Clarion Athletics

Degree: Education/Social Studies
 
Alex Murnyack didn’t believe in taking any time off while being a student-athlete at Clarion. He earned nine letters and played 10 seasons for three different teams including football, wrestling and baseball from the Spring of 1961 through the Spring of 1964.
 
Alex played football for two years under Ernie Johnson and his senior year under Al Jacks. A two-way player, he played offensive line and defensive line/linebacker during his career. A second-team PSAC selection in 1962, Alex was a preseason All-American in 1963 and was then selected first-team PSAC, Honorable Mention All-State, team captain and team MVP in 1963.
 
He was a member of the Golden Eagle wrestling team under Frank Lignelli from 1962-64 and was a PSAC runner-up at 191-pounds in 1963.
 
A four-year starter as a catcher/first baseman under coach Joe Knowles, he was a team captain and team MVP in 1964 and posted the highest batting average in the PSAC West as a senior.
 
He went on to teach and coach at Brockway High School from 1964-66 then had a long career as a teacher/coach at Bald Eagle Area from 1967 until his retirement in 2001. The head baseball coach at Bald Eagle from 1979-2001, his teams won District 6 championships in 1982, 1986 and 1996 and was runners-up in 1988. Bald Eagle made PIAA Class AAA Tournament appearances in 1982, 1986, 1988 and 1996.
 
A 1960 graduate of Bald Eagle High, Alex and wife Sandie reside in Clarence, Pa. They have daughters Michelle, Melissa and Merrilyn and sons Michael and Mark.