April 4, 2008

(Clarion, Pa.): The Clarion University "Sports Hall of Fame" Committee has announced that six new members will be inducted as the 20th "Hall of Fame" Class in 2008.

Induction ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, May 2nd at Chandler Dining Hall beginning at 6:30pm. A social is set for 5:00pm at Moore Hall (former President's residence) on campus. Ticket orders are being handled by Associate A.D. Wendy Snodgrass, Room 111 Tippin Gymnasium. Tickets are $35 per person and are available by contacting Snodgrass at 814-393-1989. Checks should be made payable to Clarion "Sports Hall of Fame".

The new inductees include five athletes and one honorary inductee who also was an athlete at Clarion. The five athletes include Steven P. Darby (men's swimming), Amy (Coon) Miller (women's basketball), Thomas Kurts (football), Randy J. Miller (wrestling) and Steve Witte (football). Honorary inductee is Mary Lou (Doverspike) Russell (Hall of Fame Committee/tennis).

"We want to congratulate the inductees on their selection to the Hall of Fame," said Clarion Athletic Director Dave Katis. "They have made a very significant contribution to Clarion Athletics and we look forward to their return on May 2. We invite everyone to come out and help us welcome them into the prestigious Hall of Fame. I'd also like to thank the Hall of Fame Committee on doing another outstanding job in the selection process."

Enclosed Below is a Snapshot of the Clarion Hall of Fame Careers of our 2008 Inductees:

STEVEN P. DARBY - MEN'S SWIMMING - 1993 Clarion University Grad - Math/Computer Science

Steve Darby had a big impact on the Men's Swimming program at Clarion from 1990-93. In his illustrious career he was a 22-time NCAA Division II All-American, placed second at nationals a total of 5 times and was a 12-time PSAC champion. A freestyle/butterfly specialist, Steven was second at nationals twice in the 200 butterfly, and once each in the 200 freestyle, 100 fly and the 200 free relay. He also was part of five school records including the 200 fly (1:48.83), 200 free (1:38.95), 200 free relay (1:23.00), 400 free relay (3:02.39) and 800 free relay (6:42.74). All but the 200 relay are still records today. He helped lead Clarion to a third place finish at nationals in 1991 and earned 6 A-A awards. In 1992 Darby was voted the PSAC "Men's Swimmer of the Year", then came back and earned the award again in 1993. In 1992 he led Clarion to the PSAC team title, was a 5-time PSAC Champion, went to nationals and was a 7-time All-American including a second place finish in both the 200 free and 200 fly. He led Clarion to a second place finish at the D-II Nationals, its best NCAA team finish. In 1993 as team captain he led Clarion to a 6th place finish at nationals, was second in the 100 and 200 fly and was a 5-time A-A. At PSAC's he was a 4-time champion. Coached by Bill Miller, Darby is a native of Auckland, New Zealand and returned there following graduation. He is a Math and Economics teacher at Te Aroha College (High School) in New Zealand. He and wife Debbie have a daughter Madison and a son Siege.

AMY (COON) MILLER - Women's Basketball - 1994 Clarion University Grad - Psychology

Amy Coon was an integral part of the greatest women's basketball teams in school history from 1991-94. When she graduated from Clarion, Amy Coon held three NCAA individual records including Three Pointers Made in a Career (365), Three Pointers Attempted (1,028) and Consecutive Games making a Three Pointer (51; 1991-93). She also finished her career with 1,466 points, second all-time at Clarion. But more than the stats, she helped lead Clarion to an amazing four-year record of 99-22, a 41-7 record in the PSAC-West, four straight PSAC-West titles, three PSAC Championships (1991, 92, 94), two trips to the NCAA "Elite 8" (91, 94) and two trips to the "Sweet 16" (92, 93) under coach "Gie" Parsons. In the 1994 season Amy averaged 13.2ppg, hauled in 101 rebounds, made 50 steals and dished out 50 assists. She was 110 of 282 from three-point land, an amazing 39%. She averaged 10.5ppg in 1993, 13ppg in 1992 and 11.8ppg as a freshman in 1991. She played in all of Clarion's 121 games over her career. She was invited to the NCAA Division I "Final 4" in March of 1994 to compete in the Final 4 shootout against the best of NCAA Division I. In itself, an unbelievable honor for a D-II player. Amy was a 1990 graduate of McDowell High in Erie. She returned to Erie and works at Safe Harbor Behavioral Health. She has a son Tucker.

