Coach earns award for final season

Cecelia Francisco

Cabrini College’s John Dzik was named Pennsylvania Athletic Conference coach of the year. This is an honor that is chosen by other PAC coaches. Dzik’s final season ended with a record of 14-13 overall, and 9-7 in the PAC making it to the semifinals. “You don’t have to have the best record. I think they chose him as a tribute to him for his last year,” Athletic Director Leslie Danehy said.

Over the 25 years that Dzik coached the Cavaliers he finished off his record 483-216 (.690). This is among the most wins for division III coaches. Dzik holds eight PAC championship titles over a 13-year time span. One of his most proud accomplishments was leading the Cavaliers to a “Sweet Sixteen” in the NCAA Tournament.

Dzik’s position of head coach will be filled by April. There are many possible applicants for the job. “Over 60 applications have come in,” Danehy said. “I hope he’s replaceable. No one would be John Dzik, but I’m optimistic,” Danehy said. Players will be involved in the interview process by being able to ask the coach any questions prior to the hiring. There will be no set back in the schedule to find a replacement. Danehy plans to have the team meet their new coach before the end of the semester. The summer will act as their transition period before the start of the new season.

Players on Dzik’s last team have also earned a special spot in the PAC. Seniors Messiah Reames, and Ty Teasley both are on the All-PAC second team. This season Teasley was also named as a PAC player of the week, averaging 20 points, and 7.5 rebounds a game. The shoes of these two valuable players, and coach Dzik will be hard to fill.

“It will take a least two good recruiting years to build back up to the top of the PAC,” Danehy said. Transfer Jim McMahon received an honorable mention in the PAC. He is one of the teams leading scores who will be contributing a lot on the court next season. The direction of the team depends on how the recruiting process takes off. Since Dzik will not be returning next year as Cabrini’s head coach the recruiting is at a halt in the road.