BEAVER TOWNSHIP – Over the past two years, the Youngstown State athletic department earned its first ever Horizon League McCafferty Award, finishing runners-up this past year.

To Penguins’ executive director of athletics, Ron Strollo, it is a sign that his department’s 21 men’s and women’s athletics teams are making their presence felt in the conference and beyond.

“We had another successful year, at least as far as the McCafferty trophy goes, so it was a great year across the board for all of our sports,” Strollo told the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s luncheon meeting at Avion Banquet Center. “Sports that do not compete in the Horizon League also had excellent seasons. Our bowling team is a member of the highly competitive Southland Bowling League, which is like the SEC of bowling. They finished seventh in the country and received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, while our lacrosse team won the Mid-American Conference championship in just their second year of existence.”

YSU won the most league championships, six – champion Oakland University won five while Wright State University, which finished seventh, won three – in last year’s McCafferty Award standings while last spring their classroom success continued to break previous school academic marks.

“The year was highlighted this past spring by our academic success where all teams continue to excel in the classroom, earning a 3.50 accumulative grade point average,” Strollo added. “That is most impressive for our nearly 550 overall student-athletes, which numbers-wise is second in the state to just The Ohio State University and includes all 21 men’s and women’s varsity sports. I cannot tell you how proud I am of our kids, their coaches and the entire support staff, from advisors to athletic trainers to strength and conditioning coaches to equipment staff, all of whom share in their successes.”

Strollo said all six of the Penguins’ fall teams have made great strides competitively.

“Women’s soccer and volleyball continue to improve, while I fully expect head coach Brian Gorby’s cross country teams to be at the top once again in the league,” Strollo stated. “Cross country just won a race at Notre Dame this past weekend, and we are excited about our football team returning home. The way our schedule fell with Kentucky and North Dakota State back-to-back, we knew it would be a rough part, but now we have four home games, three on the road and must put ourselves in a position to make the playoffs.

“We need to win our fair share of those games, and I am guessing that we need to win at least five of those seven contests. If we can win all four at home and one of those three on the road then we have a chance. I think head coach Doug Phillips has done an excellent job of changing our talent level, especially up front, and we are starting to see that. We are excited about the progress we are making, it is never quick enough but you can definitely see it when you are watching every day.”

Strollo said the buzz about basketball is at fever pitch.

“At this time of year, the excitement surrounding both hoops programs is the highest it has ever been,” he said. “Our women’s basketball team shared the league crown last year with just one senior, Chelsea Olson. She is a big loss, but coach [John] Barnes has plugged in some transfers to fill any holes created, and there is no reason we should not be competing for another league title again this year.

“Coach [Jared] Calhoun has also done an excellent job with our men’s program. I think we might start five seniors so with that experience and some key transfers, we should do well. ESPN basketball guru, Joe Lunardi, has us in the mix for a conference championship and tournament berth so that gives you a sense of what the basketball world thinks of us heading into the season.

“Our men’s and women’s swimming programs have made great strides under head coach Brad Smith, coach Gorby’s indoor track season will be here before you know it while head coach Doug Kuberski’s bowling season is set to roll next week (Oct. 14-16) when they host their MOTIV Penguin Classic at Holiday Bowl in Struthers.”

Strollo closed by noting two projects currently under construction are set for completion in the spring.

“The DiBacco family classroom is a 150 seat, theater-style area located in Stambaugh Stadium while the Korandovich family training facility in Beeghly Center will help ease the training load and help accommodate our additional student-athletes,” Strollo stated. “We just installed our national championship trophies in Stambaugh as we showcase that area for the traffic expected and both projects are welcome additions.”

Next Monday, Aline Scott, YSU head volleyball coach, will serve as guest speaker.