vision coaches named Oronn Brown PSAC-West "Player
of the Year" and head coach Ron Righter as PSAC-West "Coach of the Year".
Jamie Polak also earned Second Team All-Conference honors.The Clarion University men's basketball team received two of the highest honors in the
Pennsylvania State Athletic conference (PSAC) at the close of the 1996-97 season. The
Western Division coaches named Oronn Brown PSAC-West "Player
of the Year" and head coach Ron Righter as PSAC-West "Coach of the Year".
Jamie Polak also earned Second Team All-Conference honors.
"This is just fantastic,"" said Righter. "To be recognized by your
peers is such a great honor for me. But the real treat for me is to see Oronn and Jamie
get recognized not only for their senior campaigns, but I feel they have been honored for
what they've done for PSAC basketball in the four years that they have been with us."
Named to the All-Conference team for the second time, Brown (pictured at richt) broke two major records this season. Brown shattered the NCAA Division II record for career steals (278 by David Clark - Bluefield State), nabbing 361 career steals. Then, with two games left in the regular season, Brown broke Clarion's career assist mark of 603 held by Mike Sisinni (1975-79). Brown, a four year starter, is a business management major. He is a son of Kisha Brown of Brooklyn, NY.
Polak was named to the PSAC-West Second Team, becoming one of the conference's biggest three-point shooters. Although he missed the last two regular season games and the PSAC playoffs after a season-ending foot injury, Polak finished the season averaging 11.5 ppg and finished 10th in 3-pt field goal percentage (36.6 percent). Polak, a communication major, is a son of Edward and Duana Polak of Munhall, and is a graduate of Steel Valley High School.
After nine seasons with the Golden Eagles, Righter led Clarion to their first 20 win season since 1981 and its first PSAC-West title since 1985. Righter has a remarkable record of 139-98 (58.6 percent), and two seasons as head coach of Wilkes College (1979-81).
This season, Righter led the Golden Eagles to a 22-7 record, before bowing out in the PSAC Championship Game to Mansfield.
A native of Doylestown, Ron, wife Juliet, and their children Matthew and Emily reside in Shippenville.