Battista Leading U.S. Ice Hockey Team at Winter World University Games

University Park, Pa.; January 15, 2003  -- Penn State Icers head coach Joe Battista and four members of the Icers' squad are currently representing the United States  at the Winter World University Games.

            The competition begins today and continues through Jan. 26 in Tarvisio, Italy.

            Battista is the head coach for the United States squad, as selected by USA Hockey. The U.S. team is comprised of players from non-varsity ice hockey teams affiliated with the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). Battista has led the Icers to three consecutive ACHA National Championships.

            Penn State has four players on the U.S. squad, the most of any school. Defenseman Josh Mandel (Clark, N.J) is the captain of the U.S. squad and played for the U.S. in the 2001 Winter World University Games. He is joined by Penn State defenseman Curtiss Patrick (Hampton, Va.) and forwards Bill Downey (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Neal Price (South Park, Pa.)

            In addition, U.S. assistant coach Joshua Brandewine is a former Icers' player and current head coach at the University of Delaware.

            Competing teams at the Winter World University Games include China, Canada, Korea, the Czech Republic, Russia, Finland, Slovakia, Italy, Ukraine, Japan and the United States. The competition consists of two pools, with five teams in Pool A and six teams in Pool B. The U.S. team will play in five preliminary-round games in Pool B. The top two finishers from each pool will meet in the semifinals, with the winners advancing to the gold-medal game. Following the preliminary round, the six teams not advancing to the semifinals will play in the relegation round.

            While Battista and his four players compete for the U.S., the No. 1 ranked Icers (19-0-1) will play four games, starting with a big home series against No. 2 Illinois (21-1-0) on Friday (9:00 p.m.) and Saturday (3:30 p.m.).

            In his 16th season as head coach of the Icers, Battista has a 413-97-22 record and has led the Icers to five ACHA National Championships.

            For more information on the World University Games, visit the official website at www.tarvisio2003.org or www.usoc.org.