Clarion Athletics

Dr. James Gemmell, Clarion University's 11^th president ( 1960-76), led the surge for Clarion's development as a college (then Clarion State College) and especially in athletics.

Under his leadership Clarion State rose in enrollment from just over 1,000 to nearly 5,000 students.

Under his skillful eye the athletic program grew and developed the outstanding tradition it holds today. He was instrumental in turning programs around and saw football post a record of 92-43-6 and men's basketball 185-150, wrestling advance to Division I while carving a slate of 195-36, the development of the outstanding men's and women's swimming tradition, the growth of women's gymnastics, and the 1976 Division I National Championship and much more.

''Dr. Gemmell was responsible for developing our strong athletic tradition through his support and insistence on a proud athletic tradition that was based on quality student athletes,'' legendary Clarion A.D. Frank Ligenlli commented

A 1938 Wyoming graduate, Gemmell, who passed away Sept. 8, 1986, spent 15 years on the Penn State faculty (1945-60) before coming to Clarion. He and wife, Kathleen, had two sons, Chris and Ted.