Coaching Changes in Six Sports

Not too many coaches can enter an ailing program like Oberlin and confirm 15 recruits - after the fall semester. Given his time constraints, new football coach Jeff Ramsey performed admirably. The coach has set a three-year plan for the team - sixty players and an NCAC championship. Sound impossible? Well heed the coach's outlook, because Ramsey threw a number into the wind last fall for this year's recruits - 40. For those not in the know, that is the same number that the coach expects for next year's class.

Ramsey was attracted to Oberlin because it was similar to his alma mater, UC Davis - a small academic college that did not emphasize its athletics. But the strong sense of college and community ties was the driving force behind Ramsey's decision. "Oberlin [has] a strong academic reputation [and it] gives me the chance to coach intelligent, young men."

The major difference is already apparent. Junior Adisa Chaney said that the difference is that the squad was heading into the season with confidence, not just optimism. Ramsey also set a personal tone, holding weekly meeting with players. These meetings ranged from football related issues to simple chit-chat between the head coach and his players; the key for a successful team, professional or otherwise, is open communication between coaches and players.

Unfortunately for the team, Ramsey's hands-on approach did not translate into wins. In fact, OC has fallen victim to two consecutive winless seasons. Their last win was the first game of the year two years ago against Thiel College - as most upperclassmen remember.

As we look ahead to the fall, Ramsey's job will get easier. In addition to the 40 recruits, a new defensive line coach has been added. First-year Chris Moffatt will have a year of experience under his belt and emerging superstars first-years Cody McCoy and Josh Shapaka hope to continue their captivating play.

The name Mindy Manolovich is a well known and respected name in Oberlin. When the women's lacrosse and field hockey coach stepped down after guiding the squads through four years of championship-caliber play, finding a suitable replacement was a daunting task.

A graduate of Cornell University and Smith College, Elizabeth Graham actively pursued the vacancy. "I really like the school and its philosophy," said the coach.

Starting with field hockey, her first order of business was to absolve the old system of seniority. The lone senior Maggie McFalls was pleased. "No one here is on a power trip and no one looks down on you because you're an underclassman. A lot of spirit and energy exists which might have been lacking with an older team, and there are little to no team politics to deal with," said McFalls.

The influx of youth has brought an inquisitive attitude. "My players are always asking me questions, technical and tactical. They are truly students of the game," said Graham.

The shoes that Graham had to fill in the spring were even bigger. Women's lacrosse has been a NCAC powerhouse for the last five years. The team boasted a host of returning veterans and several promising newcomers.

The women took an instant liking to Graham. "I'm amazed at her ability," said sophomore Courtney Smith. "Coaching is natural for her."

The team rallied around the new coach and surged to the top of the NCAC through early struggles. A late loss to Denison denied the Yeowomen the first seed in the NCAC tournament, but a showdown in the final more than compensated. Although the Big Red managed to squeeze out a one-point victory, Graham proved any critics wrong with another strong season.

Jane Wildman is no stranger to challenges either. The expectations were low, as the newcomer first had to guide women's soccer team that lost seven seniors the previous June.

Although the departed seniors would be tough to replace, Wildman lauded the strong first-year class. "I think every player on the team plays an important role. Every year we come out and work hard," she said.

Wildman was rewarded with a fast-paced offense that bloomed late. The team ended with a record of 6-13 (1-8 NCAC), good for eighth in the conference.

"As a first year [coach] I think she did really well," said sophomore Becky Kanuch, "but I think she was a little too worried about making sure she was accepted by the team. I think next year she'll really step it up, and we'll bring home some more wins."

Wildman's spring task was undeniably one of the hardest for any coach this past academic year - new or otherwise. Oberlin's inaugural softball season proved to be a daunting task. Though rivals Wooster and Ohio Wesleyan University also just entered the conference as well, OC brought a small, inexperienced team to the table. "It's going to be tough the first few years," said Wildman.

Wildman has had plenty of experience, coaching varsity softball at the University of Muskingum. "We are very excited about this year, and getting the team off to a good start. We have a group of girls who are excited to play and are very competitive."

All did not go as planned as Oberlin lost its first ten games before taking three of their last four. Depth would have surely meant additional wins for an underwomaned squad.

After Suzanne Garland resigned following a disappointing 2000 campaign, the Oberlin women's volleyball team netted itself a new coach in Elizabeth Ramsey, a former college standout at the University of Illinois,

New changes were installed as soon as Ramsey took the helm. "We've done weightlifting, we've been on the court three days a week and we've had five scrimmages. We're also doing jump training. It's a complete program," said Ramsey. "They haven't done this in the past." Ramsey felt that the team's efforts are going to give the club an added advantage against their competition next year. "It's given all the players an opportunity to improve quite a bit, and they've done that well." Ramsey is also very pleased with the players she has inherited.

"I was pleasantly surprised [with the players]. I didn't get my own chance to recruit. Most of my pool is from admissions, some from the previous coach. I guess it wasn't a deep pool, but it was a good enough pool. Within the pool there were enough serious players that we put together a very good team."

Finally, former women's soccer coach Blake New slid over to take the helm of the men's squad. After improving the women's team from eighth to fifth place in his three-year tenure, New hopes to continue an enthusiasm towards winning ways on the men's side. He did just that as he guided the Yeomen to a 9-9-1 record (3-6 NCAC), up from last year's 5-13 campaign.

Strong leadership and a renewed sense of self helped this year's team make great strides, leaping to sixth in the conference and capturing three victories in the NCAC, a task not accomplished since 1991.

Although New will see seniors Jon Wilson and Zachary Fine graduate, there is much promise with a deep first-year class. The team has already met this past year's goal of a .500 record; who knows what they will accomplish in the fall.