The Behrend Beacon • April 26, 2002 1 Q&A with the head Softball finals The Lions were ranked 5 ahoncho His duties are endless, fourth in the AMCC head- N_'t+ ing into the conference but athletic director • Brian Streeter is leading playoffs. To find out how i, the Behrend athletic Stephanie Covert and the ..,:;:- . 1-;:. ,- ;' , K;'' . •‘.:k ~, ~, , ~,,,?,,/,:,,,,Ak."%t program to the next rest of Lions did at La _,;;// ,, r A-;±6; 0 p ' r„,2,,,, 1 4 1% . ,.4,. k. level. Read what he has Roche, turn to page page • 7. , to say on page 38. 38. or 40; Calendar of Events Behrend Athletic Events Saturday Men's and Women's Track and Field @ Baldwin- Wallace, 8 a.m. Women's Softball @ Frostburg (DH), 1 p.m Men's Baseball @ Fredonia (DH), 1 p.m Saturday, May 4 Men's and Women's Track and Field @ Grove City 10 a.m Men's. Baseball @ Bethany (DH), 2 p.m Sunday, May 5 Men's Baseball Oberlin (DH) Behrend Baseball Field 1 p.m Saturday, May 11-12 Men's Baseball ECAC Southern Regionals TBA Wednesday, May 15-17 Men's and Women's Track and Field @ ECAC Championships, TBA Thursday May 16-19 Men's Baseball NCAA Regionals, TBA Friday, May 24 - 26 Men's and Women's Track and Field @ NCAA Nationals TBA Intramural Champions Fall 2001 Tennis Women's Singles-Amanda Svitek; Men's Singles A Flight-Dave Coo per; Women's Doubles-Christine Charnock, Kate Costanzo; Men's Doubles A Right-Andrew Schenck, Nate Latimer; Men's Singles B Flight-Jake Boyle, Emily Rubin; Men's Doubles B Flight-Jake Boyle, Tom Pollack; Coed Doubles-Lorenzo Andreaggi, Kelly Anne Bateman. Slow Pitch Softball Men-Outta the Blue; Coed-Crack's Addicts; Women-Theta Phi Alpha. Volleyball Men-Team Farside; Coed-Das Über, Women-Best RC Ever. Golf Men's Team-Pat Mashuda, Jeff Webster, Rob Wittman, James Bowen; Men's Medal-JeffWebster; Women's team-Amy Cabaday, Cori Lesniak, Tracy Jones, Kristin Ardillo; Women's Medal-Kristin Ardillo, Cori Lesniak, Amy Cabaday (3-way tie). Flag Football Men-XXX Men; Women-Girls of Mmmmk3; Coed-Green Turtles. Billiards Men's Singles A Flight-Josh Ongley; Men's Doubles A Flight- Andrew Meinbriese/Jake Jones; Men's Singles B Flight-Ashley Or ris; Men's Doubles B Flight-Al Haywood/Mark Morris; Coed Doubles-Stephanie Rodich/Pat Burns; Women's Singles-Stephanie Rodich; Women's Doubles- Stephanie Rodich/Lauren Packer. INTRAMURAL CHAMPIONS continued on page 4B ions fall to Bradford in AMCC finals by Mike Bello sports editor Throughout the season, the Behrend baseball team looked forward to some revenge against Pitt- Bradford after the Panthers scored two runs in the ninth inning to win the AMCC championship last year. For the nine seniors on the team, that revenge may never come. Behrend, hosting the playoffs in the first season on its new baseball field, dropped a 3-1 decision against Bradford on Saturday before rebounding to win the next game between the two teams 4-1 on Sunday. In the championship game of the double-elimination tournament, the Lions were limited to one run on two hits by Bradford's Matt Mravintz as they fell 5-1. For the players, it was a disappointing finish to the conference season, but by no means did it ruin everything the Lions had accomplished this season. "The season is by no means a complete disappointment after losing to Bradford in the AMCC title game," said senior Jake Boyle. "Obviously, the players' attitudes after the game were very disappointed as Bradford has become our biggest rival the past two season. We would like nothing more than to beat them." AMCC ALL-CONFERENCE First Teant Justin Secrest Altdona Tony Azzato Behrend Tony Delbianco La Roche Joe Trietly Bradford Jake Mannon Frostburg Eric Haynoski Bradford Ryan Hamerski Frostburg Jake Boyle Behrend (Jason Karas Adam Best Behrend Behrend I Second Team 'Steve Simpson Frostburg Behrend Frostburg Frostburg Behrend Bradford Behrend 'Keith Lepionka Sean Davis 'Chris Hammond ! Vince Canzano Dave Brown 'Ryan Seyler Track and field ground in 18-team invitational by Scott Soltis staff writer The track and field team traveled down 1-79 to compete in an unscored meet last Saturday at Slippery Rock University. There were a total of 18 schools competing at the event last weekend, which made for a long day and made it difficult for the Lions to place. A partial list of teams vying for places on Saturday includes Westminster, Mercyhurst, Malone, Grove City, Allegheny, Fredonia, Geneva, Ashland, Slippery Rock, and Thiel. As if the staggering amount of schools was not enough to increase competition, it also slowed the events. The team arrived at Slippery Rock at 10 a.m. and did not leave until 8:30 p.m. The team faced the entire spectrum of weather while it was there, as well. Coach Dave Cooper would like to see what his athletes could do in good weather. "We had rain, sunshine, wind, and Jason Ferrier and the rest of the Lions have two more invitationals to before the ECAC Championships May 15-17. The Lions already have qualified more than a dozen athletes for the competition. "We know as a team we have to look ahead and finish the season strong because we have a great chance at making ECAC and that would most likely mean another shot at Pitt- Bradford," said senior catcher Luke Bundy. The Lions still have a chance of playing the Panthers in ECACs, considering Bradford (24-6) is doing just as well as