Wassell named head coach of women's soccer team; long time coach Jim Fee resigns
8.23.07

Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania native and 2006 Penn State Altoona graduate Tim Wassell has been named  head coach of the Lion women's soccer program, Penn State Altoona Athletics Director Fredina Ingold announced Thursday.  Wassell replaces long-time bench boss Jim Fee, who stepped down earlier this week after six seasons at Penn State Altoona.  The 25-year-old Wassell served as an assistant to Fee last season and handled the program's recruiting efforts. 

"I have no doubt that Tim Wassell is the right person to move our women's soccer program forward," said Ingold.  "As a former student-athlete and assistant coach at Penn State Altoona, Tim has a firm understanding of what it takes to be successful.  His unwavering dedication and tireless work ethic will improve our program and our student-athletes both on and off the field. "
            
Along with his assistant coaching duties on the women's side, Wassell also spent last season as an assistant to head coach John Parente and the Lion men's soccer program.  He closely aided both coaches in recruiting efforts, organizing practices, and handling player personnel, which Wassell says will help him tremendously in his first season as head coach.

"My experiences under John and Jim will certainly make the transition easier," said Wassell.  "The support that I have received from them and the rest of the athletic staff has been nothing short of stellar and will provide me with a great opportunity to hit the ground running."
            
After graduating from Hollidaysburg Area High School in 2000, Wassell began his playing career at Division II East Stroudsburg University.   Two seasons later, he transferred to Penn State Altoona and served as a student assistant coach in 2003.  He starred as the Lions' goalkeeper in 2004 and 2005, capturing numerous conference and regional awards.   Both seasons, Wassell was named an Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference 1^st team all-star and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Regional All-American.  He was named the Penn State Altoona team MVP both years and compiled a school record 18 shutouts.  He was named AMCC Goalkeeper of the Week eight times and ECAC Goalkeeper of the Week another three times. 
           
Wassell became the first Penn State Altoona student-athlete to ever be named to the Regional Academic All-American team.  His resume also includes a NSCAA National Diploma and a National Goalkeeper Diploma, passing both with high marks.  He plans on getting his Advanced National Diploma this winter.
           
"I'm thrilled to continue working with the student-athletes at Penn State Altoona and believe there is a strong future for the women's soccer program.  My goal is to bring players here that are committed and passionate to developing a winning tradition."
           
Fee leaves Ivyside after six seasons at the helm.  His most successful campaign came in 2004 when the Lions finished 10-12 and qualified for the AMCC playoffs.  Over the last 38 years, Fee has served a variety of roles in the local soccer community and has been recognized as a pioneer in bringing soccer to the Altoona area.   He served as the first Altoona Soccer Club president, the Pennsylvania West registrar for the North/Central District in Pennsylvania, and was the West Youth Board representative from the Altoona area for a number of years. Fee has served as head coach at Altoona Area High School, was the American Youth Soccer Organization commissioner from the local region and also serves as a referee.
            
In the late 1990's, he coached the club soccer team at Penn State Altoona and vigorously lobbied that soccer gain official varsity status.  His efforts paid off in 2001 when men's and women's soccer were introduced as the newest Penn State Altoona varsity sports.  
          
"Jim has been a father figure to Penn State Altoona soccer and to the young women who have come through the program," noted Ingold.  "We are indebted to Jim for his hard work and dedication over the years, and we wish him all the best."
         
Wassell will be assisted by Pam Snyder, who enters her third season with the program.   Aside from his coaching duties, Wassell works as a Marketing Director for Forney Financial Solutions based in Altoona.  The Lions' first contest of 2007 is Friday, August 31, against Salem International.