Nike Clinic will again bring top college coaches to the Lehigh Valley

Seven Division I college coaches headed here for Nike Coach of the Year Clinic

Clemson's Dabo Sweeney, Missouri's Gary Pinkel and Miami's Al Golden among those coming to Fogelsville for clinic.

Jim Tressel, Pete Carroll, Urban Meyer and last year both Nick Saban and Bill O'Brien made appearances at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center in Fogelsville.

But as the event is held for the 10th time Feb. 28 March 2, Tkach, the director of the three day clinic, said a new record has been set for Division I head coaches coming to town.

"We have seven Division I A coaches coming; we've never had that many in one year before," said Tkach, the former Northern Lehigh head coach and Liberty assistant. "We're excited about the list of guys who are expected to be here."

The impressive list features Clemson's Dabo Sweeney, Miami's Al Golden, Missouri's Gary Pinkel, West Virginia's Dana H Nike LunarGlide 4 olgorsen, Minnesota's Jerry Kill, Wake Forest's Jim Grobe and newly named Temple coach Matt Ruhle.

Of course, the impressive lineup of speakers is not limited to head coaches. on Thursday, Feb. 28.

IUP's Paul Tortorella, the national assistant coach of the year, will have a session as will Mike Yurcich of Shippensburg, and Dan Hunt of Colgate. The Lehigh Valley's FCS level programs will be represented by Lafayette College defensive coordinator John Loose and Lehigh receivers coach Jason Miran.

Several of Pennsylvania's top high school coaches will also speak.

One of the top attractions is on Friday night, March 1, when the John C. Whitehead Coach of the Year awards are presented and Easton's Steve Shiffert will receive the Lehigh Valley Football Ambassador of the Year Award.

The clinic is designed for coaches at all levels to attend, and a special package has been put together for District 11 high school coaches and area youth coaches. They can bring a staff of 10 guys for $500 and that includes access to all of the sessions and various buffets.

While the sessions are designed for coaches, fans can also attend as long as they register and pay.

"It's hard to believe, but we're doing this for 10 years now and I just think for the amount of money involved less than a ticket to a major concert it's a great bargain for our Lehigh Valley area coaches to have access to these guys and their knowledge," Tkach said. "We keep the costs down because of the great local sponsorship we receive.

"Some youth coaches may think this is above them, but it's not. These are the best teachers in the world and they really come and break it down for you and show you nuances that can work at any level. They give you stuff you need to know to teach kids. And they will explain it and answer questions. They're very accessible."

And connections are often made that lead to other opportunities.

Tkach tells the story of how Penn State's O'Brien and Alabama's Saban bonded at last year's clinic and it resulted in O'Brien and PSU staffers actually visiting the Crimson Tide to learn about more how Saban does things at a top level.

ZEPHYRS HALL OF FAME

Four new members were recently inducted into the Whitehall Coplay Athletic Hall of Fame.

Those inducted included:

Michelle (Geiger) Brown A member of the class of 1995, Brown made her mark as a basketball and softball player. She was a four time East Penn Conference all star in both basketball and softball. She scored 1,341 points in basketball and went on to an outstanding career at East Stroudsburg where she finished with 961 points and was a first team all PSAC East selection in 1998.

John Kulhamer A member of the class of 1972, Kulhamer had a distinguished golfing career. While at Whitehall, he won the 1971 Lehigh Valley League title with a 72 at Glenbrooke Country Club. As a PGA pro, Kulhamer has attended three Q schools, played on the Florida mini tour and won the Shawnee Open. He was also a two time winner of the AB Thorne Tournament in Lancaster. The Lehigh Valley Golf Hall of Fame member was honored as the 2002 Regional Club Fitter of the Year and in 2003 he was honored by Golf Digest as one of top teachers in the state.

Scott Saylor A member of the class of 1982, Saylor made his mark as an offensive lineman in football and as a shot putter in track. In football he was an all state player in 1981, and recognized as a Big 33 player and a Parade Magazine All American. In track, he set several records including a school mark in the shot put that still stands today. He went on to a collegiate football career at West Virginia and played in four bowl games, winning two. He later signed a free agent contract with the Jets.

Al Weiner A member of the class of 1975, Weiner was a nike n outstanding runner in both cross country and track and field. He was a member of two league championship cross country teams and the 1973 Lehigh Valley League track champs. In 1973, Weiner was undefeated in 13 dual meets and set six course records in becoming Whitehall's first District 11 cross country champ. He went on to become an all PSAC performer at Kutztown, and has been a successful collegiate coach at DeSales where he has been named coach of the year four times and coached six All Americans.

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