Sports Brooklyn Boro

Just call Larry Tischler the Miracle Man

August 16, 2021 Andy Furman

Larry Tischler, who helped build a stadium for special-needs kids and adults. Photo courtesy of Oxford, Ohio, Rotary

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He’s a Miracle Man.

Larry Tischler, the kid from Brownsville – 690 Bradford St. to be exact – never thought of himself as a miracle worker.

“Growing up,” he told the Eagle, “my dad always told me the importance of helping others.”

And he certainly followed dad’s instructions.

To a T.

The youngest of four boys, Tischler made it to college on a football scholarship. He played for the legendary Moe Finkelstein at Thomas Jefferson, and continued at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Penna.

“I was a decent student,” he said, “and loved the game of football.”

And the next logical progression would be coaching – he did. At both nearby Montgomery High and later at Williamsport High School.

Scott Dinelli, the former all-Big 10 tackle from Ohio State played at Williamsport – so the networking began.

“I was teaching – no longer coaching at Williamsport,” Tischler said, “now I was helping Frank Gerardi on his Lycoming staff.”

Gerardi coached Lycoming for 36 years, amassed a record of 257-97-5 and was inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

Tischler was his Defensive Coordinator, four seasons.

But the Ohio State connection grew.

“I got a call from George Chaump, the Offensive Coordinator and Receivers Coach at Ohio State,” he said.

It seems Ralph Staub, a member of the Ohio State staff was leaving to accept the head coaching position at the University of Cincinnati.

With a powerful call from Moe Finkelstein, Larry Tischler was on his way to Cincinnati. Little did he know he’d be a miracle worker – but not in football.

“The facilities were antiquated,” he said, “and in my first year, ESPN ran a report, ‘UC Faculty Senate wants to drop football’,” he said. “Try recruiting after that bombshell.”

The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields in Nuxhall, Ohio. Photo courtesy of Joe Nuxhhall Miracle League

Tischler – and Staub – remained at Cincinnati four seasons. Their won-loss record was an abysmal 14-28-2, yet they went 5-4-2 in their final season – 1977 – with a win over rival, Miami of Ohio.

In short, the staff was out.

“I found out about the firing on the road,” Tischler said. “I was recruiting in Pennsylvania, drove back to LaGuardia, returned my rental car at 2 am, and slept in the terminal for my flight the next morning.

“I looked at myself,” he said, “my kids were 9,7 and 5. I’d leave for the office they were in bed and when I came home, they were asleep. I had a choice to make.”

Tischler got a break – a friend pushed him into a successful career in medical sales with Abbott Laboratories.

Then he got interested in coaching kids and adults with special needs.

“I’ve always had an affinity working with special needs,” he said, “in fact, in 1999 I volunteered at the U.S. Games in North Carolina. It was wonderful. Billy Crystal was the Opening Night emcee.”

And in 2008 his neighbor – Kim Nuxhall called. Yes, the name should ring a bell. Kim the son of the late Joe Nuxhall – the youngest player ever in the major leagues. He pitched for the Cincinnati Reds when he was just 15. And a former Reds’ radio announcer, and member of the Reds Hall of Fame.

“Kim asked for my help,” Tischler said, “he wanted to build these Miracle League Fields.”

It was a dream of Kim’s dad – Joe – and the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields became a reality when the $2.3 million complex was completed with $1.5 million provided through in-kind contributions. The IBEW alone devoted over 3,400 man-hours to construct the world-class fields.

The project includes two fields, rubberized surfaces for wheel-chair support, state-of-the-art dugouts with cooling systems to ensure proper hydration of the players, and large LED video boards and high-quality audio systems providing a real-live experience for players and their families.

Today the league involves 96 children and 110 adults who join with their friends and families to play league baseball. Saturday morning games are for the kids, and adults play on Friday evenings.

In 2018 the Joe Nuxhall Miracle Fields added a totally handicap-accessible miniature golf course.

“We have two leagues,” Tischler said, “the Greater Miami Valley Y supports the Children’s League, and the Adult League is run by The Therapeutic Recreation for the Disabled.”

Larry Tischler’s brother – at 77 – is challenged and participates in the Adult League.

As for the 75-year-old Tischler, he is the unpaid Chairman, Butler (Ohio) County Special Olympics Advisory Board and Vice Chairman, Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields.

A pretty long title – it should really read – Miracle Man.

Andy Furman is a Fox Sports Radio national talk show host. Previously, he was a scholastic sports columnist for the Brooklyn Eagle. He may be reached at: [email protected] Twitter: @AndyFurmanFSR