THOMAS D. KURTS - Football/Baseball - 1968 Clarion University Grad - Geography

Tom Kurts was an extraordinary football player at Clarion who played on both offense and defense, plus was a big contributor as a punt returner on the 1966 PSAC Championship team and the 1967 PSAC-West winners. On offense Kurts was a big play producer for head coach Al Jacks. Over his career he had 115 rushes for 808 yards, averaging 7.03 yards per carry (#2 at Clarion). He also made 46 receptions for 1,019 yards (#2 at Clarion) and 12 td's. He averaged 22.2 yards per catch. In 1965 Tom rushed for 163 yards and 2 td's, had 126 receiving yards and 1 td, averaged 19.4 yards per punt return and made 3 interceptions on defense. In 1966 he rushed for 237 yards and 2 td's, had 10 catches for 212 yards and 3 td's, played defensive back and made 1 interception, and averaged 16 yards per punt return, including a 65-yard td return against Shippensburg. In 1967 he rushed for 408 yards and 2 td's, caught 30 passes for 681 yards and 8 td's, and averaged 19.2 yards per punt return. The Golden Eagles posted an 18-2 record in his final 2 seasons and was 28-7-2 over his four years. He also played 2 years of baseball under Joe Knowles and helped the Golden Eagles win the PSAC baseball title in 1967. A native of Wilkinsburg and a 1964 grad of Westinghouse, Tom resides in DuBois with his wife Beverly and they have two daughters, Karen and Katie. He retired recently after teaching 36 years at the DuBois Elementary and Middle School. He also coached football, softball and track.

RANDY J. MILLER - Wrestling - 1981 Clarion University Grad - Elementary Education

Randy Miller, a 1979 NCAA Division I All-America wrestler at Clarion, was a tenacious grappler at 134-pounds for the blue and gold. As a freshman in 1978 he was 24-10-1 overall and won the PSAC title at 134 and was voted the tournament's "OW". In 1979 he posted a 27-6-1 overall record, won the EWL title and placed 7th at D-I Nationals earning All-America status. In 1980 he was 29-5, won PSAC and EWL individual titles and went 2-2 at nationals. As a senior Miller won his third PSAC title, posted a 16-5 record and was a national qualifier. Overall he posted a career record of 96-26-2 with 29 pins. He was a two-year captain and helped the Golden Eagles, under coach Bob Bubb, to PSAC team titles in 1978 and 1981, and an EWL championship in 1980. Clarion's dual record was 12-2 in 1979, 12-3 in 1980 and 10-3 in 1981. He notched 201 carer dual meet points (6th ranked when he graduated) and had a career dual meet record of 45-13-2. A native of Bethlehem, Pa. And a 1976 grad of Blair Academy, he and wife Jennifer reside in Key Largo, Florida with children Chelsea and Steven.

STEVE T. WITTE - Football - 1996 Clarion University Grad - Finance

Steve Witte was certainly one of the most versatile and talented running backs ever to wear the blue and gold. Steve played at Clarion from 1992-96 and accomplished about everything a player could. In 1996 he helped lead Clarion to an 11-3 overall record, the PSAC-West title, NCAA D-II East Region Title and reach the NCAA "Final 4" before losing to Northern Colorado. Under coach Malen Luke, Witte set Clarion's single season rushing record with 1,352 yards and 16 td's on 196 carries (6.9 p/c) that season. He also caught 46 passes for 802 yards and 6 td's, plus ran a kickoff back 43-yards for a score against Slippery Rock. He was a "Consensus" First Team All-American, plus was a First Team Academic All-American, PSAC "Scholar Athlete of the Year", PSAC-West "Player of the Year" and was the Burger King National Scholar Athlete of the Week, earning Clarion a $10,000 scholarship donation. In 1994 he rushed for 691 yards and 11 td's, caught 50 passes for 578 yards and 5 td's and was named a 2nd team All-American by Football Gazette. In 1995 he rushed for 753 yards and 13 td's, plus caught 50 passes for 629 yards and 2 td's. In his career he set the PSAC record for touchdowns with 55, while rushing for 2,850 yards and 41 td's (Clarion record) on 473 carries (6.0 y/c), and grabbed 149 passes for 2,050 yards and 13 td's. He is the only PSAC runner to rush for 2,800 yards, and catch passes for over 2,000 yards. Steve is a native of Warren, Pa. and graduated from in 1992 from Eisenhower High School. He and wife Amy reside in Mentor, Ohio with their daughter Morgan and son Andrew.

MARY LOU (DOVERSPIKE) RUSSELL - (Deceased) - Honorary - 1951 Clarion University Grad - Secondary Education

Mary Lou (Doverspike) Russell was an exceptionally gifted athlete and contributor to Clarion University athletics. Mary Lou loved Tennis. As a student at Clarion in 1950 she decided to tryout for the Men's Tennis team. She made it. She was such a great player that she played #6 singles on the men's team in 1950 and 1951 and was the first female to play on a men's team and compete collegiately on an equal basis. She earned a Varsity "C" Letter in 1950. In 1951 she played #6 singles and also in doubles matches for the Golden Eagles. She was 5-3 in singles play against the men's teams. She also won several doubles matches. She taught for 12 years in the North Clarion School District, and then taught at Clarion Area for 28 years before retiring in 1992. Mary Lou joined the Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame Committee as an original member in 1988 and helped the committee produce its first Hall of Fame Class in 1989. Committed to excellence, she worked diligently as a Hall of Fame Committee person both in the election of its annual class, and in preparation of the Annual Sports Hall of Fame Induction banquet. Mary Lou passed away on November 23, 2007. We honor her with this induction. Her brother John Doverspike will accept induction on her behalf.

