Sports Hall of Fame - Class of 2002

Bios

James Becker | Charles Coryea | Carlita Jones | Joseph Malis | Teri Peot | Gene Sobolewski

JAMES A. BECKER
Football
1969 Clarion University Grad
Secondary Ed - English

Jim Becker was an outstanding wide receiver at Clarion for three years from 1966-68 under coach Al Jacks. He helped lead Clarion to its first PSAC title in 1966 where the team carved a 10-0 record and defeated West Chester 28-26 in the title game. The Golden Eagles also won the PSAC-West title in 1967, notched an 8-2 record and lost to West Chester in the title game. The 1968 team was 6-3 overall, giving Clarion a three-year record of 24-5. Becker grabbed 130 career passes for 1,693 yards and 21 td's in three years, all Clarion career records. He also held the single season record of 54 catches in 1967 and 762 receiving yards in 1968. Becker had 28 catches for 411 yards and 9 td's in 1966, 54 receptions for 520 yards and 5 td's in1967 and 48 grabs for 762 yards and 7 td's in 1968. A three-time All PSAC selection, Jim moved on to coach and teach at Shaler High starting in 1969. He was head football coach at Shaler High from 1982-87. Jim is a 1965 grad of North Catholic High School. Jim and wife Barb have two sons, Bill and Joe, and two daughters Jennifer and Marie.

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CHARLES E. CORYEA
Wrestling
1977 Clarion University Grad
Elementary Education

Charles (Chuck) Coryea was Clarion's starting heavyweight in the magic years of 1973-76, when the Golden Eagles burst on the NCAA Division I Wrestling scene under coach Robert (Bob) Bubb. Coryea's career record of 125-15 gave him a winning record of 89.3%, while posting a career dual meet record of 69-2 (97.2%). The 69 career dual wins and 346 dual points scored are Clarion records today. A three-time NCAA D-I National Qualifier and an All-American in 1976 when he placed 4th at nationals, Chuck was a three-time PSAC Champion (1973, 75, 76) and 1976 EWL Champion and tournament "OW". Team captain in 1975 and 1986, Coryea helped Clarion to 3 PSAC team titles (1973, 74, 76) and the Eagles had a 4-year dual meet record of 69-11 during his career. Clarion was 15-1 in 1973, 24-2 in 1974, 13-5 in 1975 and 17-3 in 1976. The Golden Eagles were 4th at nationals in 1973, 11th in 1974, 26th in 1975 and 15th in 1976. Coryea ranks #2 in career pins (69) and dual meet pins (39) at Clarion. Chuck is self-employed and currently resides in Milford, Connecticut. He has a son Luke and daughters Mary and Christa. He is a 1972 graduate of Reynolds High School.

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CARLITA A. JONES
Women's Basketball
1995 Clarion University Grad
General Studies

Carlita Jones, was without a doubt, one of the best women's basketball players to ever don a uniform in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's rich history. Jones, a multi-talented forward and center, led Clarion to 4 straight PSAC-West titles from 1992-95 under head coach Margaret "Gie" Parsons", 2 PSAC titles (1993, 94), 4 NCAA Division II Playoff appearances and an NCAA Elite 8 finish in 1994. With Carlita on the court the Golden Eagles compiled a PSAC-West record of 41-7 and an overall mark of 93-25. Jones was a first team Kodak All-American in 1994 and 1995 and set 21 Clarion records in the process. She set Clarion career records for points (1,948), rebounds (1,258) and blocked shots (258), free throws made (451) and attempted (609). Her single season records include rebounds (364- 1994), blocked shots (93- 1994), field goals made (229 - 1994) and field goal percentage (59.5% - 1994). Single game records include her 43 points against Mercyhurst in 1993, 19 field goals vs Westminster in 1993 and 18 made free throws, 21 attempted free throws versus Indiana in 1994. A gifted all-around player, she collected 251 career steals and 265 assists during her tenure. The PSAC-West "Player of the Year" in 1994 and 1995, she was PSAC-West "Rookie of the Year" in 1992. And first team PSAC-West from 1993-95. Jones came to Clarion from Peabody High School (Pgh) where she graduated in 1990. She is currently employed as District Executive of Boy Scouts of America in Pittsburgh.

