April 15, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA.; APRIL 15, 2013 - Penn State coach Patrick Chambers announced today the promotion of Brandon Spayd to take over direction of the Nittany Lion basketball strength and conditioning program.
An assistant speed, strength and conditioning coach working with both Penn State men's and women's basketball programs for the last three seasons, Spayd will take over as the Strength and Conditioning Coach for Nittany Lion basketball effective immediately and will be charged with developing and implementing the Lions' year-round training program.
"Brandon has been a valuable member of our program since day one and we are excited for him to take on a bigger role," Chambers said. "He brings terrific energy, passion and knowledge to our strength and conditioning program and has an outstanding relationship with our players and staff."
Brad Pantall, who has overseen the strength and conditioning programs for both the Nittany Lion and Lady Lion basketball programs for the past seven seasons, will continue to lead the strength and conditioning program for Lady Lion basketball while assuming duties with some of Penn State's other 31 athletic programs.
"I would like to thank Brad Pantall for his valuable contributions to the Nittany Lion basketball program," Chambers said. "He is an excellent coach and a true professional."
Spayd was a four-year starting strong safety at Juniata College, earning NSCA All-America honors in 2009, before graduating with a degree in sports management and marketing in 2010. The two-time team captain went on to earn a master's degree in exercise science - performance enhancement and injury prevention from California University of Pennsylvania in 2011. He is certified as a U.S. Weightlifting Level I Sports Performance Coach and a NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist. He also holds certifications from the National Association of Speed and Explosion and Level I SKOGG System Coach Certification.
Penn State will have the top three returning scorers in the Big Ten next season. The Lions return four of their top five scorers and rebounders as well as 80 percent or more of their points, rebounds and assists from a 2012-13 squad that posted a 10-21 record, but knocked of No. 4 Michigan (84-78) in late February. Tim Frazier, who ranked second in the Big Ten in scoring (18.8 ppg) and led the league in assists (6.2) in 2011-12, has petitioned the NCAA for a medical hardship waiver and fifth season of eligibility after playing in just four games in 2012-13. He is expected to join 2013 All-Big Ten honorable-mention honorees D.J. Newbill and Jermaine Marshall, who finished fifth (16.3 ppg) and sixth (15.3 ppg), respectively, in the Big Ten in scoring in 2012-13 and will be the top returning Big Ten scorers from last season, to form one of the most potent backcourts in the nation. Sophomore forward Ross Travis, who finished fifth in the Big Ten in rebounding (7.4 rpg) and posted double-doubles in three of his last seven games, and Brandon Taylor, who made 32 threes in his freshman season, will anchor the frontcourt.
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