Page 4 - Fall 2013 | Rochester Athletics

Spotlight—Margaret Yerdon, Head Softball Coach Athletic Hall of Fame Nominations

the title of America East All-Conference aren’t here on a sports scholarship, but they The University of Rochester Athletic Hall of Fame nomination process Criteria
Designated Player and was twice named are here to learn. They are well-rounded and is open to everyone. The 2014 selection process will begin again in • Distinguished themselves with University of Rochester athletics as an
NECC All-Conference Pitcher of the Year. get to compete at a high level while having a January 2014. We encourage you to participate by submitting the administrator, athlete, coach, manager, or friend
great educational experience.” names of worthy candidates. Please review the criteria listed below
Yerdon started coaching softball at and then submit your nomination to the committee via Associate • Distinguished themselves as alumni by supporting athletics at the
Binghamton, where she earned both a When Yerdon isn’t coaching or taking or Director Terry Gurnett ’77 at tgurnett@sports.rochester.edu. Include as University
bachelor’s and a master’s degree. After teaching classes, she’s at home with her much factual information about the individual as possible. Nominees
graduation, she came to Rochester as an family. Her husband, Nick, is a college football may be contacted to request more information if needed. • Distinguished themselves in their chosen career
AmeriCorps volunteer. It was here that she coach, and they share a deep appreciation • Promoted goodwill for and enhanced the image of the University
approached the University’s softball team for what it takes to help a team and a family • The University strives each year to induct athletes from a range of eras.
and asked if she could volunteer as a pitching thrive. They have two young sons under two Please remember that nominees can be inducted posthumously
coach. At the time, the team didn’t have one, years of age that keep them busy when they
and it was a good ft. Soon, she transitioned are not on the feld. Thank you for participating.
from volunteer to assistant coach to her
current position. “Rochester is great place to be,” says coach
Yerdon. “It’s a new experience every year—
“The softball program here has a tradition new personalities, new dynamics. The John Gaskin Named Director of Rowing
of doing very well,” says Yerdon. “We have constant is playing a role in the lives of our
serious athletes and serious students, which students. For that, I am grateful.” John Gaskin, who has notable success “I would like to thank the University, the athletic department staf,
is a great combination. The young women in coaching and business management, and George VanderZwaag for putting their trust in me to lead the
on the team are highly motivated, excellent has been named the director of rowing rowing programs and continue the great tradition that crew has in
at managing their time, and committed to all at the University of Rochester. In addition the University and the community,” says Gaskin.
aspects of the college experience. It is great “The softball program here to providing administrative oversight to
to work with them.” has a tradition of doing very men’s and women’s crews, Gaskin will Rochester fnished the season ranked #14 in the CRCA/US Rowing
well,” says Yerdon. “We have serve as head coach of the women’s varsity Division III national rankings, counting as a season highlight a win
“The team is like a family,” says Meg team. Gaskin with the frst varsity eight women’s boat A Division race at the Dad
In her eight-year tenure here, the team Hennessy ’14, linguistics major and the serious athletes and serious Vail National Championships in Philadelphia.
has fourished, and so has she. Last year, team’s shortstop. “Coach Yerdon is always students, which is a great has served as an assistant coach of the
the Yellowjackets qualifed for the NCAA very supportive, and it’s obvious she’s really combination. The young Rochester program since 2009 and was the Gaskin came to Rochester after 10 years coaching at Forest Hills
tournament. The team also won the dedicated to us. She does whatever it takes to interim head coach in spring 2013. Public Schools Central High School in Grand Rapids, Mich., where
championship game during the Liberty help us learn, improve, and feel good about women on the team are he served as the program head coach for fve seasons. Gaskin has
League Tournament. With a keen interest our contributions.” highly motivated, excellent His appointment was announced by George VanderZwaag, the worked as a project manager at Retrotech, Inc. in Victor, N.Y., and is
in learning, Yeadon has embraced other at managing their time, and University’s director of Athletics and Recreation: licensed as an assistant referee by USRowing. He lives in Victor with
opportunities here, too. She’s taught classes For coach Yerdon, the most rewarding part committed to all aspects of his wife, Robin. They have two adult children, Jennifer and John.
for the University’s Susan B. Anthony Institute, of her job is working with young people “John brings a wide range of experience to this position,” says
and she earned a certifcate in women’s on a day-to-day basis, especially at such an the college experience. It is VanderZwaag. “First and foremost, his technical rowing knowledge
studies there. She is also at the dissertation impressionable time of their lives. “As a coach, great to work with them.” is signifcant. Coupled with his successful coaching and business
level of her doctoral program. I work hard to make a connection with the experience, he is uniquely qualifed to lead our programs as director
students. I know it’s not all about softball of rowing.”
Margaret Yerdon-Grange wears many hats and that I’m in a position to really infuence
here. She’s the head softball coach, supervises them,” she says. “I take that responsibility
the front desk staf at the Goergen Athletic quite seriously and am excited by what they
Center, and is pursuing her doctorate in accomplish. It’s something to watch them
education at the University’s Margaret Warner grow as young freshmen into mature seniors Outstanding performances
Graduate School of Education and Human ready for what the world has to ofer.”
Development. The thread throughout her There were a number of athletes who received All-American
career has been her passion for not only She also notes how sports teach life lessons. recognition this past year
softball but also learning and infuencing the One key skill student-athletes learn is Katie Flaschner ’14 (Field Hockey)
lives of young women. leadership. Just last year, one player had an Madison Wagner ’14 (Field Hockey)
injury that kept her from pitching, a position
Softball has always been a part of her life. she played most of her career. The coaches John DiBartolomeo ’13 (Basketball)
Growing up outside of Syracuse, she and her saw this as an opportunity for her to help Ally Zywicki ’15 (Basketball)
two sisters played throughout childhood and close gaps on the team. She played multiple Andres Duany ’13 (Squash)
college. Her mother was even their coach for positions in the infeld and subbed as a
many years and modeled the attributes of a pinch-hitter and pinch-runner. She served Adam Perkiomaki ’13 (Squash)
great educator and leader. instrumental roles at key times, which helped Faraz Khan ’16 (Squash)
lead the team to success. Neil Cordell ’16 (Squash)
At Binghamton University in New York State,
which transitioned from a Division III to “There is really something special about Lauren Norton ’13 (Cross Country)
Division I school while she was there, Yerdon being at a Division III school, too,” she adds.
was a standout player. She holds the career “Our athletes often have the same caliber Two Rochester athletes received Academic All-American honors as well
record for strikeouts and earned run average. of talent as those on a Division I team, but Shelby Hall ’13 (Field Hockey)
Among her many accolades, she also earned they are motivated by diferent factors. They Adam Bossert ’13 (Swimming and Diving)