Lewis tabbed for PSU DuBois job

Long-time Cameron County High School girls' basketball coach Pat Lewis has been hired as head coach for the new women's basketball program being established at Penn State DuBois.

His hiring was announced Saturday by Chancellor Anita McDonald. Penn State DuBois will field its first ever varsity women's basketball team in the 2007-08 season.

"It's a special opportunity to start a new program," said Lewis, an Emporium resident. "The travel will be tough, but it should be worth it."

Lewis said he plans to recruit players through PIAA District 9.

"There is plenty of talent in this area to play for a Division III program," Lewis said. "The first year may be rough because of such a late start, since many players have already committed elsewhere, but we'll be ready."

Lewis has 30 years of coaching experience at the high school level, and recently completed his 24th season as head coach at Cameron County. Over the past eight years, he has guided his teams to four 20-plus win seasons and three state playoff berths.

During his career, he has collected 280 varsity wins as well as numerous Coach of the Year honors. Lewis has also coached golf, baseball, and track.

He earned an elementary education degree from Clarion University, where he was a member of the track team, and was awarded a masters degree in guidance and counseling from St. Bonaventure University.

"It was a difficult decision to leave the program at Cameron County, but the opportunity to build a college program is too good to pass up," Lewis said.