Onderko leaves Titans to become PAC director

There have been a number of really "Good Joes" at Westminster College.
There has been Joe Fusco, "Pastor Joe" Hopkins, the late Dr. William Joseph McTaggart and Joe Onderko, to mention just a few.
I have always considered Onderko a good friend. Anytime I wanted something for a Westminster sports release, Joe was the man of the hour. He never hesitated and was always there when I needed him most.
Joe has been sports information director at Westminster for a number of years now. That will all come to pass, however, in the next several months when Joe becomes the executive director of the Presidents' Athletic Conference. He was named to his new position recently and he will assume his new duties on July 1 at the PAC's Wexford office. He will continue to work at Westminster College until June 30.
First full-time director
He becomes the first full-time director in the PAC's 50-year history and he will be responsible for all conference administration and public relations duties.
Since 1995, Joe, 35, has been SID at Westminster. He is very familiar with the functioning of the PAC as he has helped control the media work of the conference for years. In fact, he is also in his fifth year serving as PAC information director on a part-time basis. He is highly qualified for his new position and we would say he's definitely the man for the job.
At Westminster, Joe's tasks were tedious. He was also editor of the athletic guides sent out each season to members of the media. His publication, down through the years, has received numerous awards for layout and material.
His new position as executive director of the PAC will be another tedious task, but he can certainly handle it. The PAC is comprised of seven schools -- Thomas More, Thiel, Grove City, Bethany, Washington & amp; Jefferson, Waynesburg and Westminster. Geneva and St. Vincent will become PAC members in the future.
The mission of the league is to promote intercollegiate athletics and the pursuit of academic excellence. Joe Onderko is a strong believer in both phases.
He graduated from Robert Morris University with a bachelor's degree in communication management while earning his masters degree in education from Westminster in 2000. He and his wife, Pam, live in New Wilmington Twp. with their daughters Erin (4) and Lauren (1).
"Doc" McTaggart dies
Sympathies are extended to the family, friends and colleagues of Dr. William Joseph McTaggart, who passed away Jan. 7 at the age of 64.
An English professor at Westminster College, "Doc" was perhaps better known as the public address announcer for Titan football and basketball contests, a capacity in which he served for many years. His friendliness and keen sense of humor made him a big hit with the college, students and colleagues.
He often times used his humor while making public address announcements. He was, in just a few short words. a jovial man with a brilliant mind. He had a lot to give but his time was cut entirely too short.
"Doc" joined the English Department at Westminster in 1975 after graduating from Clairton High in 1958. He then attended West Virginia Wesleyan where he earned a bachelor of arts degree with a major in history. He earned a master of arts degree in 1967 and his doctor of philosophy degree in 1968 from Ohio University.
For his efforts, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Oxford University in England.
Wombacker wins 500th
Carl Wombacker of Hickory High was already the winningest wrestling coach in Mercer County history. But he recently added another gem to his collection when he piloted the Hornets to the school's 500th victory.
The win came in the opening match of the Sharpsville Duals Tournament held recently when the Hornets defeated West Middlesex, 51-21. The Hornets went 4-1 in the event, losing to Fairview, 40-36, in the final.
Wombacker, who is closing in on 300 victories as coach of the Hornets, was quick to point out that his predecessors, George Lewis, Ron Wright and Ralph Davis, had also contributed to the 500-win total. He pointed out that these coaches, his assistant coaches and the kids themselves are the ones who made 500 wins possible.