Tuesday, May 27, 2003
The Eagles are planning to join the OHSAA while exploring area leagues.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown Christian athletic director Greg Finnegan has a slogan: "Christians play tough."
He also has a vision of the athletic program's continued growth in the Mahoning Valley.
"We like the intensity we've put into the sports program," said Finnegan, 54, a New Jersey native.
"Academics are complemented by athletics," Finnegan said. "An athlete learns how to budget his or her time and make choices with things that will help them later in life."
Challenge
Finnegan has shouldered the responsibility of strengthening the athletic program and raising it to a respected level in the area.
"We want to be able to compete with the public and parochial schools, not just academically, but athletically," Finnegan said.
A $2 million fund-raising project to build a new school and gymnasium has been progressing, with hopes of ground being broken this summer, Finnegan said.
In addition, the Eagles are in a probationary period to join the Ohio High School Athletic Association next year.
Finnegan also has considered joining an area league; he's contacted the City Series and Inter-County League, "trying to see where we feel right," he said.
"We'd be getting into a tougher level of competition [in the OHSAA]. We realize that," Finnegan said. "But we want to better the program, and you get better by playing tougher teams."
ACSI competition
Youngstown Christian has proven it can compete with teams in the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
The baseball team won the state title last season and came one victory short of defending its crown this season. The Eagles (13-5) lost 2-0 to Columbus Evangel in the state championship game Monday in Canton.
"These kids really had the heart to make sure baseball was a sport," said Finnegan, also the baseball coach, of the two-year run to state. "Prior to that time, Youngstown Christian was a basketball school."
Six seniors -- shortstop Eric Bader, third baseman Themi Tsarnas, left-fielder Chris Suszczynski, center-fielder Mike Vitullo, second baseman Peter Margiotta and pitcher Justin Sargent -- finished their careers with a 38-16-1 record.
Sargent and Mike Byrdy combined for a 7-4 record on the mound this season, while Suszczynski batted in the .400s to lead the Eagles, who just completed the program's sixth season.
Finnegan was assisted by Mike Bader and Jim Byrdy.
Youngstown Christian is located on Southern Boulevard and has 85 students in its high school grades.
richesson@vindy.com