After 39 years of working on the sidelines of some of the most exciting games in collegiate and professional arenas, Perrysburg Township resident Rick LaLonde is retiring.

The 1973 Rossford High School graduate has been a CBS Sports broadcast statistician/researcher for 39 years, working at NFL games and then college football and basketball games.

Mr. LaLonde’s last “day at the office” was at the 2022 NCAA Men’s Final Four Championship game in New Orleans–his 34th and last championship.

Along with achieving this milestone, he also was honored in April for his long-time dedication to a local charity that supports youth and community projects.

Mr. LaLonde was the special honoree of the Freedom Township Men’s Club, near Napoleon, Ohio at their 32nd annual Sports Night Dinner April 20.

He was a co-founder of the organization in 1987 and has helped to attract numerous sports figures to headline the annual dinner.

“The money raised by the organization primarily funds area youth athletic programs and has consisently been a popular and sold-out event over the years,” he explained.

Past speakers included former Ohio State football coaches Earle Bruce, John Cooper and Urban Meyer as well as Jim Leyland, Gordie Howe, Jerry Lucas, Ken Stabler, Archie Griffin, Sam Hornish Jr., Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso.

This year’s guest speaker at the banquet was J.T. Barrett, former quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The sellout crowd of 500 heard speeches from Mr. LaLonde and Mr. Barrett, who described his success and playing days that saw the Buckeyes win a national championship in 2014.

Mr. Barrett was the first three-time captain at Ohio State and is the only quarterback on either side of the Ohio State/Michigan rivalry to go 4-0 as a starter. He currently plays professional football in the CFL with the Edmonton Elks.

The evening also included an auction of sports memorabilia, 50/50 raffle and door prizes.