The decision to add men's lacrosse as a varsity sport reflects general student enthusiasm and university recruitment goals. "There's been a lot of student interest on campus in lacrosse. It's a growing sport nationally, particularly here in the East," said Susquehanna Director of Athletics Don Harnum. "I believe the addition of this program will bring a new level of excitement to our spring sports schedule."

The men's lacrosse program will compete on a club level this spring with six to eight games according to Harnum, and will join the MAC during its first varsity campaign the following year. The team will play its home games on the new athletic field behind the Admissions House.

Susquehanna added women's lacrosse as a varsity sport in 1990. The team recorded its first winning season in 1998 while advancing to the MAC Championship Match before finishing 9-7 l in the first season under head coach Gina Lucido.

Rynne, a former history teacher and coach at the Salisbury School in Salisbury, Conn., became the Claremont lacrosse club coach and football offensive line coach at Pomona-Pitzer Colleges in 1995. His lacrosse team finished first in its league the past two years and he helped the Pomona-Pitzer football team go 6-2 last season.

"Scott comes to us with exactly the qualifications we were seeking. He has an excellent background as both a player and coach in both football and lacrosse," said Harnum. "He's very excited about the opportunity to develop his own varsity program."

Women's Basketball

Double Trouble: Venne, Kern
Earn Their Places in Crusader Records

Kristen Venne established herself as one of the premier low post scorers in the Middle Atlantic Conference early and often as a freshman. The 5-9 power forward from Governor Mifflin High School averaged almost 18 points and 10 rebounds that season and walked off with Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth League Rookie of the Year honors.

But while Venne made her impact as a freshman, she also was drew a lot of attention -sometimes too much in the form of double-teams while the Crusaders lacked a true center to help shoulder some of the burden inside. Needless to say, finding a center became a top recruiting priority for head coach Mark Hribar. Enter 6-2 Karyn Kern as Hribar's top recruit and starting center for the following season. All the Pleasant Valley graduate did was average 17.5 points while leading the MAC in rebounding at 11.2 per game. Her presence also helped Venne average 19 points and nine rebounds while earning league MVP honors that season.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Venne and Kern have become one of the most feared one-two low post threats in the MAC, if not all of Division III women's basketball. With Kern beside her, Venne has been a Division III All-American the past two years and is now second in Susquehanna women's career scoring with over 1,600 points, and third in rebounding with over 700. Kern, meanwhile, has joined Venne as a MAC Commonwealth League All-Star the past two seasons and recently became the program's 10th 1,000-point scorer.

"They've certainly made it difficult for teams to double us inside," said Hribar. "We see a tremendous amount of zone defenses trying to pack down low around them and defying us to beat them with perimeter shots. That's really the only way teams can stop them is if we can't get them the ball."

"We've learned where each other is going to be in the paint so teams can't double-team either one of us. If they double down on one of us, we know where the other one is going to be and where to pass the ball to still be able to score," said Venne.

But the scoring doesn't end on the floor for this "Dynamic Duo." Both are also psychology majors who have also made the Middle Atlantic Conference All-Academic Team for their success in the classroom.

"They both have a great work ethic - both on and off the floor -- and that's why they've been successful both academically and athletically. As a college coach, that's all you can ask," said Hribar.

Venne has been the more consistent scorer, scoring in double figures in all but two games during her Crusader career. She was second in the MAC and among the top 10 nationally in scoring this season. Most of her points have come from her brute strength and fearless style as it's she made a career out of catching the pass in traffic in the low post and either powering it up for a layup, or getting fouled and making two free throws. Venne also isn't afraid to make the steal and take it coast-to-coast for the layup.

"Kristen never ceases to amaze me how she can score when she's got defenders hanging all over her. She's just made some amazing plays during her career," said Hribar.

"I think our games do compliment each other. Kristen's more of a power player who can catch the ball in the low block and power it up. I probably am more of a finesse player who has a softer shooting touch," said Kern.

Kern has been the more consistent shooter, shooting over 60.0 percent for her career. She has led the MAC in field goal percentage in each of the past two seasons, finishing second as a freshman, and has been among the field goal percentage leaders in Division III each year - finishing second this season. Her scoring has come a much different route them Venne, opting for the short jumper or driving the lane for a layup. Kern's so good handling the ball, in fact, that it's not uncommon to see her lead the break. Part of that is because of the speed and athleticism she possesses - talent which helped her win both the MAC outdoor triple and long jump titles last year, also winning the triple as a freshman.

