Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame
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An eight-time All-American diver at Clarion from 1974 through 1977 under the tutelage of former diving coach and Clarion Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Don Leas, D.J. also had an outstanding track and field and cross country coach career at Clarion.
In his diving career at Clarion, Bevevino was a top-six placewinner at PSAC Championships in the 1m and 3m Dives throughout all four years, with a top finish of third place in the 1m Dive in 1976. The Golden Eagles won the PSAC Swimming and Diving team championship all four years under Hall of Fame coach Chuck Nanz. At the national level, Bevevino placed fifth in the 1m Dive and eighth in the 3m Dive at the 1975 NAIA Nationals, fifth in both dives in 1976, and 11th in the 1m in 1977. He also excelled in NCAA competition, taking sixth in the 1m Dive in 1974, fifth in 1976 in 1976 and ninth in 1977.
His performances at national competitions helped the Golden Eagles place fifth at NAIA's in 1977, seventh in 1976, ninth in 1975 and 13th in 1974. Likewise, at NCAA's Clarion placed fourth in 1977, sixth in 1976, 12th in 1975 and 12th in 1974.
Bevevino was a co-captain of the 1977 team and also lettered as a pole vaulter on the Golden Eagle track & field team in 1974. As Clarion's women's track and field coach from 2010 - 2016 he mentored four NCAA competitors including Kim Hanslovan, who took second at the NCAA Division II Nationals in the Javelin in 2010, the highest placing at nationals of any track & field athlete in school history. His athletes established 12 of the current 20 indoor records and 13 of the current 22 outdoor records at Clarion. Bevevino also coached the Golden Eagle women's cross country team from 2010-2014.
Bevevino's father, David (Red) Bevevino, was a 1991 Clarion Sports Hall of Fame inductee. An All-America quarterback at Clarion, "Red" Bevevino led the Eagles to their first undefeated season in 1952 (9-0) which culminated with a Lions Bowl win over East Carolina (13-6). Father and son are the second such combination at Clarion to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame, joining Reggie Wells (1990) and Reggie Wells Jr. (2012).
A 1973 graduate of Clarion Area, DJ is retired and resides in Clarion with his wife Patricia. The couple have three children including daughter Erika and sons Benjamin and Adam.
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