Athletics alters appearance

"The days of accepting 0-10 teams are over. We should be proud of who we are." Such was the strong statement made by Oberlin College's new Athletic Director Mike Muska. Under his direction, the athletics department has undergone a massive facelift, most notably in its personel.

Former head football coach Pete Peterson resigned in December after five seasons at Oberlin. He compiled a 1-49 record with the team. But will best remembered for his one win. A 18-17 victory over Thiel last year that broke a four-year losing streak.

Peterson will be replaced by Jeff Ramsey, next season. Ramsey has coached all across the country since graduating from the University of California-Davis in 1983. He first worked there as an assistant coach before moving on to the University of Illinios, where he was a graduate assistant. Ramsey next coached at Marietta College for a year. He then coached for three years at the Univesity of Nevada-Reno, and spent two years as assistant coach and offensive coordinator at Sonoma State University. Much of his coaching duties have been concerned with the various offensive positions-a big plus for a team who failed to record even a single point in any first quarter this year.

Ramsey last coached four seasons ago, and moved to Oberlin with his family in 1995. He said that Oberlin was just a great fit for his family, and that when the position became available, he felt his family was ready for him to return to coaching.

Ramsey said that he understands the unique nature of Oberlin and Oberlin football, having lived here the past several years and become acquainted with many professors, players and others involved in Oberlin athletics. Ramsey says that the high academic standards of Oberlin are not a detriment but a benefit to the football program. "I would much rather coach intelligent student-athletes who have the ability to solve problems, who can think critically and who can think on their feet," Ramsey said.

He does see many problems, and one of his first and most critical goals is to increase the size of the squad to equal that of other NCAC teams. Muska noted that, despite his only being hired in mid-January, Ramsey had confirmations of 15 recruits attending next year. Fifteen has been the typical size of the last few frosh football classes. "If he could recruit that many in a month," Muska said, "we could be looking at the possibility of 25-30 recruits next year."

Ramsey said that the campus and community are ready to accept a winning football program, and that it will happen.

"Just to be part of Oberlin College is a tremendous feeling. It's great to be here," Ramsey said.

Track and assistant football coach Earnest Wilson is also leaving in order to pursue a coaching career in the professional ranks. He has been hired as the head coach of the Arena Football League's Dayton Skyhawks.

Mindy Manolovich, head field hockey and women's lacrosse coach, one of Oberlin's most successful coaches, is leaving after the end of the year to hold the same positions at Western Maryland College. "To lose a person like her has to break your heart. She is a wonderful coach," Muska said. Under Manolovich's coaching the women's lacrosse team has captured the last two conference championships. She has been the winnningest coach in the history of women's lacrosse and field hockey at Oberlin.

Both of Manilovich's positions will be taken over by Elizabeth Grahm. Grahm received a Masters in Physical Education from Cornell University before accepting the head coaching positions in field hockey and lacrosse from Washington and Lee University. Most recently, she proved prior to press time, she could not be reached for comment.

Another unplanned departure was that of head men's soccer coach Chris Barker, who has coached the past four seasons. He will be coaching a high school soccer team near his home in West Virginia. Barker cited personal reasons, having more time for his family as his primary reason for leaving.

Barker will be replaced by women's soccer coach Blake New. New has coached the women's team for the past three years. His other coaching experience includes two years as the assistant men's coach at Cleveland State University(Division I) and a brief stint as the head coach of the USISL Women's Cleveland Eclipse.

New will be replaced by Jane Wildeman. Wildeman graduated from the College of Wooster, and went on to become a graduate assistant at Denison. She was head women's soccer coach at Susquehanna College before leaving for Oberlin. Muska says that Wildeman will at first work in tandem with New to integrate herself into Oberlin athletics, and that Muska will work with her in developing a softball program a year or two down the line.

Wildeman, the new women's soccer coach, said that there were a multitude of factors that conspired to bring her to Oberlin, but that one of the most important was the new sense of direction that Muska and the athletic department display. She said that the transition has been an easy one. "I've only been here a week and a half, but overall I'm very pleased. One of the things that drew me to Oberlin is that all sports are on an even keel," Wildeman said. "It's important to understand this level, this conference, and Oberlin- the delicate balance between athletics and academics."

New guy on the field: Jeff Ramsey will take over as head coach of the football team. His appointment is just one of many changes in the athletic department. (file photo)