Revved Up and Ready To Go - David H Ross

With longtime coach Joe Battista moving on, Scott Balboni prepares to lead the Icers

It revs and roars as it slowly snakes around the sidewalk, stopping in front of the Penn State Ice Pavilion. The man straddling its seat — dressed in dark clothes and black sunglasses — clutches the high silver handles, wiping sweat from his brow as the scorching July sun blazes down. Young hockey campers file past their director, admiring the big, blue beast in front of them. One of them whistles, “Nice bike, Balbs!” The man, who sports a goatee, smiles broadly and pats the side of his gleaming Harley. “Thanks. It’s my toy,” he says. The biker is 32-year-old Scott Balboni, new head coach for the Penn State Icers. Balboni, whom the players call “Balbs,” was an assistant for seven years under former head coach Joe Battista. He is also the new director of the Penn State Hockey camps and marketing director of Ice Operations. He’s ridden his Harley to work today, something he enjoys doing when the weather is nice. It is the embodiment of his aggressive personality — a trait he hopes will charge the Icers to a championship season. “I’m a very aggressive coach,” he says. “I’m going to take a lot more chances than other coaches will.” Battista and returning players say Balboni encourages a more all-out, high-energy style of hockey. “They will be a very aggressive, disciplined, physical team,” Battista says of the Icers. “Scott believes that the best defense is a good offense. He demands the team give 100 percent in terms of attack. It will be a more exciting style of hockey to watch.” Battista, who left coaching after 19 years to become executive director of the Nittany

By Susan Field

Lion Club, says it’s time for the hockey team to evolve. “The program needs new life,” he says. “I have a saying, ‘You don’t have to be sick to get better.’ Scott will bring a new enthusiasm and a new vibrancy to the whole sponsorship and operations side of things.” One thing Balboni doesn’t have to worry about building is a solid program. The “Icers Family” is highly structured, made up of the players, coaches, the Hockey Management Association, the booster club, a wealth of local sponsors, and fans. “Joe built this program from scratch and brought it to a high level,” he says. “Now it’s my job to continue what he’s started and help the program grow and get to the next level.” Balboni’s background will help him do just that. While growing up in Salem, NH, he started playing hockey at age 9. In high school, he played at St. John’s Prep School in Danvers, MA, where his team won a New England Catholic Conference Championship in 1992. He earned a full Division I scholarship to Providence College. During his career, he scored 13 goals, made 41 assists, and helped the team capture the Hockey East Championship in 1996. Four of his teammates were drafted into the NHL, including his two roommates, Hal Gill and Joe Hulbig, who currently play for the Boston Bruins. No professional hockey was in the cards for Balboni, but after one glance at him, with his solid build and athletic gait, one can see why he was a formidable defenseman in his day. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business management, he decided not to work in his family’s insurance business and

instead applied for an assistant coach position at Penn State. He got the job, but at 23 he had a bit of a wild streak and a temper. Battista still recalls the arrival of his new assistant in the summer of 1997. “He was a brash young man at first,” Battista says. “We used to have some big arguments about lineups and plays, but what I respected about him the most was once we left the coaching room, he was always loyal.” One particularly heated coaching dispute, Battista recalls, was the day of the 1998 American Hockey Association National Championship game. The head coach and his young assistant butted heads over which player should fill one position — an experienced fifth-year senior or an up-and-coming freshman. Battista favored the older player who had paid his dues, but Balboni pushed for the new talent. Battista won the argument, but says his assistant never complained. That year the Icers went on to beat Ohio University, 5-1, winning its first ACHA national championship in eight years. In Balboni’s new office, a Nittany Lion statue commemorating the championship (a gift from Battista) sits front and center on his desk. He is quick to point out that that championship is his favorite Icers’ victory — maybe because he had a lot to do with it. Battista credits him as a factor in the Icers’ success. After Balboni’s arrival, the team played in nine consecutive national championship games. “Before, we’d been playing well, but hadn’t quite made it to the highest level of success,” Battista says. “We

PENN STATE ICERS 2006-07 SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER Fri. 29

BLUE/WHITE GAME

9 p.m.

