Larry Tischler’s latest award was worth waiting for

September 16, 2024 Andy Furman

Larry Tischler. Photo courtesy of Andy Furman

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Larry Tischler played center and guard for those famed Moe Finkelstein-coached football teams at Thomas Jefferson High School.

Never an All-City selection – but: “I was named Lineman of the Week after our Boys High game,” the 1963 Jefferson grad told the Brooklyn Eagle.

Now, 61 years later – he is being honored – but not in football.

This one is bigger – and more meaningful.

Larry Tischler will receive the 2024 Joe Nuxhall Humanitarian Award – on stage at The Miracle Ball, Friday, October 25th at Ther Oscar Event Center, in Fairfield, Ohio.

Pretty special for the kid who grew up in Brownsville ion 690 Bradford Street.

The award?
Tischler was an instrumental force within the group of founding volunteers who helped cast the vision and fundraise for The Joie Nuxhall Miracle League Fields in the early 2010s. “I always felt that I receive more than I give when interact ting with the special needs community,” Tischler said. “Whether it be the Special Olympics or the Joie Nuxhall Miracle League, the smiles and joy you see from players and their families is the absolute greatest one can experience.”

And Tischler has received more smiles in his role as the vice chairman for both The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields and The Nuxhall Foundation than any football game he is ever played in – or coach ed./

“I made to college on a football scholarship to to Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa.,” he said. “And I served as Defensive Coordinator, four seasons, fop0r then coach Frank Gerardi at Lycoming.”

Football, for sure was Tischler’s future.
Enter Moe Finkelstein – again.

“Moe made a call, and I was off to Cincinnati, coaching football on the University of Cincinnati’s staff,” he said. Four seasons with the Bearcats and a record of 14-28-2 did not cut it. Tischler and head c coach Ralph Staub were out.

Maybe it was meant to be.

“Kim Nuxhall lived across the street from, our family,” Tischler explained, “And he was a teacher and taught my daughters in elementary school.”

If you had not noticed – here is the connection.

Kim Nuxhall is the son of the late Joe Nuxhall – the former Major League Baseball pitcher and longtime Cincinnati Reds broadcaster who was the youngest player to pitch in the major league at 15.

“Kim and I became good friends,” recalled Tischler, “And when I retired from my career in medical sales with Abbott Laboratories, I decided to help Kim and and his dream.”

“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

“Kim wanted to builds these Miracle League Fields,” Tischler said. “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 Hatton Foundation donated $500,000 through a matching grant, according trop Tischler. “That got us going,” he said.

The project started in 2010, and ground was broken December 28, 201l and the first-pitch was tossed July 28, 2012.

Oh, there is more.

“We’re waiting fore approval from the city of Fairfield for our next project,” Tischler said. “Additional land to build a 33,000 square-foot indoor facility. We’re raising money now and hope to break ground this fall.”

That’s Larry Tischler – the desire to help others.

Did we mention in addition to his work with the Nuxhall Foundation, he also serves as the President of the Butler (Ohio) County Special Olympics – an organization that provides recreational opportunities like golf, voice, swimming, basketball, track and field, And bowling, to athletes with physical and developmental disabilities.

He is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Fairfield, and volunteers with countless other organizations in the community,

“Larry’s fingerprints are all over our facility,” says Tyler Bradshaw, executive director for The Nuxhall Foundation, “Larry has this unique way of energizing people around our mission and getting them on board to envision a brighter tomorrow. He deserves this honor for so many reasons.”

The Nuxhall Foundation is the legacy foundation for Joe Nuxhall. A central project of the Nuxhall Foundation is The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields – an entirely accessible baseball; and recreational facility where every player with every challenge gets every chance to play.

“I have the best non-paid retirement job in America,” said Tischler.

Now, he will have the award he’s waited for 61 years.

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.