DME at SJNA Basketball Announces Ben Wisniewski as Director & Head Coach

DELAFIELD, Wis. – The DME Academy at St. John’s Northwestern Academies basketball program has announced Ben Wisniewski as the new Director & Head Coach of the program.

Wisniewski, most recently coached at Get Better Academy in the Czech Republic, is no stranger to Wisconsin. Having grown up in New Berlin, Wisconsin, just 20 minutes from SJNA, and playing his high school basketball at New Berlin West, Wisniewski’s local knowledge and connections make him a perfect fit for the program. Wisniewski also played collegiately at Edgewood College where he is the second all-time leading scorer in the school’s history. Wisniewski also played professionally for the Saigon Heat in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, before starting his coaching career.

“We are very excited to welcome Ben Wisniewski to our campus to serve as the new director and head coach for the SJNA and DME partnership,” stated Bob Fine, President of SJNA. “Ben brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a unique blend of international and local influence. Being a mentor to many young student-athletes who are away from home for the first time and being a native to this area, will serve a great importance beyond the scope of basketball for the players and this program.”

Wisniewski also boasts a strong coaching resume, having served as an assistant coach at Montverde Academy and a graduate assistant at the University of Washington. His list of players coached during that time features a long list of current NBA and NCAA Division I players like Matisse Thybulle (Portland Trail Blazers), Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors) and Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons).

“I am humbled and honored to join the St. John’s and DME family,” said Wisniewski. “I grew up in New Berlin, Wisconsin so having the opportunity to come home and join the prestigious St. John’s Northwestern Academies was an easy decision. I’ve been fortunate to have basketball take me all over the world as a player and coach. I want to thank all the coaches that have had a positive impact along the way. Thank you to Dan Pannagio, President Fine, and Mike Fink for the opportunity. I am excited to build a national program that the SJNA students, faculty, and community will be proud of.”

“We are excited to have Coach Ben directing and coaching our DME program in Wisconsin,” said Dan Panaggio, Founder of DME Academy. “Ben is an accomplished basketball coach with international experience. He knows what it takes to build a program and we anticipate him leading us to national prominence.”

To learn more or apply to be apart of the DME and SJNA partnership visit: sjnacademies.org/dme

St. John’s Northwestern Academies is a safe, structured environment that provides each student a foundation for life with specialized programs that are built with future aspirations in mind. Learn more at www.sjnacademies.org