Albany, NY (January 17, 2018) - Bryant & Stratton College is pleased to announce their first athletic program in Albany. Starting in September 2018, Bryant & Stratton College (BSC) will launch its inaugural season of men's basketball competing in Division I of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). Patrick Filien will lead the Bobcats as the first head coach in program history.
Filien comes to BSC after last serving at the University of Missouri Kansas City and the Air Force Academy as the associate head coach for the women's basketball teams.
Before his arrival at the Academy, Filien spent 11 years in the America East Conference as a men's basketball assistant at the University at Albany and the University of Vermont, respectively. During his tenure at Albany, they won two conference championships and made a pair of NCAA appearances, nearly upsetting No. 1 overall seed UConn in the first round in 2006. He had additional duties with regard to player development, coordination of strength & conditioning and academics.
Filien was at Vermont from 2001-2005 and responsible for recruiting, scouting and skill development where the team enjoyed unparalleled success during his years with the program. Vermont made three straight NCAA Tournament appearances, captured three America East Conference championships and posted four consecutive 20-win campaigns.
Filien played a key role in the progress of forward Taylor Coppenrath, a three-time America East Player of the Year, as well as three-time first-team all-conference guard TJ Sorrentine, who led Vermont to a 25-7 overall record in 2004-05 and an NCAA Tournament first-round victory over Big East champion Syracuse.
A native of Queens, N.Y., Filien played collegiately at the College of Saint Rose, earning his bachelor's degree in public communications in 1993. While on the court, he was a 2-year captain and named to the All-ECAC South team as a senior, when the Golden Knights posted a 25-6 record and reached the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Filien began his coaching career at Southern Vermont College as well as spending time at Lock Haven University (PA) for two and LIU-Post in Brookville, N.Y.
"Pat comes to us with a strong basketball and coaching background, great motivation and a desire to win," Bryant & Stratton College's Albany Campus Director Mike Gutierrez said. "Pat is excited to present another option to local student athletes that would like to attend Bryant & Stratton College and compete in intercollegiate athletics at the Division I level of the USCAA."
Filien will launch an immediate local recruiting plan seeking potential student athletes to start competition in the fall of 2018. Bryant & Stratton College will offer athletic scholarships to qualified student athletes.
About Bryant & Stratton College
Founded in 1854, Bryant & Stratton College has built its reputation and success on a commitment to excellence and high standards. We're proud to be regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (267) 284-5000). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Bryant & Stratton College has campus locations in New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as an Online Education division, and Continuing Education.
For over 160 years, Bryant & Stratton College has offered students access to career-relevant education leading to bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and professional certificates in the fields of business, criminal justice, design, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, human resources, paralegal studies and information technology. In addition to access to education, Bryant & Stratton College offers students access to tools to help ensure their greatest chance at success through their Career Life Prep® program. Consulting a team to best map individual career paths, teaching the soft skills employers value most, helping establish valuable professional connections and internships and offering career services support even after graduation, Bryant & Stratton College is committed to helping students succeed in their education and beyond.
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program and other important information, please visit http://www.bryantstratton.edu/disclosures. General information can be found on the college?s website at http://www.bryantstratton.edu.
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