Home Cooking
Home cooking.
Slippery Rock University's athletic coaches love it because their teams have benefited from it.
Not in the kitchen. On the field, court and track.
Numerous Butler County high school graduates have stayed at home, attended SRU and become part of the university's sports lore.
“That's what we're all about,” SRU athletic director Paul Lueken said. “We don't like the local athletic talent to get away.
“I like to think we've done a good job of keeping them here. There's a lot of misconception as to what it takes to be a (NCAA) Division II athlete. People under-estimate just how good that athlete has to be.”
Three of the best centers in Rock football history hail from Butler County. Butler graduates Dave Sabolcik (1995-97) and Brian Minehart (1998-2000) were All-Americans at the position. Seneca Valley graduate Brandon Fusco won the Gene Upshaw Award as the best lineman in all of Division II and played eight years in the NFL.“Brian Minehart anchored arguably the best offensive line in our program's history,” retired SRU coach George Mihalik said. “Brandon Fusco came here and proved that dreams really can come true.”Butler linebacker Bob Vernick, receiver Jeremy Rock, Freeport defensive lineman Ian Anderson, Mars linebacker-safety Austin Miele, Seneca Valey offensive linemen Steve Gaviglia and Jack Muller are other county products to shine for Rock football.
One of the most productive offensive players in Rock football history came from across the street — Slippery Rock Area High School graduate and running back Josh Kniess.Kniess became SRU's all-time leader with 5,188 all-purpose yards, scoring 46 touchdowns and returning a school-record six punts for scores.“If you saw him out of uniform, he looked like he was the team manager,” Mihalik said of Kniess. “Put a helmet on his head and a football in his hands, he became an electrifying player.“As a kid growing up, he used to come over and watch our practices. He knew this was where he wanted to play and we wanted him to play here.”SRU landed a number of stellar athletes from across the street.Brenda Egli was an All-American javelin thrower, Lisa Hulihan won a national title in that event, Heather Kearney became The Rock's all-time leading women's basketball scorer, second baseman Billy Messer was a two-time all-region selection and four-year starter, Colten Raabe an All-American offensive lineman, Talbert Weimer was among the PSAC's top shot-putters, and Ryan Thompson the Rock record-holder in the 1,500 meters and indoor mile.
“We have a unique relationship with Slippery Rock High School,” Lueken said. “I have a lot of respect for the coaches over there and the job they do.“When our fields were getting new turf, our lacrosse team practiced on the high school's turf field for a month. We help each other out.”Rock track and field coach John Papa has welcomed numerous county athletes and watched them build success.“We have a lot of stability here,” said Papa, head coach of SRU track for 33 years. “The program's had ample success too. Kids could come here with goals of adding to that success.”On the men's side, Butler graduates Clint Bonetti and Mark Harvey were All-Americans in the shot put and 400 meters, respectively. Mars graduate Brad Mueller won a national title in the 60 meters and owns three program records.Seneca Valley graduate Hunter Williams was a four-time PSAC champion in the indoor 400 meters. Knoch graduate Jim Geist was a four-time All-American in the javelin.
County athletes have made an even bigger impact in women's track. Butler graduates Jasmine Bailey, Kennedy Evans and Emily Horstman combined for 16 PSAC championships. Jill Rekich, also from Butler, ran a leg of The Rock's 4x100 meter record relay. Freeport graduates Lacey Cochran and Linsey Westerman combined for 19 PSAC titles. Moniteau graduate Jayne Beatty was a six-time All-American and owns three team records.“Lacey transferred in here from Bowling Green while Linsey was here the entire time,” Papa said. “They were outstanding for us. We've always done well with the locals ... the more we get, the better.”Other Rock sports have felt the county's impact as well.
SRU baseball's all-time saves leader, Wyatt Daugherty, is a Butler graduate. Karns City graduate Dan DeCola is one of SRU's best catchers ever and was drafted by the Minnesota Twins. Knoch grad Chase Rowe was a three-year starter at third base and hit 39 doubles. Fellow Knoch graduate Mike Sikorski was an outfielder/pitcher and was all-conference three times.On the softball side, Butler grad Jenna Geibel was one of SRU's best hitters ever. A third baseman, she hit .377 in her career. Fellow Butler grad Caitlin Baxter ranks among the program's top 15 in home runs, RBI and doubles. Knoch grad and shortstop Kirsten Brant ranks among the top 10 in home runs, runs, hits and RBI.
Butler grads Drew Donoghue and Lisa Rodgers impacted SRU's men's and women's soccer teams. Donoghue was an all-region defender and three-year starter for the men's team while Rodgers played goalie and helped SRU's women's squad to a No. 14 national ranking after transferring in for her senior year.
“So many of our sports have reaped the benefits of local talent,” Lueken said. “We've been able to get a lot of siblings too.“When these athletes spend their college careers here, their parents, families and friends can see most of their games for another four years. That's just another benefit.”Mihalik added that local athletes bring more local attention to the university as well.“It's more exposure for our teams and our university,” Mihalik said. “When you factor in all that success ... It's just another reason to keep these athletes home.”
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