Joe Stanavage
Joe Stanavage
Title: Assistant Coach - Men's Basketball
City: Hazleton
State: PA
ZIP Code: 18202

Joseph Stanavage graduated from Hazleton Area High School in 2005 after guiding the basketball team to a Wyoming Valley Conference Championship and a District II AAAA title. He was the starting point guard, captain, and team leader for a Cougar team that won 22 games and lost just 6.

Stanavage was recruited to play at Penn State Hazleton where he was the starting point guard and captain for a team that combined for a 28-6 conference record during the 2005-2007 seasons. For the 2006-2007 season, the Nittany Lions opened the season against NCAA Division II opponent Bloomsburg University on the road. In front of thousands of fans, Stanavage helped lead the Lions to a 31-30 halftime lead, setting the tone for what would be a very successful season. Although the Lions ended up losing the game 64-59, Stanavage and the Nittany Lion squad went on to win the PSUAC Northern Division Championship and qualify for the PSUAC Final Four at the Bryce Jordan Center. Bloomsburg won their next seven games and earned a top 10 ranking in the country for NCAA D2 schools.

In 2007, Joe transitioned to University Park where he interned as a strength and conditioning coach for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams. He worked with both teams daily and played an important role in making both programs successful. Last season, the University’s men’s basketball team competed and won the prestigious NIT tournament in New York City.

According to Coach Rush, “Joe is one of the hardest working players I have ever coached. As a player, he had a toughness and desire to compete which will definitely rub off on our players. Joe knows the system that is in place here, as he played for me at both Hazleton Area High School and here at Penn State Hazleton. He has a strong knowledge of the game and knows what we would like to accomplish on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor and has been a tremendous asset to our program.”