I am grateful to be starting my 23rd season as a basketball coach for the 2023-24 school year. Ever since I began playing basketball at an early age, watching the Windber Varsity teams coached by Emery D'Arcangelo, I had a strong desire to teach the game of basketball. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to be mentored by some of the best coaches in the area, including Mike Rodriguez (Windber/OLSH), John Fuschino (Windber/Greater Johnstown) and Lance Loya (Mount Aloysius College) to name a few. My coaching experience with basketball began thanks to an opportunity by fellow Windber basketball alum, Jason Jablon ('94). In 2000, I served as a volunteer assistant at Somerset Junior High School, while attending Penn State University and completing my Bachelors' Degree. After graduating in 2001, I was hired as the 7th grade boys basketball coach at Windber Middle School. In 2002, I joined the Windber Boys Varsity Basketball program, where I spent 6 seasons as an Assistant Coach and Head JV Coach. In 2008 and 2009, I joined the Men's basketball program at Mount Aloysius College as an Assistant Coach under Lance Loya. I went back to the high school level in 2009, serving as the JV Coach for Lance McGough at Forest Hills High School. Finally, in 2010 I was able to realize my dream, becoming the Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach for the storied Windber Ramblers. In 2015, I made the switch to the women's side as the Head JV Coach for the Lady Hilltoppers at Westmont Hilltop. However, I realized that my heart belongs to the Ramblers and returned to Windber, thanks to Glenn Gaye, as a volunteer assistant with the Girls
Junior High program. Currently, I'm having a blast in my 2nd season as the Head Coach of the Girls Junior High Basketball team at Windber Middle School. In addition to my coaching at the junior high, JV/ varsity and college levels, I have also spent many years coaching my 3 daughters at the rec levels for youth basketball and softball. My philosophy is based on the foundation of playing hard, playing smart, playing together and playing with pride. This philosophy teaches players that effort, intelligence, teamwork and toughness are the few things they have control over daily…as a person, a student and as an athlete.
Athletic Experience:
Being a part of a team has always been a big part of my life, and where most of my athletic memories and accomplishments have come about. I am a proud Windber Area graduate and Letterman from the class of 1997. During high school, I participated in varsity baseball and basketball for 3 years. As a basketball player, I was a 2 year starting point guard and letter winner, where I was a team captain and voted as Somerset County and Chupek All-Star selections my senior year. For a short period of time, I held the record for most 3-point field goals in a career at Windber. I don’t have many individual accolades as a player, but my teams combined for a record of 42 wins and 10 losses in my two seasons as a starting point guard. My proudest accomplishments are those that were achieved with my teammates, including District V Champs ('96); Southern Alleghenies Conference Champs ('96); Appalachain
Conference Champs ('95), District V Runner-up ('97); PIAA Sweet 16 ('96); Rotary Tourney Champs ('94 & '96); UPJ Tourney Champs ('97), and during the 95-96 season, our team won a record breaking 23 games in a row before losing in the PIAA state playoffs.
As a baseball player, I was a 3-year letterman and starter on the varsity baseball team as a designated hitter, catcher and pitcher. In my senior season, I was a team captain and selected to the Somerset County All-Star team. I also played three seasons in the AAABA league in Johnstown as a catcher and pitcher. While attending Penn State, I was selected to play on the club baseball team as a catcher at University Park during my senior year.
Personal:
Windber and Athletics have always been an important part of my life ever since I was in elementary school. Because of this, I learned at a very young age that hard work, dedication, attitude, teamwork and pride were the keys to success in sports and in life. Following graduation at Windber, I went on to obtain a Bachelors' Degree from Penn State University in Labor and Industrial Relations and Human Resources
Management. In my professional career, I have worked locally in Human Resources Management for over 20 years and am currently employed by H.F. Lenz Engineering as the Director of Human Resources. I am married to Amanda Manippo (Georg) and proud to be a "Girl Dad" to Gianna, Maggie and Marin.
