Coach Wiser Shares Many Memories Prior To Christening Of “Wiser Field”; Dr. Carrico Provided Particulars On The Celebration And Information On The Improvements To The Field At The Bottom Of The Article

Above photo submitted

A special surprise took place at the Clarion Area School Board meeting on Tuesday August 8th, with the announcement that the football field, will be named “Wiser Field,” in honor of the longtime Bobcats mentor, who also coached the Central Clarion Wildcats when the merger occurred.

The field, which has continued to host varsity soccer and various other sports at different levels but hasn’t seen varsity football since 2004 when Bobcats began playing their home games at CUP’s (now PennWest-Clarion) Memorial Stadium, has been undergoing major renovations.

The “new and improved” facility, will be christened during a pre-game ceremony, on Friday, September 1st, as the Wildcats host the Port Allegany Gators in their first home game.

Coach Wiser began teaching history and coaching at Clarion Area in 1973. Some of his other positions during his tenure include, wrestling coach, Athletic Director and drivers’ ed instructor. He was a main figure in bringing about the Wildcats. Coach Wiser had 217 wins as a head coach with the Bobcats, while they were in the Little 7-12/KSAC, most of any coach in that conference’s history, which began in 1951. His 233 wins with the Bobcats program, which dates back to 1927, are the most in school history. Coach Wiser’s 238 total career wins are number two all-time in District Nine, trailing only Clearfield’s Tim Janocko.

(Some stats from D9and10Sports.com) In 32 years as the head football coach of either the Clarion Bobcats (1988-2009, 2011-2019) or the Central Clarion County Wildcats (2020), the co-op program formed between Clarion, Clarion-Limestone, and North Clarion, Wiser went 238-103-1 (70.1%)… and guided Clarion to four District 9 titles, (three in 1A – 1997, 2009, 2013 – and one in 2A – 2017) and eight runner-up finishes.

With 200-plus wins with the same school, as Clarion Area athletes are part of the Wildcats, Coach Wiser is part of a very rare fraternity among Coach Wiser, a Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association (PSFCA) And Central Pennsylvania Football Coaches Association (CPFCA) Hall of Famer is the current Athletic Director at North Clarion High School and is a football color commentator for the YDL Sports Network, ended his coaching career following the 2020 season. 

The announcement was kept under wraps until the meeting, as Coach Wiser’s wife Annie wanted it to be a complete surprise to the coach with instructions that someone very special was to make the announcement, their son Ryan who has been beside his dad on the sidelines for year.

And was it ever!

Coach Wiser said, “When I went to the meeting, I thought we were going to discuss the co-op and so forth. Todd (Board member Todd McBeth) came out before the meeting and said, ‘You’re on the hotseat tonight.’

“Guessing it was about the Wildcats’ co-op, I thought I can’t talk for North Clarion. I can express my opinions. I gave it a lot of thought of what it was about. Was it for football and not starting kids too early, giving them an opportunity to grow with the program. Our numbers were just going down from what they were in the past.”  

How special was the surprise? “Needless to say, I was shocked so many ways. It was something that I never expected. What made it really special was that my son Ryan got the chance to tell me that the school board gave me this honor. So for both of us, this became pretty special for us to share that moment. My daughter Morgan Morgan came in from Ohio with her husband and. It was special having them there.” 

How big an honor is this? “Somebody said to me, I’m getting this while I’m still alive. They do that to people who are passed away…  To  put myself, like Rich Vidunas Field (at Union), it’s just something else.” 

Coach Wiser credits a number of his former rivals/friends for helping him to develop as a coach and mentor. “You consider the people I grew up around and competed against: Coaches like Rich Vidunas (who I always said gave me some of my better lessons in life). Terry Henry from East Brady. Going against people like Terry Henry, I had to work hard…  and Ray Reckner from Brockway, Dave Moore from Redbank Valley, Clyde Conti from Clarion-Limestone (I thought Clyde gave me some great lessons).”  

All of these coaches are fellow members of the PFSCA Hall of Fame along with Coach Wiser.   

Coach Wiser is appreciative of the media. “… People like you and Chris Rossetti, Rich Rhoades from the Courier-Express in DuBois, Penny Weichel and Ed Brannon from the Derrick and Ryan Pugh over the years, getting some positive press for our kids.” 

