(740) 376-4612
jon.vanderwal@marietta.edu

Jon VanderWal begins his second year as the men's basketball coach at Marietta College. VanderWal, a former Albion (Mich.) College standout and Ohio Wesleyan University assistant, looks forward to his second season competing in the OAC.

“We are extremely excited for the 2008-09 season to begin,” VanderWal said. “Along with our returning players, we have a talented group of freshman coming in this fall, and I believe our team will make significant strides this year. We feel that our recruiting efforts this past year have laid the foundation for a successful basketball program here at Marietta College.”

VanderWal, the 15th coach since the program began in 1901-02, had been the assistant coach of Ohio Wesleyan's program for four seasons. His duties with the Battling Bishops included head junior varsity coach, recruiting coordinator, strength and conditioning coach and academic coordinator. Ohio Wesleyan, who went 18-10 in 2006-07, finished third in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) during the regular season and advanced to the championship game of the NCAC Tournament. In addition to his basketball responsibilities, VanderWal was the marketing and promotions director with the Battling Bishops and taught in the physical education department.

Before taking the job at Ohio Wesleyan, VanderWal spent two years as the assistant at Defiance College, where he earned a master's degree in education. He helped guide the Yellow Jackets to a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) regular season and HCAC Tournament runners-up finish in 2002 and a HCAC Tournament semifinal appearance in 2003.

VanderWal, who majored in history with a minor in physical education, graduated from Albion 2001. He was a four-year letterman and three-year starter with the Britons. The two-time Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) selection was a captain during his senior season.

The Cadillac, Mich., native is a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC). He has worked a variety of summer basketball camps throughout the region over the past 11 years.

"I am looking forward to continuing the process of building a program that will compete at a high level in the extremely competitive Ohio Athletic Conference," VanderWal said. "I truly believe Marietta College has great potential and I look forward to leading the men's basketball program toward achieving all of our goals."

VanderWal and his wife Tera live in Marietta.

Andy Bucheit
Assistant Coach

Andy Bucheit begins his first season as the assistant basketball coach at Marietta College.

Bucheit, who is also the head men's tennis coach, spent the last two seasons as a graduate assistant with the men’s basketball team at Ashland University. The Eagles qualified for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic League (GLIAC) Tournament in both 2006-07 and 2007-08. In addition to assisting in the recruiting and scouting efforts at Ashland, Bucheit specialized in developing the Eagle’s perimeter skills. He also oversaw the team’s academic program.

"Coach Bucheit brings a winning mentality to our staff," Coach VanderWal said. "His success as a player and as a coach will be vital in helping us build our program to a championship level. In the short amount of time that he has been here, his impact has already been felt. He is a tireless worker who is committed to excellence and we are excited to have him on staff."

Bucheit was a four-year letterman and two-year starter on Wittenberg University’s basketball team. The Tigers compiled a 95-19 record and participated in the NCAA Division III national tournament in three of Bucheit’s four seasons with the team. The guard, who served as a captain and earned All-North Coast Athletic Conference second team honors during his senior season year, finished with 951 points and made 191 three-point field goals in his career.

Bucheit spent the 2005-06 season as an assistant coach at his alma mater, which went 30-4 and advanced to the NCAA Division III championship game. In that role, he worked with the perimeter players. Bucheit was also involved in video analysis and active in recruiting.

"I want to thank Coach VanderWal, Larry Hiser and Marietta College for providing me with an excellent opportunity," Bucheit said. "I am excited to get on the hardwood this fall and begin working with our players."

Bucheit graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication from Wittenberg in 2005 and earned a master’s degree in sports education from Ashland in 2008. The Cincinnati native, who lives in Marietta, worked a variety of summer basketball camps throughout the region. He organized and directed both Ashland’s Camp of Champions and Team Shootouts in 2007.

Randy Petit
Assistant Coach

Randy Petit begins his second season as the Pioneers’ assistant coach. Petit played two years for the Navy Blue & White (2005-06) before transferring to Ohio State for a year. He returned last fall but as coach instead of a player.

"We are excited to have Coach Petit back on staff again this year," Coach VanderWal said. "He was instrumental this past season in our recruiting efforts. His energy and passion for the game of basketball is what we want our program to be about."

Petit, a Marietta native, continues to work toward his undergraduate degree in Organizational Communication and Public Relations.