Ellwood City native Rich Herman has been announced as one of seven new members that will be inducted into the Clarion University 2023 Hall of Fame Class next month.
The Clarion “Sports Hall of Fame” committee announced the seven new members as Bekzod Abdurakhmonov (2011 – 12 Wrestling); Amanda Gough (2008 – 2011 Volleyball, 2012 – 13 Softball, 2012 – 13 Basketball), Matthew Guyton (2001 – 2005 Golf);, Rich Herman (1980 – 2015 SID; 1989 – 99 Baseball coach, 1981 – 87 Asst. Baseball coach), Dan Kohley (1976 – 79 Football), Lauren (Murgatroyd) Hasselquist (1977 – 79 Women’s Swimming), and Erin Richard (2004 – 09 Cross Country/Track & Field).
Herman, a 1972 graduate of Lincoln High and a 1976 graduate of Point Park University, was a founding member of the Clarion Sports Hall of Fame Committee starting in 1989. Herman retired in 2015 after more than 35 years as sports director for Clarion University.
Rich Herman
Clarion’s 34th Annual Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, April 28, 2023 at the newly renovated Waldo S. Tippin Gymnasium located at the corner of Greenville Avenue & Payne Street, beginning at 7pm. The event is open to the public.
A social is set to begin at 5:30pm at the Second Floor Eagle’s Perch at Tippin Gym. Ticket orders are being handled by the Alumni Engagement Office, 100 Seifert Mooney Center at PennWest Clarion. Tickets are $40 per person and are available online at www.clarion.edu/shof, or by contacting the Office of Alumni Engagement at 814-393-2572. Checks should be made payable to CUF/Sports Hall of Fame. Induction information is also available at www.clariongoldeneagles.com.
“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the members of the Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Their contributions to the history and legacy of Golden Eagle athletics cannot be overstated, and I look forward to the chance to welcome them all back to campus on April 28 and congratulate them in person,” said Clarion Athletic Director Dr. Wendy Snodgrass.
RICH HERMAN – SID/BASEBALL COACH – Clarion – 1980 – 2015
Rich Herman, Clarion’s innovative SID for 35 ½ years (1980-2015), a CoSIDA national leader, Head Baseball Coach and Assistant Baseball Coach at Clarion and was a founding member of the Sports Hall of Fame Committee starting in 1989, joins the Hall as an inductee. Herman came to Clarion in August of 1980 from Edinboro and put together a HOF career. Over the years he promoted hundreds of Athletes to All-America or other honors, including over 100 football All-Americans. He won 19 citations from CoSIDA for award winning publications. Under Herman Clarion was the first NCAA Division I wrestling program to have its matches broadcast live on the web, the first small college school in the East to have in-game computer basketball statistics and the first to have a sports hotline that included wrap-ups of the latest athletic events. In 1999 Herman received the Division I Wrestling SID of the Year Award at the NCAA D-I Nationals at Penn State from the National Wrestling Media Association. Herman was the President of D-II Sports Information Directors of America from July 2009 to June 2011 after serving as the organization’s First Vice-President for three years (July 2006 – July 2009). As President of D-2 he worked directly with NCAA President Mike Racy & COSIDA Executive Director John Humenik to expand and fund the CoSIDA Academic All-America awards program nationwide, while producing the first NCAA D2 Model Strategic Communications Document approved by the NCAA. In 2011 Herman was inducted into the CoSIDA Hall of Fame (including Division I), plus received the Warren Berg Award (top D-2 SID). In 2012 he received the Bob Kenworthy Community Service and in 2016 the Lifetime Achievement Awards from CoSIDA. Proud Clarion baseball coach from 1989-99 and assistant coach from 1981-87, he had players like Brad Frazier (HOF- 2006) that won individual NCAA, PSAC and Clarion titles and of course the 1984 PSAC-West Championship team that finished 2nd in the PSAC with coach Barry McCauliff. Also the PSAC Football SID from 1985-93, he served two terms on Clarion Borough Council (2001-2009) and gave official testimony in 2008 to the PA. House Committee on Government in reference to PA. Borough non-taxable properties. A 2018 Lawrence County Sports HOF Inductee, he is a native of Ellwood City, Pa, a 1972 graduate of Lincoln High and a 1976 graduate of Point Park University. He and wife Paula live in Clarion.
Outstanding Rich! Congratulations! Continued Blessings for many happy and healthy years.
Joe & Sandy Amato