SHARON, Pa.- Penn State Shenango Athletics has named Michael Wernicki as the new Head Men's Basketball Coach for the Lions.

Although he was most recently the head coach at Struthers High School, Wernicki is very familiar with the college basketball scene. Formerly an assistant coach at Youngstown State University, Wernicki has spent a total of 14 years at the NCAA Division I level, coaching numerous all-conference selections.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to lead the Penn State Shenango Men's Basketball program into its next chapter", said Wernicki.  "We will strive every day to establish a culture of excellence in the classroom, in the community, and on the court. We will put a highly competitive, hardworking product on the floor that the university will be proud to watch and call their own."

A native of Erie, Pa., Wernicki played basketball for the University of Pittsburgh. During his career, the Panthers made appearances in the 1992 NIT and the 1993 NCAA Tournament. Wernicki graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication and English Writing from Pitt in 1996.

Michael and his wife Maura, a second-grade teacher at Struthers Elementary, currently reside in Poland with their son, Maxwell.