Eugene S Sobolewski

Eugene S. “Gene” Sobolewski, 74, of Doylestown, OH, formerly of Clarion, passed away on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at the Akron City Hospital in Akron, Ohio. He was born on March 15, 1941 in Freeport, PA; the son of the late Charles J. and Pauline Varos Sobolewski. Gene was married on December 20, 1969 to Carol M. Miller, who survives. Gene has had a rich history at Clarion University from 1971-2004. He came to Clarion in 1971 as an assistant football coach and a member of the health and physical education faculty and remained here committed to our students and athletes for 33-years. As a member of the football staff Gene was the offensive line coach from 1971-72, the offensive coordinator from 1973-81, defensive linebackers coach in 1982 and then the Golden Eagles head football coach for 11 seasons (1983-93). During his tenure as head coach Sobolewski led Clarion to PSAC-West titles in 1983 and 1992, a PSAC title in 1983, an overall record of 60-51 and a PSAC-West record of 37-29. He was named PSAC-West “Coach of the Year” in 1983 and 1992 and Kodak Region I “Coach of the Year” in 1983. During his years as an assistant coach Sobolewski also helped Clarion win PSAC-West titles in 1977, 78 and 80, and PSAC titles in 1977 and 1980. Including his time as an assistant coach and a head coach, the Eagle football team enjoyed an overall record of 144-81-3, or a winning percentage of 63.8%. Gene retired from football following the 1993 football season, but continued to be highly involved in the HPE Department as an Associate Professor. He was the HPE Chair from 1992-96, while also serving as HPE Chair from 1979-83. Inducted into the Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame in 2002, he has also been inducted into the A-K Valley (1984) and the Armstrong County (1980) Sports Halls of Fame. Gene was named co-winner of the Clarion Distinguished Faculty Award with Charlie Ruslavage in 1977. Sobolewski and Ruslavage developed the curriculum for the “Coaching Certification Program” at Clarion. A native of Freeport, Pa. and a 1960 graduate of Freeport High, Gene earned three football and two basketball letters at Freeport High. A co-captain of the football and basketball teams his senior year, Gene accepted a full scholarship to Pitt for the Fall of 1960. Devoting his time to football with the Panthers, Sobolewski earned three football letters from 1961-63 and was a starter on the 1962 and 1963 teams at defensive end on teams coached by John Michelosen.. The 1963 Panthers were 9-1 and ranked third in the nation, with Pitt’s only loss coming to Navy. Over his career Sobolewski sacked famous Navy QB Roger Staubach seven times. After gaining his B.S. Degree in HPE at Pitt in 1964, he taught and was an assistant football coach at Lincoln High in Ellwood City from 1964-66 and at Beaver High from 1966-68 under coach Pat Tarquinnio. He went to Waynesburg College and was the defensive coordinator for the Yellow Jackets for three years compiling a record of 19-9, before coming to Clarion for the 1971 season under coach Al Jacks. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church where he was a lector. Gene was also a volunteer for charitable deeds and a member of the Campus Ministry. Gene was the original guiding spirit for the development of a new Clarion County YMCA. A former president of the YMCA, Sobolewski was one of the leading advocates for a full service YMCA in Clarion County, drawing on his long professional career of advocating health and recreational activities for Clarion County as a teacher and coach at Clarion University. Whether you knew him as Sobie, coach, or Gene, he was all about a new full service YMCA and expanding services for young people and other residents. Offering the motivation and encouragement of a coach to his "team," Sobolewski attracted others and convinced them to join in his dream. All will miss him, but his spirit and dream will live on with a new Clarion County YMCA, scheduled to break ground in 2016. He is survived by his wife, three children, Dr. Erika Sobolewski and husband, Jeffery Nichols of Doylestown, Ohio, Jason Sobolewski and wife Natelie of Naperville, Ill, Blake Sobolewski and Annie of Meadville, PA, six grandchildren, Cole, Charlie, Whitier, Gabe, Elaine, and Addison, on brother, Charles Sobolewski and wife Karen of Plantation, FL. Gene is preceded in death by his parents. Family will receive friends from 2 to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 20, 2015 at the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home in Clarion. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion. Entombment will follow in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations may be sent to the Clarion County YMCA Capital Campaign in memory of Gene.

Eugene S Sobolewski

March 15, 1941 - November 14, 2015