Thursday, November 10,1994 Behrend men prepare for season by Julie E. Stocker CdUftamSuff It is now a faint roar but the roar is getting louder as the season grows nearer. With only four returners and ten fresh faces, rookie coaches Dave Niland and Karl Jelinek are anticipating the start of another exciting season of Behrend men’s basketball. The Penn State-Behrend men’s basketball team stmts its season Saturday, Nov. 19, in the annual Hamot Classic. After that, the Lions will not be seen in Erie Hall throughout December and will only be there three times in January. In fact, 13 of the first 17 games for the Lions are away from Behrend hardwood. "A mark of a very good college basketball team at any level is to be able to win basketball games on the road," said first year coach Dave Niland. The Lions will not only have to overcome tough scheduling, but will have to adjust to a new coaching staff as well. The Behrend basketball fans should be used to this process. Niland is the fourth head coach in three years, with Jelinek, also in his Who’s #1 ? by Briau Stadler CetUtimSug 1990, when the the Colorado the coaches chose Tech Yellow ' 'yearthe Miami * media Buffaloes the first year at Behrend, as his assistant Niland comes to Behrend after four years of assistant coaching at Canisius. Before that he was an assistant at LaMoyne (his alma mater) after playing four years of basketball and graduating in 1989. Niland started his coaching career at Elmira College soon after his college graduation. "I am confident in my ability (to coach). I've been at every level of college basketball, while coaching at Division I and 111, and being a Division II player," said Coach Niland. Behrend is returning three starters from the 1993-94 squad, who tallied a final record of 10- 15. Senior forward Rob Hunt (11.5 points per game and 8 rebounds per game), junior center Todd Stnrgin (10 ppg and 5.6 rpg) and sophomore forward Ron Derian (9.4 ppg and 4.8 rpg) will be leading the Lions this season. Another key returner for the Behrend Lions is senior guard Eddie Edwards, who averaged 1.5 ppg and 1.6 rpg. Senior forward Steve Berger is also returning after playing his sophomore year but not last season. embarrasses Ohio Slate 63-14. Clearly the Lions are number one* ImeaaOhioStatehad the aynad mhed rfurfjfmy l lathe Big Tea and the LiQp>sntaoe them lootaUly. Orarelhey?? .jNqjftker Nebraika or Penn '-die rest tii|be year. Penn biggeirburdle ' *gunst#2s Sports Besides these key returners the Lions’ lack experience at the collegiate level with nine first year players on the roster. "The four returning kids: Eddie (Edwards), Rob Hunt, (Todd) Sturgin, and (Ron) Derian, will have to step up and provide leadership," said Niland of last year's returners. "In addition to the returners, we are going to have to have some freshman step up and play some good basketball," continued Niland. After losing star guards Byron Thorne and Don Plyler to graduation, the Lions will have a void to fill and a very young and inexperienced backcourt "Hopefully the seniors will be able to step up. We will need Sturgin and Derian to play well together," said Edwards, on the loss of Thome and Plyler. "Our interior game right now is our strength because that's where we have the most experience. I think we are going to be an interior oriented team and we will play to our strengths," said Niland. We might not have a look at our Lions after the opening tournament until mid-January, but they are looking forward to an exciting and roaring season. IM update by Nick Zulovich Collegian Staff Penn State-Behrend intramurals continue with a 3 on 3 basketball tournament and aerobics classes. Both are open to all Behrend students, faculty and staff. The deadline for sign-ups for the 3 on 3 tournament is tomorrow at 4 p.m. A two dollar fee will be charged to the students’ account upon entry. Faculty and staff must submit two dollars at the time of entry. There are women’s and men's divisions with a maximum of four players per team. The round robin style tournament will begin on Monday, Nov. 14 with games played at Erie Hall. Two different types of aerobic workout arc offered. A 35-40 stour (] cr I n T h Here we go: Todd Stugin is practicing for Behrend’s opener at home Saturday, Nov. 19. minute low impact aerobic workout will be held on campus. This workout is Monday through Thursday 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Student Activities Commons. It is also offered Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 7:30- 8:30 p.m. in the Niagara Hall basement A 25 minute abdomen workout will be held Monday and Wednesday from 4:00-4:30 p.m. in the Student Activities Commons. A 75 cent fee will be charged to students’ accounts upon entry. Faculty and staff will be billed. Intramural Director Rob Wittman can answer any questions about the 3 on 3 tournament or the aerobics classes. He can be contacted at x 6280. Women’s volleyball team denied ECAC bid by Nick Zulovich Collegian Staff The Penn State-Behrend women's volleyball team fell short of earning an ECAC oumament bid. Only the top four teams in the region were ;iven playoff bids. The Lady .ions were ranked fifth in the ngion and missed die cut Washington and Jefferson, Stove City, Vassar College and Rutgers-Newark were the schools given ECAC bids. Head Coach Jan Wilson was iisappointed being denied a tournament bid. "It’s a real disappointment tecause we played so hard during he season. But we had a great eason considering having a very r oung team with only two anmsin ** b y Athletic Director Herb Lauffer echoed Coach Wilson's com ments. "We're disappointed, but never theless, they had a very good season. The decision of playoff bids boiled down to head to head competition. It was decided on the court, the way it should be." Wilson said, "We lost some M o tough games we should have won. Losing to Grove City twice really hurt us to qualify for the playoffs." With die return of experienced and young players, the Behrend women wfll have an opportunity to challenge for an ECAC playoff spot next season. Page 11
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