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

Former Albion (Mich.) College standout and Ohio Wesleyan University assistant coach Jon VanderWal is the new Marietta College men's basketball coach.

VanderWal, the 15th coach since the program began in 1901-02, replaces Doug Foote, who resigned after 15 years at the helm of the Pioneers in February.

"I would like to thank Debbie and the entire Marietta College administration and staff for giving me the opportunity to become the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Marietta," said VanderWal.

VanderWal had been the assistant coach of Ohio Wesleyan's program for the past 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 10 years.

"I am looking forward to the challenge 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 our goals."

Andy Bucheit
Assistant Coach

Andy Bucheit begings 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.

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 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 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 oppurtunity," 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 this fall but as coach instead of a player.

"Coach Petit worked our summer camps this summer and did an excellent job," Coach VanderWal said. "He is currently serving as our recruiting and strength & conditioning coordinator. 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.