LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, celebrating its 75
th anniversary season in 2025-26, continues the process of honoring 300 of its most prominent contributors throughout the month of September.
The fourth and final grouping so honored are the PSAC's 75 Distinguished Keystones, recognizing individuals that have been historically influential in the PSAC, whether it be staff, coaches, or administrators. Clarion athletics featured seven names on the list:
Bob Bubb (wrestling),
Dave Hrovat (men's and women's swimming & diving),
Al Jacks (football),
Don Leas (men's and women's swimming & diving),
Rebecca (Rutt) Leas (women's swimming & diving),
Frank Lignelli (wrestling / athletic director) and
Waldo Tippin (football / athletic director).
"Every great structure relies on keystones, which are essential elements that hold everything together," said Steve Murray, PSAC Commissioner. "The individuals we recognize as our Distinguished Keystones have been just that: the steady hands, bold voices, and visionary leaders who helped shape the foundation of our conference. They may or may not have worn a uniform, but their fingerprints are all over our history. Their legacy reminds us that success isn't only measured in points or trophies but in leadership, dedication, and a lifelong commitment to something greater than oneself."
Bob Bubb – Clarion, Wrestling Coach, 1966-92
322-121-4 record, four top-10 finishes at Division I Championships, coached seven total national champions, 11 PSAC championships, NWCA Hall of Fame, 2x NCAA Coach of the Year
Dave Hrovat – Clarion, Diving Coach, 1990-2021
Longest tenured coach in Clarion history; coached Clarion divers to 48 national championships and 294 All-American finishes; 26-time D-II Diving Coach of the Year (15 women, 11 men); named to CSCAA Top 100 Coaches of All Time list
Al Jacks – Clarion, Football Coach, 1963-81
128-46-5 record; 18 straight winning seasons, six Western Division titles, three PSAC championships, 1980 ECAC Division II Team of the Year; Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Famer
Don Leas – Clarion, Diving Coach, 1966-90
Coached divers to 36 individual national championships and 234 All-American placings; three-time NCAA Division II Coach of the Year; coached two divers that went on to compete in the Olympics;
1991 NCAA Division II Team of the Decade honoree
Rebecca (Rutt) Leas – Clarion, Women's Swimming & Diving Coach, 1979-87
Six Division II national championships; one second place finish, one third place; part of CSCAA Top 100 Coaches of All-Time; 3x NCAA Division II Coach of the Year; named to NCAA Division II
All-Decade team in 1991
Frank Lignelli – Clarion, Coach, Athletic Director, 1959-90
Restarted wrestling program in 1959 and coached for seven seasons, including a PSAC title in 1965; served as AD from 1966-90, with Clarion teams winning 11 national championships, 59 PSAC titles, 22 PSAC runners-up, and 40 West titles
Waldo Tippin – Clarion, Director of Athletics, 1935-1966
Served as Director of Athletics at Clarion for 31 years; 15 seasons as head football coach; critical figure in early creation of conference as a member of the Executive Committee; advocated for a move to a two-division format in order to manage scheduling/travel within the league
The PSAC was founded on March 11, 1951, and comprised 14 institutions as the Pennsylvania State Teachers College Athletic Conference (PSTCAC). Since then, it has grown into one of the largest conferences in the NCAA across all three divisions.
The first 75 honorees were designated
"Made in the PSAC", a group that recognizes former student-athletes that have gone on to influential careers after graduation (which could be in the sports industry, but not necessarily as a professional athlete.) The next groups of honorees were the conference's
75 Greatest Female Athletes and
75 Greatest Male Athletes.
All 300 honorees were selected through a process that included nominations from institutions and selections by committee. The committee was comprised of institutional and PSAC staff.
