Todd Ellerbusch - Program Director / Coach
Todd founded the program in 2013 and has served as the director and a coach each year since. Todd coached the 2018 17U team that finished with a 32-9 record and number 8 ranking in the state by Prep Hoops Minnesota. In 2019, he coached a 15U team to a 25-6 record and number 6 ranking in the state by Prep Hoops Minnesota.
Todd graduated from Faribault BA High School where he was a standout basketball and baseball player receiving All-Conference honors in both sports. He later graduated from Mankato State University with a Bachelor's degree and St. Catherine's University with a Master's Degree. Todd has coached basketball for 32 years at the youth to Varsity levels where he has coached over 1000 games. He has worked at numerous basketball camps during this time. Todd has also taught Social Studies for 29 years. He currently teaches 7th grade Social Studies at Friedell Middle School in the Rochester Public School District.
Todd founded the program in 2013 and has served as the director and a coach each year since. Todd coached the 2018 17U team that finished with a 32-9 record and number 8 ranking in the state by Prep Hoops Minnesota. In 2019, he coached a 15U team to a 25-6 record and number 6 ranking in the state by Prep Hoops Minnesota.
Todd graduated from Faribault BA High School where he was a standout basketball and baseball player receiving All-Conference honors in both sports. He later graduated from Mankato State University with a Bachelor's degree and St. Catherine's University with a Master's Degree. Todd has coached basketball for 32 years at the youth to Varsity levels where he has coached over 1000 games. He has worked at numerous basketball camps during this time. Todd has also taught Social Studies for 29 years. He currently teaches 7th grade Social Studies at Friedell Middle School in the Rochester Public School District.
Lucas Ellerbusch - Assistant Director / Coach
Lucas is in his sixth year coaching for the MN Lightning serving as an assistant each year. He played for the original “SE MN” Lightning team in 2013 and played through his 17U season. He founded the program with his father in 2013 and continues to assist with directing, recruiting, and coaching duties for the Lightning. Lucas was the assistant coach for the 17U team that finished the 2018 season with a 32-9 record and a number 8 ranking in the state by Prep Hoops Minnesota. He was also an assistant coach for the 15U team that finished the 2019 season with a 25-6 record and a number 6 ranking.
Lucas graduated from Rochester Mayo High School in 2016 where he was a 3 year varsity letter-winner and 3 time academic all-conference selection. In his senior year, he served as a team captain and was awarded offensive player of the year by his team. Lucas played 3 years of college basketball including 1 year at Crown College and 2 years at North Central University. He was awarded NCU newcomer player of the year his sophomore season and was a three time academic all-conference selection. Lucas graduated from NCU in the spring of 2020 with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Finance. He currently works as an Accountant in the Twin Cities and is pursuing a Master's Degree.
Lucas is in his sixth year coaching for the MN Lightning serving as an assistant each year. He played for the original “SE MN” Lightning team in 2013 and played through his 17U season. He founded the program with his father in 2013 and continues to assist with directing, recruiting, and coaching duties for the Lightning. Lucas was the assistant coach for the 17U team that finished the 2018 season with a 32-9 record and a number 8 ranking in the state by Prep Hoops Minnesota. He was also an assistant coach for the 15U team that finished the 2019 season with a 25-6 record and a number 6 ranking.
Lucas graduated from Rochester Mayo High School in 2016 where he was a 3 year varsity letter-winner and 3 time academic all-conference selection. In his senior year, he served as a team captain and was awarded offensive player of the year by his team. Lucas played 3 years of college basketball including 1 year at Crown College and 2 years at North Central University. He was awarded NCU newcomer player of the year his sophomore season and was a three time academic all-conference selection. Lucas graduated from NCU in the spring of 2020 with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Finance. He currently works as an Accountant in the Twin Cities and is pursuing a Master's Degree.
