COLLEGE BASEBALL                                                                                SEPT. 19, 2007

CLARION NAMES MIKE BROWN HEAD BASEBALL COACH

            Mike Brown, 57, a long-time coach and administrator at nearby Redbank Valley High School, was named today as the head baseball coach at Clarion University, it was announced by Athletic Director Dave Katis.

            Brown replaces Scott Feldman, who resigned during the Summer to take the athletic director position at Brookville High School.

            “We are happy to announce that Mike Brown will be our new baseball coach here at Clarion, said Katis. Mike has an extensive coaching background and has been a very successful high school baseball coach. We were impressed with Mike’s knowledge of the game, his organizational skills and his commitment to excellence in the classroom and on the field. We believe Mike will do an excellent job with the baseball program at Clarion.”

            Brown was a volunteer assistant  baseball coach at Clarion University for 2007 and 2006 seasons. Prior to that he was the head baseball coach at Redbank Valley from 1998-2005 ( 8 seasons). In those eight years he had an overall record of 105-44 (70%) and a KSAC mark of 87-27 (76%). His teams won 3 KSAC titles (98, 99, 2000) and were D-9 runners-up twice (2000, 2004). He was named the Coach of the Year by the Clarion News in 1999 and the Kittanning Leader Times in 2004.

            A long time coach at Redbank Valley. Brown also was the varsity boys basketball coach for 25 years (1976-2001) with similar success. His teams won 2 Clarion County Championships (1991, 18-2; 1992, 17-1), one D-9 title (1980, 23-4), went to the PIAA Playoffs three times (1979, 1980, 1992) and was a Western Quarterfinalist in 1979.

            He was also the boys track coach for 19 years (1976-95) and an assistant football coach from 1975-98. Employed at Redbank Valley from 1975 through his retirement a month ago (August 2007), he was a teacher, Driver’s Ed Instructor and most recently Athletic Director from 2000-2007.

            “It has been a dream of mine to be a head coach at the college level and I am excited to be the new coach here at Clarion,” said Brown. I’d like to thank Mr. Katis for the opportunity to be a head coach, and to Scott Feldman for the experience I gained here the last two seasons. I’m looking forward to working with our players and will work very hard to continue to advance the program on and off the field. We’ll play an aggressive style of baseball with a very positive approach. I look forward to the challenge of college baseball.”

            Brown was born in Greenville, Pa. and is a 1968 graduate of Reynolds High Schoool. He received his B.S. Degree in HPE from the University of Pittsburgh in 1975. Currently residing in Seminole, Pa., Mike and wife Diana have three daughters including Cari, Erin and Moira.

CLARION NOTES: Brown becomes the sixth baseball coach since 1964… Joe Knowles coached from 1964-77, Barry McCauliff from 1978-87, Jim Englehart in 1988, Rich Herman from 1989-99 and Scott Feldman from 2000-2007. Feldman’s 8-year record was 117-219-1.