2010-11 NEWS ARCHIVE
 

PANIK SELECTED TO LEAD HILBERT MEN'S SOCCER
6/28/11

Jeff Panik is the new head men’s soccer coach at Hilbert College.  Panik, a former Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL) and Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) professional player, brings over ten years of coaching experience.  

Panik begins his first year at Hilbert after serving as the head men’s soccer coach at North Country Community College for one season.  His 2010 team posted a 10-6-3 record with a play-off win during his only season at the helm.  He began his coaching career as a staff coach with the Samba Soccer Club while he was still a student at Cuyahoga Community College in 2000. In 2004, Panik joined the college coaching ranks as an assistant coach at Cuyahoga Community College before he moved to Great Falls, MT to become the men’s assistant at the University of Great Falls.  Panik squeezed in time for a professional playing career while coaching at the college level.  In 2007 he played in every game for the Cleveland North Coast semi-professional indoor team of the PASL and served as a reserve/practice player for the professional indoor MISL’s Cleveland Force team in 2004.  He maintained his spot on his German Central FC team in the USSF sanctioned Men’s Club league from 2001-2007 after his graduation from Cuyahoga Community College and Walsh University.

Panik completed his Master of Arts in teaching from the University of Great Falls after earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Walsh University. 

MOUNT ALOYSIUS' NOLAN CAPS SENIOR SEASON AS NCAA STEALS LEADER
6/24/11

Mount Aloysius College senior shortstop Bryan Nolan (Frederick, MD/Thomas Johnson HS) wrapped up a stellar baseball career by finishing #1 in the country in stolen bases per game.  The three-time all-conference team member made good on 43 of 46 stolen base attempts for a Division III best average of 1.16 per game.

D'YOUVILLE NAMES BOLEA HEAD COACH OF WOMEN'S TENNIS
6/24/11

D'Youville College has named Nick Bolea to lead the women’s tennis program effective with the Fall 2011 season.  A graduate of Niagara University, Bolea played three seasons for the NCAA Div. I Purple Eagles (2006-2009). In his senior season Bolea posted his career best year, winning a team-high 11 matches in singles play.  He began his collegiate tennis career at Slippery Rock University in 2005-06 and played first singles for the NCAA Division II school winning nine matches, but the program was discontinued after his freshman season.  A 2005 graduate of Niagara Wheatfield High School, Bolea was a three-time Niagara Frontier League singles champion and four-time team MVP.

The first-year coach inherits a D’Youville program still in its infancy but coming off a very solid second season of play. In 2010 the Spartans were 9-1 in dual match play and finished in second place at the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference championship.

BEHREND SOFTBALL PLAYERS COMPETE IN EUROPE
6/24/11

The USAAI team played five games in Prague, posting a 3-2 record before traveling to Vienna, Austria for one game.  Along with playing international teams, the players experienced Old Town Prague and Prague Castles as well as the sights of Austria.

AMCC ANNOUNCES SPRING ALL-SPORTSMANSHIP TEAMS
6/8/11

Twenty seven spring sport student-athletes have been chosen by their teammates to represent their programs on the 2010-11 All-Sportsmanship Team.  Per the conference bylaws, all AMCC member institution sport teams may select one member "who consistently demonstrates a high level of ethical conduct, respect and fair play in both practice and competition, whether on the sidelines or as an active competitor. Such sportsmanship shall be evident toward teammates, coaches, opponents, officials and fans. He/She must also serve as a positive representative of school spirit when a spectator at other teams’ sporting events."

Click here for the complete list of All-Sportsmanship Team members.

SCHOLAR-ATHLETES SHINE ON AMCC ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
6/6/11

Penn St. Behrend senior Elizabeth Keller and Mount Aloysius College senior Joseph Stephenson have capped stellar collegiate careers by earning the AMCC Faculty Athletics Representative Awards for 2011-12.  The pair lead another standout group of scholar-athletes who represent the conference at the highest level in both the classroom and in competition.

An accounting major with a a 3.92 GPA, Keller earned numerous all-conference awards in both cross country and outdoor track and field.  Stephenson earned a 3.97 GPA majoring in criminology with a concentration in forensic accounting.  He was a three-year starter on the basketball team, and was named to the all-conference team his senior season.

Click here for the complete All-Academic Team.

HILBERT MEN'S LACROSSE JOINS NEAC AS AFFILIATE MEMBER
6/3/11

Hilbert College will begin competition as an associate member in men's lacrosse in the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) effective with the 2012 season.  As an associate member, Hilbert will be immediately eligible for regular season conference awards and post season championship opportunities. The Hawks completed their inaugural season of Division III competition with a 6-6 overall record having gone 3-5 against NEAC opponents.  The NEAC will now have nine men's programs which will allow the conference to begin the two-year waiting period to qualify for an NCAA tournament automatic bid.

HILBERT NAMES NEW CROSS COUNTRY COACH
6/3/11

Geoffrey Brunger has been selected as the head coach of the men and women’s cross country teams for Hilbert College.  With over 30 years of coaching experience, he has enjoyed regular success in both outdoor track and field and cross country at Kenmore East High School. In addition to his successful teaching career (New York State Social Studies Supervisor of the Year, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who Among Executives, Professionals and Entrepreneurs) he served as the K-12 Social Studies Coordinator for the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda Public Schools. Outside the classroom he was selected as Kenmore East Coach of the Year for his dedication to the student-athletes.  With a bachelor’s degree in history from Alfred University and masters from Canisius College, Brunger taught for 39 years before retiring in 2010. 

BEHREND'S COACH BENIM TO BE INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME
6/1/11

Penn State Behrend head baseball coach Paul Benim is one of eight individuals selected to be inducted into the 2011 Wesleyville, Iroquois and Lawrence Park Athletic Hall of Fame. The fourth annual WILP ceremony will take place on Saturday, September 10.  Benim, a 1988 graduate of Iroquois High School, was a standout basketball and baseball player for the Braves. He also served as an assistant baseball coach at Iroquois for one year, leading the Braves to the ECL title in 1992.  He just completed his 19th season with the Lions baseball team and earned his 400th coaching victory this year. Benim has led Behrend to four AMCC Championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances and two ECAC titles.

FRANCISCAN ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF WOMEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING
5/27/11

Franciscan University of Steubenville’s collegiate athletic opportunities for women are growing this year with the addition of a women’s swimming and diving team. The team begins its first competitive season this winter with W.Va. native Nathan Blake leading the Lady Barons as head coach.  The team will use Steubenville High School’s facilities for practicing and competition.  “Prospective female students across the country request the addition of swimming and diving more than any other sport,” said Athletic Director Chris Ledyard. “Therefore, in an effort to add sports that are relevant, women’s swimming and diving is at the top of the list.”

Coach Blake is a 1998 graduate of Brooke High School in Wellsburg, W.Va., where he swam as a four-year letterman, two-year team captain, a state champion, and a member of the All-State Team his senior year. He was also a member of two record-breaking relays in the 200 free and 400 free events–one of which still stands. Blake went on to swim at Mt. Union University and Asbury University before longstanding shoulder injuries and exercise induced asthma forced him to leave both teams. Not wanting to leave the sport, Blake immediately began volunteering as a coach at Brooke High School. He then went on to become an assistant and then the head coach of the USS team in Weirton, W.Va. Blake also served as a volunteer coach at Wheeling Park High School in Wheeling.

SEVEN AMCC PLAYERS NAMED TO ABCA ALL-REGION TEAM; TWO EARN GOLDEN GLOVES
5/26/11

The AMCC has landed 7 players on the 2011 American Baseball Coaches Association Mid-Atlantic All-Region Team.  Pitt-Greensburg sophomore DH Garrett Herald was selected for the the first team, while Pitt-Bradford freshman second baseman Michael Pascarella and Penn St. Altoona junior third baseman John Schall and junior pitcher Trevor Connor were voted to the second team.  Penn St. Behrend sophomore third baseman Matt Bittner, Mount Aloysius College junior catcher Matt Cornetti and the Mounties' senior shortstop Bryan Nolan received third team honors.

Additionally, two players received Golden Glove awards for their defensive prowess, with Bryan Nolan was joined on the first team by Pitt-Greensburg junior third baseman Bryan Colish.

PENN ST. BEHREND VOLLEYBALL TEAM HEADS TO COSTA RICA
5/25/11

The Penn St. Behrend women's volleyball team is taking its talents to Costa Rica for a nine-day, eight-night international tour.  The team departed on Tuesday and will return to the states on June 1. The travel squad is comprised of nine players, two coaches and two parents.  The Lions will spend four days in the capital city of San Jose, while spending three days at the beach resort Hotel Punta Leona near Jaco and two days in San Carlos. The team will compete in three matches and also be involved with a community service project. Various members of the team will chronicle the tour with daily "blogs", which will be posted online at www.psblions.com throughout the trip.

PITT-BRADFORD HIRES BRITT MOORE AS MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH
5/25/11

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has named Britt Moore as the new head coach of the Panthers' men's basketball team. Moore has spent the last 6 seasons as an assistant coach at Albright College in Reading, Pa., including the last 2 as associate head coach.  While at Albright, Moore helped guide the Lions to the 2010 Middle Atlantic Commonwealth Conference championship, a berth into the national tournament and a 99-57 overall record. He coached the 2009-10 MWCC Player of the Year and served as the position coach for the 2008-09 MWCC Player of the Year and Division III News All-American honoree. The Lions posted 15 or more victories in five of the six seasons while Moore was there. He also served as the men’s tennis coach.  Prior to joining Albright, Moore was an assistant at Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa. from 2004-06 and helped direct the team to a postseason berth.

Moore was a two-time letter winner on the men's basketball team at King’s College from 2002-04. In his junior year Moore led the Middle Atlantic Freedom Conference in field goal percentage and three-point field goal percentage, and led the Monarchs to consecutive postseason appearances. He was also a member of the Middle Atlantic Corporation All-Academic team.  Moore graduated from King’s College in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in communications, and he earned a master’s degree in sport management from Drexel University in 2010.

PENN ST. BEHREND CONTINUES HOLD ON PRESIDENTS' CUP
5/24/11

Penn St. Behrend has taken home the AMCC Presidents' Cup for the tenth time in 11 years.  Presented at the conference's spring meeting at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, Chancellor Don Birx (left, with UPG President Sharon Smith) proudly accepted the crystal cup on behalf of the Behrend Lions.  The Presidents’ Cup is awarded annually to the institution which accumulates the most points in conference competition, based on regular season order of finish for the team sports of baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, and volleyball, and conference tournament/meet finish in the individual sports of golf, cross country, tennis and swimming/diving.

Penn St. Behrend accumulated 105 points in 2010-11, 15 more than runner-up Penn St. Altoona.  Click here for the complete Presidents' Cup standings.

BASEBALL ACCOLADES ROLL IN FOR AMCC PLAYERS
5/23/11

The playing season may be finished, but the post-season honors are just starting to roll in for AMCC baseball players.

Penn State Altoona junior outfielder Cord Heine and senior shortstop Tyler Stiffler were named to the All-Tournament Team for the NCAA Division III Mideast Regionals.  Heine hit 7-for-13 in three games at the Mideast Regionals, including his walk-off 2-run double to help Penn State Altoona defeat Adrian College 3-2. He finished with 3 runs batted in and walked once.  Stiffler batted 5-for-12 in the tournament, scoring 3 runs and tallying an RBI. He was also smooth in the field, picking up 11 assists defensively, including 7 in the Lions' win over Adrian. He did not commit an error in 3 games at shortstop.

Two AMCC baseball players--Jordan Vokes of D'Youville and Joe Paterniti of Penn St. Behrend--have also been selected to the Capital One Academic All-District baseball team.

Vokes, who is also the Spartan's Male Scholar Athlete of the Year, was a Second Team selection in the District I region.  He is a biology major with minors in chemistry and nutrition, with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.  He has received acceptance to medical school in just his junior year. Vokes has not missed a game in three seasons and in 2011 batted .329 with seven doubles, a home run, and 12 RBI.

Paterniti, also a second-team choice in District II, is enrolled in Behrend's marketing program where he boasts a 3.97 grade-point average. On the diamond, he has started in 24 games for the Lions The five-time dean's list honoree has picked up numerous academic awards including Behrend's Outstanding First-Year Student Award and the President's Award.

