Matt Hunter was named the new York College head men's basketball and golf coach on May 8, 2012. Hunter replaces long-time head coach Jeff Gamber who is retiring after 35 years at the helm of both Spartan programs.

Hunter comes to York College after spending the last four seasons as a full time assistant coach at DeSales University. The Bulldogs went 84-32 during Hunter’s tenure on the DeSales bench. The Bulldogs went to a pair of NCAA Tournaments as they advanced to the Elite Eight in 2008-09 and to the Sweet 16 in 2009-10. DeSales won two MAC Freedom Conference championships and played in the championship game in three of the four years he was with the program.

Assistant Dean for Athletics and Recreation Paul Saikia is excited to have Hunter on board.

"This is a real transition for us,” says Saikia. “Coach Gamber was a constant for us for so long, it was important for us to actually identify what we wanted moving forward. In the end, we found that in Matt--he is a proven recruiter, he is energetic, methodical, hungry, balanced, and committed to growing with us."

Hunter is excited to get on campus and get started.

“First, I want to thank Dr. Waldner, Dean Merkle, Paul Saikia and all the members of the search committee for this great opportunity,” states Hunter. “I am very excited about becoming the next men’s basketball and golf coach. I can’t wait to get on campus, meet the players and begin working for next season and beyond. Coach Gamber has set a great standard of excellence and I look forward to being able to continue that tradition.”

Hunter is no stranger to the Capital Athletic Conference as he was a three-year letter winner at Salisbury University. He graduated from Salisbury with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in May of 2005. He posted a GPA of 3.62, as he was a three-time CAC All-Academic team selection.  Hunter was a two-year captain for the Sea Gulls’ men’s basketball squad.

Hunter has a very definitive idea of what he wants from his Spartan teams.

“I want players who are, first and foremost, great people,” says the new Spartan mentor. “Being good students and good players are important but I feel kids with great character will provide us with our best chance to be champions. I want our players to have a mindset of hard work and dedication. I also want them to have the willingness to sacrifice for their teammates.”

Prior to Hunter’s stop at DeSales, he was on the staff at The College of New Jersey. While at TCNJ, Hunter was thrust into the role of interim head coach for the 2007-08 season at the age of 24. Prior to being named as the interim coach, he served as a TCNJ part-time assistant for the 2005-06 season. He then moved to the full-time assistant position for the 2006-07 campaign.

"One of the qualities that drew us to Matt is that he had head coaching experience and that he had taken on that role at a time when he was probably not fully prepared,” says Saikia. “It shows a lot of confidence--something we want to see in all of our coaches. We also see a very realistic sense with Matt about how to get things done. It's not magic--you have to bring in the right student-athletes, establish a system and a philosophy that makes sense, and then work your butt off. He gets that."

Hunter knows what he wants his teams to project.

“I want our teams to be recognized as ones that work hard, play together and play the game the right way. We will respect the game, the opponent and the process of improving as individuals and as a team. I believe that the saying ‘Character is who you are when nobody is watching’ will be very true of both our basketball players and our golfers.”

Hunter resides in York with his wife Annie and their daughter Kelsey. 

Ryan Van Zelst joins Coach Matt Hunter’s first staff at York College for the 2012-13 campaign. Van Zelst comes to York College from Conwell-Egan Catholic High School where he was the Director of Institutional Advancement. He is a 2011 graduate of Albright College.

Van Zelst was a three-year member of the Albright College basketball squad. He was a part of a program that posted 44 wins in three years including a MAC championship game appearance in his junior year.

After closing out his collegiate career, Van Zelst worked as an Assistant Basketball coach at Gwynedd-Mercy College. He was heavily involved in recruiting potential student-athletes for the Griffins. Van Zelst also participated in the practices prior to the Griffins’ Costa Rica trip, preparing the team for the upcoming campaign.

Van Zelst moved on to Conwell-Egan where he was responsible for all aspects of the school’s advancement effort. He actively solicited alumni of all ages to donate, volunteer, and fundraise for tuition assistance, building improvements, and long-term goals.

Van Zelst continues to be heavily involved in the Hoop Group Elite and Skills Camps in the Poconos and also at Albright during the summer months.

Van Zelst graduated from Albright with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Nick Brady joins coach Matt Hunter's staff after spending last year assisting former Spartan head coach Jeff Gamber. Brady was a three-year starter for the Spartans from 2006-2010 as he was an NABC All-American as a senior. He spent the 2010-11 season with Briedablik of the Icelandic Express League. In addition to playing for Briedablik, he also coached a youth team consisting of 16 and 17-year old players. 

Brady was a two-year Spartan captain and closed out his career as one of eight Spartans to reach 1,500 career points. He finished his 104-game career with 1,524 points, 552 rebounds, 158 assists, and 87 steals. He was a 44.9% career shooter from the floor, 39.6% from three and 77.5% from the free throw line. Brady canned 218 threes in his career including 76 during his senior year. He is one of just two Spartans to record 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, and 200 three-point field goals. The other is Andy O’Brien who is also a Delone Catholic graduate and the Spartans’ all-time leading scorer.

Brady was the 2006-07 CAC Rookie of the year as he averaged 10.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore and responded by averaging 11.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. As a junior, Brady earned All-CAC accolades after averaging 17.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. In his standout senior year, he averaged 20.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. He shot 47.2% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc while he was a very consistent 84.7% from the charity stripe. Brady reached double figures in all 26 games this year including 13 20-plus points performances and a trio of 30-plus point contests. He recorded a career-high 36 points in the January 20 win at Mary Washington.

Brady will be responsible for assisting in all aspects of the program including on-the-floor coaching, recruiting and scouting.