Oberlin revamps coaching staff
Andy Nelson, Women’s Soccer Head CoachHistory: Nelson was named the 2001 Pacific Ten Conference coach of the year when he guided Stanford University to the NCAA tournament. Nelson coached the University of Pennsylvania Quakers prior to his tenure at Stanford. He began coaching at Wellesley College where he guided the Blue to a 67-25-8 record. The Blue reached the NCAA Tournament and a number 10 national ranking under Nelson. He was named the New England Intercollegiate Soccer Association coach of the year in 1996 while leading Wellesley to a National Division III number one defensive ranking in 1998.
Chad Riley, Men’s Soccer Assistant CoachHistory: Riley has been playing soccer since he was three. He played club soccer growing up and was a five-year member of the Region III Olympic Developmental Team. In 1999 Riley was called into the U-18 U.S. National Team Camp. He was also a four-year starter at the University of Notre Dame.  Why are you at Oberlin? “I chose to coach at Oberlin College for a couple of different reasons. The first was the academic reputation of the College. The second was the combination of motivated student-athletes with a forward thinking college and athletic department. It seemed like the perfect fit for me.”
E. J. Stapler, Men’s Lacrosse Assistant CoachHistory: Staple started his collegiate career playing goaltender for Marietta College. After one season with the Pioneers, Stapler transferred to Wheeling Jesuit University, where he played for the next three seasons. Stapler spent a fourth season on board the Wheeling Jesuit lacrosse team as an assistant coach. Last season Stapler spent his time in England earning his master’s degree in sports psychology while he played for the Croydon Club lacrosse team. Why are you at Oberlin? “I came to Oberlin for the opportunity to help the Oberlin lacrosse team succeed.”
Johanna Van der Hulst, Softball Head CoachHistory: Van der Hulst has taken over the reigns as head softball coach. Prior to Oberlin, Van der Hulst served as an assistant softball coach at Smith College. Her duties included coaching the team’s pitchers and the organization of fall practice. Van der Hulst is a native of the Netherlands where she earned distinction as an accomplished pitcher, outfielder and second baseman. Her experience includes playing in the Dutch and French national championships and the European Cup of Champions. Van der Hulst earned her bachelor’s degree from Academie Voor Lichamelijke Opvoeding in Amsterdam in 1988. She holds two master’s degrees, one from Smith College in exercise and sport studies and another from Springfield College in physical education.Why are you at Oberlin? “I would have loved to go to school here as an undergraduate student, had I grown up in the United States. Strong academic programs in the humanities and sciences, combined with the Conservatory (I play woodwinds) and the opportunity to play sports or participate in many creative activities make this an amazing place for young adults to develop their talents and interests. I feel honored to become a part of that environment. The athletic department at Oberlin is currently experiencing a wonderful growth spurt. With the arrival of our new AD last year and the many changes in administration and the appointment of additional coaches, this is an excellent opportunity for me to take the softball team to the next level. In addition to my coaching responsibilities, I get to teach here.”
Kevin Walz, Men’s Lacrosse Head CoachHistory: Walz enters his third season with the Oberlin Yeomen. He previously served as assistant coach for the past two springs. The defense has improved drastically under the direction of Walz. The 2002 squad allowed 15.4 goals per game compared to 14 goals per game in 2003 and 11.6 in 2004. Walz has been a successful recruiter, having helped land a talented core of young players. From 2002-03 he coached the Minnesota Chill, one of Minnesota’s top amateur scholastic teams. In 2002, Walz’s defensive knowledge helped guide Eagan High School to a runner-up finish in the Minnesota state championships. Walz played club lacrosse for St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, Minn. He captained the Cardinals squad and spent a year as a player/coach. Why are you at Oberlin? “This will be my third year at Oberlin. I would say the guys on the team are one reason I really wanted to stay, but also the new attitude about sports that the College has. The fans are great.”
Ray Appenheimer, Cross Country Head CoachHistory: Appenheimer comes to Oberlin from Palo Alto where he served as an assistant coach for the post-collegiate Nike Farm Team. His duties included training the top distance and middle distance talent in North America. Appenheimer was a two-time Patriot League scholar athlete of the year and a six-time academic All-American at Colgate University. Appenheimer graduated magna cum laude from Colgate with high honors in English. He equally excelled outside of the classroom, earning the status of five-time Division I All-American in both track and cross-country. He was inducted into the Colgate Athletics Hall of Honor in 2001. Why are you at Oberlin? “Many things drew me to and have made me excited to be a member of the Oberlin College community. The prestige of Oberlin’s academic reputation, the beauty of the campus and the warmth of the community are truly impressive. I am passionate about the opportunity to guide Oberlin student-athletes in their pursuit of their fullest academic and athletic potential. I get to work with a great group of individuals all of whom are self-motivated, hard working people.  It is my belief that I support the mission of the College by providing an experience that will enrich the lives of the student-athletes I work with not only on the athletic fields, but in the classroom, in the community and throughout their lives beyond Oberlin College.”