PITT-BRADFORD'S PASCARELLA GETS DOUBLE HONOR ON BASEBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
5/18/11

Leading the AMCC in 7 different statistical categories, Pitt-Bradford second baseman Michael Pascarella (left) has been named the Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year for 2011.  The freshman had a .464 batting average, a .791 slugging percentage, .558 on base percentage, while scoring 45 runs on 51 hits including a league-best 6 home runs.  Penn St. Altoona junior Trevor Conner was voted Pitcher of the Year.  Conner had a 7-2 record in 9 appearances, including a win and a save in the conference tournament to help lead the Lions to the AMCC title.  La Roche College's Chase Rowe was selected as Coach of the Year, guiding the Redhawks to a second place league finish with a 13-5 conference record (26-14 overall) and an ECAC tournament bid.

Click here for the complete all-conference team and award winners.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: MAY 16
5/16/11

PENN ST. ALTOONA NIPS PENN ST BEHREND IN GAME 7 FOR AMCC CROWN
5/14/11

Top seeded Penn St. Altoona was pushed to the limit by three-time defending champion Penn St. Behrend, but the Altoona Lions came through in the championship game of the AMCC baseball tournament, 8-7.  In the first game of the championship round, Behrend triumphed after 13 innings by a 7-6 margin, forcing the tiebreak contest.  With the conference's automatic bid in hand, Penn St. Altoona is making it's first trip to the NCAA baseball tournament in program history.

BEHREND LIONS FALL TO LUTHER IN FIRST ROUND OF NCAA WOMEN'S TENNIS TOURNAMENT
5/13/11

The Penn State Behrend women's tennis team lost 5-0 to Luther College in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championships on Friday in Chicago.  The Lions earned an automatic bid into the 49-team tournament, announced Monday, after capturing their sixth AMCC championship. It is the first time in conference history the winner has advanced to postseason play.

MEDAILLE'S ROHE, D'YOUVILLE'S NORTON LEAD AMCC SOFTBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
5/13/11

Medaille outfielder Kristen Rohe, a two-time first team all-conference selection, has been named the AMCC Softball Player of the Year.  D'Youville pitcher Hannah Norton, who led her team to the AMCC title, is Pitcher of the Year.  Rohe (left) led the league with a .532 batting average.  She accumulated 42 hits and 23 runs scored.  Norton (right), racked up 16 wins, best in the conference, and also ranked first in strikeouts (143) and third in ERA (2.00).  Newcomer of the Year honors were shared by Penn St. Altoona second baseman Brittany Smith and La Roche College first baseman Kelsey Deem.  Both were first team all-conference members as well.  D'Youville head coach Angie Churchill was voted Coach of the Year in her debut season in the AMCC.  Churchill directed the Spartans to their first team title in any sport in the conference.

Click here for the complete all-conference team.

BASEBALL TOURNAMENT TIME CHANGES FOR FRIDAY
5/12/11

Due to inclement weather forecast for all day Friday, the AMCC baseball tournament schedule has been revised as follows:  first game (Penn St. Altoona vs. Penn St. Behrend) will be played at 10:00am, and the second game (Medaille vs. loser of Game 4) will be played at approximately 1pm.  The second game may start sooner, depending on the time that the 10am game concludes.

In Game 1 action this morning, #3 seed and three-time defending champion Penn St. Behrend avenged an earlier season sweep by #2 seed La Roche College with a 13-10 victory.  Game 2, top seeded Penn St. Altoona defeated #4 Medaille College, 7-3.  The Mavericks regrouped in Game 3, sending home La Roche by a 7-2 score.

The championship game will be Saturday at 10am.  If needed, a Game 7 will be played at 1pm.  The winner will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

BEHREND LIONS HEAD TO CHICAGO FOR NCAA WOMEN'S TENNIS TOURNAMENT
5/11/11

The Penn State Behrend women's tennis team will travel to the University of Chicago to face Luther College in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championships on Friday.  The Lions (16-8) earned an automatic bid into the 49-team tournament, announced Monday, after capturing their sixth AMCC championship. It is the first time in conference history the winner has advanced to postseason play.

Behrend will battle against Luther (22-10) for the first time in program history. The teams will play a single-elimination tournament with the first three rounds played at the regional site.  The Norse was the Iowa Conference automatic qualifier for the national tournament. The winner of the first-round match will face top-seed Chicago on Saturday.

PS-ALTOONA MEN TEE IT UP AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
5/10/11

In round one of the 2011 NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championships at Grandover (NC) Resort & Conference Center, the Penn State Altoona men's golf team collectively shot 343 while competing on the West Course.

Chris Perry (Altoona, PA/Altoona) was the top golfer for the Lions, shooting a 75 to tie for 60th overall out of 205 individual golfers.  Tom Trexler (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis) and Landon Hollenshead (Mercersburg, PA/James Buchanan) each fired an 88, while Wes Elder (Roaring Spring, PA/Central) tallied a 92 and Lee Elder (Roaring Spring, PA/Central) finished with 100.

The Lions resume play on Wednesday on the East Course at 7:00 AM, paired with Husson and Farmingdale State.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: MAY 9
5/9/11

D'YOUVILLE NIPS MOUNT ALOYSIUS 1-0 IN SOFTBALL TITLE GAME;
TO PLAY NCAA FIRST ROUND VS. DEPAUW ON THURSDAY
5/8/11

D'Youville College junior Hannah Norton struck out 9 batters and allowed just 3 hits to shut out top seeded Mount Aloysius, 1-0, in the championship game of the AMCC softball tournament, earning the #2 seeded Spartans an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.  The Spartans closed the regular season with a 21-8 record and a six game winning streak.  This is their first AMCC championship in any sport.  They travel to Adrian College in Michigan on Thursday to meet SCAC champion DePauw University in the eight team NCAA regional tpirma,emt.

SOFTBALL, BASEBALL TOURNAMENTS READY TO ROLL
5/5/11

The rain subsides and the tournaments begin.

The AMCC softball and baseball tournaments are finally at hand, after a nail-biting delay to the regular season.  Mount Aloysius College will host softball as the top seed for the second consecutive season, while first round baseball games are slated at Penn St. Behrend and Medaille College for Saturday.  The championship round is scheduled for May 12-14 at top-seeded Penn St. Altoona.

The softball title is up for grabs in a closely matched field.  The Mounties (15-3) will be challenged by #2 D'Youville College (14-4), #3 Pitt-Bradford (13-5), #4 Penn St. Altoona (13-5), #5 La Roche College (12-6) and #6 Penn St. Behrend (10-8).  Mount Aloysius and Pitt-Bradford were the pre-season favorites in the conference coaches' poll.

The baseball bracket will be just as tightly contested.  #3 Penn St. Behrend (13-5) takes on #6 Pitt-Greensburg (10-8) while #4 Medaille College (11-7) hosts #5 Mount Aloysius (10-8) in the first round.  The winners advance to the championship round where #1 Penn St. Altoona (14-3) and #2 La Roche College (13-5) await.

The winners of both tournaments will receive automatic bids to the NCAA Division III tournament.

BITTNER EARNS NATIONAL DIV. III HITTER OF THE WEEK AWARD
5/5/11

For the second time this season, an AMCC baseball player has been named the NCAA Division III National Player of the Week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.  Penn St. Behrend sophomore third baseman Matt Bittner went 10-for-14 (.625) from the plate in a 4-0 week for the Lions, including two doubles, a triple, and three crucial homeruns. With a 1.643 slugging percentage, Bittner helped Behrend to two wins over conference foes Medaille and Pitt-Bradford. He scored eight runs and brought in 15 more to secure the third seed in the AMCC playoffs.

BLACKSTONE EARNS FOURTH AMCC PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
5/4/11

Penn St. Behrend senior Elliot Blackstone has been named the AMCC Men's Tennis Player of the Year for the fourth straight season.  He is the only individual to accomplish this feat in any AMCC sport.  Blackstone shared the Player of the Year accolade as a freshman while also earning the Newcomer of the Year award.  He never lost a match in singles and lost just one match in doubles in four years of conference competition.

Franciscan University freshman Paul Jarzynka was named Newcomer of the Year.  Jarzynka was the AMCC champion at #2 singles and, with partner Luke Merry, the runner-up at #1 doubles.  Jarzynka's head coach Curtis Allen was voted Coach of the Year for his efforts in leading the Barons to their first ever AMCC men's tennis title, accomplished in just their second season of varsity competition.  Click here for the complete all-conference team.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: MAY 2
5/2/11

BASEBALL, SOFTBALL INCH CLOSER TO PLAYOFF BASEBALL, SOFTBALL INCH CLOSER TO PLAYOFF CLARITY
5/1/11

With a doubleheader sweep today, Penn St. Altoona clinched the #1 seed in the AMCC baseball tournament and the right to host the championship round May 12-14.  They will be joined by Penn St. Behrend and La Roche College, while four others--Medaille, Pitt-Greensburg, Mount Aloysius and Pitt-Bradford--continue to vie for the three remaining seats at the table.  The rain-drenched spring has postponed numerous contests, and the final pieces of the puzzle will not be determined until Tuesday.  The first round, featuring #6 at #3 and #5 at #4, is slated to be played next Saturday, May 8 at the site of the higher seed in each pairing.

Softball has been in similar straits with the weather, but at least the field has been determined, if not the host.  Penn St. Altoona, La Roche, Pitt-Bradford, Penn St. Behrend, D'Youville and Mount Aloysius all clinched berths in the six-team double elimination tournament.  The top seed--which will be determined by Wednesday--will host May 6-8.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: APRIL 25
4/25/11

MEDAILLE SAAC EVENT RAISES FUNDS AND AWARENESS FOR ADA
4/20/11

The Medaille College Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted a “Comb the Campus” event on Friday, April 8 to support Juvenile Diabetes. The event featured a D.J., snacks, free t-shirts and tie dying, as well as silly bands. The participants walked eight or more laps around Medaille to support the cause. There was a wide range or participants including students, student-athletes, and families. More than 100 people joined the walk which raised over $120, all proceeds will be donated directly to the American Diabetes Association. Juvenile Diabetes affects 25.8 million children and adults in the US alone and in 2010 there were 1.9 million new cases of diabetes in people over the age of 20 diagnosed. For more information regarding this worthy cause, go to www.diabetes.org.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: APRIL 18
4/18/11

FRANCISCAN TRIUMPHS IN MEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP
4/17/11

In just their second season of competition, Franciscan University won its first ever AMCC men's tennis crown today, nipping three-time defending champions Penn State Behrend in a tiebreak.  Both teams amassed 18 points over the course of the two day event.  The Barons edged the Lions on the first tiebreak criteria--most singles and doubles flights won--by a 4-3 margin.  Penn State Altoona was a point off the the leaders, concluding with 17 points.  Freshman Luke Merry won two crucial flights for Franciscan, combining with Leonel Lacayo to win #2 doubles, then forging a comeback victory over Penn St. Altoona's Jarred Sutton at #4 singles (4-6, 7-5, 6-1).  Penn St. Behrend senior Elliot Blackstone was the other double winner on the day, capturing titles at both #1 singles and doubles.

Click here for complete tournament results.

MEN'S TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP SET TO BEGIN SATURDAY
4/15/11

Penn St. Behrend will be gunning for their fourth consecutive conference title and sixth overall when the AMCC Men's Tennis Championship Tournament begins on Saturday at Oxford Athletic Club in Wexford, PA.  They will be led by senior Elliot Blackstone, (photo left) who is undefeated at both #1 singles and doubles in AMCC play this year.  The Lions will be challenged by Franciscan University, a 5-4 loser to Behrend in the regular season in their only conference loss, and by Penn St. Altoona, the third place finishers and six-time champions.  Competition will continue with semifinal and final matches on Sunday.  Click here for the tournament draw.

PITT-BRADFORD'S KINNIBURGH IS ECAC SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
4/12/11

Pitt Bradford outfielder Lauren Kinniburgh has been named the ECAC Div. III South Softball Player of the Week.  It is the second week in a row that an AMCC player has been so honored; last week's award went to Panther teammate Lauryn Weaver.  The junior had a high impact week, batting .583 (7-11) as the Panthers went 3-1.  She hit a game-winning 3-run HR to help defeat La Roche, driving in a career-high 5 runs in the win.  The junior collected 7 RBI total with 4 extra base hits (3 doubles, 1 HR), while posting a 1.0833 slugging percentage and a .500 on-base percentage.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: APRIL 11
4/11/11

670 VARSITY ATHLETES EARN ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS
4/6/11

On National Student-Athlete Day, the AMCC is proud to announce that 670 varsity team members have been named to the 2010-11 Academic All-Conference Team.  A student-athlete must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 while participating as a member of an AMCC championship sport to be eligible for this award.  In addition, 109 of these student-athletes have been elected to Chi Alpha Sigma, the National Collegiate Student-Athlete Honor Society, in recognition of achieving at least a 3.4 cumulative GPA and judged to be of exemplary moral character.