As to the level of football in the past, that continues to the present in the District Nine Football League. “I think we’ve had some great football up here. In the Little 7-12/KSAC in the past, Union with Tom Sherman going on to play at Penn State (played for the Bengals, Patriots and Bills in the old AFL), some great players coming out of that school and all the schools.

“Obviously, I always think about Jimmy Kelly, from East Brady (went on to the University of Miami and had a Pro Football Hall of Fame Career, beginning with the Houston Gamblers in the USFL and then his great years and the team’s with the Buffalo Bills).

And more so than just football. “Then all the players who went on to be doctors, lawyers, businessmen, teachers and coaches and so forth. It’s been pretty amazing.”               

Coach Wiser mentioned those within the Clarion Area football program who helped in his development. “Then growing up in a place where you had such great coaches… Norm Zwald, the history with Norm from his former players, he was always a person that stood out from the things they said. Coach Zwald is also a PSFCA Hall of Famer.           

“I got the opportunity to start coaching with Ray Austin and (then head coach) John Reish and Paul Mowry. I’m nor sure where I would have been if Paul hadn’t mentored me when I first started coaching. And the fond memories that I told Kay (Paul’s wife) that I have of him.  And David “Red” Bevevino, I was fortunate to start with several good coaches in the area.   

“Ray gave me my first opportunity to be something more than just and assistant coach, to be a defensive coordinator.  I always told Ray that I don’t know anybody that was better organized. And the things he did, I learned a lot from him, being part of his staff and so forth. He allowed me to be creative as a defensive coordinator and it truly gave me a love of the game. It kind of took off with me.” 

Coach Wiser credits his assistant coaches as well. “I’ve had a number of great assistant coaches. And unfortunately, four that come to mind right now, are no longer with us. Of course I just talked about Paul. There’s Alex “Hogmeister” Arth, Jimmy Williamson who passed away last year and one of my best friends, Kevin Fitzsimmons.”

A number of players came back to coach also. One was Dan McClaine, who worked with coach Wiser from the get-go back in 1973 and worked beside him for a number of years. “Danny McClaine, who was such an asset when I took the job back in 1989. I learned two weeks before the season started, I was going to become the head coach.”

The Idea of TEAM and There is no I in Team is something Coach Wiser emphasized throughout his days as coach. And many of his players have carried that with them. “I don’t know how I would go back through all my players. It was unique. Even if we didn’t have a championship season, they’d go back.

“Dave Estadt mentioned how a number guys from his team met in the Poconos recently, which they’ve done for years. I always told my guys, ‘One of the greatest gifts there will ever be is to maintain yourself as a team.’

“I just got back from Wyoming with two of my high school buddies. We’ve tried to maintain, not just the two of us but a group of guys that I played with. We’ve maintained a really healthy relationship over the years, caring about each other. I think if I left one positive thing for these guys, that would be it for me, that they continue to share positive memories of the time they spent down at the field or just being part of the football program. And so forth.”

Coach Wiser received longlasting support throughout the community. “Through the years I’ve had the benefit of being at a great place where football, sports matter in our community. Administrators over the years: I was gifted with guys like Dr. Fotos, George White, Bill Kaufman, Mike Stahlman and Joe Carrico.   

“And Principals, Richard (Dick) Lewis who for years led the “Who Are We? Bobcats! Who’s Better?! No One! Do You Believe It?! Yessir!” at Pep Rallies for years, Tom Shirey and others.    

“Some of the Athletic Directors, that I worked with as head coach, that stood out:  John Reish and Bob Murphy, Nancy Mills… Keith Murtha and many of the Athletic Trainers.”

“And one thing that Jim Thornton (longtime Director of Sports Medicine at Clarion University) was very instrumental in – getting the Athletic Trainers. We went to two or three board meetings to get the trainer at the school, which was a real big addition to our sports program. Having somebody to make sure the kids stayed safe.

“And Dr. Armstrong who has been the team physician for many years, who looks out for the players’ safety. His expertise about when a player needs to be out of action for safety’s sake has been invaluable.”

