Biographical Text
Professor Emeritus of Secondary Education Clarence Hazel Gilstrap (October 27, 1920 -) was born in Pickens County, South Carolina, where he attended Easley High School and played tackle for the football team. He was alternate captain of the Easley team that won the state Championship in 1937. He was voted most valuable player and made all-state tackle. In 1937 he was chosen to play in the first Shrine Bowl. During his senior year, Gilstrap was president of the senior class. Gilstrap earned a football scholarship to Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina where he lettered his three varsity years (1939-1941). He was named All-State his sophomore year and was voted most valuable lineman and most valuable football player his senior year. He played in the Lion's Bowl, December 6, 1941, the day before Pearl Harbor. He was offered contracts with the New York Giants and with the Philadelphia Eagles but was accepted into the Naval Air Arm July 14, 1942. In 1942, as a cadet, Gilstrap played football for Georgia Pre-Flight School at Athens, Georgia. He received his wings and commission June, 1943. As a naval aviator, Gilstrap was a patrol plane commander for four years. He also served as flight instructor at Pensacola Naval Air base for 20 months. His naval commissions included stations at the Dallas Primary Naval Base, the Banana River Naval Air Station, the San Diego Naval Air Station, the Alameda Naval Air Station, Kaneoke Naval Base, Hawaii, and Okinawa. War's end found himamemberofV.P.B. 20 in the Pacific Zone flying P.B.M. Seaplanes. After the war, Gilstrap also served in Korea and in China. Gilstrap returned to Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina where he obtained his B.A. in biology and education in 1948. Clarence married Clara Ann Miller of Lexington, North Carolina, on June 30,1943. They had five children: Michael Eric (June 17, 1944 - ), Suzanne (July 15, 1947 - ), Margaret Ann (July 13,1950 -), Jane Stokes (April 21,1953 -), and John Calvin (November 21, 1955-). Michael Eric married Joan Gilreath of Atlanta, Georgia, and the couple have three daughters: Julie, Claire, and Lauren. Suzanne married Jack Wilkes of Charleston, South Carolina, and the couple have three children: Ryan, Matthew, and Anna Clar. Ann married Douglas Pait of Greensboro, North Carolina (now of Charleston, South Carolina), and the couple have three sons: Dustin, Robbie, and Andrew. Jane Stokes married Jon Pierce of Asheville, North Carolina. John Calvin married Lenoir Carter of Kinston, North Carolina. In 1948, Clarence Gilstrap moved to Charleston, South Carolina where he worked for ten years as athletic director and coach at St. Andrews high school. While coaching football at St. Andrews, he won 108 games, lost 48 and tied 7. Included in these wins were two state championships and runner-up status for a third. Gilstrap also coached basketball, baseball, and track while at St. Andrews. In 1952, he was elected South Carolina Coach of the Year and was later inducted into the Easley Hall of Fame. During these years he served as assistant coach for South Carolina in the Shrine Bowl (1955-58) and later (in 1962) as head coach. From 1958 until 1964 Gilstrap served as principal of St. Andrews Junior High. During the last three of these years, he earned an M.A. from Appalachian State University in administration. Gilstrap was appointed to the position of assistant professor in secondary education at Appalachian in 1964, and a rapid series of appointments and promotions followed. In 1967 he was appointed director of admissions, and during his 13-year tenure as director the university grew from a college of 3,400 students to an enrollment of over 10,000. In 1975 he was promoted to the rank of associate professor. And 1980 saw him promoted to full professor and appointed as athletic director of the university. Among other distinctions, Gilstrap as athletic director was able to see Appalachian win the prestigious Southern Conference Commissioner's Cup, which represents the overall excellence of the men's athletic program, for four straight years in a row (1977-1981). During his tenure at Appalachian, his Sources: Appalachian State University files, long expertise in the overlapping fields of teaching, coaching, athletic recruitment and college admissions caused his popularity as a speaker at conferences, and thus, during these years he traveled widely throughout the southeast addressing various educational associations. He served as President of the Southern Conference from 1978-1980. He was chosen to serve as Faculty Chief Marshal for commencement in 1982. Gilstrap's professional affiliations included the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, and the Educational Testing Service. He also served on the following committees at the university: Athletic Council (faculty chairman), Admissions Committee (ex officio), Student Affairs Budget Committee, Residency Committee of the Board of Higher Education, and Faculty Senate. Clarence Gilstrap retired from the university on June 30, 1982, and was granted emeritus status. He remains active in community affairs: he is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he has served as deacon, elder, and as Sunday school superintendent. He was a member of the local Parent-Teacher's Association and is a former member and president of the Lion's Club. In retirement he especially enjoys spending the winter months in Charleston, South Carolina and in Marco Island, Florida where he is able to be near his children and grandchildren. He enjoys fishing, golf and tennis (although he is modest regarding his expertise in these). He and Clara Ann enjoy just being able to do things together!-and traveling figures a lot in their future plans, association and personal correspondence. - Dr. Richard D. Howe
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