Clarion Athletics

Gene Sobolewski arrived at Clarion University in 1971 and established himself as an outstanding football coach and member of the Health and Physical Education staff. Gene was Clarion’s head football coach from 1983-93 (11 years), and an assistant coach for 12 years (1971-82). A major contributor to Clarion’s outstanding football tradition, Sobolewski led Clarion as head coach to a PSAC title in 1983 and PSAC-West titles in 1983, 84 and 92. He was named Kodak Region “Coach of the Year” and PSAC-West “Coach of the Year” in 1992, along with PSAC-West “Coach of the Year” in 1983. The Golden Eagles were 9-2 in 1983 and defeated East Stroudsburg 27-14 in Hershey in the PSAC title game. The Eagles were 7-3 in 1984, 8-2 in 1985 and 7-3 in 1987. Sobolewski led Clarion to the PSAC-West title in 1992 with 6 straight wins to close the year. His career record as head coach was 60-51, with a PSAC-West record of 37-29. As an assistant coach from 1971-82 and offensive coordinator from 1973-81 (under Al Jacks), he helped the Eagles to PSAC-West titles in 1977, 78 and 80 and PSAC crowns in 1977 and 1980. In his 23 years at Clarion the Eagles posted an overall record of 144-80-3. A native of Freeport, Pa., a 1960 Freeport High and 1964 University of Pittsburgh graduate (Pitt FB Defensive Starter 1961-63), he had assistant coaching tenures at Ellwood City (1964-65) and Beaver (1966-67) under Pat Tarquinnio, and then at Waynesburg College (1968-70), before coming to Clarion. He is currently an Associate Professor in HPE (31 years) at Clarion University. Gene and wife Carol have two sons Jason and Blake and a daughter Erika.