Anthony Redding '89

Good things in life were few and far apart for Anthony Redding as a child. Born with a curvature of the spine, Anthony spent much time in a hospital recovering from back surgery. An eight-inch rod was inserted into his frame to correct this problem. Dealing with an unimaginable loss, both Anthony’s biological mother and father passed away before any of his teenage years started. His Aunt Olivia stepped into his life and took Anthony in as her own son. To this day, Anthony says, “I have been blessed with two moms.”

Anthony’s new mom loved him dearly and demanded discipline and a sincere devotion to the Lord. She instilled in him a deep love of God and brought church into his life. As a faithful servant to God, Anthony has attended the same church, Mount Haven Baptist, his entire life. He served as president of Young David’s Youth Ministry and was a choir singer, deacon, trustee and preacher. In his home, Anthony keeps a sign hung to remind himself to always focus on God’s everlasting promise to his disciples: “Faith does not make things easy; it makes things possible.”

Anthony embarked on his journey to the Viking Village in 1986. One December evening of that year, the young teenage man watched a WVIZ high school basketball game between St. Joseph and St. Ignatius and decided to become a Viking. Anthony called the Vikings’ head coach at home, at approximately 10:30 p.m., to express his interest in attending St. Joseph High School. The surprising fact is that it took 25 unsuccessful calls from the telephone book before he successfully reached Coach Moran. Determination is another quality of Anthony Redding.

As a highly motivated student who had to take three different buses to school each day, Anthony left an indelible mark on St. Joseph High School, his teachers, his classmates and his teammates. Likewise, many teachers and coaches profoundly impacted Anthony’s life. He mentions the guidance of coaches Moran, Guilfoyle, Bodle and Straub, along with teacher Mr. Robertson, as having deposited knowledge and goodness in his life and still influencing him today as an adult. Aside from the people who made his time at St. Joseph so memorable. Anthony cites the experience of playing in a state tournament as a moment he will never forget alongside his teammates.

At the end of his senior year, Anthony received senior recognition awards for being the Most Athletic, Leadership, Mr. Viking and Most Likely to Go to Heaven. A decorated young athlete, Anthony served as captain of the 1988-89 varsity basketball team and earned an incredible array of honors for his athleticism. Such accolades include being named UPI All Ohio, News-Herald Division I All Star, Associated Press All Ohio (special mention) and Northeast Lake All District-First Team, and Plain Dealer All Scholastic. Perhaps the highest honor in recognizing his remarkable skill is that Anthony’s No. 43 jersey was retired.

Anthony graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1989 with honors. He received a basketball scholarship to attend Mercyhurst College, where he played varsity basketball for all four years and earned a bachelor’s degree in business management in 1993. Anthony went on to complete his education at John Carroll University, working as a graduate assistant and obtaining a master’s of business administration in 1997.

In fall of 2001, Anthony returned to his alma mater as a teacher. A year prior, he had begun assistant coaching for the VASJ men’s basketball program while a substitute teacher at Euclid High School. In 2008, Anthony was named head coach for the women’s basketball team. Under his direction, the team scored three North Coast League championships, placed as district runner-up twice and became district champs in 2016. In honor of his phenomenal coaching, Anthony was named North Coast League Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2015, and the Greater Cleveland Basketball Coach Association named him Coach of the Year during the 2009-10 season.

Anthony Redding’s life is a beautiful example of what it means to overcome significant life challenges and keep close to heart the incredible power of faith in God. His story is one of strength, compassion, devotion and impact to all who have the distinct honor of calling Anthony a friend, colleague, teacher, mentor, or coach.