Clarion Athletics

Ernestine took women's gymnastics at Clarion to unbelievable heights in her seven year tenure as head coach 1970-72 (two years) and 1974-75 through 1978-79. For starters, she compiled an incredible dual meet record of 58-0, coaching Clarion to back-to-back Division I national championships in 1976 and 1977. Coaching numerous individual national champions at Clarion, she also led the Golden Eagles to a third place Div. I finish in 1979, fourth in 1978, sixth in 1972, and ninth in 1971 and 1975. "Ernie" was named 1977 National Coach of the Year, assistant coach of the USA 1976 Olympic team, head coach for the 1977 World University Games, and head coach of the 1980 USA Olympic team, plus much more. She left Clarion to take over the program at the University of Florida where she is still head coach. A native of Canada, she received her HPE degree in 1960 from Michigan State and coached MSU's club team before coming to Clarion.