Meet The New Guys: Episode IV- Austin Smucker (Lampeter-Strasburg)

Written by: Andy Herr on October 26, 2025

(Photos provided by Smucker family)

(L to R: Ty Burton, Chase Smucker, Austin Smucker Following Lampeter-Strasburg’s 2022 Lancaster-Lebanon League Championship)

“How would you feel about possibly being the head coach here?” Sometimes, all it takes is someone to ask you a question that then puts the bug in your ear. 

In this scenario, the one asking the question, Dr. Branden Lippy, athletic director at L-S, posed that hypothetical to Austin Smucker, an L-S alum himself, while he was assistant coach on the boys’ basketball bench. A few months ago, once Ed Berryman decided to it was time for someone else to steer the ship, Smucker harkened back to that earlier conversation. And with it, that hypothetical became reality when Smucker, a 2013 Pioneer grad, was awarded the opportunity to be the one sitting in the chair found at the head of the bench when he was tabbed the Lampeter-Strasburg boys’ basketball coach — by none other than Lippy herself. 

In terms of recent history, the L-S Pioneers have rightfully earned residency on the list when the topic of conversation centers around who are the top boys’ basketball programs in the entire Lancaster-Lebanon League. Smucker is well cognizant of the responsibilities that come with taking over such a position, especially having the blue and white blood in his veins. 

We recently had the chance to talk with the new (young) man in charge at L-S, his own personal history in wearing the Pios’ colors in both a jersey and polo, why the time was right for him to take this task on, what the secret sauce is that makes Lampeter-Strasburg so successful athletically — especially in boys’ hoops more specifically — and some other topics. Enjoy

Follow LLhoops on Twitter @LLhoops