If
being named a college All American in one sport is the ultimate, how
would you classify someone being a collegiate All American in two
sports? The guess is you could say that particular person pulled a “Beltz”.
Yes, Jeff Beltz was an All American in both football and baseball
while at Geneva College from 1991 to 1995. And who knows, he might
have even won postseason honors in basketball had he chosen that
sport as well. Such is the talent of the Freedom graduate. Jeff
began getting rave notices while performing for Bulldog teams during
his scholastic days of 1987 to 1991. In football as a senior, he set
the school record for receptions with 40 in helping the team to
their first playoff appearance in over a decade. He also played free
safety and was the punter. Two years running, Jeff was named to the
All Conference Team. Jeff played just one year of basketball at
Freedom, but what a year it was. He averaged over 25 points per game
to be one of the top scorers in the WPIAL, and was a unanimous all
star. In baseball, he was a three year starter and all star caliber
at various positions. He batted over .500 as a senior. In an
American Legion contest, he once had a 5 for 5 day against Ellwood
City which included three home runs. Oh yes, he also was the winning
pitcher that game. At Geneva, he became the first and only two sport
All American in over 100 years of participation in intercollegiate
athletics. In football, Jeff set every game, season, and career
receiving record upon graduation. In 1994, he had 68 receptions and
11 touchdowns and became Geneva’s first ever receiver to top 1000
yards in a season. Amazingly, Jeff also started as a safety and
sometimes as a cornerback, and he was named All Conference both
ways. In addition, he returned punts, kickoffs, and was the holder
in placekicks. In the diamond sport at Geneva, Jeff was a four year
starter and two time NAIA All American. He set records with season
and career steals, triples and on-base average. Jeff, who is single
and resides in Beaver, is now making his mark as a football coach.
He was on the Robert Morris staff with
Joe Walton
for four playoff years, and took over the program at Beaver in 2000.
He has taken the Bobcats to three co-conference championships in
those seven years, with four postseason appearances.
If
being named a college All American in one sport is the ultimate, how
would you classify someone being a collegiate All American in two
sports? The guess is you could say that particular person pulled a “Beltz”.
Yes, Jeff Beltz was an All American in both football and baseball
while at Geneva College from 1991 to 1995. And who knows, he might
have even won postseason honors in basketball had he chosen that
sport as well. Such is the talent of the Freedom graduate. Jeff
began getting rave notices while performing for Bulldog teams during
his scholastic days of 1987 to 1991. In football as a senior, he set
the school record for receptions with 40 in helping the team to
their first playoff appearance in over a decade. He also played free
safety and was the punter. Two years running, Jeff was named to the
All Conference Team. Jeff played just one year of basketball at
Freedom, but what a year it was. He averaged over 25 points per game
to be one of the top scorers in the WPIAL, and was a unanimous all
star. In baseball, he was a three year starter and all star caliber
at various positions. He batted over .500 as a senior. In an
American Legion contest, he once had a 5 for 5 day against Ellwood
City which included three home runs. Oh yes, he also was the winning
pitcher that game. At Geneva, he became the first and only two sport
All American in over 100 years of participation in intercollegiate
athletics. In football, Jeff set every game, season, and career
receiving record upon graduation. In 1994, he had 68 receptions and
11 touchdowns and became Geneva’s first ever receiver to top 1000
yards in a season. Amazingly, Jeff also started as a safety and
sometimes as a cornerback, and he was named All Conference both
ways. In addition, he returned punts, kickoffs, and was the holder
in placekicks. In the diamond sport at Geneva, Jeff was a four year
starter and two time NAIA All American. He set records with season
and career steals, triples and on-base average. Jeff, who is single
and resides in Beaver, is now making his mark as a football coach.
He was on the Robert Morris staff with