 to 1994. Two of those teams finished with a perfect 15-0 record and his 1997 team went 14-0.
This is the 43rd year that the Buddy LaRosa High School Sports Hall of Fame has honored outstanding athletes and coaches in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Guidugli is the seventh inductee from Highlands, Beal is the second from Holmes and Yeagle is the first from Beechwood.
Mike Yeagle, is a hero!!