Thursday, September 5, 1991 Behrend gets new Men's soccer team led by Grace by Ron Doin The Collegian Behrend College has added a new member to its coaching staff. Dennis Grace is the new men's soccer and baseball coach. Notre Dame University was his last coaching position. As head coach at Notre Dame, Grace's 1990 Division I soccer squad was ranked in the top 10 of the nation. Grace was runner-up for coach of the year honors because of this accomplishment. He was awarded this despite having no scholarships available for his players. Thirty-eight year old Coach Grace is no stranger to the Erie area. He attended East High School and lettered in football, baseball, and wrestling, while also playing soccer. Following high school, he attended Behrend and played both soccer and baseball. Grace then went on to Indiana University (Bloomington) and finished his undergraduate work. His coaching credentials speak for themselves. After receiving a bachelor's degree in Physical Education, Grace coached high school soccer in the Bloomington Indiana area. While coaching he continued to work on his Masters degree in Exercise Physiology. He next became an assistant soccer coach at Indiana University. Following Indiana, Grace coached at Tri-State University (NAIA), Clemson University, Indiana State University, Bloomsburg State University and finally ended up at Notre Dame University. But with the arrival of a new Athletic Director at Notre Dame, Grace headed for more peaceful surroundings and ended up where he had started college. Coach Grace is pleased with this year's team so far. They have six returning players and have added fourteen' more. "I don't consider myself magical," he explains, "I just believe in hard work. Give me hard-working kids and I'll show on 2 Basketball Tournament!! Erie Hall, September 14th. Sponsored by Women's Basketball. Registration forms available in the Athletic Office. you how good we can be." Grace sees I.U.P. and Fredonia as tough opponents for this year's squad. Beyond all of this, Grace still strives for academic importance. "Academics come first," he emphasizes, "soccer and baseball arc just icing on the cake." Grace loves the college atmosphere. "I'll be in college for fifty years, and I think it's great," he says. The most influential people in his life have been the Athletic Director at Behrend, Herb Lauffer, his former coach at Indiana, Jerry Yeagley; and Indiana's head basketball coach and legend, the "General" Robert Montgomery Knight. "Herb Lauffcr is a great people person," Grace claims, "the guy is magic with alumni." Grace has gotten some of his coaching philosophy from these men. "Give as much as you can give, ask as much as you can possible ask, and somehow ask for a little bit more," he always says. Grace thinks that this year's team will be fun to watch. They have already won their first pre season game 3-1 over Penn State Behrend Alumni. His goal for this year is to just play hard. "I just want to say that we gave it our all and played our best," Grace states, "if we lose and play hard, I'm happy." He plans to recruit heavily in the off-season in PA., N.Y., N.J., and OH. "Bchrend is not a hard product to sell," Grace believes, "it's a great product." Grace is also very dedicated to his two sons Christopher and Michael (3 and 4). When asked about his interests outside of coaching, his answer is simple. "My kids, period." With Coach Dennis Graces' outgoing personality and positive attitude, Behrend athletics have nowhere to go but up. â–ºports coach and coordinator Wittman takes over Intramurals MEM= The Collegian On August I, the Penn State Behrend Student Services Department and the Athletic Department welcomed Robert Wittman as the new Intramural Coordinator. A 1987 graduate of Penn State University, Wittman worked as the Assistant Director in the Intramural Office at State College. After finishing his undergraduate work, Wittman entered the Penn State graduate program and spent time teaching physical education classes, as well as coaching high school basketball. In addition to his vast intramural experience, Wittman has brought to Behrend some fresh ideas and goals. "Cross country running, swimming, pingpong, tennis, and bowling were tried in the past, but didn't last," said Wittman. "I would like to try and bring them back." In addition to the Provost's Golf Tournament, Wittman is looking forward to designing another golf tournament. He would also like to institute squash, handball, and racquetball tournaments. "It is really tough with the more obscure sports due to the small population here on campus, but I will still offer them," adds Wittman. o try and get everyone involved, Wittman is looking to implement a "point system" in the next year or two. "There would be three divisions, and at the end of the Do You Like To Take Pictures? Would You Like To Meet Michael Jordan? Then Stop By The Collegian Office And Talk To Greg Geibel To Find 01l ut ow You Can Join The Fun!! P.S. I'm Not Sure About That Michael Jordan Part, But See What I Can Do. Ping-pong anyone? New Intramural Coordinator, Rob Wittman, plans on bringing many new sports and weekend activities to Behrend. year a trophy would be given for the winners in each different division," explains Wittman. Wittman has yet to work out further details. Wittman is also offering more weekend programming, such as Do You Like Sports? Do you Like To Write? Page 11 Greg Geibel/The Collegian the proposed swimming, cross country running, and pingpong. "Intramurals is a great way to get students, faculty, and staff involved. Plus, you can get plenty of exercise and release tension," says Wittman.