CLARION, Pa. — On April 26, the Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame will induct former diver and track and field athlete and coach and current administrator, D.J. Bevevino, a Clarion High School graduate.
(Photo courtesy of Clarion University Athletics)
A 1977 graduate with a degree in Secondary Education/Science, Bevevino was an eight-time All-American diver at Clarion from 1974 through 1977 under the tutelage of former diving coach and Clarion Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Don Leas, D.J. also had an outstanding track and field and cross country coach career at Clarion.
In his diving career at Clarion, Bevevino was a top-six place winner at PSAC Championships in the 1-meter and 3-meter dives throughout all four years, with a top finish of third place in the 1m Dive in 1976.
The Golden Eagles won the PSAC Swimming and Diving team championship all four years under Hall of Fame coach Chuck Nanz.
At the national level, Bevevino placed fifth in the 1m Dive and eighth in the 3m Dive at the 1975 NAIA Nationals, fifth in both dives in 1976, and 11th in the 1m in 1977. He also excelled in NCAA competition, taking sixth in the 1m Dive in 1974, fifth in 1976 in 1976 and ninth in 1977.
His performances at national competitions helped the Golden Eagles place fifth at NAIA’s in 1977, seventh in 1976, ninth in 1975 and 13th in 1974. Likewise, at NCAA’s Clarion placed fourth in 1977, sixth in 1976, 12th in 1975 and 12th in 1974.
Bevevino was a co-captain of the 1977 team and also lettered as a pole vaulter on the Golden Eagle track & field team in 1974.
As Clarion’s women’s track and field coach from 2010 until 2016 he mentored four NCAA competitors including Kim Hanslovan, who took second at the NCAA Division II Nationals in the Javelin in 2010, the highest placing at nationals of any track & field athlete in school history. His athletes established 12 of the current 20 indoor records and 13 of the current 22 outdoor records at Clarion. Bevevino also coached the Golden Eagle women’s cross country team from 2010-2014.
Bevevino’s father, David (Red) Bevevino, was a 1991 Clarion Sports Hall of Fame inductee. An All-America quarterback at Clarion, “Red” Bevevino led the Eagles to their first undefeated season in 1952 (9-0) which culminated with a Lions Bowl win over East Carolina (13-6).
Father and son are the second such combination at Clarion to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame, joining Reggie Wells (1990) and Reggie Wells Jr. (2012).
A 1973 graduate of Clarion Area, Bevevino eventually returned to his alma mater serving as the guidance counselor, track and field coach and athletic director. He helped guide the Bobcats boys’ team to back-to-back PIAA titles in the early 2000s.
DJ is currently the Associate Athletic Director at Clarion University and resides in Clarion with his wife Patricia. The couple has three children including daughter Erika and sons Benjamin and Adam. Erika is married to former Golden Eagle football player, Kyle Cathcart.
The 31st annual Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies will be held at the Gemmell Center Multi-Purpose Room, located at the corner of Payne Street and Wilson Avenue, beginning at 7 p.m. The event is open to the public. A social is set for 5:30 p.m. in the Second Floor Rotunda at the Gemmell Center.
Ticket orders are being handled by Shawna Bish at the Alumni Engagement Office, 100 Seifert Mooney Center at Clarion University. Tickets are $40.00 per person and are available online at www.clarion.edu/shof, or by contacting Bish at 814-393-2572. Checks should be made payable to Clarion “Sports Hall of Fame”. Ticket order forms and induction information are also available at www.clariongoldeneagles.com.
