Dan “Chief” DiSanto Co-founder and original competitor of the GSC, Chief is the Classic’s most decorated athlete, a ten-time champion. He holds records for most points scored by a gentleman (56) and most consecutive events scored in (31), rivaling Cal Ripken’s consecutive games played record. He also sits on the board of athletes and is president of statistics and the historical archives. Occasionally accused of changing rules in the middle of a competition and cherry picking records to fluff his resume, Chief denies such allegations. He is best known for playing through the 2005 competition with a broken thumb.
Eric “Chimmy” Chernikovich (the athlete formally known as the unicycle boy). Co-founder and original competitor of the GSC, was the first official winner of the Classic (many argue he should have also been credited with the first unofficial win of the Classic). His love for the GSC is unmatched. In his spare time, he also sits on the board of athletes and is president of sales and marketing. Annual marketing themes have ranged from spray painting his parents’ front lawn to ice sculptures. Eric so loves the GSC, he is rumored to have asked his family to leave the house after his surprise birthday party interrupted the second annual GSC. A former host, Eric excels in golf and badminton.
Paul “Paully” Rudek, a 15+ year competitor, Paully had a second place finish in 2002 and later came within one point of a GSC title in 2007. A crushing defeat, Paully refused to drink from the trophy cup to please the GSC gods. That approach paid dividends in 2011 and 2015 when Paully finally earned his spot among GSC multi-year champions. Paully continues to dominate on the basketball court with a record setting 47 of 50 successful free throws, he always gets out to a fast start in every competition.
Graham “Stick” Avila, three-time GSC champion. Graham hit the GSC by storm in 2003, taking him only one year to become champion (the shortest time span of any athlete). Graham won back-to-back GSC’s in 2004 and 2005 (a feat only achieved by two athletes). This humble competitor is an intense foe. Stick is best known for his PKT antics, punting the football barefoot, and his unorthodox style of archery. After dominating FB toss three years in a row and winning back-to-back championships, the event was eliminated in accordance with GSC rules and regulations. However, after PKT resulting in pulled hamstrings and shoulder tears, it was replaced again with football toss, so there is still hope for Graham.
Chris “The Lova” Fagan (5' 10", Beefy). Two-time champion Chris Fagan takes the G out of GSC. His “A” game includes a mix of skill and intimidation. This bad boy athlete won his first championship in 2006, after falling short by 1 point in 2003. He then followed up in 2008 with another convincing win, proving 2006 was no fluke. Fagan’s dominance began with the introduction of the PKT event. His thunderous kicks and punts send the faint of heart running for cover. A skilled marksman, he is a fan favorite in archery & darts. He's also been known to open up cans of whoop ass on fellow competitors, which the ladies love.
Jon “Jonny D” DeLisle. 2003 GSC champion. This highly motivated athlete brings inspiration to all with his game time intensity. His worst-to-first years of 2002 to 2003 won him the GSC’s most improved athlete award. Jonny D enjoys wall dancing and excels in the early events of archery, golf and free throws. If he improves upon his endurance to score in the later events, there may be no limits to what Jonny D can accomplish. His improved badminton skills have placed Jonny D on everyone’s watch list, though beer is this Superman’s kryptonite.
Steve “Coach” Dolan, two-time champion. In 2002, Steve won in an event shortened year. Chip-and-putt was replaced by miniature golf and Steve never looked back. Our most athletic competitor, Steve was a national champion in the decathlon. However, none of the decathlon events are part of the GSC, although Steve continues to lobby the board of athletes to add pole vault. Fortunately, his unparalleled coordination carries over into many events, which is why he won again in 2014. Steve is best known for using an abnormally large font when he engraved his name on the GSC championship cup in 2002 and hitting golf balls with pin point accuracy by his athletes as they warm up on the track.
Chris “Comrade Kalkinsky” Kalwinsky, don’t let his warm smile and boyish looks fool you, the Comrade is a no nonsense competitor. His strongest event, ping-pong, was mysteriously eliminated from the Classic after the Y2K competition. Conspiracy theory holds that after making a strong run in 2000 with a career high 18 points, the elimination of ping-pong was purposely done to keep the surging Comrade from later achieving any great success. Chris is now infamously known for holding the lowest point total in a GSC competition, 1. We all eagerly await his first victory dog pile.
Chris “Doody” Brock, has an on-again, off-again love affair with the GSC. After a strong fourth place finish at the 1999 GSC, Chris took a leave of absence to focus on his core GSC skills and returned in 2004. The layoff proved costly, as Chris lasted only three events before an early departure from the competition. Mentally broken, he took a second leave to meditate and establish a game plan. It worked, as in 2009 he nearly won the GSC, just falling short in the final event, croquette. Chris excels in free throws, sitting in the shade and drinking in between events.
Don "The Diver" Foy, once best known for hosting many GSC events and his wife's wonderful cooking, Don won the 2007 competition thanks to a historic Punt/Kick/Toss showing. After season ending injuries, PKT was removed from the competition, but Don still long's for its return and his return to greatness.
Rob "Bobby" Price, jumping into the seen in 2016, he made a run for the title, only to lose by a rookie croquette decision. While competitive, he finally broke through in 2019 as champion, erasing a 9 point deficit heading into croquette to seal a victory. Rob is a two-time champion. As a former AAA umpire, Bobby calls 'em like he sees them. Unfortunately for Rob, he is not part of the rules committee and therefore has no standing. Rob is best known for snuggling around a warm fire pit in the evening.
Mark "Mr. Smooth" Pelehach, took the GSC by storm in 2020. Using some surprising skills given a 2020 Covid-concave backboard during free throws, Mark never looked back. A true professional in racquet sports, Mark is crafty in many of the GSC events, which propelled him to a rookie year co-championship. Something unheard of for a GSC rookie. Mark will never be taken lightly again, especially after repeating as sole champion in 2021!
Honorable mention: Mark Willems, Tim Collins, Jim Pangallo, Eric McKay, Dan Mullen, Dave DiSanto, Luke Suttile, Matt Fahr, Will "the thrill" Urie, and Dave Olesky.
Follow Me