Garrett Studer - Assistant Director / Coach
Garrett is currently in his 4th year coaching with the MN Lightning program. He played for the original "SE MN" Lightning team in 2013 and played through his 17U season with the team. He then stayed on board with the program afterwards, originally assisting with recruiting. In 2018, he had his first season coaching one of the Lightning teams. His 15U team finished that season ranked 11th in the state of Minnesota by Prep Hoops, while compiling a 32-9 record. He then stayed with the same group for their 16U season the next year in 2019. He continues to hold recruiting, coaching, and assistant management duties for the Lightning program and will be coaching a 17U team this season.
Garrett graduated from Dover-Eyota High School in 2016 where he was a 4 year varsity letter-winner in basketball and a First Team All-Conference selection his senior year. He then went on to receive Bachelor's degrees in Finance and Commercial Real Estate from the University of Northern Iowa, where he graduated in December of 2019. He currently resides in the Twin Cities area where he works in commercial real estate lending for a regional bank.
Garrett is currently in his 4th year coaching with the MN Lightning program. He played for the original "SE MN" Lightning team in 2013 and played through his 17U season with the team. He then stayed on board with the program afterwards, originally assisting with recruiting. In 2018, he had his first season coaching one of the Lightning teams. His 15U team finished that season ranked 11th in the state of Minnesota by Prep Hoops, while compiling a 32-9 record. He then stayed with the same group for their 16U season the next year in 2019. He continues to hold recruiting, coaching, and assistant management duties for the Lightning program and will be coaching a 17U team this season.
Garrett graduated from Dover-Eyota High School in 2016 where he was a 4 year varsity letter-winner in basketball and a First Team All-Conference selection his senior year. He then went on to receive Bachelor's degrees in Finance and Commercial Real Estate from the University of Northern Iowa, where he graduated in December of 2019. He currently resides in the Twin Cities area where he works in commercial real estate lending for a regional bank.
Will Swiggum - Skills Trainer
Will is entering his fourth season as part of the Lightning program. He is an established basketball trainer in the southeast Minnesota area and is a great teacher of the game. He has helped many players in the program improve their skills tremendously.
Will graduated from St. Charles High School in 2012 where he was a standout player for the Saints. He then went on to play college basketball at Saint Mary’s in Winona, MN for the next 4 years. While playing for the Cardinals he was awarded MIAC All-First Year team as well as Honorable Mention All-MIAC both his Sophomore and Seniors seasons. He is now an assistant coach with the Saint Mary's men's basketball team. Will currently lives in Kasson, MN and runs Will Over Skill training in which he trains many athletes in Southeastern Minnesota.
Will is entering his fourth season as part of the Lightning program. He is an established basketball trainer in the southeast Minnesota area and is a great teacher of the game. He has helped many players in the program improve their skills tremendously.
Will graduated from St. Charles High School in 2012 where he was a standout player for the Saints. He then went on to play college basketball at Saint Mary’s in Winona, MN for the next 4 years. While playing for the Cardinals he was awarded MIAC All-First Year team as well as Honorable Mention All-MIAC both his Sophomore and Seniors seasons. He is now an assistant coach with the Saint Mary's men's basketball team. Will currently lives in Kasson, MN and runs Will Over Skill training in which he trains many athletes in Southeastern Minnesota.
Spencer Dahl - Coach
This will be Spencer's second year coaching for the Lightning. He will be coaching one of the 14U teams this season. He is currently the head boys basketball coach at Albert Lea High School. In his time at Albert Lea, he has coached five years of basketball and has also been the junior varsity and varsity assistant girls soccer coach for 6 years.
He started his coaching career as a senior in high school where he helped the team under coach Matt Addington. Spencer has a health and physical education degree from St. Cloud State University. He was also a practice player for the girls basketball team at SCSU. Spencer currently lives in Albert Lea where he is the Head Groundskeeper for Albert Lea High School.
This will be Spencer's second year coaching for the Lightning. He will be coaching one of the 14U teams this season. He is currently the head boys basketball coach at Albert Lea High School. In his time at Albert Lea, he has coached five years of basketball and has also been the junior varsity and varsity assistant girls soccer coach for 6 years.
He started his coaching career as a senior in high school where he helped the team under coach Matt Addington. Spencer has a health and physical education degree from St. Cloud State University. He was also a practice player for the girls basketball team at SCSU. Spencer currently lives in Albert Lea where he is the Head Groundskeeper for Albert Lea High School.
