| Penn State Abington Athletics |
Rick Leeman Named Women’s Basketball Coach at Penn State Abington College
ABINGTON, PA. - Long-time Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and scholastic coach Rick Leeman has been named head coach of the women’s basketball program at Penn State University Abington College, it was announced by athletic director Dr. Karen Weaver.
“Rick has been involved in coaching girls basketball at the AAU level for the past 17 years,” said Dr. Weaver. “His expertise, coaching philosophy and coaching network will serve us well as we seek to raise the profile of Penn State Abington women's basketball.”
“This is such a great opportunity,” said Leeman, who resides in Ewing, N.J., and works in information technology for the New Jersey State Police. “I love the campus. It’s a good challenge I’m looking forward to. I like an up tempo style triggered by good defense. We’ll be running the floor.”
During his coaching career, Leeman has coached more than 100 players who have gone on to play basketball on the college level, including WNBA draft picks Michelle Campbell (Rutgers) and Sharnee Zoll (Virginia).
Leeman has been the head coach on several teams that advanced to AAU Nationals, most recently with the Philadelphia Belles. His 1995 – 1996 New Jersey Sharpshooters squad finished 13th at AAU Nationals.
In addition to his AAU experience, Leeman served as an assistant coach at the scholastic level with the boys’ team at the Peddie School in Hightstown, N.J., (2002 – 2006) and girls’ squad at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, N.J. (1995 – 2002), where the team won back to back New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association state championships. He has served as a talent evaluator at Blue Star Basketball, attending events nationwide to evaluate players.
A 1997 graduate of Rowan University with a B.S. in health and exercise science, Leeman, replaces Kathy Drysdale, who led the Abington program to 36-65 record in four years and was recently named the marketing manager for the Penn State Lady Lions basketball program at University Park.
The Lions open the 2011 – 2012 season November 18 at the Rutgers-Camden Tip-Off Tournament.
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News Media Contact: Kevin Kaufman, 215-881-7404.
