Clarion Athletics

One of the best running backs in the history of Clarion football, Gary Frantz toted the pigskin for the Golden Eagles from 1976 – 1979 and finished his career establishing school records for career rushing yards (2,778) and career rushing attempts (726), along with third all-time in rushing td's with (17). Playing for legendary coach Al Jacks, Frantz led the 1977 squad to a 9-0-1 overall record, first place in the PSAC-West with a 5-0-1 mark and the PSAC Championship with a 25-24 win over Millersville. He rushed for 764 yards on 221 carries and was named PSAC-West first team. In 1978 Frantz gained 871 yards on 224 carries  (school record) with 7 td's and led Clarion to a second straight PSAC-West title (5-1) and an overall record of 8-3. A first team PSAC-West, and District 18 selection, he was an NAIA All-America choice. In 1979, as a senior and team captain, he led the team with 878 rushing yards on 209 carries with Clarion posting a 9-1 overall record and a 5-1 mark in the PSAC-West. He again earned first team PSAC-West and District 18 honors and was again an NAIA All-American. Gary also wrestled for coach Bob Bubb and the Golden Eagles as a freshman and a sophomore. Frantz graduated from Clarion in 1980 with a degree in speech pathology and audiology. A 1976 graduate of Oil City High School where he was an All-State football player and a two-time State Freestyle Champion at 191 pounds, he is currently a School Counselor at Westminster High in Westminster, Colorado. He was named the 2011 Middle School Counselor of the Year for the State of Colorado. He and wife Anne and stepson Michael reside in Lakewood, Colorado.