Parker Lyga - Coach
Parker will be entering his second year coaching with the Lightning and he will be coaching one of the 15U teams. Parker currently coaches the Stewartville JV boys' team during the school season. He has also coached 2 years of junior high at Cochrane Fountain City, 1 year of 9th grade at La Crescent, and 1 year of 9th grade at Austin. In high school, Parker was a 3 year varsity starter for Cochrane Fountain City. He was 1st team All-Conference both his junior and senior seasons as well as all-region and all-area his senior year. He was also selected to play in the WBCA All-Star game which made him considered as a top 20 player in his division.
Parker began his collegiate career at Western Tech where he played 2 years of college basketball. He then transferred to Winona State as a student and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. Parker currently teaches 4th grade at Hayfield Elementary and serves as an assistant varsity football coach at the school. Parker lives in Austin and enjoys playing softball in the summer.
Parker will be entering his second year coaching with the Lightning and he will be coaching one of the 15U teams. Parker currently coaches the Stewartville JV boys' team during the school season. He has also coached 2 years of junior high at Cochrane Fountain City, 1 year of 9th grade at La Crescent, and 1 year of 9th grade at Austin. In high school, Parker was a 3 year varsity starter for Cochrane Fountain City. He was 1st team All-Conference both his junior and senior seasons as well as all-region and all-area his senior year. He was also selected to play in the WBCA All-Star game which made him considered as a top 20 player in his division.
Parker began his collegiate career at Western Tech where he played 2 years of college basketball. He then transferred to Winona State as a student and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. Parker currently teaches 4th grade at Hayfield Elementary and serves as an assistant varsity football coach at the school. Parker lives in Austin and enjoys playing softball in the summer.
Randy King - Coach
This will be Randy’s second year coaching for the Lightning, and he will be coaching both a 12U and a 14U team. He currently coaches youth basketball for Caledonia. He has coached basketball, football, and baseball in Caledonia for many years.
Randy graduated from Winona State with a degree in Business Administration. He currently lives in Caledonia with his family and works as a self-employed contractor.
This will be Randy’s second year coaching for the Lightning, and he will be coaching both a 12U and a 14U team. He currently coaches youth basketball for Caledonia. He has coached basketball, football, and baseball in Caledonia for many years.
Randy graduated from Winona State with a degree in Business Administration. He currently lives in Caledonia with his family and works as a self-employed contractor.
Austin Bauer - Coach
This is Austin's first year coaching for the Lightning and he will be coaching a team at the 16U level. He is currently a Middle School Boys Basketball coach at Caledonia High School. Austin played at Caledonia from 2012-2015, where he was a member of teams that reached the state tournament in his Junior and Senior years.
After high school, Austin played collegiately for 4 years at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN. He was a starter on the national tournament team in 2018. He finished his career at BLC in the top 10 in school history in 3PFG, assists, games played, and games started. He also finished his career with the best career FT% and had a top 5 season in 3PFG%. He received a degree in Secondary Education and now lives in Caledonia where he is a High School Math Teacher. He has a younger brother and sister and a large extended family in the area that he likes to spend time with.
This is Austin's first year coaching for the Lightning and he will be coaching a team at the 16U level. He is currently a Middle School Boys Basketball coach at Caledonia High School. Austin played at Caledonia from 2012-2015, where he was a member of teams that reached the state tournament in his Junior and Senior years.
After high school, Austin played collegiately for 4 years at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN. He was a starter on the national tournament team in 2018. He finished his career at BLC in the top 10 in school history in 3PFG, assists, games played, and games started. He also finished his career with the best career FT% and had a top 5 season in 3PFG%. He received a degree in Secondary Education and now lives in Caledonia where he is a High School Math Teacher. He has a younger brother and sister and a large extended family in the area that he likes to spend time with.
Bryon Meyer - Coach
Bryon is entering his first year as a coach for the Lightning and he will be coaching one of the 13U teams this season. He is currently a Junior High Boys Basketball coach at Hayfield High School and has 7 years of experience as a basketball coach in total. He has also been an assistant Varsity football coach at Hayfield for the past 5 years.
