YSU president enjoys basketball resurgence

By GREG GULAS

sports@vindy.com

NORTH LIMA

President Jim Tressel might arguably be the Youngstown State men’s and women’s basketball programs’ biggest fan.

Speaking to the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly meeting at Avion Banquet Center, Tressel covered a myriad of topics and fielded multiple questions regarding the state of the university, adding that all Penguins’ men’s and women’s athletics programs continue to move forward under the leadership of athletic director Ron Strollo.

“Like anything, the first year is hard because you’re building relationships, learning and trying to figure out what you didn’t know as a coach,” Tressel said while referencing the men’s basketball program under head coach Jerrod Calhoun. “Then the second year, usually you can feel some improvement, but you need some breakthroughs and a couple of those at the buzzer wins have been our breakthroughs that we’ll really be able to grow from.

“Like anything else, because the season is so long, there’s peaks and valleys and we’re on a bit of a peak. We have a heckuva challenge this week when you have the two top teams in the league on the road, then finish with your rival [Cleveland State] so I think we’re really making progress.”

With the women winning their 20th game on Sunday against Wisconsin-Milwaukee, it marked the third time in head coach John Barnes six seasons at the helm they’ve won at least 20 games, doing so this season with just nine players dotting their roster.

“He’s just been very solid,” Tressel added while referring to the job Barnes has done. “We had a year in there, or two, when we were all banged up with injuries. With only nine players, but three, really, quality seniors [Sarah Cash, Alison Smolinski and Melinda Trimmer], you know how we used to say you’re only as good as your senior class, knock on wood we’ve been able to stay healthy.

“Right now, we’re clearly in the top four, but March is what basketball is all about and that will determine if we’re the best in the league.”

Tressel also drew attention to the sustained success that Brian Gorby has enjoyed as head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country, and indoor and outdoor track teams. He took the time to laud the exceptional performances of his current and former team members.

He also added that YSU athletes continue to achieve academically.

“This past fall semester we had 412 student-athletes and 67 percent achieved a 3.0 grade point average or better,” Tressel stated.

“The department GPA was 3.17 while 52 students had perfect 4.0 grade point averages.”

In 1992, the athletic department had only five endowed scholarships and since that time under the direction of Paul McFadden, CEO of the YSU Foundation, who accompanied Tressel to the meeting, there are now 135 scholarships currently being endowed.

He added that athletic facilities continue to take shape.

“We’ll have a tennis center with pickle ball and if we can raise enough money, six bowling lanes,” Tressel said about those that are in the works. “Also, Cafaro Field, which will be located between Ursuline High School and Lyden House, will be used for intramurals and our club sports teams.”

The University currently sponsors 19 intercollegiate sports (eight men and 11 women) and will look to add two more sports, women’s lacrosse and men’s swimming, set for play in the fall of 2020 for a total of 21 varsity teams.

Adding an old rival in the University of Akron to the 2020 football schedule has also made Tressel excited.

“Get out the Steel-Tire trophy,” he said. “We’ve been working hard to make that happen and it will be good for both communities. Renewing that rivalry will be fun.”