Behrend (28-7). For now, the Lions are setting their sights on a 35-win season, with four doubleheaders left to play this season, as well as any postseason games. Boyle had both hits in the third game against Bradford, and scored the team's only run on a wild pitch in the third inning after hitting a leadoff double. Chuck Sevin kept the game close on the mound for Behrend until the seventh inning, when Bradford scored three runs on four hits. The Lions left seven men on base, while Bradford had 13 hits and left nine men on base. In the earlier game on Sunday, the Lions had one hit in the first five innings before scoring three runs in the sixth, highlighted by Chris Shearer's two-run single. Shearer finished 2-for-4, and had half of his team's hits. Keith Lepionka added an insurance run with a run-scoring single in the eighth. Kevin Dubyak, gave up one earned run and five hits Chris Shearer Behrend DHI Tint Wilkins Frostburg OF 1 Eric Haynoski Bradford OF' Kirk Loos Greensburg OF 1 _ _ . 1B 2B 3B SS Honorable Mention Ryan Briskar Bradford David Sanchez Frostburg Luke Bundy Behrend Kevin Dubyak Bhrend Matt Steinbugl Altoona Jesse Beimel Bradford Kevin McDonough La Roche Dave Troiano La Roche Newcomer of the Year Joe Trietly Bradford DH OF OF OF Player of the Year Jake Boyle Behrend Coach of the Year Behrend Paul Benim holds its cold all at different times," said Cooper. "Not the best of conditions. I think our athletes are just waiting to have some explosive performances if we'd just get a break in the weather." Nonetheless, the team had a productive day. Isiah Meek came within a blink of an eye of qualifying for Nationals. Meek ran a 14.97 in the 110 hurdles and came a mere .07 of a second from going to Nationals. His time was good for fourth place among the stiff competition. He will have another shot this weekend and better conditions may give him that fraction of a second he needs. The men qualified two more athletes for ECACs on Saturday. In the pole vault, freshman Steve Feder qualified with a vault of 13-0. Also making the trip to Princeton, N.J. in three weeks for ECACs is Dave Ober. Ober had a fantastic run in the 200, setting a new school record on his way to qualifying with a 22.86. Ober also captured third TRACK SETS MORE RECORDS continued on page 4B Sophomore Tony Azzato connects on a first-inning hit Tuesday against Hilbert at the Behrend Baseball Field. The Lions broke their five-year-old record for most wins in a season with the doubleheader sweep of Hilbert in a nine-inning complete game, striking out seven. "The team reacted like any team would, when losing a championship game that you worked the whole season for, we were hurt," said senior Bob Palivoda. "It takes a little time to shrug off a loss of this magnitude. but it also takes a great team to bounce back from such a loss. This team is a great team, and we can and will bounce back to make the ECACs and show just how powerful we are." In Behrend's first game on Boyle, Best suffer scary mishaps by Mike Bello sports editor Jake Boyle and Adam Best have solidified the Behrend lineup, one of the most powerful the school has ever seen, while-providing stellar . defense Winnow and right fiehi. itut thls.pest week, both players, and roommates, suffered physical setbacks that had them thinking about more important things than baseball. Best, a sophomore who was hitting .402 at the time of his injury, violently collided with teammate Vince Canzano during Saturday's . 3-1 loss to Pitt-Bradford in the AMCC tournament. Boyle, who had a brain ready for Steeler Blitzkrieg Behrend by Scott Soltis staff writer This Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Junker Center, some of Behrend's finest will take on some of Pittsburgh's finest - the Steelers. The 2002 Pittsburgh Steelers Footballers Basketball Team will compete against the Behrend Community All-Star Team to raise funds for the men's basketball trip to Spain this summer. There will be some fierce competition between the teams. The Behrend Community All-Star team consists of faculty, staff, alumni, students and various other members of the community. One of the staff members who will compete against the Steelers is Director of Student Affairs Ken Miller. Miller, advisor to the Student Government Association and an avid basketball player in his spare time, is excited about the game. At the SGA meeting on Wednesday, Miller announced that, "For $5, you get to see my ass get kicked by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday." Miller is realistic about his chances since Amos Zeroue is the only Steeler with a height comparable to his (Zeroue stands 5-9). Other faculty and staff on the team include Rob Wittman (Coordinator of Intramurals/Recreational Programs) and Ken Bauer (Systems Analyst). Also joining the Behrend team are Rocket 101 morning DJs Mojo McKay and Ron Kline. The Steelers that might play range in size from the speedy, 5-9 220 pound RB Zeroue to the monstrous Saturday against Bradford, Eric Haynoski gave up seven hits and only one earned run a Tim Stafford single in the fifth that scored Bundy. Shearer had two hits, while Ryan Seyler gave up five hits and all three Panther runs. The Lions left nine men on base. The Lions received a scare when Adam Best collided with Vince Canzano (see