September 19, 2006
KU NAMES ALEX OGEKA
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC ADVANCEMENT
KUTZTOWN, PA – Kutztown University has named Alex Ogeka as its
director of athletic advancement.
Ogeka,
who began his appointment on Monday (Sept. 18), replaces Matt
Santos, who left his role in athletic advancement to become the
school’s assistant director of university relations earlier this
year. Ogeka will oversee all aspects of development and promotions
for Kutztown’s 21-sport NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics
department.
“In the
short time that I have been here, it is clear to me that the common
goal at Kutztown is to provide the best possible college experience,
both on and off the court or field, for our student-athletes,” Ogeka
said. “I believe that speaks a lot about the athletic department
and the institution as a whole. I am looking forward to working
with the very dedicated and hard-working advancement and athletics
staffs here at KU.”
Ogeka
comes to Kutztown from Mansfield University, where he was the
director of development for athletics since October 2004. While at
MU, Ogeka’s duties included cultivation of corporate and private
donors, management of special events and alumni events, and
implementation of marketing and promotions for Mansfield’s athletic
department. Ogeka established Mansfield’s Friends Clubs and managed
the development of the Mansfield University Football Legacy Club.
Prior
to Mansfield, Ogeka served as director of marketing and ticket
operations at the University of Hartford from 2002-04. There, he
managed the marketing, promotional and community outreach efforts
for all 18 Division I men’s and women’s athletics programs. Ogeka
also served as a marketing and promotions associate for the Erie
Otters Hockey Club from 1998-2002.
Ogeka
is graduate of Mercyhurst College, where he earned a bachelor’s
degree in sport marketing.
September 12, 2006
TWO GOLDEN BEARS
EARN PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
KUTZTOWN, PA – Two
Kutztown University Golden Bear athletes have received Player of the
Week awards from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
Stephanie Williams (jr. Harrisburg/Riverside HS), of the women’s
cross country team, was named the PSAC Women’s Runner of the Week.
Dani Witherite (sr. PA Furnace/State College HS), of the
women’s volleyball team, was named the PSAC East Volleyball Player
of the Week.
At the
Maroon & Gold Invitational, Williams earned the top spot on
her home course, finishing in 24:24 over the 6K layout. Her win
spearheaded a team triumph for the Golden Bears, as Kutztown
outdistanced second-place Lock Haven by 23 points.
Williams and the Golden Bears will be in action next at the Spiked
Shoe Invitational at Penn State on Sept. 23.
Witherite was the key force in Kutztown's 5-0 week. She totaled
91 digs (5.1 dpg), 51 kills (3.00 kpg) and seven service aces during
the five-match span. Her top effort came in a five-set match
against New York Tech, as she registered 14 kills and 34
digs.
Kutztown is 9-0 heading into tonight’s (Tuesday) PSAC East opener
vs. Millersville. Witherite is averaging 2.75 kills and 4.5 digs in
24 games played this year. She has nine aces on the year, bringing
her career total to 126, three shy of KU’s career record.
KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY FIELD HOCKEY
TEAM RANKED #5
KUTZTOWN, PA –
The Kutztown
University women’s field hockey team is tied for fifth in the first
release of the STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA)
Division II National Coaches Poll.
KU is tied at 82 points with Bentley College. Bloomsburg is ranked
#1.
The STX/NFHCA Division II National Coaches Poll is voted upon by
NFHCA member coaches. The poll has no bearing on selection to the
2006 NCAA Division II Championship field.
The KU field hockey team got the season started with a loss, but
rattled off four consecutive wins including the last three at the
Joshua W. Wesner Memorial Tournament at Kutztown University. At
4-1, the Golden Bears host Slippery Rock on Wednesday, September 13.
Here is complete listing of the poll:
Institution Points
(first place votes in parentheses)
1. Bloomsburg University (4-0) 166 (15)
2. Shippensburg University (3-0) 146 (1)
3. University of Massachusetts Lowell (3-0) 134 (1)
4. Stonehill College (3-0) 83
t-5. Bentley College (3-1) 82
t-5. Kutztown University (4-1) 82
7. Indiana University of PA (1-2) 72
8. East Stroudsburg University (2-0) 63
9. Saint Michael’s College (2-2) 35
10. Mansfield University (1-3) 17
September 11, 2006
KU’s BRIAN BINGNEAR
NAMED PSAC EAST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
KUTZTOWN, PA – Kutztown University’s Brian Bingnear (jr. Boothwyn/Chichester),
of the football team, has been named the Pennsylvania State Athletic
Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division Player of the Week.
