DeBaldo joins Onderko’s staff

When Joe Onderko, Presidents’ Athletic Conference executive director, puts his stamp of approval on any important document, you can be sure that it’s in the best interest of all parties involved.

And so it was with the naming of Onderko’s new assistant, Jeff DeBaldo, who will serve a 10-month internship beginning July 15 in the conference office in Wexford, Pa.

He will assist Onderko in all aspects of conference operations.

Said Onderko, “I am very excited to have Jeff on the conference staff for the upcoming academic year. He brings a wealth of communication experience to the position and has a very strong working knowledge of the conference and its members. Jeff will be an integral part of our efforts to strengthen the PAC in 2007-08.”

Onderko, who previously served as sports information director at Westminster College, said his new assistant is a native of Gibsonia, Pa., and is a graduate of Hampton High School.

DeBaldo is a 2007 graduate of Waynesburg College, majoring in Communication with an emphasis in Sports Broadcasting⁄Information.

He worked for over two years as a student assistant in Waynesburg’s sports information office where he was actively involved in publication production, statistical compilation, and the writing and editing of athletic press releases. During that time, DeBaldo received a “Best in the Nation” award from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) for his work on the Waynesburg football program cover.

In addition to his work in the Waynesburg SID office, DeBaldo served as assistant sports editor and as a staff writer of the Waynesburg Yellow Jacket student newspaper for two years. He also worked for over two years as a freelance sports writer covering high school and college athletics for the (Uniontown, Pa.) Herald-Standard and served as a Media Relations intern at the University of Pittsburgh during the summer of 2005.

Coaches lauded

Ex-Greenville High football coach Bob Stone and former Farrell mentor Lou Falconi piled up plenty of honors when they were leading their teams.

Recently the two added another accolade when they were named recipients of the West-Penn Football Coaches Association’s Distinguished Coach Award.

Both coaches deserve the award after making their marks in Mercer County football history.

During his 29 years at Greenville, Stone guided his Trojans to a record of 222-75-6 while competing mostly in the rugged Northwest Conference. He remains on the staff of new Trojans coach, Brian Herrick, after resigning following the 2006 season.

Falconi, who also stepped down following the 2006 season, chalked up 210 wins which included back-to-back PIAA state championships. Falconi, too, is expected to join forces with another area team.

The West-Penn All-Star game was held recently at Wilmington.

Stanley takes over

New Castle High has always been a basketball powerhouse under coaches like Connie Palumbo and Donnie Ross.

John Sarandrea was the latest Red Hurricane coach to show a remarkable record, 304-110 over 15 seasons. However, he resigned his post to take the superintendent’s position at Sharon.

The New Castle school board went to work and found Mark Stanley as its new coach. Stanley, 41, a former Union High standout who was a tremendous shooter and strong rebounder, coached the Scotties for the past seven seasons, going 83-101.

Stanley was given a two-year contract. In 2002-03 Union won the WPIAL title and played in the PIAA state Class A championship game after upsetting Kennedy Catholic.