DID YOU KNOW?
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Inside this Issue
NLC Notebook..................................... 3 Penn State coaches Academic Highlights............................ 4 honored as Big Ten Additional Stadium Options.............. 4-5 Coach of the Year Men’s Basketball................................ 6 in their respective sports this fall: Char Women’s Basketball........................... 7 Morett, field hockey; Scholarship Situation........................ 8-9 Erica Walsh, women’s Dynamite Dinner...........................10-11 soccer; Bob Warming, men’s soccer; Bill Football............................................ 12 O’Brien, football; and Wrestling......................................... 13 Russ Rose, women’s Men’s Gymnastics............................. 14 volleyball. Women’s Gymnastics........................ 15 Compliance Corner............................ 16 Gift List............................................ 17 Morett’s career victo- By The Numbers............................... 18
414
ry total at Penn State as the field hockey team advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
On the Cover
Guard Alex Bentley, team ready for the coming season.
About the Newsletter Volume 33, No. 2 Fall 2012 U.Ed. ICA-13-31
The Nittany Lion Club Newsletter is a quarterly publication sent to all Nittany Lion Club members. The newsletter is published by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Nittany Lion Club Web Site www.nittanylionclub.com Athletics Web Site www.gopsusports.com Executive Editors Greg Myford, John Nitardy Contributors Penn State Athletic Communications, Steve Sampsell PENN STATE ATHLETICS Mission Statement Consistent with the University’s mission, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics offers students exemplary programs that develop scholarship, sportsmanship and leadership within the educational and social environments of the Pennsylvania State University.
STARTING SHOT
The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel played host to the annual Endowment Dinner. More photos, Pages 10-11
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31 SPORTS ... ONETEAM
NLC NOTEBOOK
Members respond to opportunity Dear NLC Member,
State Successes
First, thank you for your continued support of the Nittany Lion Club and Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics.
Numerous Penn State teams put the One Team approach into practice with one consistent fall season of success. Some of the many highlights were:
After an inspiring and successful fall sports season, we appreciate your support and want to remind you of the numerous ways you can continue to support our student-athletes and coaches. The recently introduced One Team Commitment has become an attractive option for many members. By committing to support the NLC over the next five membership years (20132017), donors get numerous benefits. They include:
l An NCAA Regional championship for the women’s cross country team. In addition, coach Beth Alford-Sullivan was named Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. l A Big Ten championship and a season that extended to the NCAA Tournament for the field hockey team. Coach Char Morett was named coach of the year.
The first five Nittany Lion Club members to take advantage of the One Team Commitment were honored on the field at Beaver Stadium during the Ohio State game. Those honored were: (front row, left to right) Jason Szotak of State College; Jeff Hantz of Pittsburgh; (back row, left to right) Jim Flynn of Breinigsville, Pa.; Rich Basile of Richfield, Conn.; and Sam Evans of Warriors Mark, Pa.
NLC Points l Double the point value for your One Team annual gift each year over the next five years. l Two (2) additional NLC points per sport for renewing season ticket each year l 50 NLC bonus points added to your account after the completion of your fifth year (2017) annual gift. Members may lock in their 2013 football per-seat donation amounts over the next five years. They also get an NLC gift, public recognition and an opportunity to participate in a 2017 One Team celebration event at Beaver Stadium. Major gift donors creating a pledge or extending a pledge to 2017 will receive special recognition and the opportunity to participate in the 2017 private dinner celebration. Your One Team Commitment serves as your annual Nittany Lion Club membership gift. You will receive all established NLC membership benefits.
l A 15th consecutive Big Ten championship for the women’s soccer team. Coach Erica Walsh was named conference coach of the year, and the team advanced through the NCAA Tournament to the College Cup for the fourth time.
In addition, several One Team commitment options exist. Donors may commit as football season ticket holders, non-football season ticket holders or make an athletics major gift pledge. More details about the One Team Commitment may be found on Page 4. If you have any questions about options, please feel free to contact us by calling 1-800-NITTANY (648-8269).
l A Big Ten championship for the men’s soccer team. Coach Bob Warming was named coach of the year. l A Big Ten championship, a coach-ofthe-year honor and an NCAA Tournament berth for the women’s volleyball team. l The debut of men’s and women’s ice hockey, with a series of program firsts (power play, goal, victory and many more) for both squads.
