DUNN, NAPOLEON AND WARE JOIN MEN'S BASKETBALL STAFF AT WILMINGTON

NEW CASTLE, DE (Sept. 13, 2009) -- Wilmington University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Gallagher has announced the additions of Tim Dunne, Mark Napoleon, and Nate Ware to his staff for the upcoming 2009-20010 season.

Tim Dunne returns to the ranks of the NCAA after spending the last two seasons as the head coach at Timber Creek High School in Erial, NJ. He led Timber Creek to the NJSIAA Group III State Final and the school’s first South Jersey Sectional title in 2008. Prior to that, Dunne was the head coach at Pennsauken High School for eight seasons. His squads collected the the Group IV Sectional title in 2004, were Sectional finalists in 2003 & 2007, and won two Olympic Conference Championships in 2004 & 2007. Dunne also spent a season as an assistant coach at Rutgers University in 1999.

“I am thrilled to have Tim join the ranks of the coaching staff this season,” stated Coach Gallagher. “Tim is one of the most well respected coaches in South Jersey, and when he comes to a new school, he has a reputation for taking those teams to another level. His knowledge of “X’s and O’s” will be a great addition to the staff.”

Mark Napoelon follows Gallagher from Neumann University, where he assisted Coach Gallagher last season. Prior to that, Napoleon spent three years as the assistant boy’s basketball coach at Washington Township High School, where he helped lead the team to three consecutive playoff appearances. Coach Napoleon also was the assistant boy’s basketball coach at Sterling High School for eight seasons, where he worked under South Jersey Hall of Fame Coach Bill Hiltner. During those eight years, the team captured four Colonial Conference titles and one South Jersey Group II title.

“It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with Mark again,” said Coach Gallagher. “Mark came on board with me last year and gave a great performance both on and off the court, especially on the defensive end. He brings with him valuable experience as a head coach, along with extensive knowledge of the game that he picked up working with Bill Hiltner at Sterling.”

Nate Ware comes to Wilmington after nine seasons as the head coach of the women’s basketball team at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. He led the Devils to two Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Championships and berths in the NCAA Division II tournament (2004 & 2006). While at USP, Coach Ware amassed a record of 151-104, and left as the winningest women’s basketball coach in school history. He is one of the founding fathers of the Philadelphia Area Small College Coaches Association, formed in 1986 and continues to serve as the organizations president. He was elected to the Association’s Hall of Fame as part of its inaugural class in 1997.

Prior to joining the staff at USP, Ware served as the Head Men’s Basketball coach at Valley Forge Military College, compiling a 98-61 record in five seasons from 1996-2001. He also served as the Head Coach at Eastern College (now University) from 1982 to 1996. While at Eastern he compiled a record of 232 wins and 171 losses. In his 28 years coaching college basketball, Ware has amassed 481 wins against 366 losses, a 56.9 winning percentage.

“Nate is well known and well respected in the Philadelphia region and around the CACC,” stated Coach Gallagher. “A coach of his caliber brings instant recognition and integrity to our basketball program, and I am excited to get the chance to work with him.”

“I am thrilled with the addition of Tim, Mark, and Nate to the men’s basketball coaching staff”, said Coach Gallagher. “It is excited to build a coaching staff with the experience, credibility, and talent to help take our program to the next level. I look forward to working with all of them as we try to make Wilmington University a force, not only in the CACC, but in the region as well.”

Wilmington University is a NCAA Division II institution located in New Castle, Delaware, that competes in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. The Conference is comprised of 14 schools throughout Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut.