CLARION “SPORTS HALL OF FAME” SET FOR FRIDAY APRIL 30 - ANGLE, PEZEK, GRUNDLER, LEFEVRE, NANZ & WEIBEL 2010 INDUCTEES

The Clarion University “Sports Hall of Fame” Committee has announced that six new members will be inducted as the 22nd “Hall of Fame” Class in 2010. 

Induction ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, April 30th, 2010 at Clarion’s new dining hall, Eagle Commons, (located at Wood & Arnold) beginning at 7:00pm and all are invited to attend. A social is set for 5:30pm 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”. Ticket order forms and induction information are available at www.clariongoldeneagles.com.

 The six new inductees feature three former athletes, two former athletes who also coached at Clarion, and a coach.

The new inductees are: Mark D. Angle (wrestling â€" 1997-2000), Jodi Pezek Burns (volleyball, sb & vb coach â€" 1987-1990), Frank Grundler (wrestling, football â€" 1962-66), Al Lefevre (deceased - men’s golf coach, football- 1999-2008; 1961-64), Charles “Chuck” Nanz (men’s swim coach â€" 1970-77) and Chris Weibel (football â€" 1993, 95-98).

“We want to congratulate the new inductees, as well as the Hall of Fame Committee on another job well done,” said fifth year Clarion A.D. Dave Katis. “This will be another great class of inductees who made a very significant contribution to Clarion Athletics during their time on campus. We look forward to their induction on April 30th. ”

Enclosed Below is a Snapshot of the Clarion Hall of Fame Careers of our 2010 Inductees:

MARK D. ANGLE - WRESTLING - 2001 Clarion University Grad - Sec. Ed/Biology

Mark Angle was an outstanding wrestler for the Golden Eagles NCAA D-I Wrestling program from 1997-2000 under coaches Jack Davis and Ken Nellis. In his fantastic career, Mark notched a career record of 126-11 (3rd in Clarion history behind Wade Schalles and Mike Cole) and was a three-time D-I All-American (1998-2000). In 1998 Mark was 43-3 at 134-pounds, won EWL and PSAC titles, and placed fourth at D-I Nationals. In 1999 he had an amazing record of 40-1, again won EWL and PSAC titles, and placed third at nationals at 141-pounds. He also was chosen for the East-West All-Star match. In 2000 Mark sustained a knee injury toward the end of the season, but still fashioned a 29-4 record, placed 4th at D-I Nationals at 141-pounds, was the PSAC Champion and runner-up at EWL’s. He finished his career with 44 consecutive dual meets wins and had a career dual meet record at Clarion of 46-1. Mark was PSAC and EWL “Wrestler of the Year” in 1999.  The 1995 Canon McMillan grad and 1995 PIAA State Champion currently resides in Pittsburgh.

FRANK W. GRUNDLER - Wrestling/Football - 1967 Clarion University Grad - Sec. Ed./Geography

Frank Grundler, a PSAC wrestling champion and an outstanding defensive lineman in football, was an outstanding two-sport athlete at Clarion University from 1962-66. A four-year wrestling lettermen (1962, 64-66), Grundler helped Clarion wrestling coach Frank Lignelli put together an amazing team. The Golden Eagles, who had only re-started wrestling in the 1960 season, were 11-0 in 1964, 10-0 in 1965 and 13-2 in 1966. Clarion won its first PSAC Championship in 1965. Grundler, who won the individual PSAC crown at 191-pounds in 1965, a big part of that title. Grundler was also the WPSAC champion at 191-pounds in 1963 and 64, and a tournament finalist in 1965 and 66. He qualified for the NAIA Nationals in 1965 and 66, and undefeated in dual meet action for 2 ½ years between 1964-66.  As a football player under coach Al Jacks, he was a starting defensive end and record 51 solo tackles in 1965. He was named to the NAIA D-18 team. A native of Pittsburgh and a 1961 graduate of Shaler High School, he was the head wrestling coach at Ridgway in 1968, then at Santa Ana Valley in California from 1969-71. From 1973-2000 he taught and coached at Paradise Valley Unified School District in Phoenix, Arizona. As head coach his teams had 246 wins, 16 Arizona state Champs and much more. He and his wife Adele (Desmone ‘65), have three sons including Bill, Jim and Matt.

