Introduction to coaching suits CL South grad Benedetto

Each day Nick Benedetto walks into the football offices at the University of South Dakota, his new job doesn't seem burdensome.

"I never feel like I'm going to work, and that's definitely the kind of job you want," said Benedetto, a Crystal Lake South graduate who began working as a graduate assistant coach for the Football Championship Subdivision's Coyotes in January. "That's when you know it's what you were meant to do."

After an impressive career as a cornerback at NAIA University of Sioux Falls, where he helped the team win two national titles, Benedetto is now coaching USD's defensive backs.

Making the transition to coaching has given Benedetto a new appreciation for his coaches at USF.

"You never realize how much time and effort it takes," he said. "I found out there's a lot more time involved in being a coach than being a player. As a player, you have to worry about you and your play. As a coach, you have to worry about an entire defense."

Benedetto, who is studying for a master's degree in athletic administration, hopes to land a college coaching job after the two-year graduate assistant program. 

The dedication of college players was a major draw for Benedetto.

"On the college level, you've got 85 guys who all want to be college football players," he said. 

Some of those players, however, are only a year or two younger than the 24-year-old Benedetto. 

"I think that's more of a benefit than a downfall," Benedetto said. "I'm so close to them (in age). We're in the same generation. I can definitely relate to them."

The Coyotes, who went 5-5 last year and open the season Sept. 4 at Central Florida and Sept. 11 at Minnesota, also can relate to Benedetto, whose USF teams went 52-3 in four seasons and won the 2006 and 2008 NAIA titles.

Benedetto's success as a player is something his new students are well aware of, he said.

"It's usually, 'Let me see your (championship) rings," Benedetto said. "It's definitely a proud moment."

Judson record setters: The baseball team at Elgin's Judson University set 10 offensive records this season and won a school-record 39 games. 

The Eagles did so with five athletes from the McHenry County area on the roster.

Freshman infielder Johnny Amann had an impressive first season for the Eagles (39-24), who are dual members of the NAIA and the National Christian College Athletic Association.

Amann won Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year honors and was named NCCAA first-team all-region after hitting .314 with a school-record seven triples. Amann scored 46 runs this season and also posted a school record for at bats (185).

Woodstock grad Levi Pippenger, a junior outfielder, earned honorable mention all-region honors for hitting .377 with 40 RBIs and 13 doubles. Pippenger also had a .500 slugging percentage.

Freshman pitcher Zach Liebman, a Huntley grad, posted a 6-2 record. Marengo product Jeremy Winnan, a sophomore pitcher, appeared in five games for the Eagles, whose roster also includes freshman infielder Steve Dominici, a Crystal Lake Central grad.

Barry Bottino writes a weekly column and a blog about local college athletes for the Northwest Herald. Write to him at BarryOnCampus@hotmail.com and check out his On Campus column every Saturday in the Northwest Herald sports section.