In addition, seating options inside Beaver Stadium have changed for the 2013 membership year (see story, Page 5), and we’re working every day to utilize your support as efficiently as possible to support student-athletes and coaches in all 31 of our varsity sports. We appreciate your support. We are ... — John Nitardy, NLC Director of Major Gifts and Annual Giving
l An emotional and positive football season with the team under the guidance of Coach of the Year Bill O’Brien, with the team’s on- and off-field success led by a loyal, strong group of seniors. The team’s final 8-4 record was clinched with an overtime victory against Wisconsin at Beaver Stadium. It was the Nittany Lions’ first-ever overtime victory at home.
NLC: THE TEAM BEHIND THE TEAMS ONETEAM
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Commitment garners ample support Nittany Lion Club members prompted the creation of the One Team Commitment option and they have overwhelmingly supported the program since its inception. “The option was introduced because many NLC members and Penn State fans expressed a desire to support our student-athletes in what has been a difficult time,” said John Nitardy, NLC director of major gifts ad annual giving. “We had so many calls with people asking what they could do, and this was the result.” Through the option, NLC members may commit to support Penn State Athletics for the next five years. And it’s as simple as renewing your membership every year. Members may lock in their 2013 football per-seat donation amounts over the next five years. They also get an NLC gift, public recognition and an opportunity to participate in a 2017 One Team celebration event at Beaver Stadium. At the end of the five-year period, members get the benefit of additional NLC points as well. “The program is incredibly important to our coaches and student-athletes,”
REMINDER
NLC Membership Renewal Deadline Feb. 1, 2013 Earn extra NLC points by renewing online
Nitardy said. “It is important for them to know they have support behind them as they continue to try their best in representing Penn State in extraordinary ways on the field and in the classroom.” Since the program was announced Oct. 3, nearly 90 percent of NLC members have elected to commit to the five-year program. Plenty of time exists for NLC members to support the program, too. Those who want to maintain their football ticket and parking benefits have until Feb. 1, 2013, to commit. Others have until June 30, 2013, and options exist for football season ticket holders, non-football season ticket holders and those who make a major gift.
FAQs: ONE TEAM COMMITMENT Q: What’s the deadline? A: The option exists until June 30, 2013, but NLC members must renew by Feb. 1, 2013, to maintain football ticket and parking benefits. Q: Do I need to pre pay for my five-year commitment? A: No, your annual Nittany Lion Club gift serves as your participation. Q: What happens if I change my football season ticket location in the five-year period? A: Each year your donation can be a different amount but the minimum for your season tickets and parking must be met to fulfill your One Team Commitment. Q: What happens with unfulfilled pledges? A: Your account will be amended to remove the bonus points and the 50 bonus points will not be awarded at the end of the five years. Q: What’s the “catch”? A: There is no “catch”, because the program is about NLC participation and student-athlete support. If you plan to give to the Nittany Lion Club in the coming years, the program is a perfect way to get extra benefits for providing support you plan to provide anyway.
Men’s volleyball team anticipates challenging, potentially strong season After a 3-0 start during a fall tournament on campus, the men’s volleyball team knows what lies ahead—a challenging schedule that team members hope will end where it begins.