"You just don't see many true centers on our level who can run the floor as well as Karyn," said Hribar. "She can also catch the ball in traffic, or on the run."

Unfortunately for Crusader women's basketball, the run with Venne and Kern teamed together has come to an end all too quickly as Venne will graduate this spring. Kern will have to go it alone next season. By the time she's done, she'll join Venne as one of the top scorers and rebounders in program history, teaming the two together one more time in the Crusader record books.

All-American Senior
Shines inMexico's Aztec Bowl

Susquehanna senior two-time All-American fullback and career rushing and scoring leader Matt Wichlinski of Claymont, Del., took his football talents on the road in December to play in the 27th Aztec Bowl in Monterrey, Mexico. Wichlinski earned the honor as one of the best 38 NCAA Division III players selected by the American Football Coaches Association. The week-long, all-expense paid trip by the AFCA was capped by a game with the Mexican National team in the 60,000-seat Estadio Universitario Stadium.

Wichlinski rushed for a school record 3,243 yards and scored a record 246 points and was the Middle Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and MAC Commonwealth League Most Valuable Player - also repeating as a first-team league All-Star. He and Crusader teammates helped Susquehanna win a share of its first Commonwealth League championship for the program's 13th straight non-losing season. A team quad-captain and a corporate communications major, Wichlinski was the first back to post back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons at Susquehanna and now owns school records for rushing yards (3,243), rushing attempts (582), and scoring (246 points).

Coach Pittello Honored for Milestone

A Homecoming pre-game ceremony and evening dinner honored Susquehanna Sports Hall of Famer and offensive line coach Bob Pittello '51 for serving longer than anyone with the Crusader football program. In photos above: Pittello embraces current head coach Steve Briggs after having his former jersey -- number 66 -- retired while Pittello Tribute Committee co-chair and former All-American running back John Yanuklis '60 and committee member and former All-American linebacker Ralph Ferraro '60, look on. Ferraro actually created the jersey display. At bottom left, Pittello makes his way through the receiving line of former and current players and coaches on his way to the midfield ceremony.

Team SU Conquers Philly Marathon

Team SU, consisting of 13 members of the Susquehanna family, competed in the November 22, 1998, Philadelphia Marathon. The team was paced by Bryan Rynearson '82, who finished the race in 3:30. All members of the team finished the 26.2 mile race in 5:30 or less. Numerous orange and maroon flags that were displayed by alumni and friends throughout the course inspired members of the team. They even heard a "Go, Susquehanna!" from Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, who was watching the race.

  

Front row, left to right: Chris Markle '84, director of alumni relations; Linda McMillin, associate professor of history, Dave Kaplan '67, Shelley Lathrop '98, Rick Ziegler, director of admissions, Bryan Rynearson '82. Back row: Matt Curran '92, John Uehling '82, Loren Lathrop, Larry Hand '78, Dave Richard, assistant professor of biology, Phil Ousley '73. Not pictured: Malcolm Harris. At right, veteran marathoner Dave Richard conquers the Philadelphia course.

Alumni Weekend '99 Schedules Event
Celebrating 40 Years
of Women's Athletics at SU

The fall of 1999 will be the 40th season of women's varsity athletics at Susquehanna. Since the start of the

Fran Lybarger Zlock '49

Women's Athletic Association "play days" near the beginning of the century, women's sports have played a vital role in the fabric of campus life. Today, Susquehanna boasts an athletic program featuring 11 women's intercollegiate sports, with many of them among the best in the Middle Atlantic Conference.

During Alumni Weekend on June 4-6, the University will pay tribute to the hundreds of women who have been part of the legacy of women's athletics at Susquehanna. Returning alumnae will have an opportunity to meet former teammates and current athletes, participate in athletic events, and hear about the future of women's athletics at SU.

Chairs for the celebration are Crusader athletic standouts Fran Lybarger Zlock '49, Ginny Lloyd '81, and Kristen Venne '99.

"This celebration is a way of honoring the strong athletic tradition established many years ago, while, at the same time, looking toward the very bright future for women's athletics at SU," says Don Harnum, director of athletics. "We look forward to the return of the women who blazed the trail for so many others." More details about the celebration will be sent to female athletic alumni in February. For more information please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@susqu.edu or by calling 570-372-4115.

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