Jeff Elkus, a 2002 Sycamore High School Summa Cum Laude graduate, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy at age 5, a debilitating disease characterized by progressive muscle deterioration. Jeff was confined to a wheelchair beginning at age 9 and passed away at age 39 on June 11, 2023. He lived about twice the expected life span due to being the first participant in a US clinical trial for a drug that slowed the progression, which is now prescribed for newly diagnosed patients.
On October 18, 2024, Sycamore Schools’ Superintendent Chad Lewis, Athletic Director Andrew Ovington, and Principal Taylor Porter joined the Elkus Family on the field during the Sycamore Aviators’ varsity football game to unveil the Jeff Elkus Press Box. Representing the family were Jeff’s parents Nancy and Steve Elkus, Jeff’s brother Brad, a 2005 Sycamore graduate, his wife, Sarah, and their sons Noah and Samuel, future Sycamore Aviators.
To honor Jeff, more than 200 donors contributed to have the Press Box named after him, as part of the Sycamore Schools’ “Always An Aviator” capital campaign. After the dedication, a standing ovation took place, along with cheers of “We love Jeff” from the student section. The Elkus Family was thanked for sharing their son and his brother with the community and was assured that Jeff’s legacy will live forever in the Sycamore Community.
Jeff loved sports and although he could not physically participate, he was an integral part of Sycamore athletics as the PA announcer for basketball, sideline reporter for Varsity football home games, and a guest announcer for Boys Volleyball and Girls Softball. Jeff became known as “The Voice of the Aves.”
Jeff was also a sports reporter for The Leaf (Sycamore High School’s student newspaper) and the Community Press newspapers. He was previously inducted into the Sycamore Athletic Hall of Fame as the Spirit of Sycamore Award winner.
The greatest highlight of Jeff’s announcing career at Sycamore was Senior Night. His favorite on-air personality, Dick Vitale, the famous college basketball announcer, recorded a personal message that was played over the PA system. Jeff met Dick Vitale in person while at UC, and over two decades later, Vitale was one of the contributors to the press box.
Jeff graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Electronic Media, from the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. He worked at the University of Cincinnati’s Sports Information Department handling media communications for Bearcats Football and Women’s Basketball. He also provided commentary during UC Baseball home games. He did sports reporting as the on-air talent for Bearcast, the student-run internet radio station and was a Staff Reporter for the UC student-run newspaper, The News Record.
After graduating, Jeff joined the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati as Editor of David’s Voice, the Jewish young adult website. Two years later, he started at the Mayerson JCC where he spent fourteen years in various roles, from Marketing Assistant/Administrative Associate to Membership Concierge/Development Assistant. The Jewish Federation of Cincinnati and the Mayerson JCC were contributors to the Jeff Elkus Press Box.
Jeff was well known in the Jewish community. He was a graduate of the Melton School of Jewish Learning, recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Jewish Studies, honored by the American Jewish Committee Cincinnati Chapter, recipient of the Chabad Friendship Circle award, and involved in many other Jewish organizations and activities.
Jeff inspired all who knew him with his outstanding accomplishments, positive attitude and courageous spirit, despite battling his devastating illness. He exemplified the saying “If you can’t stand up, stand out.”
Here are some of Jeff’s own words: “During my life, I haven’t had the opportunity to participate in sports due to Muscular Dystrophy, but I have always been willing to do whatever it takes to be a part of the team and encourage school spirit. As John Wooden, the winningest coach in college basketball history, said. ‘Do not let what you CANNOT do interfere with what you CAN do.’ I think that sums up my attitude in life. If you want to achieve your dreams and hopes and you love something as much as I do sports, nothing will stand in your way. For me, my love of announcing trumped any thought of playing.”
The wedding of Kiley Maxwell and Sam Frohman took place on Saturday evening, October 26th, at French Park in Amberley Village. One hundred and twenty of their friends and family were in attendance. The couple resides in Dallas, TX. They plan to honeymoon in Hawaii for two weeks in November.
Valerie Klette-Cusher and Mike Letscher married on October 5, 2024, at the 20th Century Theater in Cincinnati. Valerie’s parents are Ruth Klette, JD, LLM and Andy Cusher, DPM, Blue Ash, Ohio. Mike’s parents are Tracy Zemel, OD and Robert Letscher, MD of Madeira, Ohio. Valerie’s maternal grandparents are the late John H. Klette, Jr., JD and Emily Klette. Her paternal grandparents are the late Elaine Frankel Cusher Wessen and Joseph Cusher.
Valerie went to The Ohio State University and works as a customer success manager at Ordergroove. Mike also went to Ohio State and works as a software engineer at Gifthealth. They met at The Ohio State University nine years ago at a party. The couple live in Long Island City (which is part of Queens NY), New York.