Bingnear, a safety,
recorded eight tackles, two interceptions and broke
up two more passes in Kutztown’s 27-10 win over Clarion on
Saturday. His second interception came deep in Kutztown territory,
helping preserve the lead midway through the fourth quarter. The
interceptions were the first two of Bingnear’s career.
Bingnear is in his second season as a
starting safety for the Golden Bears. He has 74 tackles and five
breakups over his first 2+ seasons.
Kutztown, 1-0, will travel to
Shippensburg this Saturday for another PSAC crossover contest.
MONICA ANNOUNCES 2006 KU
FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF
KUTZTOWN, PA –
First year head
football coach Raymond Monica, has announced his coaching
staff for the 2006 season.
Returning coaches are Jody Cwik,
Greg Kosciolek and Steve Moyer. Cwik starts his
second season coaching the offensive tackles and tight ends.
Kosciolek is in his third season, focusing on the offensive line.
Moyer is in this eighth season with the Golden Bears, second
concentrating on the wide receivers.
Several
newcomers join the coaching staff. Jeff
Chillot
will be the offensive coordinator and is responsible for the
quarterbacks. Mike Silecchia joins as the defensive
coordinator and linebackers coach. Michael Baldwin will coach the running backs.
Jarrad Brennan will coach the defensive line. David Hand
will coach the defensive backs. Tim Tobin will coach the
defensive tackles.
“I’m very pleased with the group of
coaches we’ve assembled,” Monica said. “They bring a wealth of
experience from a variety of places. This staff will help us
accomplish our goals for improving the Kutztown University football
program.”
Chillot
came to KU from Albright College, where he coached for 13 seasons.
He was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from
1999-2005, during which time his offenses led the conference and
ranked nationally in several statistical categories. He is a 1988
graduate of Shippensburg University, where he played defensive back
for two seasons. He was an all-league defensive back at Pottstown
St. Pius X High School from 1981-83.
Silecchia
brings over 25 years of collegiate coaching experience with him.
Silecchia came to Kutztown from Frostburg (MD) State, where he
served for three years as the offensive coordinator/offensive line
coach. Previously, Silecchia served as head coach at Lebanon
Valley College (LVC) for six seasons. He coached 31 All-Middle
Atlantic Conference (MAC) selections and LVC’s initial first-team
All-America selection in program history. Silecchia began his
collegiate coaching career at Mansfield University, where he served
as an assistant from 1978-1982. He then moved to the high school
ranks as head coach at Athens (1982) and North Penn (1983-1985)
before returning to Mansfield as the defensive coordinator and
recruiting coordinator from 1985 to 1995. Silecchia graduated from
Mansfield in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in general studies and
also earned his master’s degree in special education from Mansfield
in 1984.
Baldwin
joins the coaching staff after completing a stellar playing career
for the Golden Bears last fall. A three-year co-captain and
four-year starting safety, Baldwin was the 2005 Pennsylvania State
Athletic Conference (PSAC) Defensive Player of the year. He was
named to the All-PSAC East team in 2004 and 2005. Also, Baldwin was
named to the Associated Press Little All-America and ESPN the
Magazine Academic All-America second teams. He was a first team
Daktronics All-Northeast Region pick in 2005. Additionally, Baldwin
was named the 2005-06 KU Male Senior Athlete and Senior
Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Baldwin graduated in December 2005
with a degree in criminal justice.
Brennan
comes to Kutztown from Temple University, where he has spent the
past six seasons assisting the football program. Brennan started at
temple as a student manager in 2000, before becoming an
administrative assistant, while also assisting with offensive
tackles and tight ends, from 2001-05. Prior to Temple, Brennan
spent the 1999 season as offensive line coach at his alma mater,
Nativity BVM, in Pottsville. Brennan is a 1995 graduate of
Nativity.
Hand
comes to Kutztown from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, where he
served as the football team’s strength and conditioning coach since
1998. During his time at St. Joseph’s, Hand served as recruiter and
defensive coordinator. Hand has taught elementary school in the
Philadelphia School District since 2004. He is a 2001 graduate of
LaSalle University with a degree in social science.
