Icers’ Battista gets No. 300

By CARLA MOTKO
Collegian Staff Writer

For Joe Battista, coach of the No. 1 Penn State Icers, 300 career victories wasn't anything to pause for.

Battista, in his 12th season as head coach (302-79-13 career record), earned his 300th win as coach of the Icers in a stunning road victory against No. 14 Arizona State last Thursday. He is the first coach in the history of Penn State ice hockey to reach the milestone. But no matter how noteworthy, Battista and his team never hesitated a moment as they went on to defeat No. 5 Arizona twice.

After the victory against Arizona State, the Icers celebrated at mid-ice and presented Battista with a special banner, the game puck and the traditional Gatorade bath. According to the coach, he didn't expect his players to make such a big deal out of the milestone.

"I really tried to downplay the whole thing," Battista said. "But when the game was over, all the players came over to the bench, shook my hand and gave me a hug. It really meant a lot to me."

In his 12 years of coaching at Penn State, Battista has never been known as an emotional coach, but the reaction of his team to the milestone nearly brought him to tears.

As coach of the Icers, he has pulled in two American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) titles. His first team made its run in 1990 and finished with a record of 23-8-3. Last year's team finished with an admirable 31-5-1.

His 12 years of coaching, however, are not his only ones at Penn State. Battista was a leading defenseman for the Icers from 1978-82. He was also part of the 1979 team that clinched the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Conference (MACHC) title.

During his playing career, the State College native scored 138 points in 92 games -- fifth highest at Penn State. Since hanging up his pads for the Icers, Battista hasn't lost a bit of his edge, according to forward C.J. Patrick.

Patrick, one of Penn State's leading scorers, said he went one-on-one against Battista during summer practices and said he's glad he doesn't have to do so regularly.

"I'd say he beat me more times than I got by him," Patrick said. "He's very intense, but at the same time, he's someone who I can talk to away from the rink. That's why he's an extraordinary coach."

At a public celebration to be held between the first and second periods of Friday's home game against West Virginia, the Icers will formally present Battista with a plaque to commemorate the victory. Although Battista said Friday's presentation will probably be an emotional one, he was glad the first celebration was a small one with just his team.

"I share such a special bond with my team that I was glad I got (the 300th win) on the road and could have a quiet celebration with just the guys," Battista said. "It was funny how special it was even though it happened in the middle of the desert."