Click here for the complete 2010-11 AMCC Academic All-Conference Team.

PITT-BRADFORD'S WEAVER EARNS ECAC WEEKLY HONOR FOR SOFTBALL
4/5/11

Pitt-Bradford catcher Lauryn Weaver has been recognized as the ECAC Division III South Region Softball Player of the Week, the first AMCC softball player to be named this season.  The senior continues to build on her home run record with 4 HR last week, including a grand slam against Pitt-Greensburg. In a 2-2 week for the Panthers, Weaver went 6-12 at the plate with 11 RBI and 5 runs scored.  She had a whopping 1.833 slugging percentage and had a .571 on base percentage.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: APRIL 4
4/4/11

ESPN2 TO AIR STORY ON LA ROCHE MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM APRIL 4
4/1/11

A story on the tragic and triumphant season of the La Roche men's basketball team will air this Monday evening on ESPN2.  The exact time is TBA, but will be between 6pm and 9pm.  The piece will cover the Redhawks' season from the time of head coach Scott Lang's sudden death in mid-December through the team's inspired run through the AMCC playoffs and into the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history.

FORMER MEDAILLE SOCCER PLAYER SIGNS PRO CONTRACT
3/30/11

Former AMCC Men's Soccer Player of the Year and Medaille College standout Gary Boughton has signed a professional contract with F.C. New York of the United Soccer League (USL).  As a freshman Boughton finished #2 in the nation in assists, and in his senior year he smashed the NCAA career assists record, registering 82 career assists in his four years and bypassing the old record by 20 assists. Boughton’s individual achievements included being named an NSCAA Scholar All-American twice, NSCAA Regional All-American four times, and AMCC Conference Player of the Year twice.  Boughton is the second Medaille soccer player in as many years to turn professional, following his four-year teammate Kendell McFayden, who signed with the Austin Aztex last season.

PENN ST. ALTOONA BASEBALL STANDOUT IS ECAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
3/29/11

Penn St. Altoona IF/OF John Schall has earned ECAC Div. III South Region Player of the Week honors following an outstanding offensive effort last week.  The sophomore powered the Lions to 4 AMCC wins, hitting .571 (8-14) with 7 RBI.  He smacked 3 doubles and a home run and scored 3 runs as his team swept Medaille and Pitt-Greensburg.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: MARCH 28
3/28/11

KACHURICK FINISHES 20TH AT NCAA DIVING NATIONALS
3/26/11

Penn St. Behrend freshman Lucas Kachurick placed 20^th in the 3-meter diving competition at the 2011 NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships at the Allan Jones Aquatic Center in Knoxville, TN.  Kachurick, the program's first male diver to qualify for nationals, battled back in the 3-meter with a score of 414.45 for 11 dives and placing 20^th overall. Two days ago, he competed in the 1-meter event and finished 22^nd.

KACHURICK READY TO COMPETE AT NCAA DIVING NATIONALS
3/24/11

Penn State Behrend freshman diver Lucas Kachurick will compete at the NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships beginning Wednesday at the Allan Jones Aquatic Center in Knoxville, TN.  Kachurick will compete in 1m diving on Thursday and the 3m diving on Saturday. Preliminaries begin at 10 a.m. each day with the top eight divers advancing to the finals, beginning at 6 p.m. each day. A top-eight finish earns a diver All-America honors in the event. A finish of ninth through 16^th earns a diver All-America honorable mention.

Kachurick is the program's first male diver to qualify for the DIII Championships. He was named the AMCC Diver of the Year after winning both the 1m and 3m diving competitions at the AMCC Championships. He set all four school records for six and 11 dives in both events and was also named Grove City Invitational Diver of the Meet.

THREE AMCC  PLAYERS NAMED ECAC BASKETBALL ALL-STARS
3/23/11

The AMCC landed three players on the ECAC Division III South Region Basketball All-Star Team this week.  Both AMCC Men's Co-Players of the Year were honored.  Penn St. Behrend's Chris Saltzman was named to the first team and La Roche's Nate Wojciechowski was picked for the second team.  La Roche freshman Jessica Pitts was also recognized as the region's Female Newcomer of the Year.

D'YOUVILLE'S COYLE TOPS IN NATION IN BLOCKED SHOTS
3/22/11

The NCAA released their final 2010-11 men’s basketball statistics today and D'Youville's Patrick Coyle (North Chili, NY/Bishop Kearney) finished first among all Division III players in blocked shots. The 6-9 sophomore blocked 129 shots in 24 games played, an average of 5.4 per game, all single-season school records. Coyle recorded the highest single-game total of any player in Division III during the 2010-11 season when he blocked 12 versus SUNY Geneseo on  January 3^rd. In that game, Coyle also scored 13 points and grabbed 12 rebounds making him one of 12 players in Division III to record a triple-double during the 10-11 season.  Coyle also tied for second with the second-highest single-game blocked shot total when he blocked 10 January 29^th versus Penn State Altoona. The Spartan’s center also finished 28^th nationally in rebounding with a 10.3 per game average.  

D’Youville finished fourth nationally as a team in the blocked shot category averaging 6.1 per game. It is the first time the men’s basketball program has been in the top twenty in any category in the final NCAA Division III statistics report.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: MARCH 21
3/21/11

POST-SEASON HONORS ROLL IN FOR OLDACH, SALTZMAN
3/19/11

Penn St. Behrend seniors Chris Saltzman and Amy Oldach continue to rack up post-season honors.  Saltzman became just the fifth player in Penn State Behrend men's basketball history to be named to the 2011 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District team, announced Wednesday. The AMCC 2011-12 Co-Player of the Year, Saltzman was also named to the D3hoops.com All-Region team.  He earned second-team honors in the All-Great Lakes Region. The forward helped the Lions (23-5) to their second-best record in school history, while chipping in 17.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per contest. Saltzman was also selected to participate in the Reese's  Division III College All-Star game, which will played as part of the 2011 NCAA Division III men's basketball championships, Saturday, March 19, at the Salem Civic Center in Salem, Va.

Oldach was also named to the D3hoops.com All-Great Lakes Region Team.  She was one of 15 student-athletes chosen, landing on the third team.  Oldach is earning her first all-region honors after a record-breaking final season. The two-time AMCC Defensive Player of the Year broke the school record for career steals and most steals in a season. Oldach started the season being named Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Co-Preseason Player of the Year and finished the season with 1,111 points, 349 assists and 301 steals.

PITT-BRADFORD'S PASCARELLA EARNS NATIONAL, REGIONAL HONORS
3/16/11

Pitt-Bradford freshman second baseman Mike Pascarella leads off the 2011 season as both the NCBWA Hitter of the Week and the ECAC Div. III South Region Baseball Player of the Week.  Pascarella was unstoppable at the plate, batting .714 (25-35).  He pounded out 16 RBI and scored 18 runs on 9 extra base hits (2 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HR).  He drew 2 walks and struck out just 4 times.  The Panthers wrapped up their spring break trip with a 5-4 record.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: MARCH 14
3/14/11

PENN ST. BEHREND OPENS LEAD IN PRESIDENTS CUP STANDINGS
3/11/11

Winning both the men's and women's swim championship and finishing in the top 3 of the men's and women's basketball standings has earned Penn St. Behrend a substantial cushion  in the AMCC  Presidents Cup race heading into the spring season.  The Lions increased their total to 84.5 points, followed by Penn St. Altoona with 66.5 points and Pitt-Bradford with 56.5 points.  Click here for the updated Presidents Cup standings.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: MARCH 7
3/7/11

BEHREND MEN, MOUNT ALOYSIUS WOMEN SITTING ATOP AMCC PRESEASON POLLS IN BASEBALL, SOFTBALL
3/4/11

Penn St. Behrend has been selected by the AMCC baseball coaches to reign for the fourth straight year, while the softball coaches think this is season for Mount Aloysius College to shine, as revealed in the 2011 AMCC Preseason Polls.

Behrend will be led by Preseason Pitcher of the Year Ryan Zamiskie, left, who went 7-1 last season.  Player of the Year honors were shared by Mount Aloysius C/DH Matt Cornetti and Medaille College OF Brandon Lumadue.  Click here for the complete poll and players to watch for all 10 AMCC baseball teams.

While the Mounties are well regarded on the softball side of things, two Pitt-Bradford players are hoping to keep the Cresson crew honest.  UPB C Lauryn Weaver, her team's all-time home run hitter, was voted Preseason Player of the Year, while sophomore Sarah Angeletti, left, returns to the circle as Preseason Pitcher of the Year after a standout rookie season.  Click here for the complete poll and players to watch for all 10 AMCC softball teams.

PETRILLI, LAWRENCE HEADLINE SWIM ALL-CONFERENCE SQUADS
3/2/11

Pitt-Bradford freshman Fernando Petrilli (left) and Penn St. Behrend junior Anne Lawrence (right) are the 2011 AMCC Men's and Women's Swimmers of the Year.  Petrilli also was voted Newcomer of the Year for the men, while Penn St. Behrend freshman Rachael Ragen received the same award on the women's side.  Ragen earned the high point honors at the championship meet, while Petrilli shared the award with two other swimmers.  Penn St. Behrend divers Lucas Kachurick and Emily Frederick swept the Divers of the Year awards.  Kachurick, who was also named Diver of the Meet at the Grove City Invitational, is headed to the NCAA Division III championship meet.

Behrend head coach Jen Wallace earned her fourth Men's Coach of the Year award, guiding her squad to their fifth straight conference title.  Pitt-Bradford's Ed Bahan was voted Women's Coach of the Year for the second straight time.

Click here for the complete all-conference teams:   Men   Women

BASKETBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS ANNOUNCED
3/1/11

Pitt-Greensburg F Casey Stanton is the AMCC Women's Basketball Player of the Year while La Roche G Nate Wojciechowski and Penn St. Behrend F Chris Saltzman share the honor for the men as the 2011 all-conference teams are announced.

Stanton led the conference in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots, averaging 19.2 ppg, 14.5 rpg and 3.5 bpg.  For the second year in a row, Defensive Player of the Year honors went to Penn St. Behrend G Amy Oldach, who set a school record for career steals and led the league with 4.0 spg.  The Newcomer of the Year award was shared by La Roche College F Jessica Pitts (12.9 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and Medaille College F Bianca Smiley (15.1 ppg, 7.4 rpg), who both led their teams to berths in the NCAA tournament.  La Roche's Eddie Benton earned his first Coach of the Year plaque, guiding the Redhawks to their first ever AMCC title and NCAA tournament automatic bid.

With a 17.3 scoring average, Saltzman was named to the all-conference first team for the second time.  Wojciechowski (14.1 ppg) was instrumental in leading the Redhawks to the conference crown and first NCAA tournament berth.  Defensive Player of the Year went to Wojo's Redhawk teammate Mike Dixon, while Hilbert College G CJ Hodge (8.9 ppg, 4.3 apg) was recognized as the Newcomer of the Year.  La Roche coaches Scott Lang, who passed away suddenly in December, and Harry Jenkins were unanimous selections for Coach of the Year, taking their team to a program-best 25-2 record, AMCC championship and NCAA tournament automatic bid.

AMCC LAND FOUR TEAMS IN THE BIG DANCE; TWO MORE GET ECAC BIDS
2/28/11

The cream of the AMCC rose to the top on Monday, with two men's and two women's teams getting bids to the NCAA Division III Basketball Tournament.  While the La Roche College men and women already knew the invitation was in the mail, the Medaille College women and Penn St. Behrend men had to sit through the selection show to learn their fates.

Their patience paid off. Medaille, which was ranked in the top 25 of several different polls throughout the season, will face Babson College in their first round match up. Babson was undefeated in the NEWMAC with a 27-0 record. Behrend, regionally ranked for much of the year, will take on Rhode Island College, winners of the Little East Conference with a 19-7 record.

As for the AMCC champion Redhawks, the men will travel to Marietta College for a Friday night date with Wittenberg University, the Ohio Athletic Conference champions.  The women will take on Calvin College, a traditional Division III women's power with a 24-4 record.