Tobin
comes to Kutztown from South Florida Home Schooling Athletics, which
he co-founded and served as athletics director. He brings a vast
amount of experience coaching ranging from the N. F. L. Pro Bowl
High School in Honolulu, HI, where he did technique development; to
McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, AL, where he was the
defensive linemen and special teams coordinator; and Westminster
Christian School in Miami, FL, where he was assistant coach and
offensive coordinator. He is a 1988 graduate of Arizona State
University with a degree in Physical Education.
KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES ITS 2006-07 ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
KUTZTOWN,
PA –
Kutztown University announced its 2006-07 endowed scholarship
recipients.
Larry Baumgardner
(jr.
New Oxford/New Oxford),
of the football team, has been awarded the Joseph and Carol Patton
Scholarship. Baumgardner is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete. The Joseph and
Carol Patton Scholarship was established in 1999 by Carolyn Patton
in memory of her husband, long time KU football coach, and their
daughter. The recipient must be at least a sophomore who has
demonstrated the ability to make a significant impact on the
football field and has shown a commitment to academics.
Laura Belfatti (sr.
Hatfield/Lansdale Catholic),
of the field hockey team, is a recipient of the George Kruse
Memorial Scholarship. Belfatti was named to the first-team All-PSAC
last season and is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete. The George Kruse
Memorial Scholarships were established in 1993 by his wife and
brother to honor George after his tragic death while driving home
from his wife’s Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. George, a 1977
graduate of KU, was the national leader in assists in lacrosse as a
sophomore, junior and senior, which was indicative of his unselfish
love for sport.
David Ben (so.
Coatesville/Coatesville),
of the men’s basketball team, has been awarded the Director of Equal
Opportunity in Sports Scholarship. Ben was named the PSAC East
Rookie of the Year last season. The Director of Equal Opportunity
In Sports Scholarships were established in 1997 to recognize the
contributions of KU student-athletes who have demonstrated their
commitment to community service, academic excellence and an
unselfish love of sport.
Sarah Brandon (sr.
Gibsonia/Pine-Richland),
of the volleyball team, is the recipient of the Stern/Mathias Tau
Kappa Scholarship. Brandon was named the PSAC Player of the Year,
along with All-PSAC first team, PSAC Scholar-Athlete and a number of
other honors. The Tau Kappa Scholarship was established by the
members of Tau Kappa to provide a permanent source of funding for
outstanding female athletes. The scholarship is named in honor of
the late physical education professors and KU Athletic Hall of
Famers Minerva Stern and Ruth Mathias.
Chris Chambers (so.
Holland/Council Rock South),
of the wrestling team, is the recipient of the Lloyd A. Moll/Jim
McGovern Scholarship. Chambers finished second at the NCAA Division
II East Regional and received a bid to nationals. The Lloyd A.
Moll/Jim McGovern Scholarship was established by the late Ed Osinski
’42 and his wife Fran. Ed Osinski was a KU Hall of Famer,
all-century athlete and former wrestling and football standout. The
scholarship was named in honor of the late Lloyd A Moll, wrestling
coach and dean of men, and the late Hall of Famer Jim McGovern,
athletics director, football, men’s basketball and baseball coach.
Dan Chominski (sr.
Boothwyn/Chichester),
of the football team, is the Holmes-Burger King Scholarship
recipient. The Holmes-Burger King Scholarship was established in
1996 in the name of KU’s starting quarterback and scholar athlete
Rob Holmes by the Burger King Corporation to honor America’s finest
scholar athletes.
Tom Cressman (jr.
Sellersville/Pennridge),
of the football team, is the recipient of the Lloyd A. Moll/Jim
McGovern Scholarship. Cressman is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete. The
Lloyd A. Moll/Jim McGovern Scholarship was established by the late
Ed Osinski ’42 and his wife Fran. Ed Osinski was a KU Hall of Famer,
all-century athlete and former wrestling and football standout. The
scholarship was named in honor of the late Lloyd A Moll, wrestling
coach and dean of men, and the late Hall of Famer Jim McGovern,
athletics director, football, men’s basketball and baseball coach.
Terrance Davis (sr.
Philadelphia/Scotland School),
of the men’s basketball team, is the recipient of the Sam Smith
Scholarship. The Sam Smith Scholarship was set up in 1997 by Mr.
Smith to assist a promising young basketball player continue their
college education. The late Mr. Smith was a KU graduate and a lifelong
Kutztown resident and campus neighbor. He was president of the
KU Foundation and was active in alumni and campus activities.
Stephan Dennis (fr.
