CLEVELAND — Being an offensive lineman is a thankless task. Often times the only notoriety coming their way is being targeted for a penalty. O-lineman toil in anonymity.

Bryan Fialkowski was an offensive lineman. He plied his trade extremely well, be it at Linsly School or John Carroll University.

The Bridgeport native performed at an all-star level for the Blue Streaks. So much so, he was inducted into the John Carroll University Athletic Hall of Fame on Oct. 27, as part of a five-member class.

“It’s an amazing feeling going into the John Carroll Hall of Fame. It feels really good,” Fialkowski said. “I got the word in May that I was selected and it finally become a reality. It’s a cool thing to be in the mix with 205 other Hall of Famers.

“The ceremony was an amazing night. I was extremely nervous. You want to give the perfect speech and make sure you say everything you want to say,” he added. “I was the last speaker which adds to the anxiety. But it was the perfect night. John Carroll handled it in first-class fashion.”

Fialkowski, a 2001 John Carroll grad, was quite deserving of his enshrinement.

Fialkowski was a two-time all-conference offensive lineman and an All-America selection as a senior. At the time of his graduation, he owned the Blue Streaks’ record for most games played by a position player in program history (42). The team accrued a 32-10 record during his career.

His post-season honors included Football Gazette third team All-America in 2000, first team All-OAC in 2000 and second team All-OAC in 1999. Fialkowski was also the 2000 Cleveland Touchdown Club JCU Player of the Year.

The former Cadet, now age 39, was a freshman starter on JCU’s 1997 NCAA Division III playoff team that reached the national quarterfinals. As a senior, he helped the Blue Streaks break records for passing yards, touchdown passes and net total offense.

“I knew that John Carroll was the right fit. I had fun all four years. I enjoyed the coaches, they made me a better player and better person, and my teammates, they pushed me and became my friends. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

“I was fortunate never to have a real serious injury. The worst was rolling my knee during my sophomore season. I thought it was my ACL and I was done,” he added. “It turned out to be a hyper-extension and I only missed a couple of weeks. I was fortunate to be very resilient.”

This football season will be one Fialkowski will always embrace. In addition to his Hall of Fame induction, he returned to the Linsly campus to take part in a ceremony honoring his undefeated 1996 Cadet football team.

Fialkowski was part of a third celebration yesterday. His 1997 Blue Streak team was honored.

“This fall is definitely full of great memories. Our 1997 JCU team was brought back to be recognized for the first team to win a playoff game. We beat Hanover to advance to the final eight before running into Mount Union,” Fialkowski said. “London Fletcher (longtime NFL star linebacker) and Josh McDaniels (current New England Patriots offensive coordinator and former Denver Broncos’ head coach) were on that team. We put the program on the map.”

Fialkowski is now an executive director for JP Morgan Chase. He resides in Gates Mills, a Cleveland suburb.

Bryan’s brother Tim was a soccer star at Linsly and Ohio Wesleyan. Their dad, Bob, was a highly successful baseball coach at St. John Central in the 1970s.

John Carroll is also the home of NFL coaching legend Don Shula.

BUBBA’S BITS

FORMER WEST Liberty head basketball coach Jim Crutchfield enjoyed an impressive debut at his new Fort Lauderdale, Fla. school. Crutchfield guided Nova Southeastern to a 116-92 win over Florida National Friday night.

FORMER BRIDGEPORT High great Caitlyn Krol acquitted herself nicely in her college debut Friday night. Krol’s St. Francis squad dropped a 74-66 decision to Toledo but she tallied seven points, three assists and three steals in 32 minutes of play.

KUDOS TO Paden City High School. While many schools in the OVAC are dealing with dwindling participation numbers in their athletic programs, the Wildcats have launched the school’s inaugural wrestling team. Paden City has a rich boys’ basketball tradition under the tutelage of Bob Burton and Fred King. Now it’s nice to see the Class 1A school have enough numbers and interest to launch another winter sport. We wish coach Michael Owens all the best in his new venture.

BOB HUGGINS inked a four-year contract extension last week as WVU’s head basketball coach. The Indian Valley South High product is as good a college coach as any in the nation. He wins big with no five-star recruits with a style of play that players and fans resonate to. Huggy Bear is 64 going on 34. He has a lot of coaching life left in him.

SPEAKING OF WVU basketball, Mountaineer guard Jevon Carter has been tabbed as the national Defensive Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated in its college basketball preview edition.

CONGRATULATIONS GO out to the John Marshall and Tyler Consolidated volleyball teams for successful campaigns, both earning berths in the state tournament.

WHEELING PARK product Phil Bledsoe saw 11 minutes of action in Marshall’s 102-91 overtime win against Tennessee-Martin Friday night. He had four points and two rebounds.

FORMER BELLAIRE High and West Liberty hoop standout Missy Tiber guided her North Alabama team past Kentucky State, 107-69, in Friday’s opener.