Bryon graduated from Canby High School in 2010 where he was a 3 sport captain in football, basketball, and baseball. He then went on to receive a degree in Chemistry Education with a minor in Athletic Coaching from Minnesota State-Mankato. While at Mankato, he managed the Men's Basketball team that reached the D2 Final Four in 2011. Bryon is currently a High School Science Teacher at Hayfield HS and lives in Stewartville with his wife Angie and their two retired racing greyhounds. In his free time he enjoys being outdoors, especially camping and hiking.
Bryon is entering his first year as a coach for the Lightning and he will be coaching one of the 13U teams this season. He is currently a Junior High Boys Basketball coach at Hayfield High School and has 7 years of experience as a basketball coach in total. He has also been an assistant Varsity football coach at Hayfield for the past 5 years.
Bryon graduated from Canby High School in 2010 where he was a 3 sport captain in football, basketball, and baseball. He then went on to receive a degree in Chemistry Education with a minor in Athletic Coaching from Minnesota State-Mankato. While at Mankato, he managed the Men's Basketball team that reached the D2 Final Four in 2011. Bryon is currently a High School Science Teacher at Hayfield HS and lives in Stewartville with his wife Angie and their two retired racing greyhounds. In his free time he enjoys being outdoors, especially camping and hiking.
Nick Pocius - Coach
This will be Nick's first year coaching for the Lightning and he will be coaching the 11U team. He is currently the Head Boys Basketball coach at Kasson-Mantorville High School. He has been the Varsity coach at Kasson-Mantorville for the past 3 years and has 17 years of coaching experience at the high school level in total, including stops at Osseo, Bloomington Kennedy, and Byron. His greatest achievement as a coach was helping all graduating seniors get into college while he was the Varsity coach at Bloomington Kennedy High School.
Nick graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and then received Masters Degrees in Addiction Studies from Hazelden Graduate School and in Special Education from the University of St. Thomas. Nick currently lives in Kasson with his wife Eliza and sons Vinnie (11) and Quincy (7) and works as a Special Education Teacher at Kasson-Mantorville High School. Outside of basketball he enjoys live music, downhill skiing, and the mountains.
This will be Nick's first year coaching for the Lightning and he will be coaching the 11U team. He is currently the Head Boys Basketball coach at Kasson-Mantorville High School. He has been the Varsity coach at Kasson-Mantorville for the past 3 years and has 17 years of coaching experience at the high school level in total, including stops at Osseo, Bloomington Kennedy, and Byron. His greatest achievement as a coach was helping all graduating seniors get into college while he was the Varsity coach at Bloomington Kennedy High School.
Nick graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and then received Masters Degrees in Addiction Studies from Hazelden Graduate School and in Special Education from the University of St. Thomas. Nick currently lives in Kasson with his wife Eliza and sons Vinnie (11) and Quincy (7) and works as a Special Education Teacher at Kasson-Mantorville High School. Outside of basketball he enjoys live music, downhill skiing, and the mountains.
Beau Nelson - Coach
Beau is entering his first year as a coach for the Lightning and he will be coaching one of the 15U teams this season. He has coached AAU in the past and has been training off and on over the last 3 years. He is currently a full time student at Knox College in Illinois where he is pursuing a degree in political science with a minor in public policy. Prior to Knox, Beau played basketball at Anoka-Ramsay Community College in Coon Rapids, MN where he was a 2 year starter.
In High School, Beau was a 3 year varsity player at Plainview-Elgin-Millvile where he was a starter on the 2012 State Championship team his junior year. That year he was awarded 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-State Tournament and State Championship Game MVP. His senior season was cut short due to shoulder surgery. Beau looks forward to being a part of the Lightning program and helping young men develop into better players so they can accomplish their goals on and off the court.
Beau is entering his first year as a coach for the Lightning and he will be coaching one of the 15U teams this season. He has coached AAU in the past and has been training off and on over the last 3 years. He is currently a full time student at Knox College in Illinois where he is pursuing a degree in political science with a minor in public policy. Prior to Knox, Beau played basketball at Anoka-Ramsay Community College in Coon Rapids, MN where he was a 2 year starter.
