Fort Wayne Mad Ants Finalize 2019-20 Basketball Operations And Front Office Personnel
Published on February 17, 2020 under NBA G League (G League)
Indiana Mad Ants News Release
The Fort Wayne Mad Ants, presented by Lutheran Health Network, the NBA G League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers, announced today the finalized additions to the basketball operations and front office staff.
Scott Simpson joined the Mad Ants as assistant coach after spending the 2018-19 season as assistant coach with the Long Island Nets. Prior to Long Island, he spent four seasons (2014-18) as an advance scout for the New York Knicks. He previously spent five seasons (2009-14) with the Oklahoma City Thunder, first as a video coordinator and then as the team's opposition scout. Simpson spent two seasons (2007-09) with the Houston Rockets as a basketball operations assistant. He also worked as an advance scout for USA Basketball's Men's National Team from 2013-16. Prior to working in the NBA, the Zionsville, Ind. native and Arizona State alumnus served as an assistant coach at California State University, Stanislaus (2006-07) and DePauw University (2004-06).
Nick Griffin will serve as the video coordinator after previously serving in the same role with the Indiana Fever this summer. Griffin spent the 2018-19 season with the Los Angeles Lakers as a coaching associate. While with the Lakers, his main responsibilities included breaking down film on upcoming opponents and assisting the advance scouting group. He graduated from UCLA in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in economics, and was also a student manager for the men's basketball team.
Before joining the Mad Ants as the head athletic trainer & physical therapist, Dr. Ayami Sato's most recent work experience includes eight years as the head licensed athletic trainer for the University of Toledo Medical Center: St. John's Jesuit High School in Toledo, Ohio. Dr. Sato was also the curriculum student physical therapist for the Oklahoma City Blue providing evaluations, daily treatments and rehab for players. She interned with the Detroit Shock and the Toshiba Brave Thunders in Japan's Men's Basketball League. She attended the University of Dayton, where she received her Doctor of Physical Therapy.
Brandon Pentheny comes to Fort Wayne following a strength and performance intern position with the Indiana Pacers. While completing his masters from Georgetown University, he was a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Arizona, working with men's basketball, baseball and softball. Pentheny earned his Bachelors from the University of Oregon in human physiology.
MAD ANTS HIRE DAN VANCE AS MEDIA RELATIONS MANAGER
FEBRUARY 17, 2020 - The Fort Wayne Mad Ants, presented by Lutheran Health Network, the NBA G League affiliate of the Indiana Pacers, announced today the hiring of Dan Vance as the new Media Relations Manager.
"Pacers Sports and Entertainment is committed to Northeast Indiana, and adding Dan - who has deep roots and experience in our community - strengthens our organization in many ways," says Tim Bawmann, President of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Vance is an alumnus of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. Before joining the Mad Ants, Vance was the Marketing Director for Living In The Fort. Vance joins the Mad Ants organization with a long background in media and publications, including with the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel as a Multimedia Editor and as the Editor-in-Chief of the Vinton (Va.) Voice.
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- Fort Wayne Mad Ants Finalize 2019-20 Basketball Operations And Front Office Personnel - Indiana Mad Ants
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