Two more AMCC teams will continue into the post-season when the ECAC Tournament kicks off later this week.  The Penn State Behrend women are the #4 seed in the south region and will host #5 Marywood University on Wednesday evening, while the Medaille men, seeded #2 in the upstate region, will face #3 SUNY-Brockport on Saturday at Hobart.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: FEBRUARY 28
2/28/11

REDHAWKS WOMEN CLAIM FIRST AMCC BASKETBALL TITLE
2/26/11

For the first time in program history, the La Roche College women have earned the AMCC basketball championship, defeating Medaille College, 62-54.  With the win comes the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Redhawks relied on the one-two punch of senior Chantelle Jennings (23 points, 6 rebounds) and freshman Jessica Pitts (17 points and 10 boards) while the Lady Mavericks got standout efforts from Amanda Sahhar (11points, 6 boards) and Joelle Pollack (9 points, 9 rebounds).  The NCAA tournament field will be announced on Monday afternoon.

LA ROCHE MEN FINISH ON TOP
2/26/11

La Roche freshman David Jackson scored 14 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and senior Laron Mann chipped in 15 more points to lead the Redhawks to their second AMCC conference title and their first ever trip to the NCAA tournament, defeating Penn St. Behrend, 55-53.  The Behrend Lions were led by center Chris Saltzman with 26 points and 6 rebounds.   The NCAA tournament field will be announced on Monday afternoon.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: FEBRUARY 21
2/21/11

PENN ST. BEHREND WINS FIFTH AMCC SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIP
2/20/11

For the fifth straight year, Penn St. Behrend has won both the men's and women's conference championship titles.  The Lions' men finished with 356 points, followed by Pitt-Bradford with 172.5, Cabrini with 87.5 and Penn St. Altoona with 69.  The Behrend women earned 293 points with runner-up Penn St. Altoona earning 183 points, Cabrini with 150 and Pitt-Bradford with 101.

Behrend FR Lucas Kachurick was the men's champion in the one-meter diving competition to sweep the diving events.  He posted an AMCC-record score of 452.25 for the gold medal and first place out of six divers and was named the Diver of the Meet, which included all of  the AMCC and PAC teams.  His scores also qualified him for the NCAA Division III championship.

Behrend FR Rachael Ragen earned the High Point Scorer Award for the women, with wins in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly and was a member of the AMCC record-setting 400 freestyle relay.  The men's High Point Scorer Award was shared by three competitors:  Behrend SO Clay Altemose, winner of the 100 butterfly, 200 butterfly and 100 backstroke; Behrend FR Brendan Lacey, who placed first in the 100, 200 and  500 freestyle; and Pitt-Bradford FR Fernando Petrilli, with wins in the 200 IM, 100 breaststroke and 200 breaststroke.

Click here for final meet results.

LA ROCHE TO HOST BOTH MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNEYS
2/19/11

It was a banner day for the La Roche Redhawks as both the men's and women's basketball teams earned the right to host the "final four" round of the AMCC tournament with wins over defending champions Medaille College. It is the first regular season title for either program, with the men winning it outright and the women sharing the honor with Medaille.

Here is the tournament schedule and pairings:

WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT

First Round - Tuesday, Feb. 22 - 7p
#5 PS-Altoona at #4 Pitt-Bradford
#6 Mt. Aloysius at #3 PS-Behrend

Semifinals - Friday, Feb. 25
Hosted by La Roche
6p: Winner of 4v5 vs. #1 La Roche
8p: Winner of 3v6 vs. #2 Medaille

Championship - Saturday, Feb. 26 - 3:00p

MEN'S TOURNAMENT

First Round - Tuesday, Feb. 22 - 7p
#5 Mount Aloysius at #4 Hilbert
#6 Pitt-Bradford at #3 Medaille

Semifinals - Friday, Feb. 25
Hosted by La Roche
1p: Winner of 4v5 vs. #1La Roche
3p: Winner of 3v6 vs. #2 PS-Behrend

Championship - Saturday, Feb. 26 - 1pm

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: FEBRUARY 14
2/14/11

AMCC TEAMS ENTER THE PINK ZONE
2/11/11

A number of AMCC women's basketball programs will be showing their support for breast cancer awareness in the coming days with fundraising efforts sparked by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) "Pink Zone" promotion.

The College Center Gym will become a “Pink Zone” for the D’Youville College women’s team for their game against Pitt-Greensburg this Saturday.  The Spartans will forgo the wearing their home whites in favor of pink uniforms. At the conclusion of the season, the uniforms will be auctioned off and all proceeds and donations will go to Roswell Park Cancer Institute.  The idea of the Pink Uniforms came from senior captain Holly Beats (left). Beats took the initiative to get sponsors for our uniforms and will chair the auction at the end of the season. Also after the season, Beats will be a making a donation of a personal nature, donating her hair to the “Locks of Love” program that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.

Also on Saturday, the Penn State Behrend men’s and women’s home basketball teams will host their annual “Pink Zone” games against Franciscan University.  Pink stadium cups and pink rubber ducks are promotional items that will be distributed at the game, while dance and cheer competition t-shirts will be for sale, with the proceeds benefiting the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation.

In addition, both Pitt-Bradford teams participated in the national effort Coaches vs. Cancer when they hosted La Roche College today. The men’s and women’s squads will wear pink warm-up shirts, and coaches will wear sneakers to increase cancer awareness. The women’s team will also sport pink shoelaces during its contest.  The gate fees will be donated to the Bradford American Cancer Society, and donation cards will be available to honor those affected by cancer.

The Penn State Altoona basketball is hosting a Team Pink event to benefit breast cancer research and prevention during their doubleheader against Mount Aloysius College on Wednesday, February 16.  All in attendance are strongly encouraged to wear pink in support of the cause. Tickets are $1.00 for students and $3.00 for all other fans. All proceeds go toward digital mammography technology for the Altoona Regional Health System.

Fans at all AMCC games are encouraged to show support by wearing pink apparel to the game.

PITT-BRADFORD'S HEISEY NAMED TO ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT TEAM
2/9/11

University of Pittsburgh at Bradford senior Daniel Heisey has been named to the CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District Men's Basketball Second Team.  A dual major in accounting and business management, Heisey leads the Panthers in scoring with 17.5 points per game, currently ranked third in the AMCC. Earlier this year, Heisey became the 20th player in men’s history to reach the 1,000-point plateau, and he ranks 13th in Pitt-Bradford history with 1,163 career points.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: FEBRUARY 7
2/7/11

FRANCISCAN ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO SPORTS SPONSORSHIP
2/4/11

As it anticipates full membership status as an active NCAA Division III school this fall, Franciscan University announced changes for the future expansion of its intercollegiate athletic programs.

Over the last few months, the University has evaluated the mix of sports that best responds to the evolving interests of student-athletes, moves toward Title IX compliance, and helps students thrive both as athletes and scholars. Based on its research, strategic goals, and available resources, Franciscan has decided to discontinue baseball at the end of the current season and to add women’s swimming and diving beginning with the 2011-12 season. The University also plans to add men’s and women’s lacrosse in the next two or three years, and to add another women’s sport in the next four or five years.

As part of its research, Franciscan conducted a survey to find out which sports would be of greatest interest to students as it grows its athletic program. The top choice for women was swimming and diving, and the first choice for men was lacrosse.

Due to Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments Act, which requires schools to provide participation opportunities for women and men that are substantially proportionate to their respective rates of enrollment as full-time undergraduate students, the University could not add another men’s sport without causing compliance issues.

Chris Ledyard, Franciscan’s athletic director, said lacrosse was ultimately chosen due to its broader spectrum of playing opportunities in light of the University’s commitment to its overall strategic goals. He also noted that the decision was difficult given its impact on the baseball team’s 20 student-athletes and the hard work that has gone into building up the program.

“The well-being of our baseball players is of primary concern, and we will continue to support these young men in their effort to compete this spring,” he said.  Ledyard also expressed gratitude to Dr. Robert Marrow, head coach for Baron baseball.

“This mix will optimize athletic opportunities for our students,” Ledyard said, noting that Franciscan University has the second highest number of student-athletes of any school in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference. “With 262 student-athletes, we are second only to Penn State Behrend, which had 279 last year, and we serve almost twice as many student-athletes as some schools in the AMCC. Franciscan offers a very robust athletics program.”

Franciscan University became a provisional member of the NCAA Division III in 2007 and expects to attain full membership by the start of the 2011-12 season. In addition to the AMCC, Franciscan is a member of the Eastern College Athletic Conference and USA Rugby.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: JANUARY 31
1/31/11

STREETER APPOINTED TO WATER POLO RULES POST
1/27/11

Brian Streeter, the director of athletics at Penn State-Behrend, is the new NCAA secretary-rules editor for men’s and women’s water polo.  Streeter will replace long-time water polo secretary-rules editor Barbara Kalbus when her term ends September 1.  The secretary-rules editor serves as the official rules interpreter in sports for which the NCAA writes playing rules. The SRE also serves as the membership editor of the rules book for that sport. 

Streeter, who was the men’s basketball coach at Hobart before becoming the director of athletics at Penn State-Behrend in 1997, applied for the position because he believes administrators and coaches should do all they can in terms of serving on NCAA sports and rules committees. In the last decade, Streeter has served on the NCAA Women’s Water Polo and NCAA Men’s Water Polo Committees.

BEHREND'S OLDACH NAMED ECAC CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
1/25/11

Penn St. Behrend senior guard Amy Oldach has been recognized as the ECAC Div. II South Region Co-Player of the Week in women's basketball.  Oldach had a career week in 2 crucial AMCC wins for the Lions. She dished out a career-high 11 assists to go with 15 points in the win over league-leader Medaille, then dropped a career-best 35 points against PS-Altoona. Oldach's 5 three-pointers against PSA also matches her career high. For the week, she finished with 25.0 points, 8.5 assists and 8.0 rebounds.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: JANUARY 24
1/24/11

AMCC STUDENT-ATHLETES ATTEND NCAA CONVENTION
1/20/11

Four AMCC student-athletes attended the NCAA Convention in San Antonio, TX last week, and came away with an enlightened understanding of how the association works.

“I didn’t understand how the NCAA operated and why it even did operate,” said Pitt-Bradford junior and tennis player Mike Teresi.  “I always thought it was just to bring in endorsements or gain large TV revenues. I soon realized that the NCAA does those things in order to give us student-athletes what we have. I was able to see what goes on off the field so we can have what we have on the field.”

This is the third year in a row that the AMCC has sent students to the convention, and each year the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.  In addition to attending the Division III business session, the students participated in the meeting of the AMCC administrators, met with the Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and attended the NCAA Honors Dinner.

“I really enjoyed the conference meeting because of the fact, that as a student, I had no idea how decisions are made that influence us as athletes,” commented Penn St. Altoona junior baseball player Shaun Delozier.  “I thought it was really exciting to see the ‘back and forth’ conversations between the different athletic directors on different issues, like what you should do with referees or if an institution should have the right to pick their own ball for soccer.  The round table discussions, I thought, were so cool because each of the athletic directors really focused on our opinions as student athletes.”

Also attending were La Roche College sophomore soccer player Katherine Golebie and Pitt-Greensburg sophomore cross country runner April Schultz.

In a process that many administrators may take for granted, voting at the business session was viewed by the students as a particular highlight.  “I actually was able to vote several times for my school,” said Delozier.  “What a neat thought to think that I voted ‘Yes’ to make the Men's Volleyball a Division III championship sport.”

BEHREND TO HOST SPORTS GAMBLING SPEAKER
1/19/11

The Penn State Behrend Athletics Department and the Student Athlete Affairs Life Skills Programs, through support from the 2010-11 NCAA Educational Affairs Grant, will host former mafia boss Michael Fanzese to speak on Thursday, January 20 at 7 p.m. in the McGarvey Commons.  Franzese will share his life experiences and focus on the NCAA Gambling Campaign “Don’t Bet On It”.

AMCC LANDS 5 PLAYERS ON PRE-SEASON BASEBALL TEAMS
1/18/11

The AMCC is well represented on two pre-season baseball recognition teams.  D3 Baseball.com has named Penn St. Altoona junior outfielder Jimmy Baum and Mount Aloysius junior catcher Matt Cornetti to their Preseason All-America Team.  Baum hit .480 last season with 51 RBI and 27-30 stolen bases. Cornetti led the Mounties with a .442 batting average, 42 RBI and 23 doubles. Both were first team all-conference selections in 2010.

