New Canton South baseball coach played for record-setting Wildcat team

Mike Shaheen, a native of Canton South, has been named the new head baseball coach for the school's varsity team. The 42-year-old played as an outfielder and pitcher for the Wildcats during their record-setting 2002 season, which culminated with a dramatic 6-5 victory against Central Catholic in the OHSAA Division II district finals.

Shaheen's father, Joe, played for legendary coach Tim Miller, a program icon who coached for 25 years. Shaheen's mother, Lori, was a valedictorian of her class, while his grandfather and great uncles once operated the renowned Bolivar Road Variety Store.

After suffering a serious injury in his senior year, Shaheen returned to play with the South team, which unfortunately lost to Central Catholic in the tournament. Now, Shaheen hopes to instill the same team spirit he experienced as a player, emphasizing hard work, accountability, and Wildcat pride. After spending 18 years as a special education teacher in Akron Public Schools, Shaheen is eager to bring his extensive baseball coaching experience to Canton South.

He has previously worked as an assistant coach in Perry and Canton South systems, and spent five seasons as head varsity coach at Akron Garfield.

Shaheen is particularly fond of Canton South's youth feeder program and is familiar with the current roster. He plans to familiarize himself with the team even further as he establishes his coaching program. Shaheen is excited to build a competitive program rooted in teamwork and dedication to the school's values. Canton South Athletic Director Joe Bogdan stated that Shaheen's background as a graduate, experienced coach, and educator makes him an excellent fit for the program, emphasizing his commitment to nurturing young athletes and fostering a positive team culture.