LATROBE, Pa. (July 9) – After more than a decade of excellence at the helm of the Saint Vincent College women's basketball program, Head Coach Jimmy Petruska has announced his resignation.
 
Petruska leaves behind a legacy of success, leadership, and integrity that has elevated Bearcat women's basketball to one of the premier programs in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) and NCAA Division III.
 
"I want to thank the Saint Vincent community, specifically D.P. Harris, Father Paul Taylor, and Dr. Jeff Mallory for all of the support over all of my years at the college" Jimmy Petruska said. "I would also like to thank all of my players and alumni that have believed in me and bought into our culture here at Saint Vincent. It has been a true honor to lead this program for the past 15 years. I have truly cherished all of the professional relationships that I have built inside the Saint Vincent community and on a national level. I want to be remembered as a coach that used the game to teach our student athletes life lessons, and I hope I inspired each one of them through the game that I love. I can't thank Brother Norman Hipps and the late Father Myron Kirsch enough for taking a chance on me and giving me an opportunity to lead the program. Saint Vincent will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will forever be a Bearcat."
 
Petruska, a 2004 Saint Vincent graduate, was named the second head coach in the history of the women's basketball program at Saint Vincent College in 2011, replacing legendary Head Coach Kristen Zawacki, the lone coach in the program's 27-year history, who tragically passed away in December 2010.
 
Upon his appointment, he led the Bearcats to a 15-4 record over the final 19 games of the 2010-11 campaign, capped off with the team's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III National Tournament.
 
Over his 15 seasons, he amassed 258 career victories, compiling a .677 win percentage, while leading the Bearcats to four PAC regular-season championships, and captured the program's first-ever PAC Tournament title in 2019, earning a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament. He led the Bearcats to another PAC title during the 2022-23 season, defeating Chatham 68-52 in the championship game, advancing to the NCAA Division III Tournament. Petruska helped lead the Bearcats to the NCAA Tournament in four different seasons.
 
Petruska also helped guide the Bearcats to an undefeated 10-0 season and PAC Championship victory in the covid-19 pandemic shortened 2020-2021 season.
 
Under Petruska's guidance, Saint Vincent made six appearances in the PAC Championship game, while producing over 25 All-PAC selections, including two PAC Players of the Year. His teams were known for their up-tempo offense, commitment to team defense, and ability to develop talent both on and off the court.
 
Petruska was recently inducted into the Mars High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
 
"I would like to give one last thank you to my mom." Petruska said. "She got me into coaching, and I can't thank her enough for helping mold me into the man and coach that I am today."
 
Saint Vincent Athletic Director DP Harris offered high praise for Petruska's impact on the program and the campus community.
 
"I have known Jimmy since he was a student and graduate assistant for legendary Coach Zawacki. Jimmy Petruska is everything you could ask for in a coach, leader, and mentor. He poured his heart into Saint Vincent women's basketball and helped shape countless student-athletes into better players and even better people. His championship-level work ethic, loyalty, and love for this program will be missed every single day. While we are incredibly sad to see him go, we're also thrilled for this next chapter in his life and career. He's earned it."
 
Harris also reassured Bearcat fans that the program's commitment to championship excellence remains unchanged.
 
"We are going to find someone who reflects the same values, passion, and championship pedigree that Jimmy brought to this program. The future of Saint Vincent women's basketball remains bright."
 
 
Saint Vincent College will begin a nationwide search for its next head women's basketball coach.
 
"We wish Coach Petruska nothing but the best in his new endeavors" Saint Vincent College President Father Paul Taylor, O.S.B. explained. "We are very grateful of the successes that Jimmy has brought to our institution, helping form our student athletes into fine young women. Coach Petruska stepped in during of a time of difficulty to take over for the late Coach Zawacki. During the sudden transition, Coach Petruska helped carry Coach Zawacki's legacy on and off the court, exemplifying what it means to be a Bearcat, and we are thankful for that."