Soccer search down to three

Decision expected shortly Emory head coach Mike Rubesch, American assistant Jim Barlow and Penn interim head coach George O'Neill are the three finalists for the Quaker men's soccer head-coaching position, two sources told The Daily Pennsylvanian. Athletic Department officials said they expect their selection to be announced shortly, and confirmed O'Neill is on the list of candidates, but refused further comment. Athletic Director Paul Rubincam, who was out of town and unavailable for comment, returns to Philadelphia today. In a meeting before Winter Break between Rubincam, Associate Athletic Director Skip Jarocki and defenseman Chris Eidem, those three candidates were discussed, Eidem said. Former Penn assistant soccer coach Brian Kammersgaard, who recently stepped down to accept the head-coaching position at Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia, confirmed Rubesch, Barlow and O'Neill remain from the original list of 90 applicants. The committee is looking for a skilled recruiter with good communication skills, head-coaching experience and knowledge of the Ivy League, Jarocki said in November when the committee began its search. Since 1987, Rubesch has been the head coach of Division III Emory, an academically-esteemed institution in the Atlanta suburbs. He served two seasons as an assistant. During his tenure the Eagles have enjoyed success, qualifying for the Division III National Tournament the past two years and placing fifth in the country in 1989. "Mike is a great coach and a good guy," Emory senior defenseman Rick Monk said. "I'm sure that he'll be successful wherever he goes." As a player at Erskine College in South Carolina, Rubesch played striker. He went on to coach at the high-school level before accepting the position with the Eagles. At Emory, he began the women's soccer program and served as the team's first coach. "Coach Rubesch is a players' coach," Emory goaltender Brian Smith said. "Everyone on the team loves the guy. He's a good motivator, an incredible guy and always really excited about the season." Rubesch is at the National Soccer Convention in Santa Clara, Calif., and was unavailable for comment, but Emory Sports Information Director John Arenberg acknowledged Rubesch is interested in the position. Barlow, a former soccer standout at Princeton, completed his second season as an assistant at American last fall. He previously coached at the Hun School in Princeton, N.J. He is active in club coaching and the Olympic Development Programs in New Jersey and Maryland. His coaching experience follows a stellar four-year career at Princeton. Barlow served as the Tiger captain in 1990 and 1991. He was named Ivy League Player of the Year his senior season. As a freshman, he garnered Ivy League Rookie of the Year and Soccer America all-American freshman team honors. Barlow refused comment about the Penn position. O'Neill, who coached Penn to a 5-10 record this fall (1-6 Ivy League), most recently served as coach of the Philadelphia Inter-Soccer Club. From 1978 to 1980, he coached the Philadelphia Fever of the Major Indoor Soccer League. In his first season, the Fever reached the MISL finals. "He has experience from the toughest clubs in Europe and knows as much as anyone," Eidem said. "Look at Bobby Clarke of Dartmouth. He came over from Europe, started in the same position as O'Neill, and look at his program now. It's one of the best in the country." As a player, O'Neill was a member of five professional teams. He finished his playing career with the Philadelphia Atoms of the North American Soccer League in 1976. O'Neill has also been a member of the United States National Team and Scottish Premier Division in Great Britain. "I think the college game needs more guys like O'Neill," Eidem said. "He's as knowledgeable as anyone out there, and the players want him back." The entire Penn soccer team, which is opposed to having a third coach in three years, signed a letter delivered to the Athletic Department giving O'Neill its support.