Klingman to Receive Peter A. Carlesimo Award at Event in June
In a successful and storied career in collegiate athletics as a player, coach and administrator, Steve Klingman has made many contributions to both The University of Scranton and the local soccer community.
Klingman will add another honor to his résumé when he receives the University’s Peter A. Carlesimo Award at the Carlesimo Golf Tournament and Award Dinner, to be held June 9 at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, N.J. The Quandel Construction Group is the title sponsor for this event, which is part of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Alumni Cup, a national series of amateur golf tournaments that benefit colleges and universities. Proceeds from the event will benefit student-athletes at the University.
Since 2011, the Peter A. Carlesimo Award, named for the late University of Scranton head coach and director of athletics, has been presented to someone who has made special contributions to athletics and Catholic education.
In 22 seasons as the men’s soccer coach, Klingman led the Royals to an overall record of 324-116-23 that included back-to-back championship appearances in the NCAA Division III tournament in 1980 and 1981 and four straight Final Four berths from 1980-1983.
Currently the associate director of athletics and an assistant professor in the Department of Exercise Science and Sport, Klingman took up the head coaching job for the men’s soccer team in 1973, just four years after the team’s inception. The Royals made nine other NCAA tournament appearances under his guidance, including three Elite Eight appearances. Klingman’s University soccer coaching career includes 324 victories and a .726 winning percentage, making him one of the most successful coaches in NCAA Division III men’s soccer history. Klingman also coached the University’s golf team from 1974 to 1979 and its baseball team from 1980 to 1986.
Klingman currently coaches the Abington Heights High School boys’ soccer team. During his tenure, they have won five straight Lackawanna League Division I titles and District 2 Class AAA titles twice in the last four years, as well as consecutive District 2 Class AA titles in 2008 and 2009. He earned his 400th career coaching victory in 2013 – combining for a 406-133-26 college and high school record.
A two-year varsity player at Haverford High School, Klingman continued his soccer career at Ithaca College as a three-year starter and was named all-Independent College Athletic Conference and all-New York State in 1971. After graduation, he served as an assistant men’s soccer coach for Ithaca while pursuing his master’s degree in physical education. In 1973 and 1974, Klingman played professionally in the American Soccer League with the Syracuse Suns.
Klingman has been inducted into numerous “halls of fame,” including The University of Scranton’s “Wall of Fame,” two chapters of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, the Ithaca College Sports Hall of Fame, the Chic Feldman Foundation Hall of Fame and the Haverford High School Sports Hall of Fame.
Steve and his wife, Deanna, live in Clarks Summit and are the parents of four children.
For additional information about the tournament and dinner, please visit scranton.edu/carlesimoaward or call 570-941-7719.