Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1977-1989 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 24, 1988)
SPORTS INSERT Clackamas Community College Page A34 Berney content coaching community college by Mark Borrelli Staff Writer To say that Norm Berney is “just a wrestling coach,” would be an insult. Just call Berney suc cessful, resourceful, a wrestling mentor.. .Norm Berney. Berney has been the head wrestling cbach here at Clackamas since 1976. He came to Clackamas in 1971 and was an assistant coach under Larry Wright. Berney also helped coach selected national coach of the year. Berney was also nominated to coach the Junior college all- American team. For now, Berney is content coaching at the junior college level, because he feels that being a major college coach would take up too much time. “I don’t know if I want coaching to be a major part of my life. It would require a great deal of time away from my family, and my hobbies.” and second in the conference championships. While in college, Berney studied buisness, and planned on getting into the business world, not education. “I wasn’t even go ing to get into education. I was going to get drafted, so I had a chance to teach, and I decided to teach.” But according to Berney that’s not the only reason he got into teaching and coaching. “I like working with people, seeing them become successful out of college.” Berney feels that the time he spent at Ukiah was a good preparation for him to be a col lege coach, along with the help, and guidance of Larry Wright. When asked why he continued to coach, Berney responded, “My hobby, missionary work. I don’t think we have a good enough base for me to leave yet.” Berney hopes to continue coaching until he stops con-' tributing, so it looks like he will be here for awhile. Berney would “It was a small town; coaching was my whole life. That’s all I did.” —Norm Berney cross country, and was the head Berney also is a counselor here coach for one year in 1983. at Clackamas, and feels that if a Ukiah high school in student doesn’t continue on Pendleton is where.Berney got his through school, then he hasn’t coaching career off the ground. . done his job well enough. “I hate While serving as Athletic Direc to see kids quit, whether it’s tor, Berney was also the basket academically or drug abuse.” ball , track, cross country, and Berney feels that any student who volleyball coach. “It was a small carries out his education has a town; coaching was my whole good opportunity to be sue-, life. That’s all I did.” cessful. “I hate to see kids not Berney attended Canby high continue on who have the ability school, where he was a wrestling to be successful in college if they state champion. He then attended just put forth the effort.” PSU, Eastern Oregon, and One of Berney’s most satisfy Cascade. While in college, Berney ing moments came last year when participated in wrestling all four his team went to nationals, and years of his eligibility, andwas finished second. For the Cougars Northwest regional champion, banner season, Berney was offer a piece of advice to the high school coach who would like to coach on the college level. “You better be ready to travel, be ready to do a lot of fund raising. Be ready to do a lot of recruiting.” But according to Berney, the job of a coach does not stop after recruiting. “You have got to recruit, get them to their classes, and get them motivated to win.” Things Berney has done well for 11 years, and most likely for many years to come. Photo by Julie Church Business as usual. Berney prepares for national tourna ment. “You have got to recruit, get them tc ifieir classes, and get them motivated to win.” —Norm Berney Seasonjrustrating for men’s wrestling team shoulder just two days prior to the regional meet. Ken Thomp son who had been one of Clackamas’ most consistent wrestlers all year, did not wres- tle’in the regionals, after dropp ing off of the team for personal reasons. Jordan did however make it back in time for regionals, finishing second at 158. by Mark Borrelli Staff Writer_________________________ The Clackamas men’s wrestl ing team will try to end a frustrating season on a good note, hoping that freshman Bryan Schiller, and sophomore Tim Jordan can make a suc cessful showing for Clackamas in the national tournament Feb. 25-27. Because of an untimely injury to Tom Malone, and some per sonal problems to other top Cougar wrestlers, Clackamas was only able to send two members of its squad onto the national tournament. Inex perience, according to coach Berney feels that while this year was a rebuilding year, it • was good experience for some of his freshman. “The fact that we competed with eight freshman showed me that next year we should have a group of sophomores who will be ready, - and will know what to expect in college competition.” Expected to return for Clackamas are: Bryan Schiller, Tom and Gary Malone, Brent Thompson, Robbie Bill, Shawn Brunson, Mike Prammer, and Steve Cox. Berney hopes that the sophomore experience will help turn next season into anothei championship year. “The lack of ex perience was really a key.” —Norm Berney Norm Berney contributed to the teams slow season. “The lack of experience was really a key. At one point in the season we had eight freshman starting for us.” The inexperience led the Cougars to an average 6-5 team record, and they carried over their average performance to the regionals. “I think that was a very average tournament for us, I think we could have taken Clackamas wrestler attempts to throw opponent. more people to the national tournament.” Injuries, and illness have also slowed the Cougars this season. SN: OL0055 Colors by Munseil Color Services Lab 'S Star Tim Jordan, who did very well in the national tournament last year, became ill in December, and wasn’t able to photo by Heidi Klein return until February. Things got worse for Clackamas come regional time, as Tom Malone, who had been hot, injured his For now, Tim Jordan and Bryan Schiller are the Clackamas wrestling team as they go ontn nationals. We wish both of these men good luck, and will look for ward to taking more members ol next year’s team, which promise to be very strong, and experienc ed. ir