LHU’s Nestor Coach of Year
LOCK HAVEN – Lock Haven University head men’s basketball coach Mike Nestor has been named the 2013-14 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Coach of the Year after leading the Bald Eagles to their most successful season in over two decades.
Nestor led the Bald Eagles to their first winning season in 22 years and their most wins in 25 seasons.
He couldn’t be happier or humbled by the honor, thanking his assistant coach and players.
“This award is a reflection of my assistant coach Brian Oleksiak, who has done an amazing job over the past three years here at LHU. His tireless work and his attitude have played a major role in turning this program around,” said Nestor. “Also the 14 guys on this roster who came to work every day and made my job look easy, and more importantly enjoyable. I couldn’t be more proud of them and the season. They worked hard for everything we got and although it didn’t end the way we wanted, it left us wanting more. We are already working hard toward next season.”
“I can’t thank the alumni, fans, students and local-community enough for their support this season,” added Nestor.
The Bald Eagles finished the 2013-14 season 17-10 overall, marking the most wins since Lock Haven went 26-7 in 1990.
It marked LHU’s first winning season since The Haven finished 14-12 in 1993.
Lock Haven finished its first ever season in PSAC East play with a 10-6 mark. The Bald Eagles advanced to the PSAC Tournament for the first time since 2003 and by way of their No. 4 seed hosted Lock Haven’s first home playoff game since 1989.
Nestor also guided two players to All-PSAC honors including 2014 PSAC East Player of the Year, Wali Hepburn, who led the PSAC in scoring.
During the season, Hepburn became the 16th LHU men’s basketball player to surpass the 1,000 point plateau.
Highlighting the season was the biggest win in the program’s history, when Lock Haven knocked off then-ranked No. 3 East Stroudsburg on February 6 in front of a rocking, standing-room only crowd at Thomas Fieldhouse.
Coming into the game, East Stroudsburg was the last remaining undefeated team in Division II and one of four remaining undefeated teams in all of college basketball.
The win was Lock Haven’s first over a ranked team since the Bald Eagles beat No. 23 Bloomsburg on December 20, 2006 and it’s the highest ranked (No. 3) opponent LHU has ever beaten.
It’s still the only loss on second-ranked ESU’s resume this season.
The list goes on as this past season marked a major turnaround for a program that won just six games last season and was winless in 2012.
Lock Haven University Director of Athletics, Mark Sherburne is also extremely impressed the team’s success and proud that Nestor was recognized for his efforts.
“I am proud of coach Nestor for his team’s performance this season and him being named PSAC Coach of the year,” said Sherburne. “It is a well-deserved honor and is indicative of his work ethic, leadership, dedication to his profession, positive attitude and ability to relate to his student-athletes. We are excited about the future of our basketball program under his continued and steady leadership.”
Lock Haven University President, Michael Fiorentinto is also very proud of Nestor and his team.
“We here at Lock Haven University are very proud of the hard work and dedication Coach Nestor put into the efforts to rebuild the basketball program. It is a pleasure to attend games, support the team along with both university and community members,” said Fiorentino. “Coach Nestor’s efforts go a long way to strengthening the morale around campus and the community.”