In High School, Beau was a 3 year varsity player at Plainview-Elgin-Millvile where he was a starter on the 2012 State Championship team his junior year. That year he was awarded 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-State Tournament and State Championship Game MVP. His senior season was cut short due to shoulder surgery. Beau looks forward to being a part of the Lightning program and helping young men develop into better players so they can accomplish their goals on and off the court.
Rob Dunham - Coach
Rob is entering his first year as a coach for the Lightning and he will be coaching one of the 16U teams. He has 25 years of coaching experience where he has been an assistant at Lourdes High School for 8 years under Hall of Fame Girl's Coach Myron Glass from 1994-2002. He also was a JV and assistant Varsity Boy's coach at Lourdes for 7 years between 2004-2011. Rob has over 10 years of AAU coaching experience as well.
As a coach, Rob won 8 straight state championships in a row with the 7th Grade Lourdes Girl's Traveling teams. He was also an assistant coach for the 2011 State Runner-Up Lourdes Boy's team. Rob is a graduate of RCTC and Winona State where he received degrees in Education/Coaching. He currently lives in Rochester and is the Owner of All-Star Basements.
Rob is entering his first year as a coach for the Lightning and he will be coaching one of the 16U teams. He has 25 years of coaching experience where he has been an assistant at Lourdes High School for 8 years under Hall of Fame Girl's Coach Myron Glass from 1994-2002. He also was a JV and assistant Varsity Boy's coach at Lourdes for 7 years between 2004-2011. Rob has over 10 years of AAU coaching experience as well.
As a coach, Rob won 8 straight state championships in a row with the 7th Grade Lourdes Girl's Traveling teams. He was also an assistant coach for the 2011 State Runner-Up Lourdes Boy's team. Rob is a graduate of RCTC and Winona State where he received degrees in Education/Coaching. He currently lives in Rochester and is the Owner of All-Star Basements.
Aaron Babcock - Coach
This will be Aaron's first year as a coach for the Lightning and he will be coaching one of the 13U teams this season. He is currently the 7th Grade A team coach for Rochester Century and has been coaching youth basketball for over 20 years.
Aaron was an all-conference athlete at Lewiston-Altura High School and went on to play basketball and baseball at RCTC. His love for basketball led him to start coaching right after he was done with his playing career. He is the Owner/CEO of Babcock Advisors and lives in Kasson with his wife and two kids.
This will be Aaron's first year as a coach for the Lightning and he will be coaching one of the 13U teams this season. He is currently the 7th Grade A team coach for Rochester Century and has been coaching youth basketball for over 20 years.
Aaron was an all-conference athlete at Lewiston-Altura High School and went on to play basketball and baseball at RCTC. His love for basketball led him to start coaching right after he was done with his playing career. He is the Owner/CEO of Babcock Advisors and lives in Kasson with his wife and two kids.
Dillon Bance - Coach
Dillon is in his first year coaching for the Lightning and he will be coaching one of the 17U teams. He currently helps out with the Schaeffer Academy Basketball Program where his dad is the head coach. He played at Chatfield High School where he was All-Conference HM in Football and Basketball. He then went on to play basketball for a year at Bethany Lutheran College before transferring to the University of Minnesota, where he participated on the club team.
Dillon is currently a Senior at the U of M and will graduate with a degree in Political Science. He now lives in Rochester and enjoys golfing in the summer months. He also likes to travel and has recently spent time in Las Vegas and Hawaii while going to school.
Dillon is in his first year coaching for the Lightning and he will be coaching one of the 17U teams. He currently helps out with the Schaeffer Academy Basketball Program where his dad is the head coach. He played at Chatfield High School where he was All-Conference HM in Football and Basketball. He then went on to play basketball for a year at Bethany Lutheran College before transferring to the University of Minnesota, where he participated on the club team.
Dillon is currently a Senior at the U of M and will graduate with a degree in Political Science. He now lives in Rochester and enjoys golfing in the summer months. He also likes to travel and has recently spent time in Las Vegas and Hawaii while going to school.
