University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Athletics

        From 1973 through 2008, Dr. Clark Strausser was a prominent Professor of Economics at Pitt-Johnstown.  Along with his work in the classroom, Dr. Strausser was also an avid supporter of Pitt-Johnstown athletics, both academically and financially.
 
         “I have fond memories of Dr. Strausser.  Doc was the “Educational” Building Block for the wrestling team.  He took it upon himself to stay current with our classroom performance and nudged us if required.  He rode with us on away matches which he used as educational opportunities.  I remember playing Password on one trip and the password was “nose”.  Doc gave the clue “proboscis”.  Seriously, proboscis to a bunch of wrestlers!  Of course we all looked dumbfounded; but we learned something that day, as we often did with Doc.”  
“My best memory of Dr. Strausser is after every game he would come in the locker room and stand next to me win or lose with a smile on his face and just ask me how I'm feeling or always give us a smile and words of confidence no matter how good or bad it was.  He was always considered a friend of the team and welcome at every practice and every bus trip we made.  He had a great knack for making you feel better with just a few words. Even though I never had him as a professor, I always considered him a very close friend...Even to this day.”  
"Doc has been the unsung hero of UPJ wrestling since the beginning.  Although he and Coach Pecora came to Pitt-Johnstown from very different backgrounds, their friendship and loyalty to each other has stood the test of time.  Doc is fierce, dedicated, generous and LOYAL.  I am very grateful for his support and friendship all these years."  
“Dr. Clark Strausser was an integral part of the 1996 and 1999 National Championship wrestling teams.  He served as a mentor, academic advisor and overall supporter of the program and still has a presence to this day.  I can say that without having "Doc" as part of our team, we would not have had the success that we did.  I was honored to have him mentor me and my teammates and very proud that the University has recognized his many contributions to the program and to the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.”