OTHER INDUCTEES

JODI PEZEK BURNS - VOLLEYBALL/SB & VB COACH - 1991 Clarion University Grad - Elementary Education

Jodi Pezek Burns, a first team AVCA All-Region selection in 1989 and 1990 and one of the top volleyball players in Clarion history, played for coaches Cindy Opalski and Sue Flaherty Karrs. A four-year starter, she held four season and six career records at Clarion when she graduated. As a freshman in 1987 Jodi had 262 kills, 158 digs, 51 solo and 68 assisted blocks to go with 35 service aces. In 1988 she had 229 kills, 158 digs, 40 solo and 46 assisted blocks, plus 18 service aces. In 1989 she had 431 kills, 238 digs, 120 solo and 231 assisted blocks with 60 service aces. Then as a senior she had 522 kills, 232 digs, 145 solo and 102 assisted blocks with 58 service aces. In four years she totaled career records in kills (1,444 ), solo blocks (356), assisted blocks (447), total blocks (803), hitting percentage (26.6), and points (2,194.5). She was also third in career service aces (171) and also contributed 786 digs. Clarion had a 4-year overall record of 101-52 from 1987-90, won the school’s first PSAC team title in 1998, finished second in 1999 and third in 2000. Jodi was Clarion’s head softball coach in the seasons of 1993-95 and the volleyball coach in the seasons of 1995-98, and 2006. A 1987 graduate of Norwin High, Jodi and husband Joe Burns reside in Shippenville, Pa. and have five children including Karly, Ellie, Olivia, Jacob and Korrin. Jodi is currently the “Outreach Coordinator” at Clarion University for the Educational Talent Search.

AL LEFEVRE - MEN’S GOLF COACH/FOOTBALL - (Deceased) - Honorary - 1965 Clarion University Grad - Speech Therapy

Al Lefevre, an outstanding person, athlete, men’s golf coach and contributor at Clarion University, is being inducted for his outstanding contributions to Clarion University athletics before his passing in August of 2008. He took over the men’s golf program in the Fall of 1999 and in nine seasons led Clarion to PSAC team titles in the Spring of 2002 and the Fall of 2005, plus four second place finishes. He was the PSAC Golf Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2006, while his teams earned seven straight NCAA Division II East Regional Invitations from 2002 - 2008. The Golden Eagles were second at Regionals in 2006, third in 2005 and fourth in 2008. He coached many talented players during his tenure including 2003 Third Team All-American Matt Guyton who finished 7th at the D-II Nationals that year, and 2008 HM All-American Jared Schmader who is still playing. A member of the Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame Committee from 2002 -2008, Al was a proud member of the Alpha Gamma Phi Fraternity and a devoted football alumni at Clarion. Al played football for coach Al Jacks between 1961-64. In 1962 and 63 he was Clarion’s starting qb. In 1963 he passed for 3 td’s and ran for 2 td’s, before an injury ended his season, and ultimately his career. Al also had an extremely successful coaching career at nearby Brookville High School as the head football coach (1968-82) and the head or assistant golf coach there from 1965-99. A native of Tarentum, Pa., and a 1961 graduate of Tarentum High School, he was the Alle-Kiski Valley “Back of the Year” in 1960-61 before coming to Clarion. Al’s wife Bonnie resides in Brookville. The couple has two sons, Scott and Doug.

