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International Coaches Visit Nittany Lion Track and Field
Penn State works in conjunction with program for third-straight year

The Nittany Lion track and field/cross country programs welcomed two international coaches to campus this week, as part of the International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program (ICECP), which is run through the University of Delaware in conjunction with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). While the program offers opportunities for well over a dozen sports, track and field coaches Peter Cuffy of Antigua and Barbuda, and Sidi Bowedi Darma of Indonesia, have spent the week on campus, observing Nittany Lion practices and events, and meeting with various members of the Penn State athletic department.

"This is our third year of participating in the ICECP and we've had a wonderful experience," said Director and Head Coach of Track and Field/Cross Country Beth Alford-Sullivan. "Matt Robinson on the University of Delaware has done a outstanding job of spearheading and running this program along with the USOCs. My belief is that for sport to grow and develop, it is important to share one's coaching philosophies, training techniques, and passion for the sport. This has been a tremendous experience for my team, my staff, Penn State University and our two visiting coaches."

The highly selective program, which is now in its' third year, requires that each potential participant proposed a potential project to their National Olympic Committee (NOC). Accepted candidates then work with an international tutor to develop a personal project that will be implemented for the benefit of the respective sport or sport in general in that country. Cuffy's project is titled "Development of a Grass Roots Program to Attract Youths to Athletics in Barbuda," while Darma, who specializes in the throwing events, continues to work on his project, called "Basic Competitive Sports for Pre-Youth Athletes."

Throughout the week, Cuffy and Darma have been exposed to many aspects of athletics and academics across the university, including meetings with Sports Psychologist Dave Yukelson, and Academic Adviser Nate Althouse at the Morgan Center for Student Athletes, as well as a session with Penn State Director of Athletics Tim Curley, Associate Athletic Director for Administration Mark Sherburne, Assistant Athletic Director Jan Bortner, and Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athletes Services Bruce Ellis.

The coaches also got the opportunity to observe the Nittany Lions in action with Sullivan, and Associate Head Coach Chris Johnson, and Assistant Coaches Drew Hardyk, John Gondak, Fritz Spence, and T.J. Crater.

The next stop for Cuffy and Darma will be Villanova University for continued athletic observation, before traveling to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Spring, Colo. The final step for program participants is to present their respective projects at the International Olympic Committee Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. All told, the project spans a full academic year.

For more information on the ICECP, please visit the The University of Delaware.

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