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Hall of Fame Reservation Form
 
The Clarion University “Sports Hall of Fame” Committee has announced that five new members will be inducted as the 2012 “Hall of Fame” Class and they are Kenneth P. Bedford (diving), Melanie (Bull) Lewis (women's volleyball), Robert “Bo” Garritano (football), John Testa (wrestling), Reginald A. “Reggie” Wells Jr.  (football).
 
            Clarion University's 24^th Annual Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, May 4, 2012 at Clarion's Eagle Commons Dining Facility (located at Ninth and Wood) beginning at 7:00pm. The event is open to the public.
 
A social is set for 5:30pm at Rooms 107 & 108 Eagle Commons (lower level). Ticket orders are being handled by Associate A.D. Wendy Snodgrass, Room 111 Tippin Gymnasium. Tickets are $35 per person and are available by contacting Snodgrass at 814-393-1989. Checks should be made payable to Clarion “Sports Hall of Fame”. Ticket order forms and induction information are available at www.clariongoldeneagles.com.
 
            “We want to congratulate the new inductees, as well as the Hall of Fame Committee on another job well done,” said seventh year Clarion A.D. Dave Katis. “This is another exciting class of inductees who made significant contributions to Clarion Athletics during their time on campus. We look forward to their induction on May 4. ”
 
Enclosed Below is a Snapshot of the Clarion Hall of Fame Careers of our 2012 Inductees:

            Ken Bedford was an outstanding men's diver at Clarion University from 1995 – 99 under diving coach Dave Hrovat and head swimming coach Bill Miller. Bedford won three individual NCAA Division II National titles, placed second four times and third once – out of a maximum of 8 total NCAA Qualifiers. As a freshman in 1995 he placed second on 1 and 3 meter diving boards at the NCAA's and helped the golden Eagles to a 4^th place team finish. In 1996 Ken was named the NCAA D-II “Diver of the Year” after winning the 1 meter national title and placing second on 3 meter. In 1997 Bedford won the 3 meter national title and was third on 1 meter while helping Clarion to a 4^th place team finish. After red-shirting 1998, he came back in 1999 to win again on 3 meter and place second on 1 meter, while functioning as a team captain. He also broke Mike Zucca's 19-year old record on 3 meter in 1999. A 1994 graduate of Butler High School, he has been the diving coach at Butler High School for 12 seasons. Ken and wife Dawn have a daughter Sophia and reside in Butler.

            Melanie Bull was simply one of the best women's volleyball players in Clarion's history. An outside hitter, playing under coach Tracey Fluharty, she set six Clarion Volleyball records including three career and three individual season. Playing at Clarion in the Fall seasons of 2000 – 2003, Melanie set the school career record for kills (1,926), digs (2,000) and attack attempts (5,018). She also owned the single season records for kills (584) in 2003, attack attempts (1,605) in 2003 and digs in (602) in 2001. In her career she totaled 1,926 kills, 2,000 digs, 187 service aces and a 26.7% kill percentage. Team captain in 2002 and 2003, she helped lead the Golden Eagles to a school record 31-5 mark in 2002 and the team's first NCAA Playoff berth. Bull was named a first team PSAC-West, AVCA and Daktronics All-Region choice, as well as an HM All-America choice. In 2003 the Golden Eagles were 26-10 overall and earned another NCAA post-season invitation. Bull again earned first team PSAC-West, Daktronics and AVCA All-Region and HM All-America honors. A 2000 graduate of Susquehannock High, Melanie, husband Jamie Lewis and daughters Ava and Lana reside in Mooresville, N.C.

            Robert “Bo” Garritano was an outstanding defensive lineman for the Golden Eagles from 1962-65 and continues to support the football team today spearheading the “Clarion Football Alumni Association” along with the “Dare To Dream” Scholarship Fund. Playing for coaches Ernie “Turk” Johnson in 1962 and Al Jacks from 63-65, Garritano distinguished himself as a defensive tackle. A four-year starter, “Bo” was named as a first team All-PSAC defensive tackle in 1964 (combined East and West), along with first team NAIA District 18 and NAIA HM All-American. In 1965, as a Co-Captain, Bo led Clarion to a 6-2-1 record. He was voted as a first team PSAC-West and NAIA District 18 choice. He again was named NAIA HM All-American. A 1962 graduate of North Braddock-Scott High, he retired in 2001 as a principal at Laurel Valley High, after two years as assistant principal at Penn Hills. He also had educational stints at Ford City, Bellevue, Norwin, Gateway, Hempfield, East Allegheny High Schools and Westmoreland Intermediate Unit. Bo was also well known in Pittsburgh Steelers Lore as the “Terrible Fan” – and has his costume retired in the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum as part of the Heinz History Center. Recipient of the Clarion University Distinguished Volunteer Award in 2007, he is currently the main force behind the Clarion Football Alumni group and the “Dare To Dream” Scholarship Fund. Bo and wife Joyce reside in North Huntingdon, Pa. and have a daughter Nicole.

