Pat Tarquinio

A 1951 graduate of Stowe HS, Pat received a football scholarship to Pitt. After his freshman year, he transferred to Juniata College, where he quarterbacked the team to 3 consecutive undefeated seasons, culminating with the Tangerine Bowl in 1956.  He was a 3-time All-State selection.  He held numerous passing, rushing, scoring and all purpose yardage records and was honored as a Little All American in 1955.  Pat was also a standout track athlete and was awarded the Central PA Athlete of the Year Award in 1956 and named to the inaugural class of the Juniata Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.  He graduated with a BA in 1956 and received his Masters in Education from Westminster College in 1965.

Pat’s career spanned many decades, serving as teacher, guidance counselor and head football coach, with his career starting at Ellwood City from 1956-1965.  He worked alongside former teammate, Chuck Knox, until taking over as head coach in 1959.  He served in the BASD from 1966-1999 and was the Bobcat Football Coach for 34 years, where his teams won 241 games, 3 WPIAL championships, 2 WPIAL Runners-Up, 4 WPIAL Semi-Finalists, 3 WPIAL Quarter Finalists, WPIAL recognition for a perfect 10-0 season in 1968 and 12 Conference titles.  At the time of his retirement, he was the winningest coach in WPIAL history with 269 victories. 

In addition to his success on the field, he will be remembered as a fine gentleman who positively impacted the lives of hundreds of Bobcats who played for him.  The motto that he established for the Beaver Football Program, “Where Tradition Dictates a Standard of Excellence,” has been adopted as the official motto of the BASD.  The football field was named in his honor on October 5, 2007.  He was honored with the Beaver Area HS #1 Jersey in 2007.

Pat served as Assistant Head Coach at Hopewell HS from 2000-2015, making 9 playoff appearances, 3 trips to the WPIAL championships and winning the WPIAL and PIAA state championships in 2002.  He volunteered as Assistant Coach at Seneca Valley HS for 2 seasons, playing in the WPIAL championship in 2016. 

Pat had numerous recognitions for his service as an educator and coach, receiving multiple honorary inductions: Beaver Co. Sports Hall of Fame, PA State Football Coaches Hall of Fame, Minor Pro Football Hall of Fame, Robert “Tick” Cloherty Western Chapter PA Sports Hall of Fame, WPIAL Hall of Fame and Athletes of Action Lifetime Achievement Award.  He was selected as the Head Coach of the Big 33 All-Star game in 1991.

His philosophy of treating his players and students as family was the central theme throughout his career.  He positively impacted the lives of many with his grace, depth of caring and service of others with class, dignity and mutual respect.  His family was the true joy in his life.  He and his late wife, Marcy, were married for 53 years.  Together, they leave behind 3 children, Tom, Tracy and Terri, 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.