Chris Weakley to lead Pennsylvania Highlands women's basketball program

Weakley will guide the women's team into its first season of competition in over 25 years.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:36pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the abstract forms and overlapping planes of basketball players in motion, conveying the dynamic nature of the sport.A cubist interpretation of the energy and movement of a women's basketball game, reflecting the excitement of the sport's return to Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.Johnstown Today

Chris Weakley, who has led the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College men's basketball team to back-to-back conference championships, has been hired as the new women's basketball coach. The women's program is returning to competition for the first time in over 25 years, and Weakley is excited to build on the recent success of the men's team.

Why it matters

The return of the women's basketball program at Pennsylvania Highlands is an important milestone for the college and the local community. Weakley's experience and track record of success with the men's team suggests he is well-positioned to quickly build a competitive women's program.

The details

Weakley has guided the Pennsylvania Highlands men's basketball team to back-to-back Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference/Region 20 championships over the past two seasons. During that time, the team has had six all-conference and six all-region selections, along with a Region 20 Division III player of the month honor and an NJCAA Division III national player of the week award. The Black Bears also collected their third and fourth conference championships overall, compiling a 31-29 record.

  • Weakley has been the head coach of the Pennsylvania Highlands men's basketball team for the past two seasons.
  • The women's basketball program at Pennsylvania Highlands last competed as an official NJCAA-sanctioned sport from 1998-2000, when the team was known as the Cambria County Area Community College Shawnee Cardinals.
  • The men's and women's basketball teams at Pennsylvania Highlands will both compete at the Division II level of the NJCAA beginning with the 2026-27 seasons.

The players

Chris Weakley

The new head coach of the Pennsylvania Highlands women's basketball team, who has led the men's team to back-to-back conference championships over the past two seasons.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

A community college located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, that is bringing back its women's basketball program for the first time in over 25 years.

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What they’re saying

“I'm very excited. For the success we've had on the men's side over the last two years, I believe that we're going to bring some ladies in that can do the same thing and be successful. I don't think we're going to have to worry about waiting to win. We're going to fit right in.”

— Chris Weakley, Head Coach, Pennsylvania Highlands Women's Basketball

What’s next

The Pennsylvania Highlands women's basketball team will begin competing at the Division II level of the NJCAA starting in the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

The return of the women's basketball program at Pennsylvania Highlands is an exciting development for the college and the local community. With Chris Weakley, an experienced and successful coach, at the helm, the team is poised to quickly build a competitive program and build on the recent success of the men's team.