West Chester/Henderson),
of the men’s basketball team, has been awarded the John W. Polischak
Family Scholarship. The John W. Polischak Family Scholarship was
established in 2001 in the memory of the 1939 graduate, three sport
varsity athlete and Hall of Famer John Polischak.
Matt Dierolf (jr.
Boyertown/Boyertown),
of the baseball team, is the Walter Risley Memorial Scholarship
recipient. Dierolf is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete. The Walter Risley
Memorial Scholarship was set up by Mr. Risley’s wife, Ethyl, and her
family, to honor the memory of her husband, a former coach and
athletic director at KU who coached the University’s first
Conference Championship baseball team in 1966.
Sam Flowers (jr.
Harleysville/Souderton),
of the field hockey and softball teams, has been awarded the
Director of Equal Opportunity in Sports Scholarship. The Director
of Equal Opportunity In Sports Scholarships were established in 1997
to recognize the contributions of KU student-athletes who have
demonstrated their commitment to community service, academic
excellence and an unselfish love of sport.
Kevin Hafera (jr.
Brogue/Red Lion),
of the men’s basketball team, has been awarded the Roger Cocivera
scholarship. The Roger Cocivera Scholarship was established in 2001
by Hall of Fame basketball player Roger Cocivera from the KU class
of 1956. The scholarship supports a men’s basketball player who has
shown a commitment to academics.
Katie Harlor (jr.
Danville/Danville),
of the women’s basketball team, has been awarded the Dr. Carl J.
Daeufer Scholarship. Harlor is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete. The Dr.
Carl J. Daeufer Scholarship was established in 1999 to recognize
outstanding scholastic achievement by an upper-class student from
Pennsylvania, majoring in education and who is a member of the men’s
or women’s basketball team.
Tony Hegedus (sr.
Coopersburg/Southern Lehigh),
of the track and field team, is the recipient of the Kenneth Meyer
Track and Field/Cross Country Scholarship. Hegedus is a PSAC
Scholar-Athlete. The Kenneth Meyer Track and Field/Cross Country
Scholarship was established by his wife, Dorothy, family and friends
to honor one of KU's most revered coaches and professors. Ken was
the coach of KU's first conference championship track and field team
in 1983.
Erica Kabbeko (jr.
Birdsboro/Twin Valley),
of the cross country and track and field teams, is the recipient of
the Marguerite Marsch Shinsky women’s cross country direct
scholarship. Kabbeko is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete. The Marguerite
Marsch Shinsky women’s cross country direct scholarship was
established by Michelle (Shinsky) Mason, ’73, in memory of her
mother, Marguerite Marsch Shinsky, to provide the women’s cross
country program with an additional source of scholarship income.
Kevin Kalbach (sr.
Downingtown/Downingtown),
of the wrestling team, has been awarded the Hinkel Family
Scholarship and the George Kruse Memorial Scholarship. Kalbach
finished second at the NCAA Division II East Regional and received a
bid to nationals. The Hinkel Family Scholarship was established in
2001 by Daniel and Lois Hinkel to assist a wrestler who has been
accepted in the University's college of education. Dan Hinkel
served as a professor of secondary education at KU, and wrestling
coach from 1964-95. He still remains actively involved with the
program. The George Kruse Memorial Scholarships were established in
1993 by his wife and brother to honor George after his tragic death
while driving home from his wife’s Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.
George, a 1977 graduate of KU, was the national leader in assists in
lacrosse as a sophomore, junior and senior, which was indicative of
his unselfish love for sport.
Kim Kelty (jr.
Levittown/Neshaminy),
of the women’s soccer team, is this years receiver of the Denis Roth
Memorial Scholarship. Kelty was named to the All-PSAC East first
team last season. The Dennis Roth Memorial Scholarship was
established in 1992 to honor an outstanding student-athlete who has
demonstrated continuing improvement, both academically and
athletically. Mr. Roth was the KU Dean of Students, helped coach
several sports and was actively involved in every aspect of student
life.
Laura Kline (sr.
Reading/Reading),
of the track and field team, is a recipient of the George Kruse
Memorial Scholarship. Kline was the PSAC Indoor Champion in the
400-meter dash and an Academic All-America selection. The George
Kruse Memorial Scholarships were established in 1993 by his wife and
brother to honor George after his tragic death while driving home
from his wife’s Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. George, a 1977
graduate of KU, was the national leader in assists in lacrosse as a
sophomore, junior and senior, which was indicative of his unselfish
love for sport.
