Brad PatakyA native of Clearfield, Pa., Pataky brings wide-ranging experience to Philipsburg-Osceola, having wrestled at a trio of legendary programs in the Keystone State -- Clearfield High, Penn State, and as a resident athlete at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club -- as well as served as assistant coach at both Lock Haven University and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
At Clearfield High, Pataky was a three-time PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) state championships finalist, winning the 112-pound title in 2004. He then went on to wrestle at Penn State under both Troy Sunderland and current Nittany Lion coach Cael Sanderson, where he was a two-time Big Ten conference championships placer and three-time NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships qualifier.
Pataky's on-the-mat career extends far beyond the Keystone State to incorporate freestyle success. Among his national and international accomplishments: University Place Winner and Champion (2008), Canada Cup place winner and two-time runner-up, a Guelph Open place winner and champion (2008), and two-time Northwest F/S Regional Champion and U.S. Open place winner, NYAC place winner (2007) and University World Team member (2008). He placed seventh at the 2008 University World Games and was an Olympic Team Trials Qualifier in 2008.
Pataky launched his collegiate coaching career as a volunteer assistant coach at Lock Haven in Pennsylvania for two seasons. Most recently, he was on the coaching staff as an assistant for the Army wrestling program at West Point.
Philipsburg-Osceola Superintendent Gregg Paladina cited Pataky's wide-ranging experience in his hiring decision.
"I know that we've always had an excellent wrestling program, but having someone with the caliber of Brad Pataky will only enhance our program," said Paladina. "He brings Penn State wrestling experience. He coached at the collegiate level and is involved with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. Our wrestlers will benefit tremendously by having someone with those attributes."
"Obviously, wrestling is wrestling any way you look at it," Pataky said. "Coaching is basically teaching. If you take it the same way you do teaching a classroom, you're trying to mold students and trying to mold athletes and eventually student-athletes. Teaching and coaching go hand in hand."
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