Northeast Ohio Flag Football Incorporated was created by high school football coaches in order to teach youth the basic skills of football in a fun, positive and professional environment.
Northeast Ohio Flag Football will always strive to provide the best facilities, officials, and overall experience for our youth. Northeast Ohio Flag Football originators have over 100 years combined coaching experience from youth sports through a variety of high school sports.
President/Co-Founder: Don Schutz
Mentor High School ('77) Hall of Famer for both football and track. He played college football at The University of Akron. He ended his career as an All-American and was inducted into The Akron Football Hall of Fame. In 2018 Don was named Ohio Gymnastics Coach of the Year and was also inducted into The News Herald Sports Hall of Fame. In 2021 Don was inducted into the Mentor Schools Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Don has over 40 years of coaching experience including coaching Football, Gymnastics, and Track both as an Assistant and Head Coach.
Vice President/Co-Founder: Bob Berwald
Graduated from West Geauga High School ('94). He went on to play Football and competed in Track at Walsh University. He has over 25 years of coaching experience in Wrestling, Track, and Football from Youth Sports through High School levels both as an Assistant and Head Coach. In 2021 as Head Coach of the Mentor Girls Track Team, Bob guided the team to a State Championship and was named GCC Coach of the Year and Ohio High School Girls Track Coach of the Year by the OATCCC, USTFCCCA and OHSAA. In 2023 and 2019 Bob was named GCC & News Herald Girls Track Coach of the Year and in 2019 was recognized as the Girls Track Coach of the Year by The State House of Representatives. He is currently an assistant football coach and the head girls track coach at Mentor High School.
Director of Officials: Andy Gruber
Certified high school football official, baseball umpire and volleyball referee. Andy has over 35 years experience volunteering with the P.G.A., The United Way and has served as Cycling Director for the Northeast Ohio Special Olympics. He has also spent more than 25 years coaching many youth sports including baseball, football, and soccer. He has also served as tournament director for over 50 baseball and football tournaments.
Treasurer: Gennine Berwald
Graduate from Mayfield High School ('93). She went on to graduate from The University of Mount Union with a Bachelor's Degree in Sports Medicine/Exercise Physiology. After she graduated, she worked with both adults and children in Health & Wellness centers. Over the last 7 years, she has been employed by a local CPA firm, working as an office manager, and has experience in bookkeeping and corporate invoicing.
