Clarion Athletics

Josh Thorpe was named the head coach of the Golden Eagles tennis program  for the second time in July 2026, and will start his seventh total eyar as Clarion head tennis coach in 2026-27. Thorpe previously held the position for six seasons from 2012-18.

 
Thorpe enjoyed success as head coach of the Golden Eagles tennis program from 2012-18, including an eight-win season in 2014-15. In 2016-17 they started the year with an encouraging fall slate, going 3-1 in dual matches and closing with an impressive 7-2 victory over Shippensburg. 
 
Individually, sophomore Alivia Arnold advanced to the round of 16 in singles action at the 2016 PSAC Tennis Championships, defeating Millersville's Kim Theophile in the opening round of the tournament.  Arnold finished the year with a 9-8 record in singles action.  All told, three Golden Eagles - Arnold, Maria Snyder and Katie Benson - finished the year with winning records in singles play.
 
Thorpe is a native of North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania and a 2003 graduate of Norwin High School. A member of the National Honor Society, he played four years of tennis at Norwin, competing at No. 1 singles in his junior and senior seasons. He qualified for the WPIALs as a junior. He competed collegiately at Pitt-Greensburg, playing at No. 1 singles from 2004-06.
 
Thorpe earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Pitt-Greensburg in 2008, and later earned his Master’s in Criminology from IUP.