James Wilkes Position: Head Coach Experience: 2nd Season Alma Mater: Villanova ('96)

James Wilkes returns to Villanova for his fourth season with the program and first full one as head coach. Wilkes spent two and a half seasons as the first assistant where he was responsible for short game instruction, fitness and scheduling, and was promoted to Head Coach in February 2011.

Wilkes, a 1996 Villanova alum, was elected as a member of the Alpha Epsilon Delta Honor Society during his years as a student. After receiving his degree in Biology, Wilkes began his career as a lab technician at a pharmaceutical plant in Horsham, Pa., where he specialized in carbohydrate chemistry.

Deciding to follow his love for the game, Wilkes began his career as a club professional in 1998. He has served as an assistant golf professional at Twining Valley Golf and Fitness Club and has also worked at the PGA National Golf Resort and Blue Bell Country Club where he spent four seasons as head golf professional.

Wilkes has also been involved with numerous junior golf programs at Lu Lu, Blue Bell, and Twining Valley golf clubs and worked as an instructor for the local Boys and Girls Club of America chapters as well as Kids on the Hill charities. In 2001, Wilkes' contributions to the community were recognized and he was honored with the prestigious Brosius Award in 2001 for his involvement with community service. Wilkes was also named one of the Top 50 Kids Teachers by United States Kids' Golf in 2010.

Currently, Wilkes is an elected member of the Professional Golf Association of America and is on the golf professional staff at Lu Lu Country Club in North Hills, Pa. Wilkes also serves as a golf specific personal trainer at Twining Valley Golf and Fitness Club.

In addition to his numerous contributions to the game, Wilkes also serves as director of the local U.S. Kids Golf Tour and plans to initiate a series of local U.S. Kids Golf clinics and camps in 2010. He has also been a tour director for several regional and world U.S. Kids Golf championships. In recognition of his area contributions, the PGA Philadelphia Chapter honored Wilkes with the Junior Golf Leader award in both 2009 and 2010.

Wilkes resides in North Wales, Pa. and has a son enrolled at The Pennsylvania State University.