OCTOBER

Sat. 7 at Washington & Jefferson TBA Sun. 8 at Robert Morris 4 p.m. Fri. 13 SCRANTON 9 p.m. Sun. 15 NAVY Noon Fri.-Sun. 20-22 ACHA Showcase at Youngstown, OH (Arizona, Duquesne, Kent State, Lindenwood, Mercyhurst, Michigan-Dearborn, Minot State, North Dakota State, Ohio, Oklahoma, Penn State, Scranton, Weber State, West Chester, West Virginia, Western Michigan) Fri. 27 OHIO 9 p.m. Sat. 28 OHIO 3:30 p.m.

NOVEMBER Fri. 3 Sat. 4 Fri. 10 Sat. 11 Sun. 12 Fri. 17 Sat. 18

WEST VIRGINIA DREXEL WEST CHESTER at Duquesne at West Virginia at Rhode Island at Rhode Island

DECEMBER Fri. 1 Sat. 2 Fri. 8 Sat. 9 Fri. 15

DELAWARE DELAWARE SAINT CLAIR SAINT CLAIR NIAGARA

JANUARY Wed. 10 Fri. 12 Sat. 13 Fri. 19 Sat. 20 Fri. 26 Sat. 27

at West Chester at Scranton at Delaware PITTSBURGH PITTSBURGH DUQUESNE DUQUESNE

9 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 9 p.m. 9:15 p.m. 4 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 9 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 9 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 9 p.m. 7:45 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 9 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 9 p.m. 3:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY Fri. 2 RHODE ISLAND 9 p.m. Sat. 3 RHODE ISLAND 3:30 p.m. Fri. 9 at Ohio 7:30 p.m. Sat. 10 at Ohio 7:30 p.m. Sat. 17 at Saint Clair 7:30 p.m. Sun. 18 at Oakland University TBA Fri. 23 MARYLAND 9 p.m. Wed.-Sun. 28-March 4 2007 ACHA National Tournament at Youngstown, OH Steve Tressler (2)

]hockey[

Battista

Leaves Coaching

for Directing

Former Icers coach becomes Nittany Lion Club executive director By Susan Field Joe Battista needed a change. So when a new job opportunity arose, he jumped at the chance. In March, after 19 years as head coach of the Icers, Battista, 46, decided to hang up his skates and accept a position as executive director of the Nittany Lion Club, an organization that raises funds for the athletic department. His work is keeping him busy, but he is up for the challenge. “My job’s a blast! The public relations work has been very exciting,” he says. “It’s a lot like coaching, just on a bigger stage.” It will feel different not spending as much time with the “Icers Family” this year, but he says he’ll always be part of the team — even if it is from behind the scenes. “I’m not going away, just taking a much lower profile position,” he says. While at Penn State as an undergrad, Battista was one of the university’s eight original Lion Ambassadors and a star defenseman for the Icers from 1978 to 1982. In his senior year he was captain and MVP. He graduated in 1983 with a degree in marketing from the Smeal College of Business. After three years as an assistant to the marketing director for the Pittsburgh Penguins, he became the Penn State Icers head coach in 1987. During his coaching career, he led the team to an Intercollegiate Hockey League title in 1989, six American Collegiate Hockey Association National Championships, and six secondplace finishes, three of which were in the last three years. The Icers won the Nittany Lion Invitational 14 times and were Big Ten Tournament champions in 2003-04. Battista’s overall coaching record is an enviable 512-120-27. In 2004, he was named head coach for the US University Select Team at the World University Games in Tarvisio, Italy, and was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. A Pittsburgh native, he resides in State College, where he’s lived for the last 19 years with his wife Heidi and children, Brianna, 14, Jonathon, 12, and Ryan, 6. He has no regrets, and has great memories from his coaching years. “I’m really proud of the whole Icers organization, but it was time for it to evolve,” he says. Battista thinks the new coach, Scott Balboni, a former assistant, will make the team more exciting. “He has a tremendous amount of experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm,” Battista says. “I hope I get to see some games!” n

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New Icers coach Scott Balboni with his family — wife Mary, son A.J., and daughter Taylor.

