Page 12 lEEE Co. 14012111 The 114 thetir COSI Graduate returns by Joe Mottillo Collegian Staff Not even a year out of college, Paul Benim has done more with the post-college experience than others his age. A spring '92 graduate of Behrend and 'BB graduate of Iroquois High School, Benim has found himself involved in one of the most successful women's athletic programs in the country here at Behrend. He is completing his second season as the women's assistant basketball coach and is entering his first season as head women's softball coach. "As an assistant, you give input and suggestions. Sometimes they're used, sometimes they're not. As a head coach, you make the decisions," said Benim. "Because the athletes I coach and I are close in age , I can relate to them. I also have to remember that I'm their coach," commented Benim. With the women's basketball and softball seasons overlapping, Benim was asked if their is any conflict. "I think I do a decent job of separating the two. When I'm at basketball practice, I focus on that. When I'm at softball practice, I focus on that. Netters off to Carolina by Paul D. Young Collegian Staff A short year after the completion of their most successful season in ten years, the men's tennis team looks to start the '93 campaign on a winning note with two matches in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Thanks to the keen scheduling of third-year coach Dan Gallegos, the team will have two days to practice and scout Sports During the day, I bounce between both." "Brett Banker set things up very well (with the softball team). I need to keep things going in the same direction," he said. "I'm very enthusiastic about it (head softball coach). It is a very big challenge. I'm reaching a comfort zone with the players." "A goal for softball would be for us to win 30 out of 40 games. I think that's what it would take to go to the NCAA's." With his other job as assistant basketball coach, Benim said, "It's great to see a collective unit win a game. Working together to accomplish something is very gratifying." Although it hasn't been announced, Benim was asked about the ECAC Playoffs. The bids go out around the first week of March. "Our style of play is the same. We just have to stay focused on ourselves and execute regardless of our opponents." In five years Benim still sees himself coaching at the college level. "Where and what is the only question." "The high point so far was winning the ECAC Championship in basketball. the competition before taking on Ursinus in their season opener. This is extremely crucial since they have practiced exclusively indoors during February. Between matches, Coach Gallegos will hold the "Shootout Classic" - a mixed doubles competition featuring both the men's and women's teams, who are also going on the trip. The Lions will wrap up their Amel Bak*EvPhoognpher Listen up: Paul Benlrn, first year softball coach, instructs his players during a practice last week. It's great to be part of such a great tradition." "ECAC's are outstanding for this school. The history of athletics here is being built now." "I love what I'm doing because of the people I'm associated with. I've been blessed with very good people to work under. The Banker's ghoul. loch_ NO4O 3pm ennis olont t 1 Pl* ...$ ist mein ~...- an, cwt 1 SP pm *Ng tom i pa wo Aoto Thiel a t s 2: may it st 3/2 VIIE jdo limo ow, mitt Mod _T— o Hobe "or 44 moo "iiiii* 0 IgNIE Aft% swift 4110 ... TT , a , , >« fi wir• 4n4113644 oistAny southern trip against Eastern Mennonite. Despite the loss of top players Chuck Keenan, Joe Dess, and Craig Edwards, the men appear to have an outstanding squad this year. It features the return of junior ca captains Eric Good and Johathan Chase, in addition to sophomore sensation Karl Van Tassel. Without a senior to be found on the roster, the men's team will be counting on solid performances from its talented and highly touted recruiting class. Junior transfer Bittu Das and freshman Eric Liken are joined by two local products, Brian Foht (Fairview) and Paul Young (Cathedral Prep). All four first- Thursday, March 4, 1993 and Phil Glass (basketball coach at Iroquois where Benim was an assistant last year) have all helped me." -Eds. note: This story is being run again due to a layout mistake which occurred last week. :i.:::•ii•..:i.•:i4• ~ i•i•: . i • . i : ,• : .i•:i:i•':is..?.:.;es i,Ki: : ii : f ':i:ii i i 4 '.igi:Ai.i::: lN i::§„:e:.,:::J:.:::.i. ,f:-::.*%f. :i..:'M.; ~ .••..•1::..:.ii i . o : g. i .. i . ...i:..:i. iii:'.i;i *:i.a:.. ::.M%ii: ...i.':i',i.g..i'ii.iii g;:.i:. ii:li§si.i;. : : i ifwi.::i i i i :•.i:i:iM.::.:.:li&t!i4iil:ioMii,i:i:.:i!ii.i!:zi.i:ii'ii s, &:§ gNngo . v . , i Ift*. 4 tg . E Sali:- year players look to make immediate impacts on the starting lineup. Are the Lions ready for the 20 plus match season that awaits them? Judging from the reactions from both the coach and the players they are more than ready. "There is something special about this team," beams Coach Gallegos. "They are definitely " Added Good, "We're going to be in every match." Take a break -Collegian Sports
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