UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Nittany Lion track and field/cross country programs and the Penn State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics welcomed five international coaches to campus this week, as part of the International Coaching Enrichment Certification Program (ICECP). The ICECP is run through the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the University of Delaware.
The program, which is funded through the International Olympic Committee (IOC), includes coaches who have reached national-level status in their home countries, and features participants from 32 nations, and five continents to its 2011 class. This year, the program is hosting coaches in 10 different sports. Penn State has hosted coaches from the program since its inception in 2008.
"It’s a great opportunity to be able to exchange ideas, and hear the stories from the coaches from all around the world," said Director of Athletics Tim Curley. "I’m very proud that Beth (Alford-Sullivan) and our track and field staff has participated in this program over the years. It’s really a great program for Penn State and our entire department to be involved in."
The Nittany Lions have hosted five coaches this weekend – Elroy Agard from Barbados, Shu-Hwa Wang from Chinese Tapei, Heather Samuel from Antigua and Barbuda, Faisalabad Nasrullah from Pakistan, and Rawlson Morgan from St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The coaches have spent the week at Penn State, observing the Nittany Lion track and field coaches and athletes at practice sessions, touring the University Park campus, and learning about the collegiate athletics system.
"It’s been an excellent week working with our international coaches," said Director and Head Coach of Track and Field/Cross Country Beth Alford-Sullivan. "They bring a lot of spirit and excitement around the sport of track and field. I have all the confidence in the program and these five individuals to continue to progress not only their countries, but the sport of track and field in total."
The visit was capped off on Friday morning with a round table session with the Athletic Administration staff, including Curley, Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator Charmelle Green, Associate Athletic Director for Administration Mark Sherburne, Assistant Athletic Director Jan Bortner, Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Services Matt Stolberg, and Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athletes Services Bruce Ellis.
In order to complete the program, candidates must develop a personal project that will be implemented for the benefit of the respective sport or sport in general in that country. Following their experience at Penn State, the coaches will travel to Villanova University, before going to the USOC’s Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.