Penn State Behrend senior pitcher Ryan Zamiskie, senior shortstop Ed Kessler, and junior catcher Ryan Geibel have been recognized by Collegiate Baseball Magazine as Division III Players to Watch for the upcoming season.  All three were instrumental in the Lions' AMCC championship and NCAA tournament run last season.  Zamiskie posted a 7-1 record with four saves in 54 innings of work. He was named to the AMCC All-Conference first-team and was ranked third in the country with a 1.50 ERA.  Kessler batted .324 with 11 RBIs, 24 walks, and 31 runs scored before his season was cut short after 23 games because of injury.  Geibel had a breakthrough season in 2010, earning a .375 batting average and 30 RBI.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: JANUARY 17
1/17/11

PS-ALTOONA'S CARROLL BECOMES ALL-TIME LEADING SCORER
1/13/11

Penn State Altoona senior guard Courtney Carroll (Altoona, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle) scored 12 points on Wednesday night to pass Kristen Toomey on the school's women's basketball all-time scoring list, moving into first place, as the Lady Lions defeated Franciscan University 69-52 in the Adler Gym.  Carroll upped her career point total to 1,046 in 92 career games. Toomey, who played from 1999 to 2003 and is now a current assistant coach for the team, held the previous record of 1,045 points in 88 games.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: JANUARY 10
1/10/11

ECAC NAMES BEHREND'S OLDACH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
1/5/11

Penn St. Behrend senior guard Amy Oldach has been named the ECAC Division III South Region Player of the Week for women's basketball. Oldach averaged 24.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.5 steals and 3.5 assists in two non-conference wins for the Lions over break. She recorded her second-best scoring performance of the season against Alfred, pouring in 28 points. Versus Nazareth, she had 21 points, 9 boards, 4 assists and 5 steals.  Oldach also shot 55.6 percent from the floor and 69.2 percent from behind the arc.

HILBERT, PITT-BRADFORD WOMEN RECEIVE SOCCER ETHICS AWARD
1/4/11

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America have recognized the Hilbert College and Pitt-Bradford women's soccer programs with the silver level Sports Ethics Award.  Just 48 men's and women's teams receive this honor, which is given to a program that records no red cards and five or fewer yellow cards.

HILBERT, PITT-BRADFORD WOMEN RECEIVE SOCCER ETHICS AWARD
1/4/11

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America have recognized the Hilbert College and Pitt-Bradford women's soccer programs with the silver level Sports Ethics Award.  Just 48 men's and women's teams receive this honor, which is given to a program that records no red cards and five or fewer yellow cards.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: JANUARY 3
1/3/11

ECAC ANNOUNCES SOCCER ALL-STARS
12/22/10

Three AMCC student-athletes were selected to the ECAC Division III South Region All-Star Team for the Fall 2010 season.  In addition to being named to the women's squad, Penn St. Altoon goalkeeper Lindsay Raspanti (left) was also honored as the region's Defensive Player of the Year.  Medaille midfielder Corey Phillips and Penn St. Behrend defender Kyle McKinney were voted to the men's team.

HILBERT SAAC RAISES FUNDS FOR THE NEEDY
12/21/10

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at Hilbert College put their Santa hats on this holiday season.  The SAAC collected and donated funds to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Buffalo. In an effort to match the Society’s mission to fulfill two commandments – love of God and love of neighbor - SAAC reached out to their fellow student-athletes for financial contributions. The funds collected were also supplemented with a donation from club’s Student Government Association budget line.On December 15^th, $214.00 was hand-delivered to Mark Zirnheld, SVDP Executive Director. Four family’s wishes will be met this holiday season due to the effort of the men and women’s soccer teams, the women’s basketball team, the men’s lacrosse team, and several anonymous donors within the department.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society "seeks out God’s needy, both materially and spiritually," and helps where and when they can.  Vincentians are also concerned with the needs of the aged, lonely, handicapped, permanently sick or housebound, and persons in convalescent nursing homes and hospitals.  

AMCC SOCCER PLAYERS AND TEAMS HONORED BY NSCAA
12/21/10

The Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference is well represented in the annual awards recently announced by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Leading the way is Medaille junior forward Alexander Rouse (left) who was named to both the All East Region First Team and the Scholar All-East Region First Team. Teammate Andrew Zelko, a senior defender, was voted to the All-East Region Second team and the Mavericks' senior defender Corey Phillips earned third team recognition.  Other Scholar All-East Region honorees included Medaille senior Eric Schnirel (third team), Medaille junior David Pihlblad (thrid team), Medaille junior Stuart Ziegler (honorable mention), and Pitt-Bradford junior Kyle Lewis.

In the Great Lakes region, Penn St. Behrend sophomore forward Jake Gamble earned second team honors.  Both Behrend junior midfielder Aaron Meehl and Pitt-Greensburg senior defender Jake Wehar were selected to the third team.

The Team Academic Award, which is based on 2009 team GPAs, was earned by both the Hilbert College women (3.49 overall team GPA) and the Pitt-Bradford men (3.01 overall team GPA).  It was the second year in a row that the Hilbert women have received this honor.

ESPN TO HONOR COACH LANG DURING PITT GAME BROADCAST
12/17/10

La Roche men's basketball coach Scott Lang will be honored during a broadcast this Saturday on ESPN.  The La Roche coach, who passed away suddenly last Friday, was a friend of University of Pittsburgh head coach Jamie Dixon.  The broadcast of the Pitt/University of Maryland-Eastern Shore game at 7pm will touch on both Coach Lang and his friendship with Coach Dixon.

Video of the memorial service at the Kerr Sports and Fitness Center is also available for viewing at the following links:

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr8iFuoQU6g

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  DECEMBER 13
12/13/10

IN REMEMBRANCE:  LA ROCHE MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH SCOTT LANG
12/11/10

The Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference is sad to announce the passing of La Roche College men's basketball coach Scott Lang.  Coach Lang, 41, collapsed at practice Friday afternoon.  An 18 year member of the coaching staff, the past 14 as head coach, Coach Lang was highly regarded by his peers, and had his team off to a 6-1 start this season, including 3-0 in conference play.  His coaching colleagues voted him AMCC Co-Coach of the Year in 2002-03 when his team finished tied for second in the league with an 8-4 record.  His most successful season came in 2003-04, when his #4 seeded Redhawks upset the #1 and #3 seeds to win the conference title.

Lang set high standards for his players and himself.  He was honored this past fall as the recipient of the Schoenfeld Award by the Collegiate Basketball Officials Association.  The award is given annually to the AMCC men's coach and team who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship.

A memorial service has been planned for Tuesday, December 14 at 7pm.  The service will be held in the Kerr Fitness Center on the La Roche campus.  A viewing will be held at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Allison Park, PA on Saturday, December 18 from 10am to noon followed by a service at 12pm and a reception in the La Roche College Dining Hall. 

PENN ST. ALTOONA HIRES PENNINGTON TO SUCCEED GENTER AS TENNIS COACH
12/10/10

Penn State Altoona has named Mike Pennington its new head coach for men’s and women’s tennis. He becomes just the second head coach of the programs since their first varsity seasons in the 1998-1999 academic year.

A native of Altoona, Pennington had a stellar junior tennis career, winning the Keystone State Games Gold Medal five times. He received the Amateur Athletic Award, the highest honor bestowed to a Keystone Games athlete. Pennington was also selected to represent Pennsylvania in the United States Tennis Association’s Middle States Team Tennis competition, where he helped to defeat New Jersey and Delaware for the championship.  Pennington continued his playing career at Dickinson College.

Pennington succeeds Steve Genter, the longtime Lions head coach of both the men's and women's teams.  Genter won two championships with the women and six with the men over his 12 year career at Altoona.

BEHREND BASEBALL CONTINUES HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TRADITION
12/9/10

The Penn St. Behrend Lions baseball program participated in its annual commitment with Habitat for Humanity this past Saturday, providing two groups of 11 players and coaches to continue work on a new home build in Erie. The group combined to donate a full staff covering an eight hour work day working on the floor and framing of the home.

Habitat for Humanity builds and rehabilitates houses and neighborhoods by providing simple, decent, affordable homes in partnership with families in need.

"This has been a wonderful way for our players and coaches to give back to the Erie community," said Paul Benim.  "Saturday our baseball program made a difference in the community and in a local families' lives. We played a small role by spending a day helping contribute to an organization that does an amazing job assisting families."
 
In previous years with Habitat, the baseball program has built storage sheds for new homes, completed roofing, worked on interiors and exteriors of homes, and organized the Habitat warehouse.  The Behrend Lions athletic staff and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee have also worked in the past for Habitat for Humanity as a community service project.

BEHREND LEADS PRESIDENTS CUP RACE, ALTOONA RIVAL CLOSE SECOND
12/7/10

Penn St. Behrend is in a familiar spot atop the AMCC Presidents Cup standings after the fall 2010 season, yet just 3.5 points separate them from Penn St. Altoona.  Presidents Cup points are earned based on regular season competition except in those sports where there is only a single conference championship event (cross country, golf, swimming).  Behrend owned or shared three regular season titles to help get them to 59 points, while Altoona claimed two in compiling 56.5 points.  Click here for the complete Presidents Cup standings.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF DECEMBER 6
12/6/10

Women's Swimming - Rachel Ragen, Penn St. Behrend
Men's Swimming - Clay Altemose, Penn St. Behrend
Men's Diving - Lucas Kachurick, Penn St. Behrend
Women's Basketball - Courtney Carroll, Penn St. Altoona
Men's Basketball - Chris Saltzman, Penn St. Behrend

HILBERT HIRES NEW COACHES FOR BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL
12/1/10

Hilbert College will have two new faces at the helms of the softball and baseball programs this spring.

Melissa Markle brings Division I playing and coaching experience to the diamond. She recently served as an assistant softball coach at Niagara University.  Prior to that, Markle was a four year starter at three different positions on the softball field for the Purple Eagles. At graduation, Markle was honored with Niagara's Purple Heart Award, awarded as the student-athlete who displayed leadership on and off the field, who was active in the University and community, and was the one person in the graduating class who displayed the ‘heart’ for NU athletic programs.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies and currently works at Gateway-Longview as a Child Care Specialist with management and supervisory roles.

Baseball coach Mark Messina recently served as a head coach in the East Coast Grays organization. The Grays assemble all-star teams comprised of players anywhere east of the Mississippi to the Atlantic Coast. He began his studies at Monroe Community College and then at Binghamton University. While at MCC, he was selected to the 1^st Team All Region Team  before moving on to his Division I experience.  Messina played professionally with the Bangor Lumberjacks of the North East League, the Kalamazoo Kings of the Frontier League and minor league ball with the Milwaukee Brewers.  He also served as head coach for the Academy Stars (14U) in ’06, the East Coast Grays (pitching coach for 17U and head coach for 16U) in 2009 and (head coach 16U) in 2010.  Currently, Messina has plans to open up his own indoor baseball practice facility in Hamburg. 

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF NOVEMBER 29
11/29/10

Men's Basketball - Keon Rembert, Hilbert
Women's Basketball - Magan Campbell, Hilbert

PENN ST. BEHREND WOMEN, LA ROCHE MEN RECEIVE SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS
11/24/10

The Penn State Behrend women and the La Roche College men have been honored by the Collegiate Basketball Officials Association for their exemplary sportsmanship during the 2009-10 season.  This award is presented to a coach, team and college or university which best exemplifies the highest degree of sportsmanship, character, and ethics among their players, coaches and spectators.  It is voted on by the officials of the association who observe all the teams of the AMCC throughout the season and make their selection prior to the start of the following year.  Behrend head coach Roz Fornari accepted the honor on behalf of her program while La Roche head coach Scott Lang was on hand to represent the Redhawks.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF NOVEMBER 22
11/22/10

Here are the AMCC players of the week for November 22:

Men's Swimming - Kyle Teliszewski, Cabrini
Women's Swimming - Rachel Ragen, Penn St. Behrend
Men's Basketball - David Palmer, Pitt-Greensburg
Women's Basketball - Courtney Carroll, Penn St. Altoona

PODRASKY NAMED TO AVCA ALL-REGION TEAM
11/18/10

AMCC Volleyball Player of the Year Jackie Podrasky has been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Mid-Atlantic Honorable Mention Team.  The Pitt-Bradford senior outside hitter averaged 3.0 kpg and 3.6 dpg in leading the Panthers to their first-ever AMCC championship and an invitation to the NCAA Division III tournament.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF NOVEMBER 15
11/15/10

Here are the AMCC players of the week for November 15:

Men's Swimming - Matt Patterson, Pitt-Bradford
Men's Diving - Lucas Kachurick, Penn St. Behrend
Women's Swimming - Krista Trescott, Penn St. Altoona

MEDAILLE MEN ADVANCE TO SWEET SIXTEEN IN NCAA SOCCER
11/14/10

The Medaille College men’s soccer team is going where no other Medaille team has ever gone before, the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III tournament.  And they have a duo of goalkeepers to thank for their unprecedented success. Sophomore keeper Nick Kurtz (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) was spectacular throughout regulation and overtime, making several critical saves including a diving save off a header on a corner kick with twenty seconds remaining in the second overtime in a scoreless tie against host Swarthmore College. The Mavs advanced to the round of 16 on penalty kicks, 3-2.