“The Boosters, I wish I could remember all the presidents over the years… Ted Baughman, Scott Kindle’s dad, Don Montgomery’s dad, Rich Martin and Donny Hager, Gene Lewis and all the guys who helped, the Rapps, Christine Hearst.  And all the work Melissa Bauer did.”

“Over the years, I’ve always tried to emphasize that Bobcat and Wildcat football is a team effort. I’ve been fortunate enough to have, no matter where I was at, a family that supported me. My mom and dad, growing up and obviously my wife Annie and my kids when we went away to camp and so forth. I look at my assistant coaches, my players.       

“And beyond that, we really got great support from Ron Allaman and Chris Curry, with the band. The cheerleaders over the years, boy the time they put in with scrapbooks and various things, decorating and all that.       

“Then you take the community. We tried to put the best stuff on our kids, so they would have the best opportunity. And this community supported us by golf outings and things like that, so take kids to camp and get equipment for them.   

“And obviously, the school boards over the years and not just for football. I always liked Dr. Fotos’ comment, ‘We’re always striving for excellence.’  He’s a guy who has influenced me a lot.”     

Some memories from setting up old field. “I thought we had fun. Especially when we get out there on Friday nights. Back to the field, I don’t know if a lot of people knew it but when we put the lights up, my dad came in. He was supposed to help me build a shed, but I think Bell Telephone was going to put our lights on the pole.

“So dad and I went down and we were the two there, and my dad was ‘overseeing’ the climbers. They got a kick out of that. (See below, Coach Wiser’s dad’s qualifications for that duty).          

“Ron Allaman for the Band side and Bart Hindman from a maintenance stand point, the time and effort.  Bart, Dan McClaine and I dug the hole for the pole for the electric to the concession stand.”

Coach Wiser and Ron Allaman have a unique relationship for a football coach and band director. “With Ron Allaman the football coach and band director were good friends. We backpacked together. Some schools have bands and football teams that don’t necessarily get along. At our place we did.

“Dr. Fotos and the board and boosters at the time were a great help.”

Coach Wiser sees family, friends and high school and college mentors major influences, along with his assistants and players. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have, no matter where I was at, a family that supported me. My mom Nancy and dad Gerald Wiser, growing up. (The senior Wiser fought in George S. Patton’s 3rd Army, 5th Division Anti-Tank Company during World War II, attaining the rank of Captain. Among other medals he received two Purple Hearts. He served after the war and his final rank was Major. He was the He was the first Principal at Bald Eagle Area and was with the school from 1958-1984.) 

“And obviously my wife Annie and my kids when we went away to camp and so forth. I look at my assistant coaches, my players.

“And my brother, Lycoming assistant coach Steve. This is his fiftieth year of coaching and being a part of Lycoming Football. When he comes back next year, I know they are going to do something special for him.

“A lot of this leads back to my Bald Eagle Area High School coach Joe Humphrey, Al Wilson, who gave me a love for football. Joe taught me about hard work. I was fortunate enough to be around some very successful people like coach Al Jacks and coach Bob Bubb (Clarion State College football and wresting icons).” 

Coach Wiser is so thankful for so many who have been there for him. He shared different memories with me, games, individuals etc. One of these memories really brings home the love and respect for others who are “in it for the kids,” showing the camaraderie that really transcends the game. “I remember we were on the one yard line in the 1999 district championship game against Cameron County and boy, I thought we got in. To this day I thought we got in.

“But I got a call from the official that night, Jimmy Garabardi. He said, ‘Boy it sure looked like you didn’t get in. But if you got in I’m calling to tell you…’ It was 10 or 11 O’clock, we got in late that night. I said Jimmy. ‘The only other person who would have made that call, that I wouldn’t have been upset, it would have been my mother.’ He laughed… He laughed.

“Jimmy was one of the best officials I ever ran into, a guy that cared about the kids on the football field and off.” 

And closing. “When I list people close to me, I got George White, I got you and the Slikes (equipment managers Kevin and Vance), Dr. Armstrong, Rich and Sharron Martin – a Clarion cheerleader who went on as a teacher, maintaining that number one cheerleader position and who took photos of not just football but other teams throughout the years.

“There’s my family and the business people in the community who were willing to do anything for our program, including (longtime friend) Joe Wolf, besides all my other assistant coaches.

