Comings and Goings in the Ivy League

One Ivy League head coaching search ends just as another begins.

Named head coach at Princeton yesterday was Princeton alum and longtime NFL assistant Bob Surace. Interesting quote from athletic director Gary Walters in the Trentonian:

"We are thrilled that Bob Surace will be our new head coach. He has experience as a player here at Princeton, as well as in the NFL and as a college head coach. He is also a product of and a believer in the Princeton concept of education through athletics.’’

Read that last part again and I'll italicize if for you: "... a believer in the Princeton concept of education through athletics."

The Trenton Times story about the hiring is under the headline, "Princeton Reads Back to Move Forward." Princeton's official release is here and there's a story on TigerBlog.

A little farther north Cornell coach Jim Knowles stunned many by announcing his decision to leave Ithaca and become defensive coordinator at Duke just two weeks after getting a vote of confidence from his athletic director. A few outtakes from the Ithaca Journal story:

"It boiled down to finances, job security and the opportunity to work with what I think is a great coach and an unbelievable staff," Knowles said. "Duke's a great university, but it still took a lot of deliberation."

and ....

According to Knowles, his departure is amicable, and athletic director Andy Noel supported his decision

"(Noel) wanted me to stay," Knowles said. "He supported me 100 percent, and also supported me as a person, but this is a wonderful opportunity for me and my family.

The New Britain Herald has a piece about the outstanding football players in its coverage area and one is lineman Martin Pomykala, slated to play on the defensive side of the ball at Dartmouth. From the story:

Few high school football players can say they were four-year starters but All-State tackle/defensive lineman Martin Pomykala was a warrior from the start. Offensive linemen do not accumulate statistics. Even his role on defense was not to make tackles but to control the line of scrimmage so linebackers could make the plays. He ended his career with three All-CCC certificates and was twice named to the All-Herald first team. His work in the classroom was equally stellar, and the reward is that he’ll further his education and football career at Dartmouth.

And finally, that certain Hanover High senior had a track meet scheduled for Saturday so we delayed a trip to visit the grandparents until Sunday, booked a motel for Sunday night and planned to return late Monday. All well-and-good until an email arrived yesterday with news that the 15-team track meet had been abruptlyrescheduled for Monday. Suddenly my decision to get the room through Hotwire – which does not allow refunds – doesn't look all that smart.