Mount Union hires Schindel as coach
Tallmadge native Bill Schindel celebrated his 25th birthday on June 11.
Just a few days later, he was promoted to be the wrestling coach at the University of Mount Union, where he concluded an All-America career on the mat in 2011.
Schindel, a graduate of Archbishop Hoban High School (2006) and Mount Union (2011), is the eighth wrestling coach in school history and takes over for Mark Hawald, who recently resigned.
“We are all confident in Bill’s ability to motivate our student-athletes both on the mat and in the classroom,” Mount Union Athletic Director Larry Kehres said in a statement. “I know his hard work and dedication will allow our wrestling program to continue moving forward.”
Schindel spent the 2011-2012 season as a Purple Raiders assistant coach, assisting in every facet of the program, including administrative duties. The Purple Raiders won their second consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament title in 2012 and finished 15th at the NCAA Division III National Championships.
Schindel is the second three-time All-American in Mount Union wrestling history after placing third at the NCAA Division III National Championships in 2011, seventh in 2010 and eighth in 2009. He wrestled at 197 pounds all three seasons.
“I look forward to meeting the opportunities and challenges of taking over the wrestling program at Mount Union,” Schindel said. “We have great facilities, programs, faculty and staff.
‘‘Coach Hawald did a great job of establishing Mount Union on the national level and I am excited to continue and grow that tradition in the coming years. This is my dream job and I am proud to stay a Raider.”
The 6-foot-4 Schindel won three OAC titles and ranks ninth on the school’s all-time wins list with an 83-17 record over his three-year career. He wrestled at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa. as a freshman.
Schindel earned four letters at Hoban under coach Ralph Paonessa, and placed twice at the OHSAA Division II state tournament, finishing seventh in 2006 and fifth in 2005 at 189 pounds. He compiled a record of 118-40 in high school and also played football for the Knights as a linemen.
Football
• Former University of Akron star linebacker Brian Wagner has left the University of Arizona, according to ESPN.com
Wagner told the TusconCitizen.com that the passion for the game was no longer there:
“I don’t have love for the game anymore. I told Coach [Rich Rodriguez] that, and that was it. It was something I was thinking about for a long time. That’s kind of where I’m at right now ... I think I’m done with football.”
Wagner left the Zips last fall after completing his degree and before the arrival of new coach Terry Bowden.
• According to a report from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Zach Guiser, a 6-foot defensive back out of Greensburg Central Catholic, committed to the University of Akron.
He has 16 career interceptions and is believed to be the first commitment for the Class of 2013 for the Zips.
Basketball
North High School will host the All-City Classic Charity Basketball Game at 4 p.m. June 30.
Area residents Erica Glover, Kenny Smith and Tammy Monroe are the game organizers and are the heads of Team OKBNU, Working in Progress and Ladies First Akron organizations.
Various youth organizations in the community are expected to benefit from the game including Project Rise, which handles the homeless population for Akron Public Schools.
Former Buchtel student Devin Green, who later graduated from Beechcroft in Columbus, is scheduled to play in the game. Green also played at Hampton University and professionally with the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and teams in several other countries.
Also slated to play are former University of Akron standouts Romeo Travis, Jeremiah Wood, Dru Joyce III, Derrick Tarver and Matt Futch. They all have pro experience, too.
Tickets at the door are $7 for adults and $3 for students, and can also be purchased at 2 Live Music and Next Clothing and Apparel. Students can get in for free with one article of donated clothing (shirt and pants only).
The first 50 children will receive Cleveland Cavaliers merchandise courtesy of former NBA All-Star Larry Nance. Haz “D.J. HazMatt” Matthews of Cleveland’s WZAK 93.1-RM will serve as the event’s master of ceremonies, and raffles and giveaways will also be included.
Monetary donations can be sent to WIP, P.O. Box 22057, Akron, OH 44302. For more information, call 330-475-4777.