story below). Best was taken to the hospital after the mishap. BRADFORD DEFEATS LIONS continued on page 4B tumor removed last year, suffered a seizure on Monday night, a common side effect of brain surgery, although the senior was back on the field Tuesday afternoon. "It was very scary since it was my first one ever and took place almost eijaa-taonths after. surgery,-" said Boyle. He sat down to eat dinner at his home in Wesleyville when he felt his tongue and then jaw twist uncontrollably. Before he knew it, Boyle's arms and head were shaking, and he was unable to tell his girlfriend BOYLE SEIZURE continued on page 4B 290 pound, 6-5 DE Aaron Smith. The final roster of the Steelers will not he known until they arrive on Sunday. Some of the possible players that might come include TE Matt Cushing, WR Troy Edwards, RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, LB Jason Gildon, LB Joey Porter, CB Hank Poteat, CB Chad Scott, WR Hines Ward, and CB DeWayne Washington. The Steelers have size, speed, and strength on their side, which will be a bit intimidating to the Behrend All-Stars, to say the least. One of the students competing this Sunday is junior Brice Weeter. When asked what he would do if he had to guard the massive Gildon, Weeter quickly answered, "cry." He soon added that he would then ask for Gildon's autograph. The students joining Weeter include Shane Healy, Matt Henderson, Khalif Rhodes, Tim Stumpf, and Jake Wisniewski. Rounding out the Behrend roster are alumni Ron Derian, Brian Emick, Ashley Orris, John Park, and DK McDonald from Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The game will prove to be entertaining regardless of the final result. The money raised will help the men's basketball team and the event will be a good break for students studying for finals. Tickets are on sale for $5 at the Junker Center. The Behrend All-Stars will be undersized, slower, and weaker, but don't count them out. Anything can happen on Sunday. Miller might drive past Zeroue and Weeter might post up on Gildon. Just don't expect it. Remember when sports were played for fun? As the spring semester comes to a close, and the summer months inch ever so close, very soon people of all ages will make time for their golf game (even one as lousy as mine) or get involved with the many sports and activities the summer offers. But as the weather Personal foul Mike Bello gets warm, the drive to win and be the best gets With summer thought of as a time to relax, have we become too concerned with winning, even in youth sports? Have we taken the fun out of sports altogether? Competition and the pressure to win are nothing new to college and professional teams. After all, they aren't there for athletes to get exercise and meet new friends. Those teams want to, no, they have to win because a lot of money is involved. People's jobs hinge on the success of a team. But over the past 10 years, this overly competitive atmosphere has slowly seeped into youth sports and other areas where competition was all but nonexistent. Now, it seems just having fun and enjoying yourself with sports is becoming the exception. Nowhere is this more obvious than youth sports, especially now with summer baseball, softball, basketball, and soccer leagues becoming ever more popular. I'm sure everyone knows about the father who fought and killed his son's hockey coach over the way he ran practice. Even though that is the very extreme end of what has happened to youth sports, it does represent where the trend has shifted. Parents have become more involved with their child's sport. which would be a good thing except it's not just cheering and support they provide. Go to a youth game and you can hear parents screaming at their kids or at coaches. Parents demand the best from their children, which is fine, but that doesn't mean yelling and hollering is an appropriate way to accomplish this goal. Some parents have forgotten why their kids signed up for sports in the first place. Children want to join sports because their friends did or because they enjoy games like soccer or basketball, among other reasons. Their parents, on the other hand, want their kids to learn the importance of winning, no matter what the cost may be. Think of how much more stressful it must be for the kids when their parents are screaming at them because they performed poorly. The role of the parent is to build self-confidence in the child, not belittle them for performing "poorly." What may seem like a poor effort from the parent's view may seem like good old fun to the kid. They just want to get the chance to play. Not all parents are like this. In fact, most parents support their children in a very dignified manner. But it only takes that one obnoxious parent to ruin the whole game for everyone else. It's funny how a child can have more self-control than his parents. The parents could use a good kick in the rear end. Maybe then they will realize that IT'S JUST A GAME. Your child should be learning about exercise and teamwork, not "Winning is everything." Although it's been six years since I last played in the Erie summer leagues for baseball and soccer, I can still remember a fair share of bad experiences with other people's parents. At a baseball game in a 10- UNDIGNIFIED PARENTS continued on page 2B