vol.xxxi,no. 15
'cabrinicollege,radnor,pa. 19087
friday,feb. 8, 1985
Coach, playersdisagreeon conflict. by Eileen Riddle
There is a difference of opinion as to the welfare of the women's basketball team; that of the players and of Mike Tunaglia, coach of the women's basketball team. When talking to the players they discussed a problem they see as being an obvious one; Tunaglia does not see the situation as such. Two women from the team had quit because they were unhappy with the situation of the team. They said the coach was very inconsistent and unreachable. One of the women who quit the team and wished to remain anonymous said, "He tTenaglia) always contradicts himself. For example, he promised me more playing time and he never delivered on his promise." Another woman, who is on the team at present and also wished to remain anonymous, said she thinks there is definitely a problem on the team. She said she thinks the problem had been brewing since late last year. "We had a losing season and that led to anxiety and problems and those problems carried over into this year." She also added "He is unfair sometimes. For example, he will embarrass you on the court if you do something dumb." Tunaglia stated that a [actor
,that leads to problems is a losing ·season. He said that the team had ?lost a few games and that always :compounds problems. Tunaglia said, "I don't maliciously do any'thing to hurt anybody. The deci;sions I make are for the good of 'the team."
'I am a firmbeliever thatthe team is basicallya familyand likeany otherfamily 1 youare goingto have problems.' -Mike Tenaglia, Helen Goodwin, women's athletic director, was approached by a few of the women on the team. When asked about the problem she said, "I don't feel it is anyone's business. We are dealing with the problem and I do not choose to comment on the situation." Some of the women on the team also approached Dr. Joseph Romano, vice president of aca• demic affairs, whose role includes the supervision of the athletic directors, with the problem. Romano stated that he did ·meet with all parties involved last semester and made some suggestions on how to achieve har-
mony on the team and relieve much of the pressure involved. Romano also added that ifthere is indeed a problem, he will talk to all parties concerned as soon as possible and bring about some resolution. Tunaglia said, "With regard to the meeting with Dr. Romano, I did talk to him about the welfare :of the team. He was concerned with the overall picture because he talked to a few women and they weren't excited (about the team); but we were also 2-9 at the time. Dr. Romano's meeting was more of a pep talk to get us back on the road to a winning season." Tenaglia said, "Anytime a coach makes a decision there is always someone who is unhappy about that decision." · According to Tunaglia, situations like this get blown way out of proportion and that is exactly what he feels is happening here. He added, "I am a firm believer that the team is basically a family and like any other family you are going to have problems." A third woman, who is currently on the team and also wished to remain anonymous said, "You don't know where you stand on the team. We try to pull together but everyone has different views. The dissention has definitely affected my game. I try , hard to block out all the emotions
and play ball but it i~ difficult. I don't feel we are as close as a team should be." Another anonymous team member, gave her feelings on the situation. "He is sitting our number one scorer and rebounder and the two captains of the team on the bench and it really hurts us as a team and prevents us from winning games." Tunaglia said that he benches his two captains for the simple !'eason that he wants bigger, stronger and faster players on the floor. "It was just a decision that I made," he said. "It happens on other sports, coaches benching players. I have no anomosity towards anyone. It was just a decision for the best of the team." Since some of the players expressed emotional turmoil from the situation of the team, one of the psychologists at Cabrini gave a perspective on the problem. "It seems that the coach has one idea of how to coach a team and
the players have another. It would ·not hurt if the players and the coach sat down with a third party; who was sensitive to both of them, and communicate. They both have the same goal so it seems they should be able to talk over their differences. u.
'Youdon'tknow whereyoustandon the team.' -a memberof the womensbasketball team Tunaglia said, "I don't feel there is any controversy on the team. I am out here doing my job. We still have hopes of making the playoffs and l think we can do it. My goal is to put the best team I possibly can on the floor and win some basketball games and have Some fun while doing this."
Correction In the Feb. 1, 1985 issue of Loquitur, a headline on the front page stated "Pro-choice students march in D.C." We recognize the fact that the march by students was for prolife. We regret this error.
They'replaying our song: You've heard of A Flock of Seagulls, well, how about A Flock of Penguins. The group, comprised of eight Cabrini students, has been together · approximately three months. The band has played at several on campus functions. If you would like to hear a Flock of Penguins play just walk by the Widener Center Lecture Hall during one of their practices. The band members pictured are, Phil Sparagna, freshman; Chris DiNardo, junior; and Paul Puckerin, senior. The remaining band members are, Doug Jobson, freshman; Margaret Angelucci, junior; Dave Koudlock, freshman; Dana Ridgeway, · junior and Mark Sterner, junior. (photo by Cara Graham)
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Reviewingthe Broadwayhit musical 'Cats'
'Eveningat Cabrini' held in Xavier Hall
"Cats," the smash Broadway musical, has hit the Forrest theater in Philadelphia. For a review of the play, see the living section, page 5. (photo courtesy of Martha Swope)
The semester's first Evening at Cabrini was held last Sunday at Xavier Hall. For a picture story on one of the acts, see the Student Government Association section, page 7. (photo by Cara Graham)