W. Soccer search continues, players miffed

The Penn women's soccer team has been without a head coach since Suzette Wolf stepped down in December, and is disappointed a replacement has not already been named. Sophomore captains Heike Krippendorff and Kelly Nolan said they were told by Senior Associate Athletic Director Carolyn Schlie-Femovich and Associate Director Skip Jarocki a full-time head coach would be on board by January 30, but no one has been interviewed for the position. However, both administrators deny any such promise was ever made. "Right now, we're pretty much coachless," said Debbie Goldklang, who completed her senior season and serves as the only student on the search committee. "We don't have many people showing up for practice, and we get pretty poor Annex [practice] times." With the Winter training season approaching quickly, the team is concerned. According to NCAA regulations, all Fall teams are allowed to participate in 12 practices over a six-week period. The Quakers intended to center these practices around an indoor tournament at Villanova February 12. In early December, the University gave permission to make the three-year varsity team's head-coaching position full-time. Wolf, an elementary school teacher, stepped down from the position when the announcement was made. Wolf was hired with the understanding her position was only part-time, but is reluctant to leave the job now that she has seen the team through its developmental stages. "I was hired three years ago with the intention that if the coaching job went full-time, I'd be considered," Wolf said. "But my degree is in education, and I've always wanted to teach. I don't want to give it up." In early December, a meeting took place between Schlie-Femovich, Jarocki and members of the team. The players were made aware of the upgrading of the coaching position, and the future of the team was discussed. "We spoke to the captains before the holidays," Jarocki said. "They made some suggestions as to what they would like to see happen. One of the suggestions was to have a full-time coach. At that point we informed them that we had just received information from the University that we could make it a full-time position. So one of their requests had been granted." The Quakers were pleased with this Athletic Department announcement. However, they were disappointed that Wolf intended to resign. "It's great that we're getting a full-time coach," Nolan said. "It's really discouraging knowing how long it took to find a men's coach. It seems doubtful that we'll get a coach in time for Winter season." "They gave us a full-time coach, and that's a generous thing," Goldklang said. "It's something that needs to be taken seriously, as seriously as the men's coaching job. It's not like [the Athletic Department] is not thinking about it, but it hasn't been a priority like with the men." The Athletic Department has formed a search committee to evaluate applicants. Along with Goldklang, members of the committee include Academic Coordinator Mabel Johnson, volleyball coach Margaret Feeney, former men's soccer and current baseball coach Bob Seddon, Jarocki and Femovich. Goldklang is allowed to participate because she is no longer eligible for collegiate play. Now that the committee is in place, background investigations and interviews of candidates can begin. The estimate for a completion date is late March or early April, Femovich and Jarocki said. "We will try to move as quickly as possible," Femovich said, "but it is not unusual that a search like this takes a number of months. I don't recall saying, 'By such and such a date we will have a new coach.' We want to get the right person who is right for the job." Assistant coach Dave Masterson is being considered for the head position, Femovich and Jarocki said. Both Wolf and the players would be satisfied with the selection. Wolf has offered to stay on as Masterson's assistant. "I think it'll be great to have Dave there," Wolf said. "If Dave is head coach, I'll be more than happy to be assistant -- sort of a role reversal. I don't think they could go wrong with that decision." Tough offseason practice schedules and strong recruiting are essential to continue the improvement of a program that is composed almost entirely of freshmen and sophomores. Wolf, whose contract does not expire until March 1, is quick to reassure the team of her commitment. She has been involved with recruiting and intends to give all the time she can until the new coach is named. "I'll do everything I can to help," Wolf said. "They are concerned that the coaching search will take a while, but I've assured them that I will be there. I'm not going to leave the girls."