`smart Government' Not `no Government' 
Two Years Ago, Newt Gingrich Politicized A Murder Case By Blaming Democrats 
For Creating A Rotten Moral Climate In America. Critics Pounced On His Blind 
Partisanship -- And They Were Right.

Albert Bush 
Dec. 15, 1995 
Albert J. Bush, 72, Of Merrill, Wis., Died Dec. 15 At The Wausau Hospital.

By STEVE SEMBRAT
 Thursday, January 25, 1996 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





Times Leader Assistant Sports Editor &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 WILKES-BARRE -- Joe DeMelfi and Frank Sheptock took on new jobs Wednesday
with full intentions of keeping their long-standing relationship intact. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; DeMelfi stepped down as the head football coach at Wilkes University after
six years on that job and took on the duties of associate dean of admissions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Sheptock, who played for DeMelfi at Bloomsburg University and was his top
assistant at Wilkes the past six years, was named new head coach. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Both men stepped to the lectern with the look you'd expect to see in the
fourth quarter of a close game. Each, though, eventually choked up with the
emotion of the moment during a gathering of media, university officials and
about a dozen members of the football team at the Marts Center. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "They represent what university life is all about," DeMelfi said, referring
to the players. "It's been a great run for me." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Coach DeMelfi has touched my career in several phases," Sheptock said.
"I'd like to thank Joe for his direction and guidance." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Sheptock was an All-American linebacker at Bloomsburg from 1982 to 1985.
DeMelfi was part of the coaching staff as an assistant during those years. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 After graduating, Sheptock went into the scholastic coaching ranks at
Lourdes Regional, while DeMelfi remained as an assistant at Bloomsburg. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In 1990, after Wilkes fired head coach Bill Unsworth and his staff, DeMelfi
became a candidate for the job. Sheptock ran into his old coach at a wedding
and expressed interest in joining DeMelfi's staff if he got the position.
DeMelfi was named the new Wilkes head coach, and named Sheptock as his top
assistant and defensive coordinator. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Joe would have me work hard and show him that I could handle certain
things before he would give me full responsibility," Sheptock said. "That made
me mature. He has given me great direction." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 DeMelfi compiled a 31-30-1 record at Wilkes and experienced great success
after back-to-back 1-9 seasons at the beginning. The Colonels made their first
trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs in 1993, when they finished 10-0 during
the regular season and 10-1 overall. Wilkes won its first post-season game in
1994, when it finished 9-2 and won the ECAC Division III South/Metro title. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 During his days at Bloomsburg and Wilkes, DeMelfi also worked in the
admissions department. The 52-year old Berwick resident found a promotion in
that department too good to pass up. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "There comes a time when you make a decision to move on," DeMelfi said.
"I've made it. There never really is a right time for something like this." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 After stepping down, he strongly recommended that Sheptock, 32, replace
him. The school did not interview any other candidates. Sheptock was appointed
to the post by Wilkes University President Christopher Breiseth. Under school
by-laws, Breiseth has the power to fill a vacancy by presidential appointment
without interviewing other candidates. Sheptock's salary was negotiated with
university officials and was not released. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Sheptock said he intended to keep the program winning by following
DeMelfi's example of bringing in "people of great character." DeMelfi can now
help in that respect as associate dean of admissions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "He'll be a great asset," Sheptock said. "He'll be a great liaison in the
recruiting process when we need to get some details worked out. I see Joe as a
great sounding board for me. It's rare that you replace somebody who stays on
campus and has over 25 years of experience. He has done it all as a coach." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That includes the honor of being named Josten's NCAA Division III Coach of
the Year in 1993. DeMelfi said he now sees his role as "helping attract
quality people to Wilkes, and helping to spread on what a great opportunities
there are at Wilkes both regionally and nationally." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Sheptock said he will invite the assistant coaches to remain as part of his
staff. The part-time assistants for the Colonels in 1995 were Bob Barbieri,
Pat Patte, Steve Duda, John Quinn, Ron Miller and Keith Fox. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As for filling his old position, that of full-time assistant, Sheptock
would not rule out the possibility of bringing in an outside person. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We want to bring in the best person possible," Sheptock said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The challenge for 1996, he said, would be for the team to rededicate itself
and rebound from an injury- and disappointment-filled 5-5 season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "They knew what it took to be MAC champs and Freedom League champs,"
Sheptock said. "The players we recruited didn't come here to be 5-5. They have
higher aspirations." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 TIMES LEADER/BOB ESPOSITO &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Frank Sheptock, left, was top assistant for Wilkes head football coach Joe
DeMelfi, right, who stepped down Wednesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes coaching staff should remain stable &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 -- Page 1B &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Wilkes Coach Promoted; Assistant Takes Reins Of Team