June 9, 2004

The Nova Notebook, by Villanova director of media relations Mike Sheridan, returns with its June installment.

The thing about personal epiphanies is that they are as unique as the individual who experiences them.

In the case of Patrick Chambers, Villanova's newly hired coordinator of basketball operations, the moment of clarity came early. As a sophomore guard at what was then known as Philadelphia Textile (now Philadelphia University), Chambers had already charted an impressive basketball path. A 5-11 guard, he had earned a scholarship from legendary head coach Herb Magee after arriving without one and become a key component of a perennial Division II powerhouse.

But there was more within his grasp and it took a conversation with his coach to point it out.

The Rams were in the locker room midway through the 1991-92 season. Life was good. Textile was a top 10 program and the night's foe appeared, on paper, to be overmatched. Not long before tipoff, Magee approached his point guard.

"These guys," Magee told Chambers, gesturing toward his teammates, "aren't ready to play. This is your team and you need to make sure they get ready."

It was at that point that Magee effectively inserted Chambers as the emotional touchstone of his team. The role was one Chambers embraced instantly and the results speak eloquently of its success: the Rams made two appearances in the Elite Eight and two more in the Sweet 16 of the Division II Tournament during Chambers' career. He exited the program as its all-time assists leader with 709, a distinction he retains a decade later.

"That moment," says Chambers today, "is still so vivid for me. I can still see the locker room and all of my teammates. I took that responsibility to lead the team and ran with it. It's something that has stayed with me. I loved every day of the experience of playing college basketball. It's so special and am I very excited to be involved in it again."

Chambers was hired last month to fill the void on the Villanova staff created when Billy Lange was named in March as the head coach at the United States Naval Academy. He brings with him the qualities that Wildcat head coach Jay Wright values most in members of his staff.

"I've known Pat and his family for a long time," states Wright. "I was really attracted to his passion and enthusiasm. He was exactly what I was looking for.

"Billy was such an integral part of our staff. His passion and work ethic were so important to us that I wanted someone who had some of those same traits. Pat has them. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Billy."

It is impossible to separate Chambers from his background. As one of 12 children, he was weaned on Philadelphia basketball and has been immersed in it in some fashion or form during most of his adult life.

"He was," says his former high school coach Dan Dougherty, "your classic Philly point guard: tough, hardnosed and a great leader."

Dougherty's imprint on Chambers is clear. The former Villanova assistant - he was on Jack Kraft's staff when the 'Cats reached the NCAA Final in 1971 - and current Episcopal Academy coach served as a mentor to Chambers, first as coach and later as boss.

"Coach Doc had a monumental influence on me," Chambers states. "He was teacher, coach and father figure to me."

Dougherty felt a kinship with his young guard too. It began when Chambers transferred to Episcopal following a brief stint at Cardinal O'Hara High School.

"His aggressiveness and enthusiasm were so apparent," states Dougherty. "Everything he attacked was done passionately and basketball was his main focus."

Chambers thrived as a high school point guard but it seemed the story would end there. He attended Drexel University for a year, leaving varsity basketball behind him. But the estrangement from the sport he cherished proved taxing.

"It was a great life lesson," he says now. "To be passionate about something and not have the opportunity to do it for a year teaches you to appreciate it."

Dougherty intervened and contacted Magee on Chambers' behalf. There were no scholarships available but Magee was agreeable to welcoming the Malvern native as a walk-on. By midway through his freshman season Chambers was the sixth man and by the time he was a sophomore, that elusive scholarship was his.

"Herb was awesome," states Chambers. "I loved every day of playing for him and with my teammates. The camaraderie and competition was terrific. We jelled as a unit, played hard together, hung out together and stuck together. It really was a special time."

After graduation, Chambers spent one season as an assistant coach at Delaware Valley College. But career opportunities outside basketball enticed him into the private sector, first with a pharmaceutical company and, later, as part of his family's printing business.

"I was young and money was the only thing on my mind," he says. "I got offered a job with an amazing salary, probably twice what I could have expected to make so soon after graduation by a pharmaceutical corporation. Money blinds you."

Yet he was never far from the basketball scene. He stayed in close contact with his alma maters, often attending games and helping to organize alumni outings. When Dougherty decided to return to coaching Episcopal after a three year hiatus in 1999, he did so with one stipulation: that Chambers serve as his assistant.

Chambers immersed himself in every aspect of the program. He spent endless hours scouting opponents and recruiting. In short order he became a trusted lieutenant to Dougherty. At the same time, he was often a sounding board for his former college coach Magee.

When the slot on Wright's staff opened, Chambers was immediately interested. As a youngster, he had attended the Villanova basketball camp and knew well of the program's tradition. As a fifth grader, Chambers had earned a Most Valuable Player Award that was presented to him by former head coach Rollie Massimino. When Chambers saw Massimino at a game last season, he introduced himself to the coach of the 1985 NCAA champions and thanked him again for that award.

"I'm sure my mother still has that trophy somewhere," he says with a laugh.

One plus in Chambers' new position is his resume. In addition to an exemplary coaching profile, he also has a background in business. That figures to prove useful in his new role.

"It absolutely helps me," he says. "I think I've learned how you need to communicate with people, whatever their job is."

These days Chambers is focused upon a disparate assortment of tasks. The first session of the Villanova Basketball Camp is only weeks away. The annual Summer Jam comes along on Aug. 2 and that too requires an enormous amount of coordination with alumni and staff.

"For me, this is a great opportunity," he states. "Family and tradition are important to me and Villanova offers both. It's a perfect situation.

"I've been an owner in business so I know that it is important to like and respect the person you work for. In speaking with Coach Wright, he emphasized all of the things that I really appreciate. His teams play hard and together. He's taken a chance on me and I am going to do everything I can to live up to that."

His former boss has little doubt that he will.

"I hate losing Pat," says Dougherty, "but he is a great fit for Jay and Villanova."

****

The man who Chambers succeeds is making progress at his new address. Lange, 32, who served three seasons on Wright's staff, is settling into his head coaching position at the United States Naval Academy. He and his wife Alicia have found a home in Annapolis and been energized by the warm reception they have received since coming to the Academy.

"Every day something new hits me about this place which reminds me how awesome it is," says Lange. "There is a great tradition here and we have gotten terrific support from our athletic director and the entire community. I've had a chance to get to know the kids on the team and it's a great group of hardworking guys.

"I'm very excited about the future."

Although he has moved several hours due south, Lange retains warm feelings for Villanova and those connected to it.

"Working with Jay Wright was a tremendous learning experience for a young coach," states Lange. "The way he runs his program sets a great standard and I am fortunate to have been a part of that.

"Being at a place like Villanova, with its great basketball tradition and alumni support, really helped prepare me for this. The same values that are important to Villanova are important at the Academy. That's something which really appealed to me about this position."

Lange hopes to stop by the Summer Jam on Aug. 2 at the Pavilion to acknowledge some of those he may have missed in the speedy transition to his new home.

"I just enjoyed the entire experience," he says of his three years on the Main Line. "I appreciate the fact that I was with so many good people at Villanova."