As director of athletics, Beidleman will supervise Muhlenberg’s 22-sport varsity intercollegiate program, as well as the intramural and recreation programs.

“There is really only one reason to be in this business, and that is to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Beidleman. “I

Click the icon for a video clip of Beidleman’s news conference.

consider myself very fortunate to have one last opportunity to do that through Muhlenberg athletics, which has always been very special to me.”

Beidleman returned to Muhlenberg this spring after a prior 35-year association with the College, during which he held responsibilities in every area of athletics programming – as a student, coach, faculty member and administrator. He was a varsity letterwinner in football and track and spent 13 seasons as an assistant football coach following his graduation in 1963.

It was as a baseball coach that Beidleman truly made his mark, coaching the Mules from 1970 to 1992 and winning 255 games, which still stands as the school record for a coach in one sport. His teams captured five Middle Atlantic Conference Southwest League titles and three Southern Division championships.

Beidleman, who held the academic rank of associate professor of physical education from 1965 to 1992, also served as men’s intramural director and director of recreation. After retiring from coaching, he was full-time athletic business and facilities manager until August 2000.

“Sam is the perfect choice for Muhlenberg’s athletic program at this moment in its development,” said P. Randolph Helm, who began serving as Muhlenberg’s president on July 1. “Sam knows the College, he understands the program, he’s got the right philosophy and he quite literally ‘knows the players.’ He’s both liked and respected by all who’ve worked with him. We are lucky to have him fill this important post.

“When I talked to Sam about the possibility of his taking on this assignment, I asked him for his philosophy of Division III athletics,” Helm continued. “When he finished telling me his thoughts, he asked me what my philosophy was. I told him ‘Sam, I can’t improve on what you just said!’”

July 17: Two named to preseason All-America team: Two Muhlenberg football players have been named to the 2003 NCAA Division III Preseason All-America Team by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette.

Seniors Chris Radomski and Matt Bernardo were both second-team selections.

Radomski (left) is entering his third year as a starter and his fourth as a regular on the offensive line. During that span, Muhlenberg has averaged 33.2 points and 383.6 yards per game. Radomski was named to the All-South Region second team and All-Centennial Conference first team in 2002.

This is the second preseason All-America nod for Bernardo, who previously was named to the Street & Smith’s first team. He rushed for 1,393 yards and 17 touchdowns, caught 32 passes for 340 yards and four touchdowns and returned 14 kickoffs for an average of 31.4 yards with one touchdown last year. Bernardo is the Mules’ all-time leading rusher with 3,140 yards.