Jeffrey R. Mallas, athletic director at Penn State Worthington Scranton, announced three additions to the school's coaching staff. Coaching additions for both men's and women's basketball programs are expected to significantly beef up the visibility and competitiveness of the Penn State Worthington Scranton men's and women's basketball squads.
Heading the women's basketball program is Ms. Nanci Purcell, assistant basketball coach at Abington Heights, Clarks Summit, PA. Ms. Purcell player credentials include her playing Division III basketball for three years. She earned her bachelor of science degree in health administration from the University of Scranton in 1985. She is also employed at Abbott Laboratories Pharmaceuticals.
Ms. Purcell's coaching credits include the junior high school Lady Comets of Abington Heights from 1997 to 2002. While there, she coached the seventh and eighth grades teams to three league championships. She developed drills, plays and presses and worked closely with the Abington Heights varsity coach, preparing her players for competition at a higher level. She served as assistant basketball coach from 1999 to 2006 at Abington Heights where she assisted the head coach with scouting, film screening and general administrative duties.
Ms. Purcell routinely attends coaching clinics at Moravian and Lycoming Colleges and serves as assistant coach at regional camps and clinics. She resides in Clarks Summit, PA.
Eileen Culkin will assist Ms. Purcell as assistant coach. She earned the bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Penn State University with a certificate in Law, Crime and Society. She serves at a caseworker with the Lackawanna County Children and Youth. She previously worked for J.C. Penney, Padgett Business Services, Keystone Community Resources and Lackawanna County Juvenile Probation Office.
Ms. Culkin played both varsity basketball and softball. She was camp coach at Keystone and she resides in Clarks Summit, PA.
Mr. Michael Fazzi will serve as assistant men's basketball coach at Penn State Worthington Scranton. He holds the bachelor of science degree in kinesiology from Penn State University and is currently attending Wilkes College pursing a masters degree in special education.
Mr. Fazzi is assistant coach at Scranton High School for both varsity and junior varsity basketball. He was assistant coach at Riverside for the seventh and eighth grade teams. In 2005, Fazzi was Male Athlete of the Year at Penn State Worthington Scranton. He was all-conference for three years in basketball at Penn State Worthington Scranton and is active coaching regional basketball camps and clinics. Mr. Fazzi, a Scranton resident, is a volunteer basketball coach at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania.