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Beau Verdill To Continue Basketball And Academic Career At Penn State DuBois

(Photos submitted) Above: (Seated) Beau Verdill with parents Mike and Mindi Verdill (Back L-R) Bobcats Assistant Coach Tom Lewis, Bobcats Head Coach Scott Fox, PSU DuBois Coach Dylan Howard

Multi-sport standout Beau Verdill recently signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Penn State DuBois. Beau played basketball for Clarion Area, football for Clarion Area and Central Clarion, and soccer for Clarion-Limestone.

Beau was a member of the the Bobcats’ District Nine Class-A Championship and PIAA State Class-A Final Four team this past season, finishing with 391 points (15 per game), 205 rebounds (7.9 per game), 39 blocks (1.5 per game), 55 assists (1.9 per game) and 82 steals (3.2 per game).

He was named to the D9and10Sports.com All-District Nine Team Second Team, the Tri County Weekend/Courier Express All-Star First Team and played in the D9and10Sports.com/Clarion County YMCA All-Star Game. 

As to PSU DuBois in general and his future plans after graduation, Beau said, “I chose Penn State DuBois because I can get a Penn State degree in a small school setting. I think smaller class sizes and personal relationships with professors is going to be an important part of college. I am planning on pursuing a degree in Wildlife Management and biology. I am not sure what job I will be looking for when I graduate, I just hope it will be a job that will be done outside.”

The PSU DuBois Nittany Lions are members of the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) a very competitive conference, that is made up of Penn State branch campuses from all over the state. “The conference has former players playing professionally overseas, has beaten NCAA Division II teams, and frequently has wins over NCAA Division III teams.” The Nittany Lions are also members of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).

Under Coach Dylan Howard, PSU DuBois finished the 2019season 13-12 (no 2020-21 Season due to covid) and beat NCAA DIII Chatham College, the defending Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) champions. In the 2018 season PSUD also had a win over NCAA DIII Penn College.

Coach Howard is entering his eighth season as head coach at Penn State DuBois. Prior to becoming head coach, he served as assistant coach for six years.

(PSU DuBois photo) PSU DuBois Head Basketball Coach Dylan Howard

Coach Howard shared his excitement about his new recruit. “Beau is a great kid from a wonderful family, we are excited he chose us to be his new family. His size at the guard position will really translate well to the college level and what we try to do here at PSU DuBois. He can guard many positions, get out and run in transition while also having the ability to shoot the ball. We look for Beau to come in and compete from day one, for playing time, we think his best basketball is ahead of him. He is a very well-rounded player on both ends of the court. It is always nice to get local guys to play here, this is something that we have been striving for in our recruiting.”

(PSU DuBois photo) Coach Howard instructing his charges

And Beau is excited about the opportunity to play for Coach Howard and PSU DuBois. “Penn State’s Coach Howard reached out to me very early in the basketball season and we talked pretty much daily from that point on. He is very encouraging and supportive, as well as knowledgeable. I really like that he is a genuine person. Coach Howard is more than likely going to utilize me in the guard position. I am looking forward to playing under him… I am looking forward to continuing my basketball career and playing for Coach Howard at Penn State.”

Beau and Coach Howard

Clarion Area Boys Basketball Head Coach Scott Fox had these fine comments, “Beau was a great kid to coach. He had a good attitude and great work ethic. He greatly improved his game over the past two years. He went from a Junior Varsity starter and playing minimally in varsity games to varsity starter and KSAC 2nd team All-Conference. I’d like to congratulate him on playing basketball at Penn State Dubois and hope he continues to improve and has a great college career.”

Beau taking it to the hoop

Clarion Area Assistant Coach Tom Lewis shared, “Congratulations Beau on signing with Penn State DuBois to play basketball.

“Beau has a great attitude which allows him to enjoy the game and practices.  I know he expects a lot from himself.

“One of my favorite memories of Beau is a summer league game against Brookville in the beginning of his Junior year.  You could see a difference in his attitude and play, demonstrating that he wanted to become a good player.  The conversation we had that day was that HE WAS GOING TO BECOME A GOOD PLAYER.  I knew he was setting goals for himself.

“I believe Beau has untapped potential as a basketball player.  He is an intelligent player and very coachable.  The growth he has shown from his Sophomore year has been incredible.  I truly believe his best days are ahead.  I recently told his college coach that he had recruited a diamond in the rough.  I wish Beau success in the future and look forward to seeing him play.”   

