"Time is running out."

Those are the words stated by Association of Pennsylvania State College University Faculty president Pat Heilman in a recent press release concerning the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education's contract negotiations with its collegiate coaches union.

The coaches have been working under terms of a contract that expired June 30. They have been negotiating for a new contract for more than a year.

No joint negotiating sessions are scheduled, and APSCUF recently offered binding arbitration for a second time.

"We have no problem with letting an educated neutral party settle this," said Slippery Rick University assistant track coach Jeff Magley, the school's APSCUF representative. "No one wants to go on strike, but there is some concern it will happen."

Coaches overwhelmingly approved the strike authorization vote in June. No strike date has been set.

Magley said PSAC football training camps and the regular season likely will open as scheduled.

"If we were to strike, we would choose a date that would provide the greatest visibility and impact for us," Magley said. "That time wouldn't be in August.

"Common sense says that it would be around homecoming, parents' weekend, start of league play, something like that."

Whether a strike takes place or not, Slippery Rock is one of few conference schools that could still field a football team.

George Mihalik is the only PSAC West head football coach who is a member of the faculty union and not the coaches union. Offensive coordinator Vic Campagna is also a faculty member.

Defensive coordinator Jay Foster, defensive line coach Shawn Lutz, linebackers coach Dwayne Martin and offensive line coach Joe Walton are members of the coaches union.

SRU's other football coaches are part-time or volunteer assistants.

"Everybody's contract dictates what course of action they would have to take in the event of a strike," Mihalik said. "I'm under contract.

"From a university standpoint, I know we want to play."

Mihalik said the players are wondering what's going on.

"This has been a prime topic of conversation, especially among our seniors," he said. "There's so much uncertainty."

"It's a nerve-wracking situation right now," Lutz said. "The players want to know what's gonna happen."

Lutz described the scenario of SRU playing football while union coaches were carrying picket signs as "a potential nightmare."

"We want to coach the guys, but we're part of a union and we have to honor that," he said.

PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray said the conference has not yet prepared to address problems and questions that would arise from a coaches strike.

"I guess I'll earn my merit badge if it happens," Murray said. "We'll be talking to the board of directors and forming some answers.

"History shows that there's never been a work stoppage within the State System. I like that trend. I'm confident things will get worked out."

If a strike does occur, Murray said that, "we'll let everyone know what our thought processes are."

Lutz described a coaches strike as "a good possibility." His wife recently gave birth to the couple's second child.

"I'm hoping we can negotiate something," Lutz said. "Nobody wins if we go on strike. It's a no-win situation.

"I love coaching, but I have to support my family. We just moved into a new house. … Some things are just more important."

The main sticking points in negotiations are retroactive pay increases and renewal of contracts based on evaluations.

Significant movement has occurred recently regarding percentage of coaches' salaries that pay for health insurance.

"The biggest issue right now is the procedure for renewing contracts," Magley said. "Right now, they can hire or fire us on a whim."

Mihalik remains on the optimistic side.

"I don't anticipate any ill feelings among our staff either way it goes," he said. "This is all part of the negotiating process. It will all be settled at the 11th hour - I hope."