Spring Arbor University head men’s basketball coach John Pigatti has announced the additions of Drew Maynard, Max Walz and Tracey Lowder to the Cougar coaching staff for the 2026-27 season.
Maynard and Walz join the program as assistant coaches, while Lowder, a Spring Arbor alumnus and former Cougar men’s basketball player, will serve as an assistant coach and Director of External Relations & Development.
The newly assembled staff brings a combination of coaching experience, player development, emerging leadership and strong ties to the Spring Arbor community.
“I am thrilled about the coaching staff we have assembled for this upcoming season,” said Pigatti. “Drew Maynard brings exceptional talent and experience that will be invaluable to both our players and myself. Max Walz is an up-and-coming star in coaching whose energy, work ethic, and eagerness to learn will carry him far. Additionally, as a Spring Arbor alumnus, Tracey Lowder brings deep institutional knowledge and community ties that will significantly elevate our fundraising and community involvement efforts. Together, this staff gives our program a tremendous advantage moving forward.”
Drew Maynard
Maynard joins the Cougars with an extensive background in coaching, player development and strength and conditioning.
Since 2023, Maynard has served in several roles at St. Clair County Community College, including assistant men’s basketball coach, head strength and conditioning coach and recruitment coordinator. His responsibilities have included player development, scouting and film breakdown, recruiting and developing individualized training programs for student-athletes.
Prior to joining St. Clair County Community College, Maynard spent two seasons as an assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Miami-Hamilton, where he focused on player development and mentoring.
Maynard also brings professional playing experience to the Cougar program. From 2013-19, he played professionally internationally, with stops in Brazil, Spain, Denmark, Germany, Greece and China. Collegiately, Maynard played at Oakland University before continuing his career at Rochester College.
He graduated from Rochester in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in business management and leadership.
Max Walz
Walz joins Pigatti’s staff as an assistant coach and brings experience in coaching, player development and grassroots basketball.
He currently serves as a director and co-owner of Grit Town Elite AAU, where he oversees scheduling and operations while helping build relationships throughout the basketball community. Walz also serves as head coach of the organization’s 16U team, working directly with players through practices, skill development and game preparation.
Walz has also coached at Lumen Christi Catholic School, serving as the boys basketball junior varsity head coach and a varsity assistant. In those roles, he has been involved with scouting, film preparation, in-game adjustments and developing players for the varsity level.
In addition to his coaching experience, Walz works with students at Western Middle School and has coached within the Western School District.
Pigatti described Walz as an emerging coach whose energy, work ethic and willingness to learn will be assets to the program.
Tracey Lowder
Lowder returns to his alma mater as an assistant coach and Director of External Relations & Development, bringing an extensive background in education, administration and leadership along with deep connections to Spring Arbor and the surrounding community.
A former Cougar, Lowder was a member of the Spring Arbor men’s basketball program from 1988-93 and finished his playing career as a 1,000-point scorer.
In his role with the program, Lowder will focus heavily on strengthening community engagement, alumni relations and fundraising initiatives as Spring Arbor men’s basketball looks to expand its connections throughout the community.
Lowder has spent much of his professional career in education and administration. Most recently, he served as the International Baccalaureate Head of School at Portage Northern High School from 2024-26. Prior to that, he served as district superintendent for Vandercook Lake Public Schools in Jackson from 2022-24 and spent eight years as building principal at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School.
Throughout his career in education, Lowder has gained experience in mentoring, strategic planning, organizational leadership, student development, public relations and fundraising – experience that will complement his responsibilities in external relations and development with the Cougar basketball program.
Lowder also earned his Master of Education degree from Spring Arbor University.
Spring Arbor opens the 2026-27 campaign at home on Saturday, Oct. 24 against the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
