SPORTS BRIEFS

Author: ZAMIR AHMED, SPORTS EDITOR

Aldrich to end 31-year reign

Nordic ski team head coach Terry Aldrich has announced that he will step down from the position following the upcoming season after holding the job for 31 years. Aldrich will remain on as head coach of the men's and women's cross-country teams and will become an assistant director of athletics beginning on July 1, 2006.

Aldrich attended St. Lawrence University and was a three-sport star, competing on the soccer, ski and track teams during his time there. After graduation, he qualified for both the national nordic team and the Olympic biathlon training squad, competing in the 1970 and 1971 World Championships.

Aldrich became the Director of Skiing and cross-country head coach at Middlebury College in 1975 after spending three years as coach of the ski team at the University of New Hampshire. He has enjoyed a successful run at Middlebury, as the women's team won back-to-back Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women National Championship in 1979 and 1980 and took home the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association Championship in 2004.

Pfaff '09 and Cece '06 honored

Middlebury's Ashley Pfaff '09 was named the NESCAC Player of the Week on Monday following a 1-0-1 weekend for the women's soccer team, and Derek Cece '06 was named NESCAC Player of the Week for men's soccer as recognition for his efforts during the Panthers' two wins this past weekend.

Pfaff tallied three straight goals on Sunday for the Panthers in their 3-2 win over Bowdoin. The hat trick pushed the forward's season goal total to five, making her the team leader and tying her for fourth in the NESCAC. More importantly, Pfaff's firepower helped the Panthers recover from a disappointing showing in their previous four games, when they went 0-2-2 and scored only once. Pfaff and the Panthers will look to move up in the NESCAC standings this weekend when they travel to Amherst.

Cece scored a goal in both the Panthers' games last weekend, a 4-0 win over Colby on Saturday followed by a 3-0 shutout against Bowdoin on Sunday. Cece has also anchored Middlebury's tough defense this year, which has posted six straight shutouts and not allowed a goal since the second half of their season opener. The Panthers' will have the chance to improve to 8-0 for the year on Saturday when they take on rival Amherst.

Sodano calls time after 19 years

Jerry Sodano has announced that he will step down as the Athletics Department Equipment Manager after almost 20 years with the job. He will be moving to North Carolina with his wife Nancy for new opportunities and the warmer climate.

Sodano was hired in 1987 as the equipment manager, distributing and maintaining the equipment and uniforms for all varsity and junior varsity squads. Sodano has worked closely with coaches and players over the years to keep the playing field safe by listening and meeting the needs of the sports teams.

Sodano's influence stretched beyond the equipment room, most notably in his design for an air-filled jaw pad for football helmets. Riddell All American Equipment Manufacturing has used the invention in their development of a helmet that reduces the chance of head injuries to a player. Sodano was also worked closely on the design and construction of a new equipment facility that was completed in 1999. He collaborated with the architects throughout the building process to create an efficient and accessible space for athletes.