Director of Athletics Stanchak Announces Departure From Penn State Wilke-Barre

Director of Athletics and Recreation, Brian D. Stanchak, has announced that he will be leaving Penn State University, Wilkes-Barre at the end of February of this year. His resignation will be effective February 28th. The athletic department and programs have achieved a high level of growth and success on the court/field and within the classroom during his four years leading the department. Following his departure, Stanchak will focus on his multi-divisional company, BDS Search, LLC, which includes a successful basketball coach management and marketing agency.

Below are some of the athletic department program accomplishments under his leadership:

  • 5 PSUAC Championships, 6 USCAA All-Americans, and 45 PSUAC All-Conference athletes
  • 25 USCAA and 152 PSUAC All-Academic student-athletes, including an overall 2.93 GPA
  • Placed emphasis on recruiting and retention, producing 21% increase in total student-athletes
  • Increased recreational facility memberships by 30.18%
  • Executed plans to hire school's first Trainer, Assistant AD, Intern, and Assistant Soccer Coach
  • Hired new Head Coaches in baseball, cross country, men's soccer, and women's basketball
  • Oversaw upgrades to facilities, including gym floor, weight room, spin and fitness rooms, and department offices
  • Increased marketing exposure, including building relationships with local media and establishing social media presence
  • Created Student-Athlete Advisory Board to engage athletes in enhancing their athletic experience
  • Re-established intramural sports program, increasing number of participating students 372%

Stanchak arrived at Penn State Wilkes-Barre after spending ten years coaching college basketball at the NCAA Division I level, including seven years at Seton Hall University, two years at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and one year at the University of Pennsylvania. He also served a short stint as a Sales Representative with Aqua Pharmaceuticals, where he became the number one Sales Representative in the company within only seven and a half months.

"I want to thank Kathie Flanagan-Herstek and Penn State Wilkes-Barre for providing me an opportunity to lead their athletic department for the past four years. We have achieved a significant amount of accomplishments during my time here and I hope to see this department continue to grow in the future. I would also like to thank my coaches, staff, and student-athletes for their hard work and dedication to their programs and our department. Your commitment did not go unrecognized. I look forward to what the future holds."