CLARION, Pa. - The Clarion University "Sports Hall of Fame" Committee has announced that six new members will be inducted as the 2016 "Hall of Fame" Class and they are Robert J. Beatty (1980; Football/Baseball), Bernie Carpenter (1980; Football), Frank Edgar (2005; Wrestling), James Koontz (1979; Baseball), William "Bill May (1968; Golf), and Melissa (Yearous) O'Neil (2001; Women's Basketball/Track & Field).
 
Clarion University's 28th Annual Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, April 29, 2016 at Clarion's Eagle Commons Dining Facility located at Wood & Arnold beginning at 7:00pm. The event is open to the public.
 
A social is set for 5:30 p.m. at Rooms 107 & 108 Eagle Commons (lower level). Ticket orders are being handled by Events & Promotions Coordinator Scott Courtney, Room 101 Tippin Gymnasium. Tickets are $40 per person and are available by contacting Courtney at 814 -393-2057. Checks should be made payable to Clarion "Sports Hall of Fame". Ticket order forms and induction information are available at www.clariongoldeneagles.com.
 
"Congratulations to the inductees, and to the Hall of Fame Committee on another job well done," said Clarion Athletic Director Dave Katis. "This is an exciting class of inductees who made significant contributions to Clarion Athletics during their time on campus.  We encourage alumni and friends to come to the induction and support these former Eagle greats as we celebrate their induction on April 29."
 
Enclosed Below is a Snapshot of the Clarion Hall of Fame Careers of our 2016 Inductees:
 