Following the horn after the second overtime the Mavs would replicate their decision from the AMCC final by pulling goalkeeper Jimmy Frascati (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) off the bench to handle penalty kicks. In another deja vu moment, senior Eric Schnirel (West Amherst, NY/Sweet Home), poked home his penalty kick to give the Mavs a lead. Schnirel tallied the game winning penalty kick in the AMCC title game that propelled them to the NCAA tournament. Swarthmore would have a chance to tally the equalizer but they pushed the shot wide of the left post, sending the Mavs into the next round.

The Cinderella season will continue for Medaille as they will take on defending national champion Messiah College on their home pitch next weekend with a chance to head to the Elite 8. The Mavs are now (16-4-3) and are looking to keep their momentum as they are now unbeaten in eight straight matches. This was the Mavs 14th shutout of the season.

D'YOUVILLE'S BOGDANETS HEADED TO CROSS COUNTRY NATIONALS
11/13/10

AMCC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year Anya Bogdanets (Amherst, NY/Kenmore West) placed fourth in the the NCAA Division III Atlantic Regional, earning her a place in the national competition on November 20 in Waverly, IA.  She is the first D'Youville College student-athlete to compete in an NCAA individual sport championship.  The senior posted a 6K time of 22:39.4 in a field of 236 runners.

MEDAILLE WOMEN, PITT-BRADFORD MEN PRESEASON HOOPS FAVORITES
11/10/10

The AMCC coaches have spoken:  Look for the Medaille College women and the Pitt-Bradford men to lead the charge heading into the conference basketball schedule which kicks off December 1.

Medaille earned 9 of 10 first place votes of the AMCC coaches and is the preseason favorite to defend their conference title.  The Mavericks already have four  trophies on the shelf.   La Roche College and Penn St. Behrend were tied in the balloting for second place.  Behrend has two league crowns to their credit while the Redhawks are looking for their first. Preseason Player of the Year honors are shared by La Roche senior guard Chantelle Jennings (Pittsburgh, PA/Oakland Catholic), left, and Behrend senior guard Amy Oldach (Erie, PA/Villa Academy), right.

Pitt-Bradford, runners up in the past two championship games, are poised to win it all this season according to the AMCC coaches' poll.  The Panthers got 5 of 10 first place votes, and will be looking to add a third conference trophy to their case.  Three-time league champion Penn State Behrend was right behind UPB in the balloting, while two-time defending champion Medaille College was selected to finish third.  Sharing the Preseason Player of the Year designation are Penn St. Behrend senior forward Chris Saltzman (Pittsburgh, PA/Central Catholic), left, and Medaille senior forward Ron Malicki (Machias, NY/Pioneer), right.

Click here for the complete preseason polls and players to watch:  Women  Men

Both championship finals are scheduled for Saturday, February 26, hosted by the number #1 seed in each bracket.  The tournament winners will receive the AMCC's automatic bids to the NCAA tournament.

ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS, AWARDS ANNOUNCED FOR SOCCER, VOLLEYBALL AND CROSS COUNTRY
11/9/10

The AMCC is proud to announce the 2010 season award winners in the following fall sports (click on the sport title for the complete all-conference team):

Women's Volleyball
Player of the Year: Jackie Podrasky, Pitt-Bradford
Newcomer of the Year: Kelly Treser, Penn St. Behrend
Coach of the Year: Tina Phillips, Pitt-Bradford

Women's Soccer
Co-Players of the Year: Lindsay Raspanti, Penn St. Altoona and Danielle Braun, D'Youville College
Co-Newcomers of the Year: Meredith Waters, Penn St. Altoona and Sam Vasy, Penn St. Behrend
Coach of the Year: Lewis Potter, D'Youville College

Men's Soccer
Co-Players of the Year: Toby Abdul-Razaq, Pitt-Bradford and Alexander Rouse, Medaille College
Newcomer of the Year: Leonel Locayo, Franciscan University
Coach of the Year: Patrick "Mo" Taylor, Penn St. Altoona

Women's Cross Country
Runner of the Year: Anya Bogdanets, D'Youville College
Newcomer of the Year: Nicole Krajewski, Franciscan University
Coach of the Year: Dan Kuebler, Franciscan University

Men's Cross Country
Runner of the Year: Bill Jones, Franciscan University
Newcomer of the Year: Joey Schlueter, Franciscan University
Coach of the Year: Dan Kuebler, Franciscan University

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF NOVEMBER 8
11/8/10

Here are the AMCC players of the week for November 8:

Women's Soccer Offensive - Meredith Waters, Penn St. Altoona
Women's Soccer Defensive - Alyssa Robinson, Penn St. Altoona
Men's Soccer Offensive - Alexander Rouse, Medaille
Men's Soccer Defensive - Eric Schnirel, Medaille
Volleyball - Meghan Lindquist, Pitt-Bradford
Men's Swimming - Fernando Petrilli, Pitt-Bradford
Men's Diving - Lucas Kachurick, Penn St. Behrend
Women's Swimming - Krista Trescott, Penn St. Altoona
Women's Diving - Kayla Bauer, Penn St. Altoona

CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY CELEBRATED IN SOCCER, VOLLEYBALL
11/6/10

Championship celebrations reigned on three different AMCC campuses today, as winners were crowned in men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball.

Pitt-Bradford earned their first league title in volleyball, turning away Penn St. Altoona by a 3-1 margin (18-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-23).  The Panthers were led by outside hitter Jackie Podrasky, who recorded 11 kills and 22 digs and setter Alisha Wisel with 43 assists and 20 digs. The victory extended their win streak to 22 games going into the NCAA tournament.

The Penn St. Altoona women's soccer team got their second conference championship with a 3-0 decision over Penn St. Behrend.  Alyssa Robinson got the first goal and eventual game-winner on a header from a corner kick by Meredith Barcia.  Goalkeeper Lindsay Raspanti notched a league-record 12th shutout.

In the last match of the day, the  Medaille College men's soccer team extended top seeded Penn St. Behrend to penalty kicks after 110 scoreless minutes before prevailing 5-4 on penalty kicks.  Goalkeeper Jimmy Frascati, who did not play until the shoot out, turned away three Behrend shots to help the Mavericks to their fifth AMCC title is six years.

All three winning teams are awarded an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament; pairings will be announced Monday.  ECAC tournament bids will be determined Monday as well.

SOCCER FINALS FEATURE FAMILIAR FACES
11/3/10

Both the AMCC men's and women's soccer championships will be featuring teams that have attended--and won--the big dance before.  Saturday's winners will be playing for a ticket to an even bigger dance: the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Top seeded Penn St. Altoona (15-2-3) defeated #5 Pitt-Bradford by a 4-0 margin today, earning the Lions women a crack at their second conference title.  Hoping to gain their seventh AMCC crown will be #2 seed Penn St. Behrend, a 3-1 victor over #3 La Roche College.  The two squads played to a 1-1 tie last month at Behrend.  Kick-off is at 2:00pm in Altoona.

For the men, Penn St. Behrend and Medaille College will face off for the fourth year in a row, with the Behrend Lions succeeding in 2007 and the Mavericks winning in 2008 and 2009. Penn St. Behrend had the upper hand in the regular season, scoring as time expired for a 1-0 victory on their home turf.  #1 Behrend advanced to the finals by defeating #4 La Roche College, 5-0, while the #2 Mavs took care of #3 Penn St. Altoona by a 2-0 score.  Kick-off is 2:00pm at Gannon University in Erie.

BEHREND, MEDAILLE ADVANCE TO VOLLEYBALL FINAL FOUR
11/2/10

#3 Penn St. Behrend and #4 Medaille College have earned semifinal berths in the AMCC volleyball championship weekend.  With a 3-0 victory over #6 Mount Aloysius College (25-20, 25-18, 25-19), Behrend earns the right to take on #2 seed Penn St. Altoona in the 8pm game on Friday.  The Mavericks turned away #5 Pitt-Greensburg, 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-13) and will face top seed and host Pitt-Bradford in the other side of the draw at 6pm.

Pitt-Bradford (22-3) is riding a 20-game win streak--the second longest in the nation in NCAA Div. III--going into the tournament.  They are looking for their first AMCC championship and will be led by the one-two punch of OH Jackie Podrasky (3.05 kpg) and S Alisha Wisel (8.9 apg).  Meanwhile, Medaille (17-15) will rely on AMCC attack leader OH Janine Benkelman (3.62 kpg) as they try to derail the Panthers.

Penn St. Altoona (21-10), whose only title came in 2006, will look to OH Samantha Link 2.96 kpg) and the defensive prowess of national digs leader L Jessica Tirko (6.8 dpg) to lead them to the finals. The Behrend Lions have a pair of AMCC titles (2005, 2001) to inspire them, and expect that L Danielle Woods (5.11 dpg) and S Carly Higham (5.1 apg) will help get it done.

The championship is scheduled for Saturday at 1:00pm.  The winner will also receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF NOVEMBER 1
11/1/10

Here are the AMCC players of the week for November 1

Men's Cross Country - Bill Jones, Franciscan
Women's Cross Country - Nicole Krajewski, Franciscan
Volleyball - Alisha Wisel, Pitt-Bradford
Women's Soccer Offensive - Kristen Lowe, Penn St. Altoona
Women's Soccer Defensive - Denay O'Connor, Medaille
Men's Soccer Offensive - Dan Kennedy, Penn St. Altoona
Men's Soccer Defensive - Greg Ceravolo, La Roche

FRANCISCAN SWEEPS MEN'S AND WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TITLES
10/30/10

Led by the fleet feet of freshman Nicole Krajewski (Battle Creek, MI/Lakeview HS), below, the Franciscan University women continued their dominance of AMCC women's cross country with their third straight title at the conference championship meet.  The Baron men, meanwhile, untracked three-time defending champion Penn St. Behrend in winning their first ever AMCC crown.  Franciscan was paced by senior Bill Jones (Oneida, WI/Marquette University HS), right, who won the men's race for the second time in three years.  Behrend finished as the runner-up team in both races, held Saturday at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh.

Click here for complete race results.

BEHREND'S CHRISTMAN LEADS WOMEN'S TENNIS ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
10/27/10

For the third year in a row, Penn St. Behrend junior Arica Christman (Sharon, PA/Sharon) has been selected as the AMCC  Women's Tennis Player of the Year.  Christman had an undefeated season in conference competition at both #1 singles and at #2 doubles with partner Stephanie Cattron.  Newcomer of the Year accolades went to D'Youville College freshman Samantha Rowen (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville East).  She was the #2 seed at the AMCC championship tournament at the #1 singles position and was the top seed, along with partner Melissa Kanalley, at the #1 doubles line.  Behrend's Jeff Barger and D'Youville's Bob Gamble shared Coach of the Year honors.

Click here for the complete all-conference team.


LA ROCHE'S ZAJAC TABBED AS ECAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
10/27/10

For the fifth time this season, an AMCC women's soccer player has been recognized by the ECAC for her outstanding competitive effort on the soccer pitch.  This week the spotlight is on La College junior goalkeeper Raelene Zajac, who was named the south region's Defensive Player of the Week.  Zajac made 21 saves in a pair of conference victories, helping the Redhawks cement a #3 seed and first round home field advantage in the AMCC playoffs.  She turned away 11 UPG shots in a 1-0 shutout win, then added 10 more to take down Medaille, 3-1.

PAIRINGS, SCHEDULES SET FOR AMCC SOCCER TOURNAMENTS
10/26/10

With a handful of regular season games to complete, the AMCC men's and women's soccer tournaments are ready to roll beginning this Saturday.

