RED LION — Ask Bob Beatty was his favorite memory was as quarterback at Clarion University and his answer comes with no hesitation.

Winning.

“It was just so much fun winning all those games there,” Beatty said. “And we won a lot.”

The 1976 Slippery Rock High School graduate is being inducted into the Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame Friday night. A 5:30 p.m. reception will be followed by a 7 p.m. dinner at the East Commons Dining Hall on campus.

Beatty led the Golden Eagles to three PSAC championship games, winning state titles in 1977 and 1980. His teams were a combined 33-8-1.

“I led the state in passing my freshman year and doubt I threw for 1,000 yards,” Beatty said. “Football was played differently back then.

“I alternated time with a guy from Deer Lakes my sophomore and junior years and threw for maybe 600 yards in those seasons.”

Beatty broke his ankle in the 1978 state title game. That forced him to red-shirt the following football season and ended his Clarion baseball career after two years.

As a fifth-year senior, Beatty led the Golden Eagles to a 9-2 record and a second state title. He completed 166 of 328 passes for 1,733 yards and 13 touchdowns. He threw for 3,916 yards and 32 touchdowns in his collegiate career.

“Those were big numbers back then,” Beatty said. “I set the Clarion record for passes attempted and was second in completions.

“Those teams were built on strong defenses. We had so many excellent players there and a great offensive line. A number of guys from those teams are already in this Hall of Fame. I guess it's just my turn.”

Beatty is part of the Clarion HOF's 28th induction class.

He's still not even certain how he wound up at the school.

While playing for Slippery Rock, Beatty's teams finished 4-5 during each of the three years he started.

“We weren't all that good and we never saw any college scouts coming around,” Beatty said. “A recruiter from Clarion — Charles Ruslavage, one of Penn State's first great linebackers — was supposedly on his way to Pittsburgh and stopped in Slippery Rock because of a snowstorm.

“He wound up talking to me and I was on my way to Clarion.”

Beatty was inducted into the then Butler Area (now Butler County) Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. His father, James Beatty, was inducted into that hall in 1978.

Beatty's father started the Prospect Boys and Girls Club and Bob played for the Prospect Chiefs youth football team.

He even named the team.

“I was a big fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and (running back) Mike Garrett when I was a kid,” Beatty said, laughing. “I asked my dad if our team could be called the Chiefs and he had no problem with it.

“From the Prospect Chiefs to Slippery Rock to the Clarion Hall of Fame ... That's been a pretty nice trip.”

An English teacher at Red Lion High School in York County for 30 years, Beatty won over 100 games as baseball coach there. He's also served as offensive and defensive coordinator in football for a few teams.

Married to his wife Cyndi for 29 years, Beatty has a busy weekend in store. After his induction Friday night, he has a daughter graduating from Pitt-Johnstown on Saturday. His wedding anniversary is Tuesday.

“A lot going on and I'm grateful for all of it,” he said.

Tickets for the Clarion Sports Hall of Fame dinner are $40. They are available by contacting Courtney at 814-393-2057.