	ROBERT "BOB" BEATTY – FOOTBALL/BASEBALL   1980 Clarion University Grad– Education/English
	Bob Beatty was an outstanding quarterback at Clarion from 1976 – 1980, while also playing baseball for the Golden Eagles in 1977 and 1978. A native of  Prospect, Pa., Beatty was the starting qb on the 1977 and 1980 teams that won PSAC Championships. The 1977 squad went 9-0-1 (5-0-1 in PSAC-West) and defeated Millersville in the title game 25-24 and 9-2 in 1980 (5-1 PSAC-West) defeating Kutztown in the title game 15-14. In 1980 he completed a school record 166 of 328 passes for 1,733 yards and 13 td's. That team was also awarded the Lambert Cup. In his career he set Clarion records for career passing attempts (693), and was second all-time with 326 completions, 3,916 yards and with 32 td passes. Honored throughout his career, he was an Associated Press and NAIA HM All-America selection, First Team PSAC-West, NAIA D-18 and Pittsburgh Press, while being named the Curbstone Coaches "Player of the Year". Clarion's QB in 1976, 77, 78 and 1980, the team, under head coach Al Jacks, was a remarkable 33-8-1. Bob was a catcher, infielder for the Golden Eagles his first two seasons under head coach Barry McCauliff. A 1976 graduate of Slippery Rock High, he teaches English in the Red Lion Area School District. Bob and wife Cynthia had two daughters (Leah & Jenna) and a son Robert.
	BERNARD "BERNIE" CARPENTER  – FOOTBALL 1980 Clarion University Grad – Communications
	Bernie Carpenter, a hard hitting outside linebacker and defensive end from 1976 – 1979, was a captain and a leader of the Golden Eagle defense throughout his career. Carpenter helped the Golden Eagles to a 4-year record of 33-7-1 under coach Al Jacks., a PSAC title in 1977 and West titles in 1977 and 1978. An All-PSAC selection in 1978 and 1979, Carpenter had 81 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries and returned a kickoff 94 yards for a td against IUP in his final game in 1979. He averaged 28 yards per kickoff return that season. In 1978 he led the team with 117 tackles and 3 sacks, and of course in 1977 helped led the Eagles to a PSAC title and a 25-24 win over Millersville in the "State Game". Leading a defense masterminded by the late Charlie Ruslavage,  Carpenter was a key part of some great defenses that registered a total of 5 shutouts and held teams to 7 points or less a total of 16 times from 1976 - 1979. A native of Brookfield, Ohio and a 1976 graduate of Brookfield High, he has a daughter Kristin and a son Benjamin, and step children Nick, Bryanne and Jillian. Bernie resides in Kent, Ohio and is the President of Hapco Inc. (Tarpco).
	FRANK EDGAR – WRESTLING   2005 Clarion University Grad – Political Science
	An incredibly successful NCAA Division I collegiate wrestler, Frank Edgar grappled for the Golden Eagles from 2001 through 2005 and put together an outstanding career. Edgar compiled a career record of 120-55 at 141-pounds, was a 4-time NCAA National Qualifier and notched the 11th most wins at Clarion. In his senior year (2005) Edgar was 40-9 overall, PSAC & EWL Champion, NCAA D-I Qualifier (2-2 at nationals), 6th at Las Vegas. Edgar was voted the 2005 Clarion University Male Athlete of the Year". In 2004 he was 36-9 overall, PSAC champ, 5th at EWL's and an NCAA Qualifier. In 2003 he was 26-18 overall, an NCAA Qualifier and a placewinner at PSAC's and EWL's. The team had a 9-8 dual meet record. A red-shirt in 2002, he was 18-19 in 2001, 4th at EWL's and PSAC's and 1-2 at D-I Nationals – all under head coach Ken Nellis. The Eagles had an 11-3 dual meet record in 2001. Currently the #1 ranked contender in the UFC in the featherweight division, (The Answer") Edgar is the former UFC World Lightweight Champion and has a professional record of 20-4. Frank is a native of Toms River, N.J. and was a 2000 grad of Toms River East High. Frank and wife Renee have three children including two sons (Santino & Francesco) and a daughter Valentina.
	JAMES "JIM" KOONTZ – BASEBALL 1979 Clarion University Grad – Accounting
	Jim Koontz was one of the top baseball players ever to don a uniform for the Golden Eagles and played for the blue & gold from 1976 – 1979. Jim was a 4-year starter on the baseball team, playing third base as a freshman, and was a third baseman – pitcher from his sophomore season through his senior year. In his career he had a pitching record of 11-3 with an overall ERA of 2.47 playing for coach Barry McCauliff. His top collegiate individual performance was an 11-inning, complete game win at the University of Pittsburgh. An All-PSAC selection as a junior in 1978 and a senior in 1979 while  graduating Magna Cum Laude, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 25th round of the 1979 MLB June draft and pitched for 6 seasons in the minor leagues reaching Class AAA. He was 12-3 with a 2.43 ERA at Stockton in 1980, moved to El Paso (AA) in 1981, and 82, to Stockton in 1983 and jumped to Class AAA Vancouver in 1984 posting a7-4 record and a 2.91 ERA. He was a combined 5-3 at Louisville & Indianapolis in 1985, and left baseball with a record of 41- 31 and an ERA of 3.82. Gaining his CPA License in 1987 he is currently employed by Brown, Shultz, Sheridan and Fritz.  A 1975 grad of Littlestown High, he currently resides in Mechanicsburg with wife Ann. The couple have a son josh and a daughter Jessica.
	WILLIAM "BILL" MAY – GOLF 1968 Clarion University Grad – Elementary Education
	"Bill" May – Who played #1 man on the Clarion University golf team from 1965 – 1968, was an exceptional golfer and helped coach Tom Carnahan's teams to three PSAC Championships during his four years as a Golden Eagle. A native of Erie, Pa. and a 1964 graduate of Erie Academy High School, Carnahan recruited May following a stellar senior year where he was a first team All-city and Al-district selection and won the Erie District golf Association championship in 1964. May came to Clarion and immediately earned the #1 man position as a freshman on the 1965 golf team. Clarion won the PSAC team title in the Spring of 1965, the first PSAC Championship in school history with Waldo Tippin as A.D. at that time. He went on to play in the NAIA Division II national tournament in Rockford, Illinois. Bill had a hole-in-one on June 14, 1965 at Downing Golf Club. The Golden Eagles came back to win the PSAC Title in 1966 and was named as the MVP. He had a hole-in-one at the Glenwood Course in Erie on June 14, 1966. Clarion won the 1967 PSAC title, and finished second at "State's" in 1968, was undefeated in match play during the year and was the season MVP. Retired from Derry Area High School and currently residing in Latrobe, Pa., Bill has two daughters, Dana and Denise.
	MELISSA (YEAROUS) O'NEIL – BASKETBALL/TRACK 2001 Clarion University Grad – Communications
	An outstanding two-sport athlete, Melissa (Yearous) O'Neil put up great performances on the hardwood and in track and field as a high jumper for the Golden Eagles from 1998 – 2001. A 4-year starter as a guard/forward for the women's basketball team coached by "Gie" Parsons, Melissa scored 1,003 career points, collected 524 career rebounds, 192 steals and 169 assists. She finished her career ranked second in free throw shooting percentage (77.5%), 10th in scoring, 12th in rebounds and fifth in steals. She set a Clarion and PSAC record during her junior year of making 45 consecutive free throws, Melissa led Clarion in scoring with 10.6ppg as a senior with 127 rebounds, 53 assists and 41 steals. As a junior she averaged 14.7ppg, hauled down 183 rebounds, 46 assists and 77 steals. She was an All PSAC-West selection both seasons. In track and field, coached by Pat Mooney, she was the 1999 and 2000 PSAC high jump champion in outdoor track and also set the school record in the high jump at 5-feet, 6 ½ inches. A fourth place finisher at PSAC's in 2001, she saved her best for last going to the NCAA D-II Nationals and placing tied for fourth  to become Clarion's first NCAA Division II female track and field All-American and the first All-American since Taryn Carter in 1981. The native of Des Moines, Iowa and a 1997 graduate of West Branch High, she currently resides in Indianola, Iowa with her husband Jeremy O'Neil. The couple have a daughter Katelyn and a son Gerald "Patrick". She is currently the CEO of Central Iowa Shelter in Des Moines.

 
CLARION NOTES: The 2016 induction class brings the Hall of Fame total to 169...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); 2012- Kenneth P. Bedford (diving), Melanie (Bull) Lewis (women's volleyball), Robert "Bo" Garritano (football), John Testa (wrestling), Reginald A. "Reggie" Wells Jr.  (football); 2013- Cary D. Grubb (baseball), Jackie Hill Saad (women's volleyball), Alex F. Murnyack (fb, wr, baseball), Shelly A. Respecki (women's basketball), Cecil D. Willoughby (fb, basketball); 2014- Les Bressler (wrestling), Robert "Bob" Carlson (A.D.), Taryn CarterWyche (women's Track), Kim Niedbala (football/coach), Alvin Slaughter (football), Dr. Richard Taylor (men's basketball coach), Dr. Jamie (Wolf) Jackel (Diving); 2015 – Heather Cigich (w. basketball), Nicolina (DiLoreto) Pierce (swimming); Dr. William English (cross country & track coach); Francis "Fran" Sirianni (football/track); Dr. Lou Tripodi (contributor), Lou Weiers (football); 2016 – Robert Beatty (football/baseball), Bernie Carpenter (football), Frank Edgar (wrestling), James Koontz (baseball), William "Bill" May (golf) and Melissa (Yearous) O'Neil (basketball/track & field).