CLARION NOTES: The 2007 induction class brings the Hall of Fame total to 118...The first class in 1989 had 11 members. That inaugural class included -James Alcorn(fb), Dr.James Gemmell (former President), Al Jacks (fb coach), Alex Sandusky (fb), Barbara Schaefer-Nejman (diving), Wade Schalles (wrestling), William Sheridan (fb), Waldo S. Tippin (coach-A.D.), Pete Vuckovich (baseball), Jon Wiberg (bk) and Ernestine Weaver (gymnastics coach)...1990-Michael J. Catello(fb),Carol Clay (swimming coach),Robert H. Shaw (fb),Bill Simpson (wrestling) & Reggie Wells (bk)... 1991-Garry Barton (wrestling),Dave Bevevino (fb),Connie Jo Israel (gymnastics), Don Stemmerich (bk-ba), Terry Thompson (bk), George Williams (announcer -honorary)...1992-Thomas Carnahan (coach),Charles Heller (wrestling),James McCullough (fb-bk-baseball),Joseph O'Brien (fb),Jeanne O'Connor (swimming), Halley Willison (fb-bk)...1993-Robert J. Cloherty (fb),Joseph J. Knowles (baseball coach), Cheryl L.(Perozzi) Gilotty (gymnastics),Louis Hutcherson (fb),Frank Lignelli Jr.(athlete-coach-A.D.) & Kenneth S. Warnick (wrestling) ...1994-Edward H. Arndt (fb),Tracy (Cooper) Rossa (swimming),Joseph P. DeGregorio (basketball coach),Robert L. Kelly (bk), John Lovre (fb), Don Rohn (wrestling)... 1995-John V. Calipari (bk),Gary J. McCauley (fb),Doria (Mamalo) McConnell (diving),Douglas A. Niebel (wrestling),Frances M. Shope (associate A.D.) and Michael J. Zucca (diving)...1996-Pete Caristo (fb),Nanette (Farrar) Handley (swimming),Dr. Rebecca Rutt Leas (swimming coach), Terry E. Roseto (bk), Charles A.Ruslavage(fb coach),Joseph P.Sebestyen (bk),Roland B.Sparrow (fb)... 1997-John G. Dellostretto (fb), Kevin C. Ewing (fb), Alvin E. Gibson (bk), James W. Kassell (fb,bk,track,baseball), Donald E. Leas (diving coach), Rhonda (Phillips) Zozula (diver)... 1998 Kurt S. Angle (wrestling), Elton R. Brown (fb), Robert G. Bubb (wrestling coach), Robert J. Erdeljac (fb), Loyal M. Jasper (track & field), Barbara (Seel) Couvrette (diving), 1999 Tina (Bair) Karan (sw), Joseph J. Boros (golf), Kenneth D. Haselrig (wr), Ernest W. Johnson (athlete/coach - honorary), Steven P. Scillitani (fb) and Michael C. Sisinni (bk), 2000-James M. Beichner (wr), John A. DeRiggi (fb), Joseph J. Kata (deceased- fb, bk, ba), Anthony Perriello (diving), Lisa M. (Warren) Dollard (tennis) and Richard L. Pae (fb coach- honorary), 2001- David G. Caslow (wr), Leatha (Dudeck) Baker (basketball), James T. Hersh (sw), Thomas J. Komenda (fb), Gordon G. Sills (baseball) and Robert E. Leonard (Head Athletic Trainer), 2002- James A. Becker (football), Charles E. Coryea (wrestling), Carlita A. Jones (women's basketball), Joseph M. Malis (men's basketball), Theresa A. (Teri) Peot (women's swimming) and Gene Sobolewski (Football Coach), 2003- Daniel J. Chojnacki (men's basketball), Michael J. Cole (wrestling), Corissa "Mona" Gaffney-Brosier (women's basketball), Guido Malacarne (football/baseball) and David A. Peura (men's swimming), 2004- Lynn Armstrong (football), Ronald R. Botz (basketball), Jack Davis (wrestling), Terence M. McFetridge (football), Kwame R. Morton (basketball), Joyce (Skoog) Robillard (swimming), John Shropshire (football/administrator - deceased), 2005- Cheryl L. Bansek (women's basketball), Richard H. Danielson (men's basketball), Wesley C. Freeburg (fb, bask.,baseball), Sheldon E. Thomas (wrestling), Arthur T. Tragesser (football), 2006- Robert B. Frazier (baseball), Carl Grinage (basketball), Jerry M. Haslett (football), William Z. May (football), Christina (Tillotson) SheetsTillotson(women's swimming), John A. Joy (basketball coach), William G. Miller (swimming coach), 2007- Shannon Coakley Gallagher (women's basketball), Patrick L. Kiehl (diving), James M. Miller (football), Christopher Roosevelt (basketball), Bryan C. Stout (wrestling).