Former Albright basketball player Ryan Van Zelst enters his first season as an assistant coach on the Lions staff.
Van Zelst brings extensive experience, both at the collegiate and high school levels, to the position.
Prior to his appointment at Albright, Van Zelst spent two seasons as an assistant coach at York (Pa.). While on the Spartan staff, Van Zelst played a prominent role in the rebuilding of the program through his on-court coaching and recruiting.
He worked primarily with the Spartan guards and wing players on the floor and was also responsible for opponent scouting and preparation.
Additionally, he coordinated all aspects of the video operation and oversaw trip planning for the program.
An outstanding recruiter, Van Zelst coordinated all recruiting efforts for the Mid-Atlantic Region which included Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Virginia.
Van Zelst previously worked as the Director of Institutional Advancement at Conwell-Egan Catholic High School, his scholastic alma mater, and as an assistant coach at Gwynedd-Mercy.
Van Zelst also has been a fixture on the Hoop Group camp circuit having worked camps in Philadelphia, Baltimore and New Jersey.
Van Zelst spent three seasons in an Albright uniform from 2006-10 and was a member of the 2009-10 team which captured the Commonwealth Conference championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Van Zelst earned his degree from Albright in business administration in 2011.