The women's side will feature #3 La Roche College, led by sophomore forward and AMCC scoring leader Bethanie Moreschi (22g, 7a), hosting #6 Medaille College.  The Mavericks will rely on midfielder Katie Botsford (3g, 1a) to get them on the board.   La Roche won their regular season meeting, 3-1.  The winner will move on to face #2 seed and six-time AMCC champion Penn St. Behrend next Wednesday.

The other first round match-up will have #4 D'Youville College at home against #5 Pitt-Bradford.  The Spartans got past UPB, 2-1, a few weeks ago.  They will look for continued scoring punch from midfielder/forward Danielle Braun (12g, 11a) while Pitt-Bradford will counter with forward Dani Zeamer (9g, 3a).  The victor will travel to Penn State Altoona for a semifinal clash with the top-seeded Lions.  This undefeated squad won the title in 2008.

The men have some familiar teams at the top of the heap but also expect plenty of challenges along the way.  On one half, #3 Penn St. Altoona will host #6 Pitt-Greensburg.  The Lions will rely on forward Nathan Sonnenthal (8g, 2a) to spearhead their attack, while UPG will look to forward/midfielder Craig MacDonald (10g, 4a) to find the net. The winner will take on #2 seed Medaille College, the two-time defending champion with four titles overall.

On the other half of the draw, #5 Pitt-Bradford will travel to #4 La Roche.  The two squads battled to a scoreless, double overtime tied in the regular season.  The Redhawks have a balanced offense, led by freshman defender Tyler Irwin (3g, 1a).  UPB likes their chances with Toby Abdul-Razaq up front, a forward who has generated 13 goals and 5 assists so far this year. Waiting for the winner on Wednesday will be the Behrend Lions, undefeated in the conference regular season and four-time AMCC champions.

Both championship tournaments will wrap up on Saturday, November 6.  The winners will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III national tournament.

LA ROCHE'S SLIMAN LEADS AMCC GOLF ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
10/26/10

La Roche College senior Mike Sliman (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler), left, runner-up at this year's conference championship, is the 2010 AMCC men's golf Player of the Year.  Sliman boasted a 77.6 tournament scoring average, winning one tournament and finishing second in three others on the season.  Mount Aloyius freshman Mac Wolfe (Johnstown, PA/Westmont Hilltop) was voted the Newcomer of the Year, and Mounties head coach Jeff Homady earned his first conference Coach of the Year accolade.  Click here for the complete all-conference team.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF OCTOBER 25
10/25/10

Here are the AMCC players of the week for October 25:

Women's Soccer Offensive - Bethanie Moreschi, La Roche
Women's Soccer Defensive - Raelene Zajac, La Roche
Men's Soccer Offensive - Corey Phillips, Medaille
Men's Soccer Defensive - Nick Kurtz, Medaille
Volleyball - Jackie Podrasky, Pitt-Bradford
Men's Cross Country - Mike Evans, Pitt-Bradford
Women's Cross Country - Karen Willey, Pitt-Bradford

D'YOUVILLE'S BRAUN HONORED AS ECAC WOMEN'S SOCCER PLAYER OF THE WEEK
10/20/10

D'Youville College forward Danielle Braun is the second AMCC women's soccer player to be named the ECAC Division III South Region Offensive Player of the Week this season.  The sophomore found the back of the net 5 times last week and assisted on 2 more goals as the Spartans added 3 to the win column.  She started by scoring the game-winner in a 2-1 decision over Hilbert, then followed up with 2 goals and 2 assists in a romp over Penn St. Beaver.  Braun finished the week by scoring by the game-tying goal and the game-winner in overtime versus Mt. Aloysius.  In the process, the sophomore established herself in the DYC record books with most points in a season (34) and most game-winning goals in a season (3).

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF OCTOBER 18
10/18/10

Here are the AMCC players of the week for October 18:

Women's Tennis - Arica Christman, Penn St. Behrend
Men's Cross Country - Bill Jones, Franciscan
Women's Cross Country - Anya Bogdanets, D'Youville
Women's Soccer Offensive - Danielle Braun, D'Youville
Women's Soccer Defensive - Olivia Valenti, Pitt-Greensburg
Men's Soccer Offensive - Lance Sabol, Penn St. Behrend
Men's Soccer Defensive - Ed Heffron, Hilbert
Volleyball - Meg Kay, Franciscan

PENN STATE BEHREND CAPTURES 10TH AMCC WOMEN'S TENNIS TITLE
10/17/10

For the sixth straight year and tenth overall, Penn State Behrend has won the AMCC women's tennis championship.  Making it extra special was the fact that they also received an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament, to be held in May, awarded for the first time in conference history.  The Lions swept all 9 singles and doubles titles, also the first team in conference history to do so.  D'Youville College, which finished #2 to Behrend in the regular season, got the runner-up plaque.  The Spartans were tied with Pitt-Bradford with 10 total points in the tournament, but got the tiebreak edge for their win over the Panthers in the regular season.  Click here for complete tournament results.

INGOLD TO LEAD ECAC AS PRESIDENT
10/12/10

The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has elected Penn State Altoona Director of Athletics Fredina Ingold as the next ECAC President. Ingold will serve a two-year term as president from October 2010 until October 2012, and then remain on the Board as past president for an additional two years.

In 1990 Ingold became the first woman inductee in the Blair County Sports Hall of Fame. In 2002 she received the Robert J. Scannell Roll of Honor Award for serving the Penn State Commonwealth Education System, Athletic, Intramural and Recreation Programs with distinction.  In 2009, Ingold was presented with the NACDA Athletic Director of the Year Award for the NCAA Division III Central Region.  Ingold also currently serves as a member of the NCAA Division III Management Council.

PENN ST. ALTOONA WINS AMCC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP AT OAK TREE
10/11/10

Penn St. Altoona won its fourth AMCC golf title in five years, shooting a collective 638 over the 36 hole, two day event at Oak Tree Country Club in Middlesex, PA.  La Roche College (654) finished as the runner-up, while Medaille College (656) came in third.  With the win the Lions have earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament, which is held in the spring.

Mount Aloysius freshman Phil Keilman was the medalist, carding a 79-75-154, while La Roche senior Mike Sliman was the runner up with a 76-80-156.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF OCTOBER 11
10/11/10

Here are the AMCC players of the week for October 11:

Men's Golf - Phil Keilman, Mount Aloysius
Women's Tennis - Mariette van der Wegen, Franciscan
Men's Cross Country - Denis Lydon, Penn St. Behrend
Women's Cross Country - Anya Bogdanets, D'Youville
Women's Soccer Offensive - Lindsay Sherman, Pitt-Bradford
Women's Soccer Defensive - Alisa Cornell, Pitt-Bradford
Men's Soccer Offensive - John Taggart, Medaille
Men's Soccer Defensive - Michael Brunozzi, La Roche
Volleyball - Jackie Podrasky, Pitt-Bradford

PENN ST. ALTOONA KEEPERS SWEEP ECAC WEEKLY AWARDS
10/5/10

The Penn St. Altoona duo of Lindsay Raspanti and Mike Sheridan have been named the ECAC Division III South Region Soccer Defensive Players of the Week.  It is the fourth consecutive week that an AMCC soccer player has been recognized as either offensive or defensive player of the week.

Raspanti allowed only 1 goal this week and posted her league- leading eighth shutout of the season. She has allowed only 5 goals to date in 2010.  Sheridan put in 180 minutes in goal for the Lions without allowing a goal in a pair of AMCC shutout wins over Pitt-Bradford and Pitt-Greensburg.  He made a total of 7 saves to help boost his team to a 3-0 conference record.|

BEHREND BASKETBALL CELEBRATES THIRD YEAR WITH TOPS
10/5/10

For the third year in a row, Penn St. Behrend student-athletes are getting involved with the TOPS Basketball program, is a community based program that gives special needs children from North East, Pennsylvania a fun, rich environment at the Penn State Behrend Junker Center.

The men’s and women’s basketball teams have worked side-by-side the past three years to promote good health, awareness and basic basketball skills that child participants carry with them throughout the year. The TOPS Basketball program is a partnership with the Behrend soccer teams, track and field, cross country, swimming and diving, water polo and the Behrend student body. The program’s goal is to pair a child with at least one student-athlete for three weeks to participate in activities such as ball handling, shooting, passing or the occasional fun run around the gym.

“TOPS Basketball is a great program for the community, our basketball teams and all of our students who volunteer. We look forward to being able to continue this in the future,” said women’s head coach Roz Fornari.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF OCTOBER 4
10/4/10

Here are the AMCC players of the week for October 4:

Men's Golf - John Haberman, Medaille
Women's Tennis - Taylor McColgan, Franciscan
Men's Cross Country - Mike Evans, Pitt-Bradford
Women's Cross Country - Ali Burkholder, Penn St. Altoona
Women's Soccer Offensive - Allysia Ketchem, Penn St. Altoona
Women's Soccer Defensive - Lindsay Raspanti, Penn St. Altoona
Men's Soccer Offensive - Edward Sarcione, Hilbert
Men's Soccer Defensive - Mike Sheridan, Penn St. Altoona
Volleyball - Chelsea Shaulis, Penn St. Altoona

PITT BRADFORD'S FORESTER PICKED FOR ECAC WEEKLY HONOR
9/28/10

Pitt-Bradford goalkeeper Adam Forester (Marietta, PA/Donegal HS) has been named the ECAC Div. III South Defensive Player of the Week.  It is the third week in a row that an AMCC soccer player has been recognized by the ECAC and the first time for a men's player this season.  The freshman led the Panthers to 3 straight wins, all shutouts.  The victory over Mount Aloysius Saturday was his fourth of the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 27
9/27/10

Here are the AMCC players of the week for September 27

Volleyball - Samantha Meyers, Pitt-Greensburg
Men's Golf - Mike Sliman, La Roche
Women's Tennis - Stephanie Krall, Pitt-Bradford
Men's Cross Country - Kevin LeRoy, Franciscan
Women's Cross Country - Teresa Evans, Franciscan
Women's Soccer Offensive - Clare Grchan, Francsican
Women's Soccer Defensive - Mary Zinni, Hilbert
Men's Soccer Offensive - Leonel Lacayo, Franciscan
Men's Soccer Defensive - Adam Forester, Pitt-Bradford

MORESCHI EARNS ECAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
9/22/10

For the second week in a row, an AMCC women's soccer player has been recognized by the ECAC for her outstanding play.  This week it is La Roche forward Bethanie Moreschi who was named Div. III South Region Offensive Player of the Week.  Moreschi continues to lead the Redhawks' attack, scoring all 3 La Roche goals in a 1-0-1 week.  She scored twice in a 2-1 decision over Thiel, and also found the back of the net in a 1-1 tie with St. Vincent.  She leads the AMCC in both points (14) and goals (6).

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 20
9/20/10

Here are the AMCC players of the week for September 20:

Volleyball - Janine Benkelman, Medaille
Men's Golf - Mac Wolf, Mount Aloysius
Women's Tennis - Ali Mascioletti, D'Youville
Men's Cross Country - Denis Lydon, Penn St. Behrend
Women's Cross Country - Anya Bogdanets, D'Youville
Women's Soccer Offensive - Bethanie Moreschi, La Roche
Women's Soccer Defensive - Raelene Zajac, La Roche
Men's Soccer Offensive - Alexander Rouse, Medaille
Men's Soccer Defensive - Chris Bolea, Penn St. Altoona

RASPANTI NAMED ECAC WOMEN'S SOCCER DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
9/14/10

Penn State Altoona goalkeeper Lindsay Raspanti (Fairless Hills, PA/Pennsbury) is the ECAC Division III South Defensive Player of the Week in the first week of seasonal selections.  Raspanti has 5 shutouts in 5 games for the undefeated Lions, adding 2 more wins to her 4-0-1 record this past week.  She made 2 saves in a 1-0 victory over Susquehanna, and turned away 1 shot on goal in a 3-0 decision over St. Vincent.  Raspanti is at 470 scoreless minutes on the season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 13
9/13/10

Here are the AMCC players of the week for September 13:

Men's Soccer Offensive - Alexander Rouse, Medaille
Men's Soccer Defensive - Kyle McKinney, Penn St. Behrend
Women's Soccer Offensive - Bethanie Moreschi, La Roche
Women's Soccer Defensive - Lindsay Raspanti, Penn St. Altoona
Volleyball - Alisha Wisel, Pitt-Bradford
Men's Cross Country - Will Aldridge, Penn St. Altoona
Women's Cross Country - Anna Bogdanets, D'Youville

BILL SCHULTZ TO LEAD HILBERT MEN'S VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM
9/9/10

Bill Schultz has been appointed to the position of head coach of the men’s volleyball program at Hilbert College for the 2010-11 season. Schultz comes to Hilbert after serving as the boys’ volleyball head coach at Grand Island High School since 2004. After only a few years coaching, his team won the divisional title, and he was named the Niagara Frontier League Coach of the Year in 2008. Schultz’s team followed that honor up with an appearance in the Section VI volleyball championship game in 2009. He will continue to coach the high school team while serving as the head coach at Hilbert College.