CHARLES “CHUCK” NANZ - Men’s Swim Coach - 1970-77 - Honorary

Chuck Nanz is the father of the Clarion Men’s Swimming Tradition. Nanz was hired in 1968-69 by former A.D. Frank Lignelli to come to Clarion and build a men’s swimming program. Nanz spent the year getting the men’s program organized, then in 1969-70, with the help of diving coach Don Leas (Clarion Hall of Fame Inductee 1997), started their first year of varsity competition. Clarion was an amazing second at the PSAC’s that first season, then won seven straight PSAC Championships after that. In 1971, the year the first PSAC championship was recorded, Clarion set 8 conference records. Clarion had an amazing dual meet record of 74-10 under Nanz in 8 years, with 3 Clarion teams going undefeated. Several of Clarion’s men’s swim teams placed in the top 6 in both the NAIA and NCAA nationals during his leadership and the Eagles were 13th or better at nationals every year. Chuck also started the Eagle Summer Swim Camps, which have been highly successful over the years and was the men’s intramural director from 1968-77.  Overall the men’s swim teams have won a total of 24 PSAC Crowns. Nanz is a native of Pittsburgh and was a 1952 graduate of South Hills High School. Attending the University of Pittsburgh, Nanz was a 4-year letterman and a senior captain with the Panthers in 1959. Chuck was a highly successful coach at Baldwin-Whitehall High School from 1964-68 leading his teams to two second place finishes at the PIAA State Championships before coming to Clarion in 1968. Chuck resides in Chula Vista, California. He has two daughters Margie and Marilyn, a son Mike, and the late Mark Nanz.

CHRIS WEIBEL - Football - 1998 Clarion University Grad - Marketing

Chris Weibel was a great quarterback at Clarion who set three single season passing records and five career records from 1993-98, while leading the Golden Eagles to an 11-3 overall record, PSAC-West and NCAA D-II East Region titles, Lambert Cup and an NCAA Div. II “Final Four” finish in 1996.  He played for coach Malen Luke. In 1996 Weibel was the #2 rated passer in Division II and completed 208 of 356 passes for 2,880 yards and 32 td’s, while also running for 170 yards and 4 td’s. The Eagles lost to Northern Colorado 19-18 in the NCAA semi’s in 1996, who went on to win the national championship. In his career Weibel completed 586 of 1,065 passes for 7,845 yards and 65 td’s, all Clarion records. He also has the total offense record with 8,136 yards and rushed for 10 td’s. He passed for a single game high 411 yards versus Millersville in 1995, a year that Clarion posted a 6-4 record. He completed 59.3 % of his passes in 1995 and tossed 14 td’s. As a senior in 1998, he passed for 2,462 yards and 16 td’s. He was a 1996 HM All-American and PSAC-West All-Conference selection. Weibel is a native of East Brady, Pa. and was a 1993 graduate of Armstrong Central (Kittanning) High. After graduating from Clarion in 1998, he played nearly 5 years of professional football, before returning to Clarion in 2004 and is currently in his 6th year coaching quarterbacks and is the Recruiting Coordinator. 

CLARION NOTES: The 2010 induction class brings the Hall of Fame total to 129...

Other wrestlers in Clarion's Hall of Fame, and year of induction
1989 - Wade Schalles (wrestling)
1990 - Bill Simpson (wrestling)
1991 -Garry Barton (wrestling)
1992 - Charles Heller (wrestling)
1993 - Frank Lignelli Jr.(athlete-coach-A.D.) & Kenneth S. Warnick (wrestling)
1994 - Don Rohn (wrestling
1995 - Douglas A. Niebel (wrestling)
1998 - Kurt S. Angle (wrestling), Robert G. Bubb (wrestling coach), Kenneth D. Haselrig (wrestling)
2000 - James M. Beichner (wrestling)
2001 - David G. Caslow (wrestling)
2002 - Charles E. Coryea (wrestling)
2003 - Michael J. Cole (wrestling)
2004 - Jack Davis (wrestling)
2005 - Sheldon E. Thomas (wrestling)
2007 - Bryan C. Stout (wrestling)
2008 - Randy J. Miller (wrestling)
2009- Paul A. Clark (wrestling)