            John Testa had a great career at Clarion University in NCAA Division I Wrestling from 2000 – 2003 under head coach Ken Nellis. Testa posted the third most career wins at Clarion while carving a career record of 134-29-0. His 134 wins are behind only Wade Schalles and Mike Cole. As a freshman in 2000 John was 28-11 overall, won the PSAC's, placed 4^th at EWL's, was named the PSAC “Rookie of the Year” and was 3-2 at nationals. In 2001 he improved to 29-6 overall, won both the EWL and PSAC titles, and was 1-2 at nationals. In 2002 Testa posted a 34-7 record, won both PSAC's and EWL's and was 2-2 at nationals. In 2003, as a senior, Testa was 43-5, EWL and PSAC Champion, and became an NCAA Division I All-American with an 8^th place finish. He had a season dual meet record of 17-0 and a career dual met record of 56-6. A three-time EWL and four-time PSAC champion, John was inducted into the EWL “Hall of Fame” in March. A 1998 graduate of St. Marks High School in Delaware, John currently resides in his hometown of Newark, Delaware.

            “Reggie” Wells Jr., one of the top athletes and football players ever to don the blue and gold, had an outstanding career at Clarion University from 1999 – 2002 under head coach Malen Luke, as well as in the NFL, primarily with the Arizona Cardinals. At Clarion Wells was a four-year starter from 1999 – 2002 at offensive tackle. The 6'4”, 320-pound left tackle led Clarion to a 7-4 record in 2000 and a first place PSAC-West record of 5-1. In 2001, as a junior, Reggie was named a first team PSAC-West, East Region and HM Football Gazette All-American. In 2002 Wells earned first team Associated Press and AFCA All-America honors, while being named as a second team All-American Football Gazette and D-2 football.com. the Eagles were 7-4 that season. He was selected to play in the “Cactus Bowl” in January of 2003, then was selected in the 6^th round (177^th overall pick) of the 2003 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Reggie played in all 16 games his rookie season and started his final game of the year at left tackle. A permanent starter on the Cardinals “O-Line at tackle and guard through the 2009 season, he was the offensive captain helping lead Arizona to the NFC title on Jan. 18, 2009 with a 32-25 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, and then on to Super Bowl XLIII and a last second loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Feb. 1, 2009. He has played in 115 NFL games, started 91 and is currently a free agent after playing in 2010 with the Eagles and 2011 with the Carolina Panthers. Reggie and wife Kathrine Bulger Wells, reside in Chandler, Arizona. He is a 1999 graduate of South Park High near Pittsburgh. His father Reggie Wells Sr., an All-American basketball player at Clarion (1975-79) was inducted into the Clarion Sports Hall in 1990. They are the first father/son inductees to the Clarion Hall. His mother Diane (Logan) Wells ('79) and brother Ryan 2005 are Clarion graduates.

