Patacsil Leaves Purdue and Moves to Iowa

[Drooke]

I'm happy for Jake to pursue his goals but saddened that he has left Indiana with his wrestling knowledge...

 

From ... http://www.central.edu/athletics/story.cfm?StoryID=3023

 

Patacsil joins Central staff

7/16/2010

Central College Sports Information

 

 

PELLA -- Central College has hired Big Ten Medal of Honor winner Jake Patacsil as assistant wrestling coach at Central College.

 

Patacsil posted a 120-41 career record at Purdue Univ., ranking third in school history in career wins and earning all-America distinction after placing fifth at 149 pounds at the 2009 NCAA Division I championships. He was a three-time Purdue Outstanding Wrestler Award winner and a three-time finalist at the Midlands Championships. Patacsil served as team captain for three seasons. He received the team's Most Improved Wrestler Award and the Durham Brothers Leadership Award. He was the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner for wrestling as well.

 

In the past season Patacsil was coach for the Boiler Elite Wrestling Club and an assistant at Twin Lakes High School in Monticello, Ind.

 

Jake PatacsilThe Big Ten Medal of Honor is presented to a male and female senior athlete at each league school for proficiency in scholarship and athletics. Patacsil, who earned a bachelor's degree in math education in 2009, was the first wrestler to receive the distinction at Purdue.

 

Patacsil was a state and national champion at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. in 2003-04.

 

"We're excited to have him join the program," coach Eric Van Kley said. "What impressed us most was that he has excelled in many areas. In addition to being an outstanding wrestler, he's a great student and was involved in all aspects of being a student-athlete.

 

"We're excited about what he brings to the table. His wrestling skills will dramatically help the guys in the wrestling room and on the mat. He will help us take that next step as a program and get us to where we want to go."

 

Patacsil has a strong wrestling heritage. His father, Frank, and uncle, Ted, are former Purdue wrestlers and his grandfather, Joe Patacsil, was a 1950 national champion. Frank Patacsil is a long-time high school teacher and coach.

 

Van Kley, entering his fourth year at Central, is orchestrating a major turnaround with the Dutch and was co-winner of the 2009-10 Iowa Conference Coach of the Year Award. He piloted Central to its first winning season since 2000-01and a seventh-place showing at the conference tourney, the school's highest in five years.

 

Patacsil replaces Jason Zastrow, who resigned after three seasons with the Dutch.