Clarion Athletics

1995 NCAA Division I Wrestling All-American Dan Payne had a fantastic career at Clarion University under head coaches Bob Bubb and Jack Davis. A native of Victor, N.Y. and Victor high, Dan had a productive true freshman season in 1991, red-shirted 1992 and then embarked on three outstanding seasons. In 1993 Dan was 28-8 at 177-pounds, PSAC champ, 2^nd at EWL's and an NCAA Division I Qualifier going 2-2 at nationals. In 1994 Payne was 31-8 overall, PSAC champ, 3^rd at EWL's and again went to the NCAA's posting a 1-2 mark. The team was outstanding. Clarion won the PSAC and EWL titles, notched a 15-2 dual meet record, finished the year ranked 6^th in the nation in the final NWCA Dual Meet Poll and placed 15^th at D-I Nationals. As a senior Dan moved up to heavyweight and had his best year with a 39-4 record. He was a PSAC and EWL champ and earned All-America honors with a 7^th place finish – defeating Justin Harty (North Carolina) 5-3 in overtime for his final win. Clarion finished the 1995 season with a 9-3-1 record, its second straight EWL title, ranked 10^th in the final NWCA Dual Meet Poll and ended 15^th at D-I Nationals. Payne posted a career record of 111-35, tied for 10^th at Clarion in career wins and was a 3-year captain.  A 3-time PSAC champ and an EWL winner, he was voted Male Athlete of the Year at Clarion in 1995. After earning his degree in 1995, he received his MBA from Pitt in 1999 while being an assistant coach with the Panthers. Payne embraced the sport of Rugby and played on the USA National Team in the World Cup in 2007 and was an assistant coach on the USA World Cup team in 2011. After spending 11 years at Life University – the last 5 as Athletic Director, he was named the CEO of USA Rugby on August 1 of 2016. Dan and his wife Kelly have a son Wesley.