needed to get over the hump. I needed to be re-energized and Scott re-invigorated me and the rest of the staff. The players loved him and respected his knowledge.” Balboni may have revitalized the coaching staff, but he also learned from their example. Battista’s leadership especially made an impression on the young assistant. “People will see a lot of similarities in our coaching because I learned to coach under him,” Balboni says. “I was made in his mold. The program will be the same as it was in the past, continuing with the same philosophy of academic excellence and success on the ice.” An important lesson that Battista taught him is “the 24-hour rule.” Balboni explains he used to overreact and make rash decisions, but Battista told him to cool off by taking 24 hours to think. “It gives you a chance to think overnight and get perspective before making a big decision,” Balboni says. He made several big choices in the summer of 1999. One was getting married to State College native Mary Marhefka, who worked behind the counter and managed a Division II ice hockey team at the Penn State Ice Rink. The other was moving back home to work in the family business. He loved coaching at Penn State but felt he could provide more stability and income for his family in Salem. It didn’t take long though for the Balbonis to miss Pennsylvania and the Icers family they had become so close with. They decided the State College area was an ideal place to raise their new baby boy, A.J. In 2000, the Balbonis moved to Port Matilda, 12 miles from State College. “I like the small-town atmosphere and the closeness you have with your neighbors here,” Balboni says. He resumed coaching with the Icers, this time as a volunteer, and when the Balbonis had a daughter, named Taylor, they asked Battista to be the godfather. Balboni worked full-time as branch manager of Saleme Insurance in State College and founded MAT Realty, which stands for Mary, A.J., and Taylor. The company is currently constructing three large office buildings on College Avenue. Despite the time demands of his new position, Balboni remains co-owner. A.J. and Taylor, now 8 and 4 respectively, love going to the rink with their dad. In fact, A.J.

has already started learning to play hockey. On this day, the kids can barely contain their excitement as the Zamboni resurfaces the snow-covered ice. Taylor is rinkside, twirling around in her green sundress. “My dad’s the new head coach!” she exclaims to whomever is listening. A.J. is bursting with energy too, bopping up and down in his little blue Penn State cap. When the Zamboni finishes, the two dash to the boards, crouch, and sweep their hands across the glinting surface. Balboni’s eyes light up when he says his family is the best thing in his life. On his upper arm, their names are tattooed in a triangle with Chinese characters meaning family love. Over the years, Battista says he’s seen a tremendous maturation take place, making Balboni a better person and coach. “His family has made him instantly more observant and caring about people around him,” he says. “He’s a lot more polished now.” When Balboni decided to apply for the head coaching position, Battista made sure he was aware that time at the rink, with the team and its supporters, can exceed 80 hours a week. “I told him the job might cut back on time with his family, but Scott turned to me and said, ‘These people are our family!’ ” says Battista, who was not involved in the hiring process. In the application process, Balboni’s experience as assistant coach worked in his favor, but he had to have other qualifications as well. An applicant had to have a bachelor’s degree in business and a Level 3 USA hockey certification. Balboni was hired on July 1, beating out 43 other applicants. Returning players were happy to hear about their new coach. “I was definitely excited,” says junior right wing Sean Kenney. “He was my No. 1 pick to take the position. All the guys really like Balbs.” Last season was labeled a “rebuilding” year by some, since the team had a large group of freshmen, but the Icers surprised everyone and ended up finishing second to Rhode Island in the ACHA National Championship. Kenney says the team is even stronger now and will contend for the title in 2007. The offense will be solid, as they return three of the top four scorers from last season — sophomores Luke DeLorenzo and Frank Berry and senior Mike McMullen. Balboni says the team’s defense will be strong and he’s looking to see which players will step into leadership roles. Regardless, he is excited about his new job and is shooting for some goals of his own. He wants to help the Icers get from club status to Division I and eventually have a new state-of-the-art rink built. Those goals are long-term though, and until then, he wants to focus on becoming an even more influential part of the Icers’ family. “I’m very committed to building a true team atmosphere,” he says. “I love being around the guys because they really are like another family. I love helping them reach their goals, and that’s the best part of coaching.” n

Susan Field is an editorial assistant for Town&Gown’s Basketball & Winter Sports Annual.