HARRISBURG - The union representing 350 non-faculty coaches at Pennsylvania's 14 state-owned universities has voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike if contract talks with university administrators cannot be resolved, union officials said Tuesday.

Based on a 92 percent turnout, nearly 94 percent of the coaches favored a walkout, according to a statement released by the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties.

No strike deadline has been set, and any walkout decision would have to be recommended by the coaches' negotiation team.

The coaches have been working under the terms of a contract that expired June 30, 2004, and talks between the union and the State System of Higher Education stalled in December.

"We certainly don't want to drag this out much longer," union president Patricia Heilman said.

System spokesman Thomas Gluck said the administration had expected the union to authorize a strike.

"It does not change the fact that our responsibility is to reach a fair settlement," he said.

One sticking point is retroactive raises, Heilman said. The union is seeking retroactivity to July 1, 2004 for all pay increases, while the state system wants raises to take effect during the first full pay period of an agreement.

The system also wants coaches to contribute for the first time toward the cost of health care benefits.

The average salary under the most recent contract is $33,950 for full-time assistant coaches and $47,700 for full-time head coaches.

Jeff Magley, an assistant coach for the Slippery Rock University track and field team and the university's representative on the APSCUF committee, was a little surprised by the overwhelming vote to strike.

"I was hoping and expecting a 90 percent turnout and 90 percent 'yes' vote and we beat both of those," Magley said. "I think that's the biggest thing. It's sending a clear message. This is big for not only the coaches, but for the student athletes. Intercollegiate athletics is an important component of education."

The fall sports seasons could be in jeopardy if a new settlement is not reached. Since APSCUF is the only coaches faculty union in the nation with a collective bargaining agreement, a strike would essentially shut down the NCAA Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

Such a work stoppage would be unprecedented in collegiate sports.

"The biggest thing for us is we're so close and we've been operating without a contract for almost one year," Magley said. "There's only a $330,000 separation for 360 coaches. That's not a lot of money. I think this has the coaches unified and standing up for what's right."

Eagle staff writer Sam Tallarico contributed to this report.