Pennsylvania high school football coaches gathered in the East Area Team Room last night for a panel discussion about the need for athletic trainers and physicians in the secondary school football program.

"(The coaches) must recognize that most injuries occur at practice, and high school practices have the least sophisticated medical systems," said Philip Kanfush, principal of Center High School, in Monaca. He said having a physician who is familiar with the team would take a lot of the medical responsibility off the head coach.

The panel was composed of Kanfush; Michael Lynch, a University football team physician; Art Bernardi, athletic director of Butler High School; Micky Gorhan, athletic director of Meyers High School in Wilkes Barre; and Bob Metinger, a local attorney.

The panel discussion kicked off a three-day program titled "Football Coaches' Clinic."

"I pick up something new every year," said Eric McWilliams, an assistant coach from Washington High School, adding that high school coaches greatly benefit from the coaching advice at a college level.

"It's basically the 'trickle-down effect' in coaching," said Don Snoke, another assistant coach from Washington High School.

The clinic today will feature seminars on defensive and offensive strategy and lessons for developing anaerobic power. Featured speakers at the clinic will be Penn State Head Football Coach Joe Paterno and Sam Rutigliano, head coach at Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va., said Clinic Chairman John Bove.

Tomorrow, the coaches will have a chance to witness firsthand the Nittany Lion football team practicing defensive and offensive drills and than an intrasquad scrimmage. This will be held in Beaver Stadium if the weather is good, or in Holuba Hall if it rains, Bove said.

"I hope that (the coaches) will have a better understanding of teaching techniques that will result with the safety of the athletes involved (by the end of the clinic)," Bove said.