Coach Lewis

Clarion Area Girls’ Basketball Coach, and former Boys’ Basketball  Coach Jess Quinn, who coached Beau during his sophomore also had high praise, “Beau Verdill is one of the hardest working kids I’ve coached. Beau probably should have moved up to Junior Varsity as a freshman to be honest. But he didn’t let that discourage him in the least. He has proven to me and anyone who has watched him play, that he deserves all the accolades that have come his way! Congratulations Beau, I’m very proud of you!”

Beau working on the court

And Beau’s thoughts on this past season. “I have had great experiences with all of the sports I have participated in. My senior sports year has been amazing! We made it to the first round of playoffs in soccer! The Central Clarion Wildcats had a great season and I was happy to be the kicker and achieve so many accolades. And then a D9 Championship and Final Four appearance for basketball!!”

Some of Beau’s accomplishments and accolades in football and soccer include:

As the kicker and punter for the inaugural Central Clarion Wildcats Football Team, in 2020, Beau averaged 35.5 yards per punt, with three pinning the opponent inside their own twenty on eleven punts, 35.5 average yards per punt, three inside opponents 20 yard line. 11 punts for 467 yards, a 37.4 yard average. He was selected to the Pennsylvania Football News (PFN) Class-AA All-State Team as the Second Team Punter, District Nine League All-Star Place Kicker, Tri-County Weekend/ Courier Express All-Star MVP, D9and10Sports.com All-District Nine Team/ Jim Kelly Special Teams Player of the Year. He has been selected as the North Squad kicker in the Central Pennsylvania Football Coaches Association (CPFCA) Lezzer Lumber Classic and as the alternate punter for the KSAC Squad in the Frank Varischetti All-Star Game.

Beau kicking off for the Wildcats

Playing for the Clarion Area Bobcats his junior year, Beau had 11 punts for 467 yards, (37.4 yard average). He was named D9Sports.com. Special Teams Player of the Year, as a junior.

Beau was also the Bobcats and Wildcats placekicker. Some of his combined Bobcats/Wildcats totals include: 69 points after touchdown, 4 field goals and 18 kickoffs going for touchbacks.

Beau was a member of the Clarion-Limestone Lions Boys Soccer Team, the 2020 District Nine Class-A Runners-up, Upper Allegheny Valley Soccer League (UAVSL) All-League Team Player of the Year and MVP. In 2019 season Beau set the Lions’ Single Season scoring record with 41 goals and also broke the Single Season record for assists.

Beau playing for the Clarion-Limestone Lions Boys Soccer Team

Beau shared these words of appreciation for his mentors, “I have had some great coaches along the way and appreciate everything they have done for me and all of the ways they have helped me become the person and player that I am today”

And about those closest to him, “My parents have always been my greatest support system.  They have probably driven thousands of miles to soccer, football and basketball games. I always knew I would hear them in the crowd!”

Beau’s parents, Mike and Mindi shared these great comments on their son, “Beau is certainly one-of-a-kind. He is full of personality and brings so much energy to whatever it is he is involved in.  He is not only a great leader on the court or on the field, he is also a great teammate.  He truly wants the best for the whole team and he wants to see everyone succeed.

“It has been amazing to watch him mature, especially in the last year.  He had an absolutely amazing soccer season, making it to the first round of D9 playoffs and breaking several records along the way in the last two seasons. At the same time, Beau was making history kicking for the first Central Clarion Wildcat team and receiving several awards for that along the way.  He went from all of that success in the fall, right into a spectacular basketball season, racking up some great stats and then adding a D9 Championship and Final Four! 

“All the while keeping up some decent grades, continuing to be very involved in the First United Methodist youth group and working.  Even with such an impressive list of accolades, Beau continues to be a humble and giving teammate, classmate, friend, son and brother.

“We are certainly very excited that he is getting to continue playing basketball in college while pursuing a Penn State education and degree.  We are thankful for all of the coaches he has had throughout his sports career that started at the age of 6! We are thankful for everyone who had a hand in molding and shaping him into the wonderful young man he is today. We are very proud!”

(Congratulations to Beau and his parents, Mike and Mindi, Penn State DuBois, and the whole Clarion Community. You us Clarion Proud, Beau!!!!)