May 24, 2004

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Head coach Jay Wright today named Pat Chambers to the position of coordinator of basketball operations. Chambers moves into the slot vacated in March when Billy Lange was named head coach at the United States Naval Academy.

Chambers brings an extensive background in Philadelphia basketball to the Main Line. Since 1999, he has served as the top varsity assistant basketball coach at Episcopal Academy. At Episcopal, he worked alongside head coach Dan Dougherty, who in 1971 played a role in an important piece of Villanova history as an assistant coach to Jack Kraft on the Wildcat squad which reached the NCAA Final. In addition, Chambers has served as a special assistant for men's basketball to legendary coach Herb Magee at Philadelphia University. He began his coaching career as a varsity assistant coach at Delaware Valley College in 1995-96.

A 1994 graduate of Philadelphia University, Chambers emerged as a starting point guard after entering college without a scholarship. During his career, the Rams twice reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA Division II Tournament and advanced to the Sweet 16 of that event on two other occasions. Chambers still holds the all-time assists mark (709) at Philadelphia University.

"We're very fortunate to have a young man and coach with the character and passion of Pat Chambers join our staff," stated Wright. "Pat is well-known among Philadelphia basketball players for his career at Episcopal Academy and Philadelphia University, as well as his coaching experience at the collegiate and high school level. He is going to be a great addition to the Villanova basketball family."