Isaiah Cavaco, Men’s Basketball Assistant CoachHistory: Cavaco lettered all four years as a point guard for the Yale Bulldogs. He graduated in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Cavaco previously coached at John Carroll University where he spent one season as a women’s assistant coach. He began his coaching tenure in 2001 as a graduate assistant for the men’s basketball team at Ohio University. He later matriculated to his alma mater forone season. Why are you at Oberlin? “Oberlin College’s commitment to academic and athletic success, the wide-ranging background of students and the beautiful campus enticed me to come.  It felt like home from the first day I visited the College.  If I were a high school senior, I would definitely appreciate the opportunities Oberlin College will provide in the present and in the future.”
Joey Chen, Volleyball Asistant CoachHistory: While at Oberlin, Chen was the president, coach and captain of the Oberlin College men’s volleyball club team for three years. He helped out with the women’s team as a student assistant, but this is his first time being able to give real input and advice into the soul of the team. In high school, Chen played three years of varsity volleyball at the Taipei American School in Taipei, Taiwan. He was the starting setter for two years, and was a co-captain his senior year. Chen’s high school team participated in tournaments throughout southeast Asia, where his team medaled in two tournaments and he finished in the ranking as the number one setter and number 10 in total blocks. Other than volleyball in high school, Chen also captained the varsity basketball and badminton teams his senior year and was picked as male athlete of the year.Why are you at Oberlin? “Having been at Oberlin for five years as a student, it’s been an honor to be able to be an official assistant coach for Oberlin. This has been a dream come true, with my love for Oberlin and volleyball coming together like the last two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Thanks to everyone who has made this opportunity a reality.”
Jill Donovan, Women’s Soccer Assistant CoachHistory/Why are you at Oberlin? “I moved to Cleveland from New York City this summer with my husband. In New York I was coaching the women’s lacrosse team at Manhattan College and before that I was at Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire coaching women’s soccer and lacrosse. I wanted to continue coaching women at the college level so I am very happy for the opportunity with the women’s soccer program at Oberlin. I am also excited to be working with Andy Nelson because of his experience and success as a coach.”
Ian Falconer, Football Offensive Line CoachHistory: Falconer came to Oberlin from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore., where he was an assistant football coach responsible for tight ends and coordinating the program’s recruiting efforts. Falconer was a standout offensive lineman at Portland State University before graduating in the spring of 2000 with a degree in social science and a minor in politics. He was a four-year letter-winner and a three-year starter for the Vikings, in addition to being named an All-Big Sky selection as a center during his senior campaign. Falconer was an integral part of an offensive unit that led the Big Sky conference in total offense in 1998 and 1999. Falconer, a native of Lake Oswego, Ore., is a 1995 graduate of Lakeridge high school. He began his coaching career at West Linn high school in the fall of 2002 as assistant varsity offensive line coach.Why are you at Oberlin? “It was immediately clear upon my arrival that this is an athletics department headed in the right direction. My only hope now is to use my skills and knowledge to continue that forward momentum into the coming seasons.”
Mark Fino, Women’s Swimming Head CoachHistory: Fino spent the summer of 2003 coaching the Schubert Swim Camp at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He worked alongside the 2004 Women’s Olympic Swim Coach, Mark Schubert, and the Oregon State Women’s Swim Coach, Larry Leibowitz, as well as many Olympians, including Erika Hansen, Lenny Krazelburg, Eric Vendt and Lindsey Benko. Fino is returning for his second year at Oberlin College. Fino was a four-time varsity letter winner in swimming and a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship team from 1999-2002. Fino was voted most improved for the 1999, 2001 and 2002 seasons. Fino graduated from Kalamazoo College in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.
Ernest T. Jones, Football Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backfield CoachHistory: Ernest Jones coached at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn. from 2000-03. Upon his arrival they had a record of 0-11. They went 7-3, 8-3 and 9-2, finishing second in the conference each year and finished 10-1 the year Jones left. In 2004 Jones went to Kentucky State University in Frankfort Ky. The year before, they had a record of 3-8. They went 7-4, second in the conference his first year there. Why are you at Oberlin? “I am now here at Oberlin College where I expect to continue allowing a winning tradition to follow me. I chose Oberlin College because of its great academic tradition, great history that goes with the College and great opportunity for me to coach at such a historical school.”
Mark Lengel, Football Defensive Backs CoachHistory: Last season Lengel played defensive back for the Yeomen. During his senior year he served as a team captain. During his junior and senior seasons, Lengel was honorable mention on the North Coast Athletic Conference all-conference team. Last season Lengel had 17 solo tackles and 35 assisted tackles.
 
 

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