The induction will take place at the OHSBCA Annual Clinic and Banquet at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus.
The Hall of Fame, established in 1972 includes 113 members.
Branon has coached four players that went on to sign professional baseball contracts, including Josh Newman of the Kansas City Royals.
“Coach Branon has not only coached baseball, but he taught high school kids not just how to be succeed in baseball, but how to be successful in life,” Newman said.
“To him, baseball was No. 2 and being a quality person and quality individual was No 1.,” he added. “He's a truly remarkable person and he’s finally receiving an honor that is well overdue.”
Branon is best known for leading Wheelersburg to the 1996 Division III State Championship as well as State Poll Championships in 1996, 1997 and 1999. He is also remembered for winning seven SOC championships in 20 years with Wheelersburg. He also recently returned to coaching baseball by reviving the Post 23 baseball program.
“Its truly awsome to come back home and to see that program up and running again,” Newman said. “He doesn't do it for money...he does it because he loves the game.”
Branon won 357 games as a high school baseball coach at Green and at Wheelersburg.
Newman said it didn’t take long for him to understand the type of man that Branon was while playing as a freshman at Wheelersburg.
“(It was) my first game and I started against PHS as freshman,” he said. “I’ll never forget the respect that (my teammates) had for coach Branon (at that game).”
Branon also currently coaches the East girls basketball team.
Other inductees include Robert Haegele (Westerville North), Tom Randall (Kenton Ridge), John Sankal (East Lake North), Tom Schreck (Wynford) and former OHSAA Assistant Commisioner John Dickerson.
JOHN STEGEMAN can be reached at jstegeman02@hotmail.com
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