Talk of the town
SLIPPERY ROCK — His address may say Volant, but don't be fooled. Bill Beatty is all Slippery Rock.
Beatty, 72, who was the announcer of Slippery Rock High's home football games for the past 30 years, was honored for his service before Friday's game against Warren.
"I'm really proud I've been part of the program," said Beatty, who received a helmet with the SR logo during the ceremony. "That's the thing that's good for me."
But the honor is just a small part of what Beatty has meant to the community where he was born and raised in a house on Main Street that still stands.
Beatty graduated from Slippery Rock High School in 1952 and Slippery Rock State Teachers College in 1956.
He was a four-year member of the college's basketball team and still holds the school record for rebounds in a game (32) against The College of Wooster during the 1954-55 season, and his 814 career rebounds are eighth on The Rock's all-time list.
Beatty taught and coached at Ridgway and Moniteau high schools, and was a PIAA football, basketball and baseball official for more than 30 years.
He served as secretary for the Slippery Rock Chapter of Basketball Officials (1963-75), the Butler Chapter (1969-74), as well as rules interpreter (1975-80).
"I took my first job at Ridgway and thought, 'Boy, I love it here,'" said Beatty. "It was my first teaching job. I earned $3,000."
Beatty also earned two master's degrees in education from Westminster College.
At Slippery Rock High School, Beatty was credited with forming the varsity football program in 1965.
"With the school not being able to play, we got a lot of help from the Butler coaches," said Beatty. "They gave me advice on the program and helped in a lot of ways. I formed the Mothers Club, which is now the Quarterback Club.
"The concession stand is still there. The press box is there —I still don't think we've done enough with the field, though,"Beatty added.
He also spent time as the school's head baseball and golf coach, as well as the seventh- and eighth-grade basketball coach.
Beatty then turned his sights to the administrative side, serving as athletic director, assistant principal and principal at the high school. He retired from the last position in 1991.
"There are so many stories," said Beatty, who has four children with his late first wife. He has since remarried.
"The thing that makes me proud is a lot of players went on to do many things from announcers to doctors, a lot of good athletes, a lot of good kids," he added.
Beatty also was a member of the Pennsylvania Army Reserves for 35 years and was discharged in 1989 with the rank of colonel. He is a two-time past president of the SRU Alumni Board of Directors.
Looking back, Beatty has certainly enjoyed the ride. He will soon begin to spend his winters in Florida, but he'll remain involved with the Quarterback Club.
"It's been a good life here at Slippery Rock," he said.
