Ninth annual induction greets six Clarion sports greats

The Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame inducted six new members during May 2 ceremonies. The ninth annual induction included: John G. Dellostretto, football; Kevin C. Ewing, football; Alvin E. Gibson, basketball; James W. Kassel, football basketball, track, and baseball; Donald E. Leas, diving coach; and Rhonda (Phillips) Zozula, diving.

John Dellostretto

Dellostretto won four letters and started for three years (1974-77) on the football team (1974-77). He was a three-time All Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)-West choice at three positions, co-captain of the 1977 PSAC Championship team that finished a 9-0-1 season, including a 25-24 last second win over Millersville in the PSAC title game. At halfback in 1977 he ran for 486 yards and two TDs, caught 13 passes for 127 yards and 3 TDs, and returned 11 punts for 117 yards and one score. In 1976 at wideout, he led the team with 32 catches for 429 yards and 4 TDs, gained 180 rushing yards and 3 TDs, and returned 16 punts for 135 yards, and 10 kickoffs for 220 yards. In 1975, he was the starting defensive safety, had one interception, returned 20 punts for 160 yards and 14 kickoffs for 225 yards. Clarion posted an overall record of 28-7-3 over his four years. He received a B.S. degree in eduction in 1978 and returned to Clarion to earn a masters degree in 1980. He is now a regional manager with Sony Inc. John and wife, Candy, reside in Flanders, N.J., with their four sons, Jordan, Taylor, Devin, and Austin.

Kevin Ewing

Ewing is one of Clarion's finest defensive football players, rewriting the record books in his four years (1981-84) as the starting noseguard. He set the school record for career tackles with 462 and career quarterback sacks with 46 and helped lead the Golden Eagles to PSAC-West titles in 1983 and 1984, and the PSAC title in 1983. Selected as a Second Team AP All-American in 1983 and 84, and NAIA All-American from 1982-84, he was a three-time PSAC-West and NAIA District 18 First Team choice. In 1984 he led the team with 142 tackles and 16 sacks. He also had 139 tackles, eight sacks in 1983, 93 hits, nine sacks in 1982 and 88 stops and 13 sacks in 1981. Clarion was 29-12 in his four seasons. He is now vice president of Kier G. Ewing & Associates, Verona, and is currently president of the Verona Chamber of Commerce and fiscal trustee of the William P. Fralic Foundation. He has a son Ryan, and is engaged to Lisa Valimont and will have two step-children, Justin and Samantha.

Alvin Gibson

Gibson, was one of the top guards ever to walk on the basketball court at Clarion. A great shooter, basketball fans will remember wild Tippin Gym crowds shouting "twooooooo" every time Gibson zeroed in on the rim and shot the basketball. A four-year starter (1977-81), Gibson was an NAIA second team All-American and a third team NABC All-American in 1981. He was voted Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Small College "Player of the Year" that same season. A two-time PSAC-West first team choice in 1980 and 1981, Gibson is second on the all-time scoring list with 1,661 career points shooting 55 percent from the floor, and 217 of 263 career free throws, for a Clarion record 83 percent. He also had 354 rebounds and 248 assists. Clarion won three straight PSAC-West titles (1979-81) during his tenure, compiling a record of 86-32. He currently resides in Richmond, Virginia with his wife, Eilene, and children, Whitney and Eric.

James Kassel

Kassel, better known as "Mr. Clarion", was a three-sport athlete from 1929-33. Active on campus as a student, he remains devoted to Clarion University since his graduation in with a B.S. degree in secondary education /science. He played four years on both sides of the line in football, as well as guard on the basketball team and ran track from 1930-33. A member and officer of the "Varsity C" club, he was the president of the first Clarion Student Senate, was part of the student newspaper, the Clarion Call, and was an active member of four fraternities. A teacher for 26 years at St. Petersburg, Salem Township, and Clarion High Schools, he also owned Kassel's Aquarium and Pet Supply store for 25 years. Now retired, he helped start the Clarion University Foundation Gift Annuity program and was on the committee that started the first Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame in 1989. Jim and wife Mary reside in Indiana.

Donald Leas

Leas is the architect of Clarion's nationally recognized men's and women's diving program. His 24-year career unequalled by any coach in the nation from 1966-90. His divers won 36 individual national championships and posted 234 All-America placings. He was named 1984 NCAA Division II "Coach of the Year" for swimming and diving and was selected NCAA Division II Men's Diving "Coach of the Year" in 1988 and 89. Divers, Barbara Schaefer Nejman and Chris Seufert, went on to Olympic competition, with Seufert winning a bronze medal in the 1984 games. Instrumental in Clarion's overall success, he helped the men's team win 19-straight PSAC titles (1971-89), and the women's team capture 15 PSAC crowns and 8 Division II National Championships ('77-'78, '80-'84, '86). He was named to the 1991 NCAA's "Team of the Decade" coaching staff and continues to be active in diving on an international scale. He was in charge of the 1996 Olympic Diving competition in Atlanta, Georgia, and has been International Chairman of Diving for the World University Games since 1981. He was National Rules Chairman of US Diving for 15 years, National President of AAU Diving 4 years, and is editor of 20 Diving Rule Books. A native of Philadelphia, a 1953 graduate of Northeast High, and a 1957 graduate of Michigan State University, he was an accomplished gymnast and diver. He came to Clarion from St. Cloud State in 1966. An associate professor in the health and physical education department at Clarion, he resides in Fairmount City and has two children, Michael and Barbara, of Phoenix, AZ, and four grandchildren.

Rhonda (Phillips) Zozula

Zozula, an extremely gifted diver, helped lead Clarion University's Women's Swimming and Diving team to four PSAC titles (1979-82) and three Division II National Championships (1980-82) during her four-year career. She was a three-time Division II National Champion, winning on the three-meter board in 1979-81. She was an eight-time Division II All-American on 1 and 3 meter boards, and a six-time PSAC Champion on both boards. She set the PSAC record in 1981 on three-meter scoring 456.85 points. She missed the PSAC's her senior year with an injury. A two-time Division I National Qualifier, she was co-captain of the team her senior year. She was the diving coach at Bethel Park High from 1982-90. Currently residing in Claysville, Rhonda and husband, Greg Zozula, have a daughter, Emily, and a son, Zachary.