SCHEDULE
Date................... Opponent.................. Time Jan. 10..................... vs. UCLA*..................... 9 p.m. Jan. 11..................... at Hawaii*....................12 a.m. Jan. 12.................... Ohio State*.................... 9 p.m. Jan. 18................. LEWIS.................. 7 p.m. It starts against UCLA in Hawaii, and Jan. 22.......... LOYOLA-CHICAGO........... 7 p.m. because the Bruins play host to the NCAA Jan. 25........... SACRED HEART#........... 7 p.m. Championship in May, a bookend result Jan. 26.............. HARVARD#............... 4 p.m. Feb. 1................. PFEIFFER................ 7 p.m. would make the season successful. Feb. 2...............MOUNT OLIVE............. 7 p.m. Feb. 8............. SAINT FRANCIS#........... 7 p.m. Nine letterwinners and two first-team all-EIFeb. 9................ OHIO STATE.............. 8 p.m. VA selections—sophomore Aaron Russell Feb. 15.................... at Harvard#.................... 7 p.m. (Ellicott City, Md.) and redshirt sophomore Feb. 16................ at Sacred Heart#.................. 7 pm. Connor Curry (Newport Beach, Calif.)—re- Feb. 22.......... GEORGE MASON#........... 7 p.m. turn. It’s a youthful group, but Mark Pavlik Feb. 23............. PRINCETON#.............. 7 p.m. has good reason for a positive outlook March 1.............at Rutgers-Newark#.............. 7 p.m. entering his 19th season at Penn State. March 2......................at NJIT#....................... 8 p.m.
4 31 SPORTS ... ONETEAM
March 9...................... at IPFW....................... 7 p.m. March 10................. at Ball State.................... 2 p.m. March 16................ at Ohio State.................... 7 p.m. March 23...........at St. Francis (Pa.)#.............. 7 p.m. March 29................at Princeton#................... 7 p.m. March 30............ at George Mason#............... 7 p.m. April 5.............. LEES-McRAE.............. 7 p.m. Arpil 12..................vs. Concordia................. 10 p.m. April 13................... at UC Irvine.................. 10 p.m. April 19........ RUTGERS-NEWARK#......... 7 p.m. April 20..................NJIT#.................. 7 p.m. April 25................ EIVA Semifinals..................... TBA April 27.............EIVA Championship.................. TBA May 2................ NCAA Semifinals%................... TBA May 4...... NCAA National Championship%......... TBA *-in Hawaii #-EIVA Opponent %-in Los Angeles
2013Beaver BEAVER STADIUM SEATING CHART 2013 Stadium Seating Chart 2013 BEAVER STADIUM SEATING CHART SUITES
N
SUITES
N
EJU
GATE E
NKU NJU
NKU
NLU NLU
GATE GATE D D
NHUNJU
EJU
GATE E NK NJ NK
NL NL
EHU EGU
EFU EEU EDU ECU
EHU EGU
EFU EEU EDU ECU
EJ
EH EG
EJ
EH EG
EF EF
EE EE
ED ED
EBU EAU
GATE A
EBU EAU
GATE A EC EC
EB EB
EA EA
SA
NJ NH
NHU NGU
NG NH
NGU NFU
NG NF
NFU NEU
NF NE
NEU NDU
NE ND
SB SB SC
NC
NCUNBU
NBU NAU
NAU
SAC SBC SBC SCC
SCSD
SEC SDC
SDUSEU
SEC SFC
SEU SFU
SFC SGC
SFU SGU
SHC SGC
SGU SHU
SF SG SG SH
NB
NB NA NA
GATE C GATE C
WJ
WH WG WF WE
WJ
WH WG WF WE
WD WC WD WC
SK SJ
WB WB
WA SK
WA
SBUSCU SCU SDU
SE SF
SH SJ
SBU
SAU
SCCSDC
SD SE
ND NC
NDU NCU
SAU
SAC
SA
SHC SJC
SHU SJU
SJC SKC
SLC SKC SLC
SJU SKU
SLU SKU SLU
GATE B GATE B WAU WJU WHU WGU WFU WEU WDU WCU WBU
WJU WHU WGU WFU WEU WDU WCU
PRESS BOX PRESS BOX
WBU
WAU
Penn State Students Penn State Students Mt. Nittany Club *See note below Mt.donation Nittany Club *See donation note below
ANNUAL SEAT ANNUAL EQUITYSEAT DONATIONS EQUITY DONATIONS
Sideline Seatback Sideline Seatback $2,000/seat $2,000/seat $600/seat $600/seat
Visiting Team Visiting Team
$400/seat $400/seat
Football Football Lettermen Lettermen *Note: Mt. Nittany Club seat holders are required to make Mt. Nittany Clubon seat holders are or required a*Note: NLC donation based $100 per seat based to onmake their a NLC donation based $100 per or based on their quantity of tickets. Thison donation is seat independent of their quantity of tickets. This donation is independent of their club seat lease. club seat lease. Rev. Date 9/23/12 Rev. Date 9/23/12
$200/seat $200/seat $100/seat $100/seat
Updates offer additional options inside Beaver Stadium Updated seating zones in Beaver Stadium have been created to offer more options for Penn State football fans for the 2013 season.
