Class of 2008
Fran Harlan
Fran Harlan graduated from Windber High School where he was a letterman and starter in basketball and baseball. Fran earned his teaching degree from Clarion University where he played Basketball as a freshman.
In 1970 Harlan began his teaching and coaching career at Chestnut Ridge. He coached basketball for six seasons with three seasons as the head coach (1972-74).
Fran started the Chestnut Ridge golf program in 1993 and coached the team for 13 years. He had a career record of over .500 and one individual District 5 champion, Jessie Snyder in 1993.
In 1983 Fran was named the head football coach at Chestnut Ridge. In Fran's first season as head coach, Chestnut Ridge went 9-1 with the one loss being to undefeated Claysburg in the fifth game of the season 21-14. The game was played at Claysburg on a Saturday night before an estimated crowd of over 2,500.
In his 10 years as the head football coach, Chestnut Ridge had a record of 63-40-5 with seven winning seasons. This was remarkable due to the fact that Chestnut Ridge had only four winning season since Ridge's first team in 1955 until the 1983 seasons (28 years). Chestnut Ridge won the Mid-Penn League in 1984 & 1986 and the Inter-County League in 1983.
When you hear the name Fran Harlan, what sport do you associate it with? For as successful as Fran was in coaching football, his coaching record in girls track is even better. Fran was the head girls track coach for 30 years (1976-2006).
Some of Harlan's Accomplishments:
• Career record 273-122-3
• 1993-2006 dual meet record 187-32-3
• District 5 Championships (5) 1987, 1993,1996, 1998, & 1999
• Bedford County Championships (10) 1987, 1993, & 1996-2003
• Other Championships: Tri-State Invitational (5), West Central Coaches
Meet (1) 1993, and Sideling Hill (4) 2002-2005
• Coached 20 PIAA State medal winners including:
Beth Burkett placed second twice in the javelin 1995 and 1996
Tracie Claar placed second in the long jump and the triple jump in
2001. Tracie Claar won six medals
• Coached one High School All-American - Beth Burkett, javelin 1996
After 37 years as a history teacher and coach, Fran retired in 2006. As one of his fellow teacher stated, "Fran was arguably the most popular and inspirational teacher at CRHS until his retirement."
Fran and his wife of 34 years, Barbara, live six months of the year in Windber and the other six months at Camp Hartley where he spend his time, since retirement, fishing and playing golf. They have one son, Jeff.
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Fran Harlan graduated from Windber High School where he was a letterman and starter in basketball and baseball. Fran earned his teaching degree from Clarion University where he played Basketball as a freshman.
In 1970 Harlan began his teaching and coaching career at Chestnut Ridge. He coached basketball for six seasons with three seasons as the head coach (1972-74).
Fran started the Chestnut Ridge golf program in 1993 and coached the team for 13 years. He had a career record of over .500 and one individual District 5 champion, Jessie Snyder in 1993.
In 1983 Fran was named the head football coach at Chestnut Ridge. In Fran's first season as head coach, Chestnut Ridge went 9-1 with the one loss being to undefeated Claysburg in the fifth game of the season 21-14. The game was played at Claysburg on a Saturday night before an estimated crowd of over 2,500.
In his 10 years as the head football coach, Chestnut Ridge had a record of 63-40-5 with seven winning seasons. This was remarkable due to the fact that Chestnut Ridge had only four winning season since Ridge's first team in 1955 until the 1983 seasons (28 years). Chestnut Ridge won the Mid-Penn League in 1984 & 1986 and the Inter-County League in 1983.
When you hear the name Fran Harlan, what sport do you associate it with? For as successful as Fran was in coaching football, his coaching record in girls track is even better. Fran was the head girls track coach for 30 years (1976-2006).
Some of Harlan's Accomplishments:
• Career record 273-122-3
• 1993-2006 dual meet record 187-32-3
• District 5 Championships (5) 1987, 1993,1996, 1998, & 1999
• Bedford County Championships (10) 1987, 1993, & 1996-2003
• Other Championships: Tri-State Invitational (5), West Central Coaches
Meet (1) 1993, and Sideling Hill (4) 2002-2005
• Coached 20 PIAA State medal winners including:
Beth Burkett placed second twice in the javelin 1995 and 1996
Tracie Claar placed second in the long jump and the triple jump in
2001. Tracie Claar won six medals
• Coached one High School All-American - Beth Burkett, javelin 1996
After 37 years as a history teacher and coach, Fran retired in 2006. As one of his fellow teacher stated, "Fran was arguably the most popular and inspirational teacher at CRHS until his retirement."
Fran and his wife of 34 years, Barbara, live six months of the year in Windber and the other six months at Camp Hartley where he spend his time, since retirement, fishing and playing golf. They have one son, Jeff.
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Bedford County Sports Hall of Fame
Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Bedford County, Pennsylvania