State College, Pa. - June 28, 2004 - A record number of teams recently completed the team camp portion of the 2004 Penn State Nittany Lion Basketball Camps. Thirty-four teams attended the team camp, which took place this past Saturday and Sunday.

The record number of teams in attendance is all the more impressive considering the fact that the team camp had been cancelled due to lack of interest just a few years back. Under second-year Nittany Lion head coach Ed DeChellis, the state-wide and regional basketball community is beginning to embrace the energy and dedication DeChellis and his staff has infused into the Penn State program.

"This is the first time our staff has run camps here at Penn State and I'm very proud of the success we've had so far," DeChellis said. "Thirty-four teams at the team camp is very gratifying. The effort of coach (Kurt) Kanaskie and the entire staff has been tremendous. I'm very pleased that so many teams have noticed the new energy that is surrounding this program and am thankful that they chose to attend our camp."

DeChellis' camp season began with the successful Father-Son Camp on June 18-20 and continued this weekend with the team camp. A day camp, designed for boys in grades two through eight, began today and will run through Thursday, July 1.

The camp slate will conclude in a month with the instructional camp. This session, running July 31 through August 4, is for students in grades six through twelve and is designed to develop the total basketball player. Campers receive individual instruction as well as take part in 'league' games and individual competitions.

For more information on the Nittany Lion basketball camps, contact the Penn State Sports Camps office at 814/865-0561.