Published: July 03, 2008 11:52 pm            

Pitt-Johnstown names Pecora interim athletic director

Pat Pecora has already turned the Pitt-Johnstown wrestling program into one of the nation’s best in Division II.

Now he hopes to do the same with the rest of the school’s athletic teams.

UPJ announced Thursday that the longtime wrestling coach has been named the interim athletic director, replacing Michael Castner, who was let go a little more than a month ago.

Pecora said Thursday that while he still has the “interim” tag, the school will not be conducting a further search for an athletic director.

“It will be re-evaluted in one year. There will be no search,” he said in a telephone interview. “We’ll see if the dual role is feasible and if I’m the person for that dual role.”

Pecora came to UPJ in 1976 as head soccer and wrestling coach. In his 32 years with the Mountain Cats, his wrestling teams have captured two national championships, 20 NCAA regional championships. His program led the nation in NWCA All-Academic Wrestling Team selections from 1997 through 2000, and he has coached 84 All-Academic members. Pecora has been inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame and the NCAA Division II Wrestling Hall of Fame as well as the Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame.

“Coach Pecora has a phenomenal reputation, not only in the community but on a national basis,” school spokesman Bob Knipple said Thursday. “We’re confident he’ll bring that excellence to our athletic program.”

Pecora said UPJ fans need not worry that he’ll abandon the school’s other athletic programs while concentrating on the wrestling team.

“I think everybody has known me for years there and knows how I am,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to see UPJ athletics do well in all sports. I’ve always been supportive of all the other programs from Day 1.”

He met with other members of the UPJ athletic department this week to discuss his new role and said that none of them expressed any concerns.

“I think everybody feels totally comfortable with that,” he said. “I know my competitive spirit and that I represent all sports. I’m not used to losing. I want everybody to do well, not only on the field and the courts, but you want good student-athletes.”

As the school’s athletic director, Pecora will be responsible for overall leadership, student-athlete development, and compliance with university, WVIAC and NCAA rules and regulations.

“Through his commitment to excellence and dedication to athletics, Mr. Pecora has established a wrestling program that is nationally known and respected,” UPJ President Dr. Jem Spectar said in a press release. “His passion for athletics and his 32 years of success in his field make him ideally qualified to lead our athletics department to a new level of distinction.”

Pecora said that Spectar is one of the main reasons that he decided to accept the interim AD role.

“I just really like this president,” Pecora said. “This guy is passionate. He has the work ethic. He’s personable and positive. I feel really good about working with Dr. Spectar.”

The other person that helped Pecora feel more comfortable with his decision is assistant wrestling coach Jody Strittmatter.

“Jody Strittmatter had a lot to do with it,” Pecora said. “What I didn’t want to see happen is the baby I’ve handled for 32 years, the wrestling program, to suffer. Jody can pick up the slack for the commitment and time that I have to put into other areas. I feel like I have a lot of assistants.”

Now, Pecora has plenty of other babies to care for, as UPJ has 11 varsity sports. But he said he’s up to the challenge and can’t wait to get started.

“I really feel we have something in UPJ athletics that is a great form of entertainment and involvement for the community,” Pecora said. “You can bring the whole family at a reasonable price. You can meet the coach. You can meet the athletes. You can be home without being stuck in traffic for hours. In this age of big-time sports, that’s something. What a great form of entertainment for families.”



Tribune-Democrat writer Mike Mastovich contributed to this report.

        

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