ANNVILLE, Pa. – In the world of college basketball, there are those special players and coaches that have a profound effect on a program during their time wearing a team's jersey or manning the school's sidelines. Rare, however, are those men that positively impact a college or university in both capacities.

Lebanon Valley's men's basketball program has been blessed with one such standout player turned longtime coach in Scott Mailen '82. After a stellar four-year career in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and a 27-year stretch as a Flying Dutchmen assistant coach, Mailen is stepping away from the LVC sideline this winter.

"It was a pleasure having Scott on my staff for 21 years," said LVC head coach Brad McAlester about his longtime assistant. "His loyalty to Lebanon Valley College and the men's basketball program is akin to LVC legends the likes of George Marquette, Lou Sorrentino, and Judge John Walter. Players, coaches, and alumni respect Scott for his friendship, generosity, and gentle caring nature."

Mailen described his decision to attend Lebanon Valley College as two-fold, with his parents' guidance playing a large role, as did the relationship he formed with Fran Satalin, the Dutchmen's head coach at the time.

"I chose LVC for two reasons," he explained. "I was the first member of my family to go away to college and my parents wanted me to attend a school with strong academics. They wanted to make sure I'd be taken care of and surrounded by good people. The second was my coach, Fran Satalin. He was the first coach to contact me and I'll never forget his hand-written letters and phone calls. He was a huge influence on me and a lifelong friend."

During his playing career under Satalin, Mailen was a four-year starter and team captain during his senior campaign. The forward earned All-Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) and All-Middle Atlantic Region honors during his time at Lebanon Valley and was named the team's Most Valuable Player (MVP) on three occasions. He is a Chuck Maston Memorial Award recipient and ranks eighth all-time in program history with 1,480 career points.

"Basketball was a wonderful part of my collegiate experience," said Mailen about his playing days. "Being part of a team was huge and the support from our students, faculty, staff, and community was always appreciated. To this day, people stop and comment that they remember me from when I played. I've been so lucky and blessed."

That fortunate feeling is shared by those players lucky enough to have played under Mailen during his time as a member of the Dutchmen staff under head coaches including McAlester, Gordon Foster, and Pat Flannery.

"Gordie Foster gave me my start," said Mailen regarding the men he worked with. "He was one of the most caring people I've ever met. Pat Flannery changed our entire culture and brought a winning and professional attitude to LVC. As for Brad McAlester, his friendship and loyalty extends well beyond the basketball court. We watched our families and players grow up over the last 22 years and I cannot thank him enough."

As a member of McAlester's coaching staff, Mailen mentored a number of players among the best to ever wear the blue and white, including two-time national player of the year Andy Panko '99, all-region center Darren Pugh '03, and most recently, all-America forward Danny Brooks '13. Despite his positive impact on so many careers, Mailen remained humble when discussing his role in their development, citing his mentors as inspiration.

"To say I mentored great players is an overstatement," he humbly explained. "I was just passing on what others did for me. Coach Satalin, George Marquette, Lou Sorrentino, and Judge John Walter were four of the greatest role models in my life, not only while I was in school but to this day. Outside of my family, those four men were such positive influences on me. I had the honor to coach some of the greatest players in LVC history but more important to me is that all the players I coached know how much they mean to me."       

McAlester was quick to point out Mailen's impact on his players and the program as a whole, adding that his contribution proved valuable when McAlester came to Lebanon Valley after Flannery's departure following the Dutchmen's NCAA Division III national championship-winning season with Mailen as an assistant. That professional relationship developed into a great friendship that both men hold dear to this day.

"I could not have asked for a better addition to my program when I started at LVC," said McAlester. "We've watched each other's families grow and I have been lucky to have him as my assistant and friend for over two decades."

Mailen earned his bachelor of science in social service from Lebanon Valley College in 1982 and his master of science in administration of juvenile justice from Shippensburg University in 1987. He is a past chairman of the Rinso Marquette Tournament and currently serves as a member of the Lebanon Valley College Alumni Athletic Committee. He is employed by the Lancaster Family YMCA as program director for Camp Shand in Cornwall, Pa. Mailen resides in Annville with his wife, Karen '82, and their five children, Alissa, Scott Thomas, Isabelle, Megan, and Abigail. His gratefulness to his family for their support throughout the years at LVC isn't lost on him.

"I did this for 27 seasons," said Mailen about the most important people in his life. "My wife and my five kids have always supported my coaching and knew how much I loved being a part of LVC basketball. To say thank you is never enough. They are my greatest accomplishment."

A staple of Lebanon Valley men's basketball for more than a quarter century, Mailen's legacy was forever etched alongside the College's all-time greats in 1995 as a member of the LVC Athletic Hall of Fame. And yet, it is the relationships and memorable moments shared with former players and coaches that Mailen holds dearest.

"As an individual, to be inducted into the LVC Athletic Hall of Fame is without question my most cherished athletic accomplishment," he said. "I had a good career but my greatest accomplishment never happened on the court. It is the friendships and memories I've built and shared with all the teams I played on and coached over the years."

For the first time in nearly three decades, Mailen will be conspicuous by his absence on the Lebanon Valley sideline this winter. However, his lasting impact as one of the institution's most respected and celebrated student-athletes and coaches is far from lost on those who have had the privilege to call him a teammate, mentor, or friend. As LVC continues to reach new heights, Mailen takes solace in having contributed to its success.  

"It goes without saying that our athletic programs, facilities, and the College as a whole has grown to one of the best in the nation. Being a small part of that growth gives me a great sense of pride."