Rememberin
by Michelle McKean
Collegian Staff
Behrend lost more than
an administrator when
Herb Lauffer died;
Behrend lost a man who
affected the lives of
everyone he touched.
Herb Lauffer put all of
himself into everything.
On Jan. 10, Lauffer
passed away due to
heart related problems
at the Cleveland Clinic.
"He wiffbe
missed in a
different way by
everyone."
- Robert Schenker
Behrend Registrar
Lauffer was part of the
athletic department at
Penn State Behrend for 29
years, serving as the
athletic director for the
past 16 years.
Initially, Lauffer was the
men's tennis coach and
later continued with 23
years as the head of the
men's soccer program.
According to Lauffer
himself, *academics first'
is a tradition at Behrend.
"There is no question
that we want our
programs to be
successful, but it's more
than bringing the ball up
the court or up the field.
If you learn what is
taught in the classroom
as well as on the athletic
field, then you should be
a better person and
better prepared to step
into another arena of
competition, your chosen
career," said Lauffer in
The Behrend Quarterly in
1989.
Lauffer was born in
Butler, PA in 1941. He
attended both Slippery
Rock High School and
College graduating with
a Bachelor of Science'
degree in health,
physical education and
recreation. He continued
his education at West
Virginia University
earning a Master of
Science degree in
physical education.
Lauffer's motivation led
him to be Penn State-
Behrend's winningest
coach in history in
addition to bringing four
new sports to Behrend,
adding to the original
eight.
According to a tribute
letter, Lcruffer helped to
guide Behrend Athletics
from *NAIA Junior College
status to NCAA Division 111
and Eastern College
Athletic Conference
membership." Lcruffer
also produced several
NSCAA regional All-
Americans and All-
Conference Players.
Soccer players from as
"If you (earn what is taught in the
classroom as well as on the athletic
flea then you should "be a better
person and better prepared" to step
into another arena of competition,
your chosen career."
- Herb Lauffer
far as New Jersey came
to his funeral service.
Lauffer not only
touched Behrend with his
excellence, but reached
out into the community.
He was the founder and
president of the Erie
Loss of a friend, boss, loved one
by Matt Maw
- Sports Editor few do it with such care.
Mr. Lctulfer wasn't. just
On Jan. 10, the Behrend
community-lost a boss, a
fd.imd and a loved one,
with - the passing of
Athletic Director Herb
Lauffer. He will always
be remembered for his
efforts to make Behrend a
better place for students.
I had the unique
opportunity to work with
o tti "r* c i*cluffer et and bliritatulathe athletic kno )41,
• " wn . 14%1ff
for various iuw as a personabl e
I also Clot to knowcheerful man since and
on a personal aw
him The fast derv ' met
14r, unifier was n everlev el 74 dosses my of
btlaY tO , tidos the tie too found ri.;,lll7uum t an Year
get t o kn4w 14444 to th e attgett s itting
He' alwelut his
students. to tdlk c waiting
asked how with c
I Nuand. oach
tWaseindarVan d o ff ered to
anytime p I had a
The a s pectLcniff,oh Mr,.
mostwhu4 I achnimcl the
treat w as the way he
_ed
PeOPle 4;isk na ' w A i .,„.„ 04 1, /°t _ o , , , t
o r ho - uvr
ang But
Lauffer:
Youth Soccer Association
and initiated the Penn
State-Behrend Athletic
Hall of Fame.
Part of his career
involved directing soccer
camps and youth
programs. Lauffer was
also the co-director of the
Wolverine's soccer camp
at Grove City College.
When Erie was in
danger of losing
baseball, Lauffer jumped
suggestions
Lauffer was well know
beyond the Erie
community as well.
"Great athletes... weigh the risk
vs. the reward and often choose the
In 1990, when Hank
Gather collapsed in the
middle of a basketball
game, Lauffer was
quoted in USA Today.
The front-page of the
March 6 USA Today
quoted Lauffer, "Great
athletes...weigh the risk
vs. the reward and often
choose the reward."
Erik Brady, USA Today
writer, went on to list
Lauffer as an expert in
athletic competition.
After the March 6
edition, Lauffer received
four requests to
participate in radio
programs and was
requested to appear on
a nationally syndicated
documentary program
raczkirlg idle chatter; he
reafly cared how I was
On the professional
level he treated me with
respect. Re never treated
me like an Insignificant
college sports writer, he
treated me as if I were
writing for the New York
1111266.
In
and.t.ten.ctuyie actrib‘
r_ rig m , h uiuti e t-E' ti t.olivi Y ecieruit
tie sax
helP d that
he couldl to
vighin.
+0 talk
efiftd
an, -
-h
was w
it roalo
we wer e
tba, e
txiske
te ata
~.. irnm
,_tix)duCelid
we LEL
out of New York City.
Extremely
knowledgeable in his
field, Lauffer published
several articles and was
a guest speaker at
various social gatherings.
In addition to coaching,
Lauffer taught many
physical and health
education courses at
Behrend. He was also
committed to making the
$ 1 0 million sports
complex a reality for
Behrend.
offered
Lauffer's deep concern
for others perfected the
balance between his
reward"
- glerb Lauffer
Puhlisned in USA Today, March" 6, 1990
professional position and
his friendship with the
Athletic Department.
*He gave us confidence
and freedom along with
ourselves, shook hands
and then talked for the
next half an hour.
Mr. Lauffer helped me
get my work study job in
the athletic department,
he convinced me to
become involved with
the newspaper, and
always encouraged to go
after my goals. He
always had confidence in
me and treated me as an
equal.
After his tragic death, I
spent three days reliving
my memories of Mr.
Lauffer. I saw everything
he did for the Behrend
community and for me, I
realized how lucky I wa
to have had the
opportunity to get to
know Mr. Lauffer an•
how much I will miss him
in my life.
In Mr. Lauffer I sa
many things that t
admire and respect. I
also realized that I saw
him the type of person
would like to become,