Ryan Loper (sr.
Boiling
Springs/Cumberland Valley),
of the baseball team, has been awarded the Dennis Roth Memorial
scholarship. The Dennis Roth Memorial scholarship was set up by Mr.
Roth in 1992 to honor an outstanding student-athlete who has
demonstrated continuing improvement, both academically and
athletically. Mr. Roth was the KU Dean of students, helped coach
several sports and was actively involved in every aspect of student
life.
Corey Porrino (sr.
Orwigsburg/Blue Mountain),
of the football team, is this years winner of the Rodney Hancock
Memorial Scholarship. The Rodney Hancock Memorial Scholarship was
established in 1998 by Rodney’s family and friends to honor the
memory of this remarkable young man and KU football player who died
tragically in the winter of 1997 in a car accident. It is Rodney’s
wonderful and redeeming character that this scholarship was
established to perpetuate.
Greg Sassaman (so.
Blairstown, NJ/North Warren),
of the men’s soccer team, has been awarded the Coach Lee Hill and
Alumni soccer players from 1970-1985 scholarship. Sassaman is a
PSAC Scholar-Athlete. The Coach Lee Hill and Alumni soccer players
from 1970-1985 scholarship was established by Lee L. Hill, former KU
faculty member and hall of fame head men’s soccer coach and alumni
soccer players from Coach Hill’s tenure, to provide the men’s soccer
program with a permanent source of scholarship income.
Scott Smith (jr.
New
Oxford/Delone Catholic),
of the football team, has been awarded the Stephens-Burger King
Scholarship. Smith is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete. The Stephens-Burger
King Scholarship was established in 1998 in the name of KU
linebacker and scholar-athlete Jason Stephens by the Burger King
Corporation to honor America’s finest scholar athletes.
Doofan Tor-Agbidye
(so.
Stewartsville, NJ/Phillipsburg),
of the track and field team, has been awarded the Director of Equal
Opportunity in Sports Scholarship. The Director of Equal
Opportunity In Sports Scholarships were established in 1997 to
recognize the contributions of KU student-athletes who have
demonstrated their commitment to community service, academic
excellence and an unselfish love of sport.
Mandi Turner (sr.
Sumneytown/Upper Perkiomen),
of the field hockey team, has been awarded the Joshua Wentworth
Wesner Scholarship for 2006-07. The Joshua Wentworth Wesner
Scholarship was established in 2001 by Josh's family and friends in
memory of a loving son and teammate who passed away in 2000 from
Hodgkin’s disease while still a student at KU. The scholarship is
to support an upperclassman field hockey player who has demonstrated
loyalty and a strong commitment to academics and to KU athletics in
general. His mother, Betty, is the head coach of field hockey at
Kutztown University.
Mercedes Van Wagner
(jr.
Mullica Hill, NJ/Clearview Regional),
of the women’s basketball team, is the recipient of the Jennie
Schwoyer/Sam Smith Scholarship.
The Jennie
Schwoyer/Sam Smith Scholarship was set up in 1998 by Mr. Smith to
assist a promising young basketball player continue their college
education. The scholarship bears the name of Sam’s aunt, a long
time coach in Fleetwood. The late Mr. Smith was a KU graduate and lifelong
Kutztown resident and campus neighbor. He was president of the KU
Foundation and was active in alumni and campus activities.
Additional
scholarship recipients will be named at a later date.
September 6, 2006
KU WOMEN’S CROSS
COUNTRY RANKED 13th IN DIVISION II
KUTZTOWN, PA – The
Kutztown University women’s cross country team is ranked 13th in the
season’s first U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches
Association (USTFCCCA) Division II cross country national rankings.
A panel
of Division II coaches votes in the USTFCCCA polls. KU is the
highest ranked team in the region. Other regional schools making
the list were Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) at 15th,
Edinboro at 22nd and 24th ranked Bloomsburg.
The
Golden Bears recently competed at the Lehigh Valley Championships at
Lehigh University and placed second out of three teams. They scored
34 points, nine points shy of Division I Lehigh’s winning total of
25. Stephanie Williams (jr. Harrisburg/Riverside) had a time
of 22:42 in the women’s 6k race, which placed her second overall and
led KU.
The
team’s next meet will be the Maroon and Gold Invitational on
Saturday, September 9 at Kutztown University’s North Campus Course.
.jpg){kind=logo}
.jpg){kind=logo}