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Coach Wiser Honored By PA House of Representatives For 200th Win And Other Accomplishments (03/21/17)

On Friday, March 17th,  at Clarion Area High School, 63rd District Representative Donna Oberlander presented a citation from the PA House of Representatives to Bobcat Football Coach Larry Wiser, in recognition of his 200th win and other coaching accomplishments. (The text of the document are at the bottom of the article).

(Photo provided by Rep. Oberlander) Front: Coach Larry Wiser and Rep. Donna Oberlander Middle (L-R) Tanner Oberlander, Jacob Selker, Ryley McMaster, Kyle Patterson, Michael McCloskey, Colton Rapp, Spencer Miller, and equipment manager Kevin Slike. Back (L-R) assistant coach Lee Weber, assistant coach Nate McClaine, Seth Nellis, Zak Bauer, Thomas Wurster, Clayton Adams, assistant coach Scott Miller, and assistant equipment manager Vance Slike.

The presentation was attended by a number of Bobcat players, coaching staff  and team support members.

Representative Oberlander had this to say of the presentation: “It is an honor to present a citation from the PA House of Representatives to Coach Larry Wiser to mark the momentous milestone of 200 career wins.  Coach Wiser has made a difference in thousands of lives during his career. The football teams accomplished this through his leadership – and Coach couldn’t do it without his players. Congratulations to them all! ”

Coach Wiser notes, that great accomplishments that he and other head coaches receive, such as the 200 win milestone… “are not individual awards. It takes great assistant coaches and great kids.”

He mentioned that “one thing that (has contributed to the success) is the team culture. A lot of people carry the load.” Coach Wiser sited the community support,which includes a fantastic Booster Club) and also mentioned some of the multitude of individuals who have helped him along the way. He cited his high school coach and two former Clarion Area Head Coaches he coached under, the late John Reish and Ray Austin.

(Photo provided by Rep. Oberlander) players examining proclamation

Coach Wiser also mentioned current long time assistant coaches, Scott Miller, Lee Weber and Nate McClaine and equipment manager Kevin “Fonzie” Slike and Vance Slike. A key to winning programs is long term staff and between these men there is probably over fifty years of combined service to the Bobcat Football Team.

Coach Wiser also mentioned former long time assistants, Alex Arth, Dan McClaine, George White, the late Kevin Fitzsimmons. He also gave special mention to Brad Wagner who in addition to being an assistant coach also ran the Clarion weight room for years. There is over fifty years of combined service with these former coaches also.

Two others that Coach Wiser mentioned: Representative Oberlander was also a key component in Bobcat Football (and Wrestling) as she was coach Wiser’s videographer for both sports and her husband Derek is a former Bobcat player.

(Photo provided) The proclamation from the PA House of Representatives

Coach also mentioned his wife Annie’s undying support, with her “giving up Sundays so he could be working on football matters and allowing him the opportunity to “hold summer camps and assist with the Jim Kelly Camps.”

Coach Wiser summed up the Clarion success philosophy with something he gleaned from his brother, longtime Lycoming College Assistant Coach Steve Wiser. ” It takes the seniors to drive the train, that the coaches provide, the players have to get on-board the train.” This is a philosophy and mindset that has served Clarion Area well.

Congratulations Coach Wiser and his wife Annie and every player, coach, support staff member, booster club member and member who has ever been involved in the Bobcat Football Community on this fine award.

Thank you very much Representative Donna Oberlander and members of the State House of Representatives for presenting this fine honor.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

The House of Representatives

Citation

Whereas, Larry Wiser is being honored upon achieving his 200th career win as a head football coach; and

Whereas, a graduate of Bald Eagle Area High School and Clarion State College, Mr. Wiser has served as Head Coach for the Clarion Area High School Football Team for twenty-eight seasons from 1988 to 2009 and from 2011 until the present. He has earned a record of 205 wins, 96 losses and 1 tie, making him the winningest coach in Little 7-12/Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference history. Mr. Wiser has led his teams to nine PIAA Class A Championship appearances, winning in 1997, 2009 and 2013, and to the semifinal round of the 2013 PIAA Class A State Football Championship. Additionally, his teams have won or shared eight conference titles. Clarion Area High School’s football program was initiated in 1927, and it has since achieved 498 wins, more than forty percent of which were coached by Mr. Wiser. A member of the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association (PSFCA) and the Central Pennsylvania Football Coaches Association (CPFCA) Halls of Fame, He served as an Assistant Coach for the West Squad during the 2010 PSFCA East/West All-Star Classic, Assistant Coach for the 2009 CPFCA Lezzer Lumber Classic, Head Coach of the victorious North Squad at the 2014 CPFCA Lezzer Lumber Classic and Assistant Coach of the winning Pennsylvania Squad in the 2016 Big 33 Classic versus Maryland. To his credit, Mr Wiser was named Coach of the Year in 2012 and 2013 by the Tri-County Sunday/Courier Express and in 2009 and 2013 by D9Sports.com and as District Nine Coach of the Year by PSFCA in 2009. Exuding, vision, energy and enthusiasm, Mr. Wiser approaches each day’s work with the highest of professional standards and has set a sterling example of skill, dedication and hard work for his young athletes. He truly served as a role model worthy of emulation.

Now therefore, the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania congratulates Larry Wiser upon his richly deserved recognition; offers best wishes for continued success;

And directs that a copy of this citation, sponsored by the Honorable Donna Oberlander on November 29, 2016, be transmitted to Larry Wiser, 164 Westwood Drive, Clarion, Pennsylvania 16214.

The proclamation was signed by Representative Donna Oberlander, sponsor; Mike Turzai, Speaker of the House; and Daniel Reddecliff, Chief Clerk of the House.