PAC's recent expansion adds to Onderko's duties

The executive director does a little bit of everthing for the conference.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN -- What's the difference between serving as executive director and being commissioner of his conference? Joe Onderko had a simple, yet matter-of-fact answer.
"With all administrative and public relations duties assigned to me, I guess you might just say that I do a little bit of everything. Thus, the executive director title as opposed to commissioner label for now," he said.
Hired in July 2006 as its first full-time executive director, Onderko is no stranger to the Presidents' Athletic Conference.
Formerly the sports information director at Westminster College from 1995-2006, Onderko served as PAC information director on a part-time basis from 2001-06.
So when the PAC needed an executive director Onderko was the natural choice to fill the position.
The PAC is made up of Bethany, Grove City, St. Vincent, Thiel, Thomas More, Washington & amp; Jefferson, Waynesburg and Westminster.
Changing league
"In the late 1960s and early 1970s, we had 10 teams and plenty of rivalries in all sports," said Onderko. "Over the years, however, we lost five teams to other conferences so the process of adding to our membership has taken some time."
With only five schools, the PAC champions didn't receive automatic NCAA tournament berths.
The addition of Westminster in 2000 and Thomas More in 2005 was the kick-start needed for expansion. St. Vincent was added prior to this school year and Geneva will begin in all competition next year.
"You need seven conference members in order for an automatic bid to be extended to your champions. That has now been realized and beginning with the 2007-08 academic year, all of our sports will receive an automatic bid at tournament time," Onderko said.
"We offer 19 total sports -- 10 for the men and nine for the women. When Chatham College of Pittsburgh begins play on the women's side next year, then both women's and men's teams will compete in 10 total sports."
While the PAC does not give scholarships to its student-athletes, it is the presidents of the member institutions that serve as the driving force for the conference; thus, its name.
Hoping for rivalries
"As an athletic historian, I look at the rivalries of the old West Penn Conference and with our conference growing now to 10 teams, we're trying to re-create the excitement of those old rivalries. It will be great to see those natural rivalries take shape once again," said Onderko.
With the NCAA possibly adding either a Division IV or Division III sub-division down then road, Onderko is pleased to be included in those discussions along with his peers and the NCAA.
"While I am nearing my first complete year, I am excited and looking forward to being a part of the league's expansion and growth," Onderko said. "I am also happy to be a part of the discussions with the NCAA and the future of Division III as well."
Next week, the three state wrestling champions -- Tony Jameson of Austintown Fitch, Justin Powell of Boardman and Nathan Sharp of West Branch, along with their coaches, will be the guest speakers.