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YSU’s most-veteran coach exudes joy
By Greg Gulas
BEAVER TOWNSHIP
When Tony Joy accepted Joe Malmisur’s offer to run Youngstown State University’s men’s golf program in 1984, he figured he would lend his expertise to his alma mater for a couple of years and then move on in his professional career.
Thirty-three years later, Joy remains the longest-tenured coach in the university’s athletic department.
Addressing the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s meeting at Avion Banquet Center, Joy said that while plenty has changed over the years, practice and dedication to the sport has not.
“I was the golf professional at Avalon Lakes in Warren back in 1984 and we were donating [use of] the course to the men’s team,” Joy said. “As a former Penguin golfer and letterman, I felt that the program wasn’t moving forward.
“When I discussed that with [YSU executive director of athletics] Joe, he offered me the part-time position and it has been just a wonderful opportunity,” Joy said. “I’m still here 33 years later and loving every minute of it.”
The Penguins golf program has undergone a multitude of changes over the years. The most important was becoming competitive on the Division I level.
“The best and most rewarding aspect of this job is to be able to help so many young golfers,” Joy said. “I’ve had an opportunity to bring in so many local kids, and then watched as they grew into productive young adults.”
Joy was responsible for recruiting Dennis Miller (Lake Club director of golf), Jon Jones (longtime assistant at the Youngstown Country Club), Ron DeJacimo (newly named head professional at Firestone Country Club in Akron) and Matt Kempe (recent YSU athletics hall of fame honoree).
“The list of local players that also went on to become doctors, lawyers, engineers and accountants is equally impressive,” Joy said.
With a near 100 percent graduation rate during his tenure, Joy’s current team sports a 3.40 cumulative grade point average.
“This year we’ve been very successful,” Joy said. “In five fall tournaments we had a first, second, third and fifth-place finish.
“Senior captain Brandon Pluchinsky also posted a seven-under par 65 and won our other tournament and that, too, was quite special as well.”
The spring, however, has presented its own challenge with injuries and influenza taking its toll since their recent spring break.’
“We have a great schedule remaining with tournaments at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia and at Penn State University before heading to the conference championships in Orlando, Florida,” Joy said. “This year, we’re hoping that we can bring home our first ever league championship.”
Joy lauded the three seniors on this year’s squad — Pluchinsky, Bill Gaffney and Denny Holub.
“Last year, all three seniors were Division I, Academic All-Americans,” Joy said/ “That means that they’ve maintained a 3.20 grade point average through their first three academic years while averaging 76 or better on the course.
“Out of 2000-plus players nationally, less than 200 earned this honor and we had three right here on our campus.”