Middletown, Pa. – The Penn State Harrisburg men's golf team has one of their all-time best golfers taking the head coaching reigns in the Spring of 2018. Tyler Shank, a former Penn State Harrisburg four year starter, has been named the head men's and women's interim golf coach. Shank was the assistant coach during the Fall season.
Former Head Coach Malcolm Jackson is stepping down as the head coach after accepting a position with the College's Office of Development. Coach Jackson not only hired Shank as an assistant, giving him his first opportunity to coach at the collegiate level, but was also his coach during his senior year at Penn State Harrisburg.
Despite not having a large amount of coaching experience, Shank knows exactly what it is like to succeed as a Penn State Harrisburg golfer. Shank is arguably the best golfer to come through the program. He was the 2014 CAC Rookie of the Year, a Penn State Harrisburg Student Athlete of the Year and a four-year All-Conference golfer.
Coach Shank is looking forward to getting started in a few weeks. He plans to keep much of the team's philosophy the same, while putting a focus on building team chemistry. "I believe Division III sports should be more than just being an athlete, but prioritizing the person, then student and lastly the athletic priorities for each golfer." Coach Shank also is optimistic for the Lions top returner Keith Miller, "Keith wants to win and can win."
We are looking forward to seeing the impact Shank can make in his first season and wish him the best. The Lions start their Spring season on March 17th.