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JOSEPH M. MALIS
Men's Basketball
1982 Clarion University Grad
Business Management

Joe Malis was an outstanding forward for the Golden Eagle men's basketball team under coach Joe DeGregorio from 1980-82. He possessed the strength and power of a center, and the ball handling skills of a guard. Joe helped lead the 1979-80 Eagles to PSAC-West and District 18 titles and a spot in the NAIA National Tournament. Clarion won 2 games in the tournament before ending the season at 23-9. In the 1980-81 season, Clarion again won the PSAC-West title, and in the first year of eligibility for the NCAA D-II Tournament, received an NCAA bid. Malis' baseline jumper against host Monmouth in the final seconds lifted Clarion to an 80-78 NCAA East Region semifinal win. The Golden Eagles lost in the Region Finals but finished the season at 23-6 and ranked 14th in Division II. In the 1981-82 season Clarion started 7-0 and ranked third in the nation after winning the prestigious Porreco Cup (Malis was the Porreco MVP) Tournament at Gannon. Clarion finished that season 16-11 and a great career for Malis. He finished his Clarion career ranked 5th in points scored (1,411) and 10th in rebounds (487), plus notched 172 assists and 161 steals. He set single season records for points scored (622), free throws made (182) and attempted (255) in 1982. In 1982 he averaged 23ppg, 6.7 rebounds, made 53 steals and handed out 51 assists. He was named 2nd team NABC All-American (placed 6th in national voting), 1st team All-Region, and 1st team ECAC, PSAC-West, District 18 and Pittsburgh Press. The D-18 "Player of the Year" in 1982, Malis also earned 1st team ECAC, PSAC-West, D-18 and Pittsburgh Press honors in 1981. A native of Butler, Pa. and a 1978 Slippery Rock High grad, Malis resides in Elizabethtown, Pa. with wife Wendy, son Marques and daughter Kelly.

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THERESA A. (TERI) PEOT
Women's Swimming
1984 Clarion University Grad
Business Management

"Teri" Peot was a vital cog on the Women's Swimming teams at Clarion University from 1981-84, all of which won Division II National Championships and PSAC titles under head coach Rebecca Rutt Leas. Peot was very strong in the distance freestyle, Individual Medley and Butterfly events. In her four-year career she was a 22-time Division II All-American and a four time Relay National Champion. She also placed 3rd in the 500 and 4th in the 1650, 500 and 200 fly in her top NCAA individual career placings. She was a 5 time PSAC individual champion including three titles her senior year (1984) in the 500 and 1650 freestyles and the 200 yard butterfly. She set PSAC records in the 500 and 1650 races. Teri also won the 200 fly in 1983 and the 400 I.M. in 1982, along with a number of relay winners. Peot was co-captain of the 1984 team and saw the Golden Eagles compile an impressive 37-6 dual meet record during her career, with the only losses to Division I programs. Peot was awarded an NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship in 1984 and she attended Hofstra University. A native of Napeville, Illinois, Teri currently resides in Naperville with sons Casey and Trevor. She is a 1980 graduate of Benet Academy.

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GENE SOBOLEWSKI
Honorary Category (Football Coach)

Gene Sobolewski arrived at Clarion University in 1971 and established himself as an outstanding football coach and member of the Health and Physical Education staff. Gene was Clarion's head football coach from 1983-93 (11 years), and an assistant coach for 12 years (1971-82). A major contributor to Clarion's outstanding football tradition, Sobolewski led Clarion as head coach to a PSAC title in 1983 and PSAC-West titles in 1983, 84 and 92. He was named Kodak Region "Coach of the Year" and PSAC-West "Coach of the Year" in 1992, along with PSAC-West "Coach of the Year" in 1983. The Golden Eagles were 9-2 in 1983 and defeated East Stroudsburg 27-14 in Hershey in the PSAC title game. The Eagles were 7-3 in 1984, 8-2 in 1985 and 7-3 in 1987. Sobolewski led Clarion to the PSAC-West title in 1992 with 6 straight wins to close the year. His career record as head coach was 60-51, with a PSAC-West record of 37-29. As an assistant coach from 1971-82 and offensive coordinator from 1973-81 (under Al Jacks), he helped the Eagles to PSAC-West titles in 1977, 78 and 80 and PSAC crowns in 1977 and 1980. In his 23 years at Clarion the Eagles posted an overall record of 144-80-3. A native of Freeport, Pa., a 1960 Freeport High and 1964 University of Pittsburgh graduate (Pitt FB Defensive Starter 1961-63), he had assistant coaching tenures at Ellwood City (1964-65) and Beaver (1966-67) under Pat Tarquinnio, and then at Waynesburg College (1968-70), before coming to Clarion. He is currently an Associate Professor in HPE (31 years) at Clarion University. Gene and wife Carol have two sons Jason and Blake and a daughter Erika.

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