Dailey golf event big success

Last week's Bill Dailey Memorial Golf Outing may have been one of the most well-received events since the Penguin Club started the event nearly 20 years ago.
About 140 golfers showed up for a perfect day of golf and camaraderie with the Penguins at Oak Tree Country Club in West Middlesex, Pa. Some foursomes had to play in the morning to accommodate the larger-than-normal turnout.
All 13 of the YSU head coaches were in attendance and participated in some way. Numerous assistant coaches and department staff chipped in as designated putters and long-drive specialists. Student-athletes from the men's and women's golf programs also participated.
The foursome of Reid Schmutz, Tom Cavalier, Paul Williams and Bill Bresnahan won the event with an impressive 59 in the best-ball scramble format. Hole winners included Bill Kish (closest to the pin on No. 3), Steve Shelton (closest to the pin on No. 7), Dr. Jim Shina (longest drive on No. 10), Bob Frederick Jr. (closest to the pin on No. 14) and Jay Jones (longest putt on No. 18).
A fine careerfor Ed Strauss
The end of this month will mark the finale of another distinguished career for Ed Strauss.
Strauss, a Youngstown native, is retiring from YSU's athletic department after spending the past 21 years working behind the scenes for the Penguins.
In 1985, he was hired as the school's softball coach. A year later, he became the video coordinator for football and basketball.
Now Strauss, 79, is stepping aside for good.
He has been a dedicated employee working with numerous coaches and staff during his tenure. He has videotaped more than 230 Penguin football games and plenty of men's and women's basketball games. His efficiency in handling requests has always been appreciated by the staff.
An inductee in the Shepherd College Athletics Hall of Fame, he coached the Penguin softball team from 1985 through 1995 -- more than 400 games. He holds the school's all-time softball record for coaching victories. Since 1996 he has concentrated solely on his video efforts.
This is the second retirement for Strauss, who spent 23 years as a teacher and coach at Boardman High School.
Getting readyfor football season
The football team began summer workouts last Monday under the watchful eye of strength and conditioning coach Todd Burkey.
The Penguins are working out in two groups -- 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. -- for two hours Monday through Friday. Nearly 95 percent of the group that was around for spring football was present last week when workouts began.
For the second straight season, a countdown-clock sits above the door to the weight room signifying the time until the season opener on Aug. 31 against Slippery Rock. It's the first -- and last -- thing the players see. A Gateway countdown clock is in the team's locker room.
YSU fans can mark Aug. 10 on their calendars for the annual media/photo day at Stambaugh Stadium. The Gateway media day in St. Louis, Mo., is July 25.
Summer newsand notes
This summer will be a busy one for the Penguins' staff.
Assistant men's basketball coaches Brian DePaoli and Michael Wernicki, as well as football assistant coach Casey Vogt and sports information director Trevor Parks have been working diligently with their fiancees on planning weddings. Vogt and Parks are the first to take the plunge in July.
Assistant men's basketball coach Bryon Thorne and his wife, Lisa, had a baby boy in early May, while football assistant Jerry Olsavsky and his wife, Rayme, ended the month by celebrating the birth of their third child.
Baseball coach Mike Florak's 2002 recruiting class will be one remembered for a long time. The class produced two Major League Baseball draft picks, more than 100 victories and three first-team All-Horizon League selections. Those players also helped YSU win a league title and a berth in the NCAA regionals two years ago.
Pete Mollica is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write him at mollica@vindy.com.