As a player, Schultz’s career is quite impressive. He was a member of the nationally recognized D’Youville College team and was named a Division III First Team All-American in 2004, as well as a North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) Western Division Player of the Year in both 2003 and 2004. Schultz extended his playing days when he competed professionally for the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Beach Tour for two seasons. During that time, he qualified for the Main Draw Tournament and faced the Olympic Gold Medalists.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 7
9/7/10

Here are the AMCC players of the week for September 7:

Men's Soccer Offensive - Zach Whittington, Mount Aloysius
Men's Soccer Defensive - Adam Al-Habashi, Mount Aloysius
Women's Soccer Offensive - Julia Schroeck, Penn St. Behrend
Women's Soccer Defensive - Lindsay Raspanti, Penn St. Altoona
Volleyball - Janine Benkelman, Medaille
Men's Cross Country - Bill Jones, Franciscan
Women's Cross Country - Theresa Evans, Franciscan
Men's Golf - Kevin Koerbel, Penn St. Behrend

PITT-GREENSBURG NAMES SEAN STRICKLAND AS MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH
9/2/10

Sean Strickland has been named head men’s basketball and assistant athletic director at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.  Strickland comes to Pitt-Greensburg from Baldwin Wallace College where he served as the top assistant coach for the women’s program for the last two seasons. During his two year tenure he helped lead BW to an average of 20 wins each season including a conference championship appearance and an NCAA Tournament appearance. He previously served as the Slippery Rock High School’s boys varsity coach and in 2008 was named a finalist for the 2008 Butler County Coach of the Year Award.  Strickland is a 1993 graduate of Penn State University and earned his master’s degree from Slipper Rock University in Sports Management.

FOUR AMCC SCHOOLS JOIN UVC IN MEN'S VOLLEYBALL FOR 2011-12
8/31/10

Four AMCC member schools have joined eight other men's volleyball programs in New York and New Jersey to form the United Volleyball Conference (UVC). 

The UVC consists of Bard College (NY), D’Youville College (NY), Elmira College (NY), Hilbert College (NY), Medaille College (NY), Nazareth College (NY), New York University (NY), Penn State Behrend (PA), Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ), SUNY IT (NY), SUNY New Paltz (NY), and Vassar College (NY).  Play will commence in 2010-11 with 10 members.  Behrend, which recently added the sport, will begin its first varsity season in 2011-12. NYU is completing its final season with the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association.

The UVC has already been recognized by the NCAA as an officially sanctioned single sport conference, an important move as the Division III membership prepares to adopt men’s volleyball as an NCAA Division III Championship sport this January at the annual convention. Approval by the membership would give Division III men’s volleyball an NCAA Tournament effective 2011-12.

ANGELA CHURCHILL NAMED AS DYC SOFTBALL COACH, ASSISTANT AD
8/30/10

D'Youville College welcomes Angela Churchill to the position of assistant athletic director and head softball coach.  Churchill comes to D'Youville after working as an assistant softball coach at the University at Buffalo from 2005-10 and as a graduate softball assistant at Ohio University (2004-05).  Originally hailing from Mokena Illinois, Churchill played four seasons of softball at the University of Michigan (2001-04) and during her career the Wolverines captured three Big 10 championships and made three appearances in the NCAA College World Series.

HILBERT HIRES RICE TO LEAD GOLF PROGRAM
8/25/10

Kevin Rice, who has more than 10 years' experience coaching and instructing golf at area high schools and country clubs, has been named head coach at Hilbert College.  Rice most recently served as the Section IV Coordinator for boys high school golf the last three years. Prior to that, he was the varsity coach at Silver Creek (1997-2007) where his teams won three league titles and three league championships. During his decade of coaching, Rice also held an assistant golf professional position at the Lancaster Country Club before serving as the head golf pro at Tri-County Country Club.

BEHREND TO HOST BILL COWHER IN SPEAKER SERIES NEXT MONTH
8/19/10

Super Bowl-winning former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher will share his “Blueprint for a Winning Team” when he kicks off the 2010-11 Speaker Series at Penn State Behrend.  Cowher will speak in the college’s Junker Center at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 23. The event is free and open to the public. No ticket is required and seating will be offered on a first-come basis.

Cowher, who in 2005 led the Steelers to its first Super Bowl title in 26 years, was the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL before stepping down following the 2006 season. His 15 years with the Steelers ranks ninth in NFL history for longest head-coach service with one team.  He now works as a game analyst for CBS Sports’ “The NFL Today.”

Cowher’s Penn State Behrend Speaker Series presentation is supported by the Student Activity Fee, the Division of Student Affairs and the Harriet Behrend Ninow Memorial Lecture Series Fund. For more information about Penn State Behrend’s annual Speaker Series, phone the Office of Student Activities at 814-898-6171.

BEHREND STAFF GETS HANDS-ON WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
8/16/10

For the fourth straight year, the Penn State Behrend athletic department staff volunteered to help build a home for an Erie family through Habitat for Humanity. The staff split into two groups of 12 people and worked four hour shifts each on Thursday, August 12.

Habitat for Humanity is non-profit organization dedicated to eliminate substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to make adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses alongside the homeowner families.

In addition to the staff, the Behrend athletic teams and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will also be volunteering for Habitat for Humanity throughout the school year.

MEDAILLE MEN'S SOCCER RANKS IN NATIONAL PRE-SEASON TOP 25
8/13/10

The Medaille College men’s soccer team had a breakthrough season in 2009 in which they earned their first NCAA tournament victory and finished in the Top 25 of the national rankings. That momentum has carried over to 2010, which was proven when the NSCAA preseason rankings came out earlier this week and the Mavs were tabbed as the 25th ranked team in Division III. Medaille finished 2009 with an 18-3-2 overall record and earned their fourth bid in five years to the NCAA tournament.

D'YOUVILLE NAMES DANDES TO LEAD BASEBALL PROGRAM
8/12/10

Leo Dandes has been named as the new head coach of baseball at D’Youville College.  Dandes comes to D’Youville after serving the previous two seasons as an assistant coach at Medaille College and has worked as a guest clinic instructor at University at Buffalo, Midwest Baseball Academy, and Eden Athletic Association.

Dandes played four seasons of NCAA Division I baseball, first at the University at Buffalo for two seasons then at Saint Peter’s College. At St. Peter’s, Dandes was a part of that program’s record-setting year of 2007 that set new school single-season standards for overall wins and conference victories and twice was named to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Academic Team. The first-year coach inherits a Spartan program that is coming off their highest win total since 2002.

PENN STATE ALTOONA GOLFER HONORED FOR SPORTSMANSHIP BY NCAA
8/11/10

The NCAA has named Penn St. Altoona sophomore Chris Perry (Altoona, PA/
Altoona) the Division III Male Student-Athlete Sportsmanship Award winner for 2009-10.  He is the first AMCC student-athlete to win this honor.  Perry was recognized for his honesty in self-reporting a scoring error at the conference championship, after being notified of the mistake by PSA head coach Tom Koehle.  Since Perry had already signed his card, his action disqualified him from the tournament and prevented the Lions from defending their AMCC title.

PENN STATE BEHREND MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM DEPARTS FOR BRAZIL
8/10/10

The Penn St. Behrend men’s basketball team are headed to Brazil looking for its first taste of competition since its ECAC Championship win over Alvernia College on March 7.  The Lions departed Sunday on an eight-day/seven-night tour of Brazil’s most historic cities including Guaruja, Sao Bento do Sapucai and Paraty. The team will compete in three contests against Brazilian teams and co-host two basketball clinics during their travels.

All-Conference players Justin Kovac and Chris Saltzman will lead Behrend into their first international showcase since 2002 season when the blue and white ventured to Spain. The squad consists of 10 returning players and will be accompanied by coaches and family.


BEHREND SWEEPS PRESEASON POLL PREDICTIONS IN SOCCER AND VOLLEYBALL
8/5/10

Penn State Behrend has been selected to take AMCC titles in men's and women's  soccer and women's volleyball in the Fall 2010 season.  The Blue and White will be attempting to add to their collection of championships which currently stands at four in men's soccer, six in women's soccer, and two in volleyball.

Preseason Player of the Year honors were spread among 5 different schools.  Franciscan University senior forward Steve Duran and Medaille College junior forward  Alexander Rouse share the men's soccer honor.  Penn St. Altoona junior midfielder Elizabeth Watt and Hilbert College junior midfielder Alyssa Hulbert also split the vote in women's soccer, while Pitt-Bradford senior outside hitter Jackie Podrasky got the nod in women's volleyball.

Click below for the complete preseason coaches' poll in each sport and players to watch from each team:

Men's Soccer               Women's Soccer               Women's Volleyball

HILBERT APPOINTS ROB PETERSON TO LEAD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PROGRAM
7/29/10

Rob Peterson has been named head women’s basketball coach at Hilbert College, announced Susan Viscomi, director of athletics.  With more than 15 years coaching experience in collegiate and high school basketball, Peterson has been assistant women’s basketball coach at the State University of New York at Geneseo for the past two seasons and helped lead the Knights to doubling its win total last season. He holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in physical education from SUNY Cortland.

Prior to arriving at SUNY Geneseo, Peterson spent one season as interim head women’s basketball coach at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he also served as assistant coach from 2006-08. While at RIT, he helped guide the team to its longest consecutive win streak and its first post-season play in the program’s history.
In 2006, he received coaching honors as New York State Section V Class C Boys Coach of the Year and Livingston County News Boys Coach of the Year.

HILBERT COACH, AMCC PLAYERS TAKE GOLD AT EMPIRE STATE GAMES
7/29/10

The Western New York men’s open basketball team held off Hudson Valley 86-81 on Sunday to clinch the gold medal at the 2010 Empire State Games in Buffalo, NY. Hilbert College men’s basketball coach Rob deGrandpre served as one of the coaches for the western team, which finished the week with a 3-1 record.

The AMCC was well represented on deGrandpre’s 2010 roster. Newly hired Penn State Behrend assistant coach, Corey McAdam laced-up along with University of Pitt-Bradford junior Sam Moore. Pitt-Bradford junior Zach Moore and Hilbert’s Chris Parrott served as alternates during the five-day event.

Now in its 32nd year, the Empire State Games is one of the longest tenured amateur sporting events in the United States. Through the years, many Games' alumni have moved on to national, international and Olympic competition. They include world champions, Olympic gold medalists, college and high school All-Americans, professional athletes in the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL - as well as figure skaters, skiers, and soccer players.

UPG ANNOUNCES RICH GOCKEL AS COACH OF WOMEN'S BOWLING TEAM
7/29/10

The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg is pleased to announce Rich Gockel as its first ever women’s bowling coach. The women’s bowling team is one of two new sports programs (the other is women's tennis) added to the Pitt-Greensburg athletic department for the 2010-2011 school year.  Gockel, a lifetime 200 average bowler, brings 20 years of bowling coaching experience to Pitt-Greensburg. He has spent the last 11 years as the assistant head coach at Greensburg Central Catholic High School and also spent nine years coaching the Hillview Lanes Junior Program located in Greensburg, PA.

ERIN EATON NAMED WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH AT UPG
7/8/10

The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg has named Erin Eaton as the new Women’s Basketball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director. Eaton becomes only the third women’s basketball head coach in the program's history.  Eaton spent the last two seasons as the assistant women’s basketball coach at Pitt-Johnstown. In her first year, the Lady Cats finished with an 18-12 overall record, an eight-game improvement from the previous season and advanced to the WVIAC Tournament Semifinals. She also served as Pitt-Johnstown’s women’s cross country coach and women’s golf coach.

Prior to her two year tenure at Pitt-Johnstown, Eaton spent three years as an assistant at Bethany College (WV) where she was responsible for recruiting, strength and conditioning and guard development.  A 2005 graduate of Elmira College (NY), Eaton was a three-year starter for the Soaring Eagles at point guard, where she currently stands third all-time in career assists and fifth all-time in career three-point field goals made.