Tony Bondra is in his eighth season as the head coach of the Gilmour Academy softball program with the 2021-22 season.

Bondra led Gilmour to a highly successful 2021 season that was highlighted by a nine-game winning streak. The Lancers were ranked No. 6 in the News Herald’s final rankings with five players being recognized as NH All-Stars. Gilmour trailed five Division I schools and was the only Division III school listed in the rankings of the area’s top teams. The Lancers utilized a dominating offense, outscoring opponents 166-74 on the season, to win the sectional title before they lost to the three-time defending state champions in the district round.

Bondra directed the team to a North Coast League (NCL) White Division Championship in the Lancers’ first year in the conference in 2019. Unfortunately, due to the cancellation of the 2020 season because of COVID-19, the team was unable to defend its title after being voted likely to repeat as champion.

Bondra’s players have set or tied 19 of the 25 program records on file in his tenure at Gilmour.

In addition to the Lancers’ success on the field, Bondra has also helped Gilmour earn recognition for its efforts in the classroom. Gilmour earned a Team Academic Award from the Ohio High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association (OHSFSCA) in 2021 as the Lancers had the third-highest team grade point average in the state (non-weighted category) with a 3.86 mark. Additionally, 10 Lancers were named as OHSFSCA Scholar-Athletes for their individual academic achievement.

In addition to coaching at Gilmour, Bondra is quite familiar with the local softball scene. He has been the president of SPC/Hot Sox travel program since 2004 and also coached within the Mayfield School District from 2008-2013. He was the head junior varsity softball coach at Mayfield High School from 2008-10, compiling an overall record of 50-9. Bondra also served as an assistant coach with the varsity Wildcats from 2011-13 in which the team earned back-to-back NOC championships in 2011 and 2012.

A graduate of nearby Charles F. Brush High School, Bondra was a letterman in football, wrestling and baseball. He went on to play rugby at Bowling Green State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree. He holds a juris doctor from Cleveland Marshall College of Law and has been an attorney for the past 30 years.

Bondra has been a member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team since 2010 and is the secretary/treasurer for the Cleveland Football Officials Association. He is a licensed football official. He has two children: Gabbi, who is a graduate of the Ohio State University, and Joe, who attended Cleveland State University and was previously an assistant coach with the Gilmour Academy Middle School coed soccer program.