Penn State Nittany Lions men's basketball
Encyclopedia
The Penn State Nittany Lions basketball team is a NCAA Division I college basketball
team representing the Pennsylvania State University. They are a member of the Big Ten Conference
and play home games at the 15,261-seat Bryce Jordan Center
, moving there from boisterous Rec Hall
during the 1995–96 season. Their student cheering section is known as Nittany Nation
.
The program has eight NCAA tournament
appearances with its best finish coming in 1954
, reaching the Final Four. Its most recent appearance was in 2011
, when the team lost to the Temple Owls
in the first round. The program also has 10 appearances in the National Invitation Tournament
, with the most recent being in 2009
, when they beat Baylor to win the NIT championship.
captures the vast majority of media and fan interest, the basketball program has historically struggled for relevance. According to ESPN.com
writer and Penn State graduate Dana O'Neil,
In O'Neil's view, the "stepchild" status of the program was most starkly illustrated by the last weeks of the 2010–11 season
. The team normally practices at a dedicated facility within the Bryce Jordan Center. However, for nearly a week in February, while the team was making a run for an NCAA at-large bid, Bon Jovi
took over the entire BJC—including the practice facilities—for rehearsals for their upcoming concert tour
, which opened at the BJC. The following week, the team was evicted from the BJC for a career fair and for the Penn State Dance Marathon
. On both occasions, the team was forced to practice at the nearby Intramural Building, a facility normally used by Penn State's volleyball teams. Although retrofitted with basketball hoops, the space left much to be desired. Multiple holes for volleyball net stanchions had to be taped over. During the Bon Jovi rehearsals, the hoops had been visibly lower than regulation height. While this error was corrected the following week, one of the hoops remained visibly misaligned.
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
team representing the Pennsylvania State University. They are a member of the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
and play home games at the 15,261-seat Bryce Jordan Center
Bryce Jordan Center
Bryce Jordan Center is a 15,261-seat multi-purpose arena in University Park, Pennsylvania. The arena opened in 1995 and is the largest such venue between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It replaced Rec Hall as the home to the Penn State University Nittany Lions men's and women's basketball team, the...
, moving there from boisterous Rec Hall
Rec Hall
Recreation Building, or Rec Hall as it is more commonly known, is a field house located on the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University. It was opened on January 15, 1929 and is still in use. Previously, Penn State's indoor sports teams played in a building known as the Armory,...
during the 1995–96 season. Their student cheering section is known as Nittany Nation
Nittany Nation
Nittany Nation is the student cheering section supporting the Penn State Nittany Lions men's basketball team. Founded during the 2003/04 season, the section is present at the Bryce Jordan Center for every home game with its name on the court along the sideline...
.
The program has eight NCAA tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
appearances with its best finish coming in 1954
1954 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1954 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 24 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 8, 1954, and ended with the championship game on March 20 in Kansas City, Missouri...
, reaching the Final Four. Its most recent appearance was in 2011
2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The following sites were selected to host each round of the 2011 tournament:First Four*March 15 and 16**University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, OhioSecond and third rounds*March 17 and 19**Verizon Center, Washington, D.C....
, when the team lost to the Temple Owls
Temple Owls
Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has a very long-running athletic program. The school's sports teams are called the Owls, originating from the university's early days as a night school. The current athletic director is Bill Bradshaw....
in the first round. The program also has 10 appearances in the National Invitation Tournament
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
, with the most recent being in 2009
2009 National Invitation Tournament
-Semifinals and finals:Played at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 31 and April 2* denotes each overtime played-NIT Championship:...
, when they beat Baylor to win the NIT championship.
In the shadow of football
At a school where the football programPenn State Nittany Lions football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
captures the vast majority of media and fan interest, the basketball program has historically struggled for relevance. According to ESPN.com
ESPN.com
ESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
writer and Penn State graduate Dana O'Neil,
In O'Neil's view, the "stepchild" status of the program was most starkly illustrated by the last weeks of the 2010–11 season
2010–11 Penn State Nittany Lions men's basketball team
The 2010–11 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball team represented Pennsylvania State University. Head Coach Ed DeChellis was in his eighth season with the team...
. The team normally practices at a dedicated facility within the Bryce Jordan Center. However, for nearly a week in February, while the team was making a run for an NCAA at-large bid, Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
took over the entire BJC—including the practice facilities—for rehearsals for their upcoming concert tour
Bon Jovi Live (concert tour)
Bon Jovi Live is the fourteenth concert tour by American band, Bon Jovi. Visiting several countries in North America and Europe, the tour will support the band's sixth compilation album, The Greatest Hits...
