March 17, 2022 – Pittsburgh, PA –
Point Park University’s head men’s basketball coach for the past 4 seasons is stepping down, the news first released by Hoop Dirt. Lewandowski was first hired by Point Park on Oct. 1, 2018 as the interim head coach. He was hired on a part-time basis, which didn’t change when he was named the permanent head coach in his second season with the program. Lewandowski has balanced being a head coach of an NAIA program with being a 9th grade English teacher at Butler Area High School in Butler, PA. This is a very difficult task and it has taken a toll on Lewandowski and also those close to him. “Like anything in life, when you put energy into something, you are taking away from somewhere else. My wife and kids have been so patient and understanding the last four years. It’s now time for me to devote more time to my family and with my three daughters all in school and sports.” says Lewandowski. In the university’s press release, Point Park also points out Lewandowski’s countless hours poured into the program. “I would like to thank Coach Joe Lewandowski for his contributions to Point Park University athletics, the men’s basketball program and our university. He has represented our university with class and integrity and has certainly upgraded all aspects of our men’s basketball program in his tenure here. We appreciate his tireless effort in elevating the men’s basketball program and wish him well in his future endeavors.” says Point Park Athletic Director John Ashaolu.
There is an old saying of leaving it better than when you got it. When Lewandowski was named the interim head coach in late fall of 2018, he was given a program that went 4-22 the year before. During his 4-year tenure, he led the Pioneers to three River States Conference Tournament appearances. Their best tournament appearance was during the 2020-21 season when the Pioneers lost in the semifinal against the University of Rio Grande 61-74. If they would have that game, they would have earned an automatic berth to the NAIA National Tournament. Even with now giving up a chance to take the Pioneers to the national tournament, Lewandowski will most miss his relationships with his players. “We will always remember the games, the time spent on the sidelines, in the locker room, traveling together and getting to go places like the Virgin Islands. Those are the things that you will miss most as coach. Those relationships go on but just in a different way. Because now those relationships are outside of the grind of being in the season.” Lewandowski will now have more time to continue to invest in his now former players lives, as well as his own family’s lives. Although stepping down, it seems that it is highly likely that Lewandowski isn’t retiring from the game, as he will have multiple children playing basketball at the middle school, high school, and college level. Another coaching job could be in his future and he has definitely made his mark in Pittsburg, PA.
