State College, Pa. ¨C August 8, 2004 ¨C Penn State Nittany Lion basketball coach Ed DeChellis underwent successful minor bladder surgery on Saturday and will not be able to serve as head coach of the Big Ten Foreign Tour Team. Penn State assistant coach Kurt Kanaskie will guide the team, which leaves on Tuesday for Europe.

DeChellis, who is entering his second season as head coach of the Nittany Lions, was admitted to Mount Nittany Medical Center Friday after experiencing some discomfort. After doctors advised surgery, DeChellis underwent the successful procedure Saturday. He will be released later today and will return to work at the helm of the Nittany Lions later this week.

Doctors restricted the veteran head coach¡¯s travel, thus causing him to miss out on being head coach of this year¡¯s Big Ten Foreign Tour team. Taking over for DeChellis is Kanaskie, who was already scheduled to make the trip with the team. Kanaskie is also in his second season on the Penn State staff.

The touring squad, which leaves Tuesday, will play a five-game schedule in France and Italy. The team will return to the United States on August 20.

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