, which opened at the BJC. The following week, the team was evicted from the BJC for a career fair and for the Penn State Dance Marathon
Penn State Dance Marathon
The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, commonly referred to as THON, is a two day Dance Marathon that takes place every February at the Pennsylvania State University with the purpose of raising money to combat pediatric cancer...
. On both occasions, the team was forced to practice at the nearby Intramural Building, a facility normally used by Penn State's volleyball teams. Although retrofitted with basketball hoops, the space left much to be desired. Multiple holes for volleyball net stanchions had to be taped over. During the Bon Jovi rehearsals, the hoops had been visibly lower than regulation height. While this error was corrected the following week, one of the hoops remained visibly misaligned.
Current coaching staff
| Position | Name | Year | Alma mater |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Patrick Chambers Patrick Chambers Patrick "Pat" Chambers is an American college basketball coach and the current head men's basketball coach at Penn State University. He was hired on June 3, 2011.... |
2011 | Philadelphia University Philadelphia University Philadelphia University, founded in 1884, is a private university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Philadelphia University's student body consists of about 3,500 individuals from all 50 states and over 50 countries... (1994) |
| Assistant coach | Eugene Burroughs | 2011 | University of Richmond University of Richmond The University of Richmond is a selective, private, nonsectarian, liberal arts university located on the border of the city of Richmond and Henrico County, Virginia. The University of Richmond is a primarily undergraduate, residential university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate... (1994) |
| Assistant coach | Brian Daly | 2011 | Saint Joseph's University Saint Joseph's University Saint Joseph's University is a private, coeducational Roman Catholic Jesuit university located partially in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia and partially in Lower Merion Township and located in the Pennsylvania Main Line, Pennsylvania, United States.The school was founded in 1851 as Saint... (1992) |
| Assistant coach | Keith Urgo | 2011 | Fairfield University Fairfield University Fairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level teaching-oriented university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the... (1992) |
| Director of basketball operations | Ross Condon | 2011 | Villanova University Villanova University Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States... (2007) |
| Athletic trainer | Jon Salazer | 2001 | Penn State Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service... (1993) |
| Video coordinator | Adam Fisher | 2011 | Penn State Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service... (2006) |
| Strength and conditioning coach | Brad Pantall | 2006 | Penn State Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service... (1996) |
Coaching history
| Coach | Years | Seasons | Record | Pct. | Cnf. Record | Pct. | Cnf. Titles | Nat. Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No coach | 1897–1912, 1917–1918 | 16 | 4-7 | .364 | 0 | |||
| J.F. Haddow | 1912–1914 | 2 | 16-7 | .696 | 0 | |||
| J.F. Park | 1914–1915 | 1 | 10-3 | .769 | 0 | |||
| Burke M. "Dutch" Hermann | 1915–1917, 1919–32 | 15 | 148-73 | .670 | 0 | |||
| Hugo Bezdek Hugo Bezdek Hugo Francis Bezdek was a Czech-American sports figure who played American football and was a coach of football, basketball, and baseball. He was the head football coach at the University of Oregon , the University of Arkansas , Penn State University , and Delaware Valley College... |
1918-19 | 1 | 11-2 | .846 | 0 | |||
| Earl "The Spike" Leslie | 1932-36 | 4 | 29-28 | .509 | 0 | |||
| John Lawther | 1936-49 | 13 | 150-93 | .617 | 0 | |||
| Elmer Gross Elmer Gross Elmer Gross was an American basketball player and coach.Dr. Gross was a Professor Emeritus of Physical Education at Penn State and earned his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees from the University... |
1949-54 | 5 | 80-40 | .667 | 0 | |||
| John Egli | 1954-68 | 14 | 187-135 | .581 | 0 | |||
| Johnny Bach | 1968-78 | 10 | 122-121 | .502 | 0 | |||
| Dick Harter Dick Harter Dick Harter is an American basketball coach, who has served as both a head and assistant coach in both the NBA and NCAA.-Coaching career:... |
1978-83 | 5 | 79-61 | .564 | 0 | |||
| Bruce Parkhill Bruce Parkhill Bruce Parkhill was the head basketball coach at Penn State from 1983 to 1995. He compiled a 181-169 as the head coach at PSU. He was faced with the daunting task of resurrecting the Penn State program, but eventually retired... |
1983-95 | 12 | 181-169 | .517 | 89-120 | .426 | 1 | 0 |
| Jerry Dunn Jerry Dunn Jerry Dunn is a former assistant men's basketball coach at the University of Michigan, who held the title of Associate Head Coach. He previously held the same position at West Virginia University, but followed head coach John Beilein to Michigan after the 2006–2007 season.-Coaching career:Dunn... |
1995–2003 | 8 | 117-121 | .492 | 44-86 | .338 | 0 | |
| Ed DeChellis Ed DeChellis Edward Richard DeChellis is an American college basketball coach and current head men's basketball coach at the United States Naval Academy. Previously he was the head coach at Penn State from 2003-2011 and at East Tennessee State from 1996-2003. At Penn State, DeChellis led the Nittany Lions to... |
2003–2011 | 6 | 81-103 | .440 | 29-71 | .290 | 0 | |
| Totals | 1897–present | 112 | 1215-963 | .558 | 73-157 | .317 | 0 | |
Postseason appearances by year