“I have to put Chris Rossetti in there too. If you remember, we languished for coverage that would get us attention at the statewide level. We had some good teams. I really felt that hurt our teams for statewide honors. You think about the Clarion Sports Zone evolution and Chris’ evolution, where we started getting names on the Wall up there, that were All-State and so forth. I think that was important to our team too, getting some statewide recognition and so forth was pretty important.”

Clarion Area Superintendent Dr. Joe Carrico shared about some of the many new additions and updates to “Wiser Field,” with Clarion Sports Zone.

At the two main entrances to the field, there will be signage welcoming people to “Wiser Field.” The wording to the signage which will not be available for the first game, has been deferred to Coach Wiser and Annie. 

There is a brand new paved walking track, which will be available for public use. The goalposts have recently been painted.

A brand new concession stand on the east end of the field, complete with restrooms, is under construction and will be ready to go, in time for the first game. Handicap parking spaces will be available. On that same side, Band bleachers will be installed, to free up space in the stands, for fans, as well as a student pavilion. Dr. Carrico says, “The pavilion will be a nice congregational place for students to hang out during the game.”

The stands on both sides of the field have been refurbished and power washed. There is a new entrance and stairs under construction, which will be finished by the first game. The entrance is above the home stands and will begin with a walking path from the former district offices. It will allow fans the choice to enter from above and and walk down to the bleachers, in addition to walking down from the other two entrances, and climbing from the bottom.

The sides of the home bleachers will be covered in black screen, with the front being covered in gray, concealing the framework. The front screen will have two emblems: an Orange and Black Bobcat Paw for the Clarion Bobcats, on the east side and on the west a Blue and Orange Wildcat emblem for the Central Clarion Wildcats.

Dr. Carrico shared, “Nothing better in the world, the close proximity. You’re on top of the field. Nothing better.” He emphasized the excitement, such as the Clarion Bobcat football teams and their opponents had before moving to Clarion University, when 2,000 or so fans packed the place, which hopefully will be the case, when two of the top teams in the District Nine, the Central Clarion Wildcats and Port Allegany Gators meet on the inaugural night.

A new press box is in the planning stages, with the goal of having it constructed for the 2024 season.

New LED lighting has been installed and the scoreboard has been revamped to make it more suitable to varsity sports. Twenty-five second clocks will be installed in both endzones for 2024.

But the pièce de résistance is undoubtedly the turf. The new surface has been top seeded, rolled and treated, on the game only grass. It will continue to serve varsity soccer, and junior varsity and junior high football.

The junior high football team now practices on the field below “Wiser Field.” The varsity and junior varsity practice on the turf next to the school off Liberty Street, while the girls soccer team practices on the “Magic Square” field next to the auxiliary gym on North 3rd Avenue.

As for the festivities:

This very special ceremony is scheduled for 6:40 P.M., with people encouraged to show up at least 1/2 hour early. 

There will be temporary signs at the main entrances welcoming fans to “Wiser Field.” The ceremony will include a ribbon cutting.

The program naming the field will feature a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

After the ceremony, there will be a meet and greet to share congratulations and remembrances with the Wisers in the pavilion just off the entrance at the top of the home bleachers. Dr. Carrico said, “I’m sure by halftime, Coach Wiser will be up there.”

He encouraged alumni, players, coaches, students and the local community to come back for this celebration.

Dr. Carrico shared these fine words, “Coach Wiser… It’s been forty-some years he;s been a part of our district and our community and they (Coach and his family) still are. So we want to be very celebratory… That’s how Larry is. He’s not a ME guy; he’s a WE guy.

“And it’s more than Larry being a football coach here, or an AD, or a teacher, . It’s all of that, the sum and substance of all that.

“Come up top, have some refreshments at the get-together and enjoy the game Port Allegany at Central Clarion. It’s going to be a good one.

“This is to be a joyous celebration in honor of Coach Wiser, along with his wife Annie and their family, for his many years as a coach, teacher, athletic director and important contributing member of the community at-large.”

(Congratulations on this very great honor, Coach!!!!  Thanks to all who contributed photos and/or information for this article!!)

(Note: There is to be a special printed commemorative keepsake program for this historic occasion.)