 
CLARION NOTES: The 2011 induction class brings the Hall of Fame total to 134...The first class in 1989 had 11 members. That inaugural class included -James Alcorn(fb), Dr.James Gemmell (former President), Al Jacks (fb coach), Alex Sandusky (fb), Barbara Schaefer-Nejman (diving), Wade Schalles (wrestling), William Sheridan (fb), Waldo S. Tippin (coach-A.D.), Pete Vuckovich (baseball), Jon Wiberg (bk) and Ernestine Weaver (gymnastics coach)...1990-Michael J. Catello(fb),Carol Clay (swimming coach),Robert H. Shaw (fb),Bill Simpson (wrestling) & Reggie Wells (bk)... 1991-Garry Barton (wrestling),Dave Bevevino (fb),Connie Jo Israel (gymnastics), Don Stemmerich (bk-ba), Terry Thompson (bk), George Williams (announcer -honorary)...1992-Thomas Carnahan (coach),Charles Heller (wrestling),James McCullough (fb-bk-baseball),Joseph O'Brien (fb),Jeanne O'Connor (swimming), Halley Willison (fb-bk)...1993-Robert J. Cloherty (fb),Joseph J. Knowles (baseball coach), Cheryl L.(Perozzi) Gilotty (gymnastics),Louis Hutcherson (fb),Frank Lignelli Jr.(athlete-coach-A.D.) & Kenneth S. Warnick (wrestling) ...1994-Edward H. Arndt (fb),Tracy (Cooper) Rossa (swimming),Joseph P. DeGregorio (basketball coach),Robert L. Kelly (bk), John Lovre (fb), Don Rohn (wrestling)... 1995-John V. Calipari (bk),Gary J. McCauley (fb),Doria (Mamalo) McConnell (diving),Douglas A. Niebel (wrestling),Frances M. Shope (associate A.D.) and Michael J. Zucca (diving)...1996-Pete Caristo (fb),Nanette (Farrar) Handley (swimming),Dr. Rebecca Rutt Leas (swimming coach), Terry E. Roseto (bk), Charles A.Ruslavage(fb coach),Joseph P.Sebestyen (bk),Roland B.Sparrow (fb)... 1997-John G. Dellostretto (fb), Kevin C. Ewing (fb), Alvin E. Gibson (bk), James W. Kassell (fb,bk,track,baseball), Donald E. Leas (diving coach), Rhonda (Phillips) Zozula (diver)... 1998 Kurt S. Angle (wrestling), Elton R. Brown (fb), Robert G. Bubb (wrestling coach), Robert J. Erdeljac (fb), Loyal M. Jasper (track & field), Barbara (Seel) Couvrette (diving), 1999 Tina (Bair) Karan (sw), Joseph J. Boros (golf), Kenneth D. Haselrig (wr), Ernest W. Johnson (athlete/coach - honorary), Steven P. Scillitani (fb) and Michael C. Sisinni (bk), 2000-James M. Beichner (wr), John A. DeRiggi (fb), Joseph J. Kata (deceased- fb, bk, ba), Anthony Perriello (diving), Lisa M. (Warren) Dollard (tennis) and Richard L. Pae (fb coach- honorary), 2001- David G. Caslow (wr), Leatha (Dudeck) Baker (basketball), James T. Hersh (sw), Thomas J. Komenda (fb), Gordon G. Sills (baseball) and Robert E. Leonard (Head Athletic Trainer), 2002- James A. Becker (football), Charles E. Coryea (wrestling), Carlita A. Jones (women's basketball), Joseph M. Malis (men's basketball), Theresa A. (Teri) Peot  (women's swimming) and Gene Sobolewski (Football Coach), 2003- Daniel J. Chojnacki (men's basketball), Michael J. Cole (wrestling), Corissa “Mona” Gaffney-Brosier (women's basketball), Guido Malacarne (football/baseball) and David A. Peura (men's swimming), 2004- Lynn Armstrong (football), Ronald R. Botz (basketball), Jack Davis (wrestling), Terence M. McFetridge (football), Kwame R. Morton (basketball), Joyce (Skoog) Robillard (swimming), John Shropshire (football/administrator - deceased), 2005- Cheryl L. Bansek (women's basketball), Richard H. Danielson (men's basketball), Wesley C. Freeburg (fb, bask.,baseball), Sheldon E. Thomas (wrestling), Arthur T. Tragesser (football), 2006- Robert B. Frazier (baseball), Carl Grinage (basketball), Jerry M. Haslett (football), William Z. May (football), Christina Tillotson Sheets (women's swimming), John A. Joy (basketball coach), William G. Miller (swimming coach), 2007- Shannon Coakley Gallagher (women's basketball), Patrick L. Kiehl (diving), James M. Miller (football), Christopher Roosevelt (basketball), Bryan C. Stout (wrestling), 2008- Steven P. Darby (men's swimming), Amy (Coon) Miller (women's basketball), Thomas D. Kurtz (football/baseball), Randy J. Miller (wrestling), Steve T. Witte (football), Mary Lou (Doverspike) Russell (deceased/honorary), 2009- Paul A. Clark (wrestling), A'Lisa (Woicicki) Funk (women's swimming), Jon Haslett (football), Damon Pietronigro (men's swimming) and Ernie Widmar (football/baseball), 2010 – Mark D. Angle (wrestling), Jodi (Pezek) Burns (vb; coach), Frank W. Grundler (wrestling/football), Al Lefevre (men's golf coach/football), Chuck Nanz (men's swim coach), Chris Weibel (football)… 2011 – James “Pint” Barton (baseball), Timothy D. Brown (football), Jacob “Jack” Derlink (basketball), Dan Mahoney (football), and Tamara L. “Tammy” Myers (tennis).