After nine seasons that included six consecutive conference championships and an incredible win streak that reached 155 matches from 2003-08, Pennsylvania College of Technology golf coach Chet Schuman is retiring. But he passes the torch to someone very familiar with the program.
The college announced Thursday that Matt Haile has been named to succeed Schuman.
An avid golfer, Haile developed a love for the game ever since his grandfather put a club in his hand at a young age.
A 2002 graduate of Shikellamy High School in Sunbury, where he lettered for four years and was a PIAA District 4 state qualifier who tied for 26th in the state championship, Haile went on to compete four years at Penn College.
As a player for the Wildcats, Haile placed second in the 2002 Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Association championship and won the conference's individual crown in 2003 as a member of the team that began the remarkable string of victories. He was the Penn State University Athletic Conference individual runner-up in 2005 when the team won its third straight conference title.
Haile graduated from Penn College in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in data communications and networking and now is employed as a network specialist for the college's Information Technology Services.
"Chet was a great coach. He kept us cool and calm when we were out there. If we were struggling, he'd be right there to say, 'Hey, keep it going. You have a lot of golf left and anything can happen,'" Haile said.
The new coach hopes to use his own golf experience in the team's continued development.
"I am an active player and compete throughout the area. I look to be a role model for all of the student-athletes. "¦ We started winning championships six years ago. I feel fortunate that I was a part of that and I look forward to continuing that streak and being a part of Penn College and Penn College athletics," he said.
Reflecting on his coaching career, Schuman said, "I had a great time. I met a lot of great young men who left the college and became very successful. It was a wonderful time. I got lucky getting the job and I think I made the most of it."
Commenting on his successor, Schuman added, "You couldn't find a better young man. On and off the golf course, Matt is a class person. Matt comes from a golfing family and he's doing it (taking the position) for all the right reasons."