The Way I "See" It: The Sports Perspective From A Blind WVU Student

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WVU Women's Basketball coach Mike Carey was named the Big East Coach of the Year for just the second time. He led the Mountaineers to a 26-4 regular season record. The Mountaineers also finished the regular season second place in the conference. The last time Carey was named Big East Coach of the Year was the 2004-05 season. This year however, he was named Co-Coach of the Year along with Connecticut's Geno Auriemma.

2009-10 BIG EAST WOMEN'S BASKETBALL POSTSEASON HONORS

BIG EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Tina Charles, Connecticut (Sr., Center, Jamaica, N.Y.)

BIG EAST FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Sugar Rodgers, Georgetown (Fr., Guard, Suffolk, Va.)

BIG EAST COACHES OF THE YEAR

Geno Auriemma, Connecticut (25th season at UConn)

Mike Carey, West Virginia (Ninth season at WVU)

Here are some quoted comments about WVU Athletic Director Ed Pastilong's career. The University announced Wednesday that it would not be renewing Pastilong's contract when it expires in June and instead will begin looking for a replacement. However, Pastilong will remain as emeritus for the next two years.

A selection of comments about Ed Pastilong’s tenure as director of athletics at West Virginia University:

“I have the utmost respect for Coach Ed Pastilong and the job he has done for this University. He has been a tremendous role model and a supportive boss. He cares about this department more than anyone I know. He will be missed greatly by me, this staff and our football program.”

—Football Coach Bill Stewart

“I’ve known Ed since I was 19 years old when he was assistant athletic director, and I attended school and played basketball here. We have been friends since then. Obviously, during his career, he has led West Virginia University to probably the greatest heights in all of our sports. He led us into the BIG EAST, and he has been the face of Mountaineer athletics for many years. I’m certainly happy for Ed and Mona, but it’s a sad day for Mountaineer athletics.”

—Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Huggins

“I’d like to thank Ed Pastilong for the opportunity to coach at West Virginia University. With his leadership and guidance, our program continues to reach new heights, as evidenced by this year’s successes. Ed has done a remarkable job of shaping this department and preparing it for the future challenges that we will face. I thank him for all he has done for me and West Virginia University.”

—Women’s Basketball Coach Mike Carey

“It has been a pleasure working with Mr. Pastilong for the last 15 years. He not only started the women’s soccer program at West Virginia University, but his continued support has played an integral role in bringing the program into national prominence. He has accomplished so much during his time at WVU, I hope he can enjoy this much deserved time with his family.”

—Women’s Soccer Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown

“The growth that has surrounded the West Virginia University Athletic Department from the day Ed was hired to today is tremendous and 100 percent directly related to his supervision and guidance. Over the years, he has made good choices in hiring coaches who have been able to produce. I can’t think of a person that has been more of a people person and truly cares about the staff, the coaches and the student-athletes. He is one-of-a-kind. I’m really sorry to see him step down.”

—Gymnastics Coach Linda Burdette-Good

“I’d like to congratulate Ed for his many contributions to WVU and Mountaineer athletics over the years – first as a student-athlete, later as a member of the football coaching staff, and then his many years as an administrator. One of the hallmarks of Ed’s administration would have to be the major enhancements to WVU’s athletic facilities. They are among the finest in the country. He also selected some very fine coaches and staff members over the years, who are as loyal and committed to this University as he is. Ed has devoted the majority of his life to WVU and I wish he and Mona well as they begin to enjoy more family and leisure time in the years ahead.”

—Leland Byrd, former WVU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

WVU head football coach Bill Stewart has made his coaching staff assignments set for the 2010 year. Incoming assistant Dave McMichael will be primarily in charge of the tight ends. McMichael's recruiting areas will include Western Pennsylvania, Northern New Jersey, and New York. Stewart will be splitting up the special team responsibilities between assistants McMichael and Steve Dunlap. McMichael will oversee the offensive special teams unit including field goals, extra point, and kickoff returns. Dunlap will over defensive special teams including kickoff coverage, punt returns, field goals, and extra point block defense. Stewart will continue to oversee punting for the team. Runningbacks and slot receivers coach Chris Beatty will take over as Director of Recruiting for the Mountaineers replacing Doc Holliday. Spring practice begins for the Mountaineers on April 6, and the annual Gold-Blue spring game will be held Friday night, April 30.

COACHING ASSIGNMENTS

Bill Stewart: Head coach and punting

Chris Beatty: Director of recruiting, running backs, slot receivers and fullbacks

Jeff Mullen: Offensive coordinator and quarterback coach.

Dave Johnson: Offensive line coach while also focusing on the running game offense

Lonnie Galloway: Wide receivers coach while also focusing on the passing game

David McMichael: Tight ends and offensive special teams

Jeff Casteel: Defensive coordinator and linebackers

Steve Dunlap: Assistant head coach, safeties and defensive special teams

Bill Kirelawich: Defensive line coach while focusing on the defensive passing game

David Lockwood: Cornerbacks coach while focusing on the defensive passing game

Mike Joseph: Strength and conditioning

RECRUITING AREAS

Chris Beatty:  Virginia and District of Columbia

Jeff Casteel: Maryland

Steve Dunlap: West Virginia and southern Ohio

Lonnie Galloway: Florida (Palm Beach, Dade, Monroe and Broward Counties, Martin), Georgia (Fulton and Dekalb, Cobb) and North Carolina

Dave Johnson: Florida (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Jacksonville, Northern Panhandle), Georgia (Cobb and Gwinnett Counties, North Fulton) and Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh)

Bill Kirelawich: Delaware, Florida (Naples to Palmetto and East of Route 75) and eastern Pennsylvania

David Lockwood: Florida (Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Brevard Counties and Orlando, Indian River) and southern New Jersey

David McMichael: New York, northern New Jersey and western Pennsylvania

Jeff Mullen: Northern Ohio

Saturday       Sept. 5             LIBERTY                      

Saturday       Sept. 12           EAST CAROLINA         

The 2009 Women’s Soccer spring schedule has been announced. The Mountaineers first play Penn State on the road Febuary 28 at 7:30 P.M. After that, the Mountaineers have 2 matches in Knoxville, Tennessee on March 28. The Mountaineers face Tennessee at 10:00 A.M. and Georgia at noon. Then, the Mountaineers play Pitt in the Betty Puskar Breast Cancer Soccer Invitational on April 4 at 11:00 A.M. at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium in Morgantown. The spring season ends with the Mountaineers playing 2 more matches both at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium against Purdue at 7:00 P.M. on April 18 and Ohio State at 2:00 P.M. on April 25. In other Women’s Soccer news, the Mountaineer Soccer team held their awards for the 2008 season. Junior Carolyn Blank was named the tam’s Most Valuable Player. This is the second straight year she has won this honor. Senior Deana Everrett earned the team’s most offensive player award. Senior Robin Rushton ws named team’s most defensive player. Redshirt Freshman Erica Henderson was named the team’s most improved player. Senior Stephanie Burgess was selected for the Mountaineer S.O.C.C.E.R. award. The award is given by the coaches to the individual who displays good sportsmanship, optimism, character, concern, effort and respect. The Morgantown, W.Va., native appeared in 21 of 23 matches this season and scored her first career goal against Syracuse.