| Year | Coach | Tournament |
|---|---|---|
| 1942 1942 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament -External links:* on Shrp Sports * , source for much of the information on this page.*... |
John Lawther | NCAA NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball... |
| 1952 1952 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament -External links:* on Shrp Sports * , source for much of the information on this page.... |
Elmer Gross Elmer Gross Elmer Gross was an American basketball player and coach.Dr. Gross was a Professor Emeritus of Physical Education at Penn State and earned his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees from the University... |
NCAA NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball... |
| 1954 1954 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1954 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 24 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 8, 1954, and ended with the championship game on March 20 in Kansas City, Missouri... |
Elmer Gross | NCAA (Final Four) NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball... |
| 1955 1955 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament -West region:-National Championship:-External links:* on Shrp Sports * , source for much of the information on this page.... |
John Egli | NCAA NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball... |
| 1965 1965 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1965 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 23 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 8, 1965, and ended with the championship game on March 20 in Portland, Oregon... |
John Egli | NCAA NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball... |
| 1966 | John Egli | NIT National Invitation Tournament The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985... |
| 1980 | Dick Harter Dick Harter Dick Harter is an American basketball coach, who has served as both a head and assistant coach in both the NBA and NCAA.-Coaching career:... |
NIT National Invitation Tournament The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985... |
| 1989 | Bruce Parkhill Bruce Parkhill Bruce Parkhill was the head basketball coach at Penn State from 1983 to 1995. He compiled a 181-169 as the head coach at PSU. He was faced with the daunting task of resurrecting the Penn State program, but eventually retired... |
NIT (2nd Round) National Invitation Tournament The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985... |
| 1990 | Bruce Parkhill | NIT (3rd Place) National Invitation Tournament The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985... |
| 1991 1991 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1991 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 14, 1991, and ended with the championship game on April 1 in Indianapolis, Indiana... |
Bruce Parkhill | NCAA (2nd Round) NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball... |
| 1992 | Bruce Parkhill | NIT National Invitation Tournament The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985... |
| 1995 | Bruce Parkhill | NIT (3rd Place) National Invitation Tournament The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985... |
| 1996 1996 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 1996 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 14, 1996, and ended with the championship game on April 1 at Continental Airlines Arena in... |
Jerry Dunn Jerry Dunn Jerry Dunn is a former assistant men's basketball coach at the University of Michigan, who held the title of Associate Head Coach. He previously held the same position at West Virginia University, but followed head coach John Beilein to Michigan after the 2006–2007 season.-Coaching career:Dunn... |
NCAA NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball... |
| 1998 | Jerry Dunn | NIT National Invitation Tournament The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985... |
| 2000 | Jerry Dunn | NIT National Invitation Tournament The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985... |
| 2001 2001 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The 2001 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 13, 2001 with the play-in game, and ended with the championship game on April 2 in... |
Jerry Dunn | NCAA (Sweet Sixteen) NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball... |
| 2006 | Ed DeChellis Ed DeChellis Edward Richard DeChellis is an American college basketball coach and current head men's basketball coach at the United States Naval Academy. Previously he was the head coach at Penn State from 2003-2011 and at East Tennessee State from 1996-2003. At Penn State, DeChellis led the Nittany Lions to... |
NIT National Invitation Tournament The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985... |
| 2009 | Ed DeChellis | Won NIT National Invitation Tournament The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985... |
| 2011 2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament The following sites were selected to host each round of the 2011 tournament:First Four*March 15 and 16**University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, OhioSecond and third rounds*March 17 and 19**Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.... |
Ed DeChellis | NCAA NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball... |
NBA draft
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Jesse Arnelle Jesse Arnelle Hugh Jesse Arnelle is a retired American basketball player and attorney.-Athletics:He played American football and basketball for Penn State University. He led the basketball team to the 1954 NCAA Final Four. He was named an All-American that season... |
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