As the Feb. 1, 2013, deadline approaches for NLC members to renew their memberships for the upcoming giving year, a $200 giving level has been created to provide additional seating options. The Yellow Level—with seats in ECU and
EGU as well as WGU and WCU—provides seats closer to midfield at half the cost of seats in the Red Level.
Other levels: Blue, $100; Red, $400; Black, $600; and Green, $2,000 remain unchanged in terms of per-seat donation level. Also, any NLC members who take advantage of the One Team Commitment program can lock in their per-seat dona-
tion levels for the next five years, from 2013 to 2017.
“We want to provide the best possible experience for NLC members, giving them more choices and opportunities to support Penn State Intercollegiate Athletes in a manner that works best for them,” said John Nitardy, NLC director of major gifts and annual giving. “We think this is a positive step, and we remain committed to quality customer service.”
NLC: THE TEAM BEHIND THE ONETEAM TEAMS
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SCHEDULE
Passionate coach Patrick Chambers anticipates a bit more success this season. (Photo by Mark Selders)
Chambers anticipates opportunities for determined men’s basketball team Many things impact the success of a college basketball team, and numerous ways exist to motivate or quantify a team toward success. Patrick Chambers keeps things pretty simple, though. He’s forthright about expectations, honest about the opportunities that exist and unwavering in his expectations. First, he expects a bit more from the Nittany Lions this season—and not just because they know each other better. In fact, he wants to avoid classifying the players’ familiarity with each other and the program as comfortable. He stresses a familiarity or an understanding, but certainly not comfort. “I would say there’s a level of trust being built,” Chambers said. Trust becomes particularly important after the season-ending injury to senior guard Tim Frazier (Houston), who will apply for a medical redshirt and hope to return next season. Specifically, the coach must trust soph-
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31 SPORTS ... ONETEAM
omore guard D.J. Newbill (Philadelphia) even more than anticipated. Newbill sat out last season after transferring from Southern Mississippi. He, and everyone else for that matter, anticipated playing with Frazier. Instead, Newbill must shoulder more responsibility and several other players will probably emerge to share playing time in the backcourt. Newbill, who brings what Chambers calls “swagger” to the floor, is just happy to be playing again. He knows he has some rustiness to shake, too. “There’s a difference between practice shape and game shape,” Newbill said. “But it’ll come. And it’ll be fun playing.” Redshirt junior guard Jermaine Marshall (Etters, Pa.) matured over the summer, becoming a more productive and vocal team leader. Chambers hopes Marshall’s growth, and a potentially improved frontcourt, can help the Nittany Lions improve upon their 12-20 record from a year ago. Maybe the most important way to measure any progress will come on the road.
Date................... Opponent.................. Time Nov. 9............... ST. FRANCIS........... W, 65-58 Nov. 15*...................N.C. State................... L, 55-72 Nov. 16*..................Providence......... W, 55-52 (OT) Nov. 18*......................Akron...................... L, 60-85 Nov. 23...............BUCKNELL............ W, 60-57 Nov. 28#......... BOSTON COLLEGE......... L, 61-73 Dec. 1....................PENN.................. 2 p.m. Dec. 5........................at LaSalle...................... 7 p.m. Dec. 8................... ARMY.................. 4 p.m. Dec. 15.......... DELAWARE STATE........... 2 p.m. Dec. 23.......... NEW HAMPSHIRE..........11 a.m. Dec. 29.............. DUQUESNE............... 4 p.m. Jan. 3..................... at Wisconsin....................... TBA Jan. 7.................. INDIANA................. 7 p.m. Jan. 10...........NORTHWESTERN........... 8 p.m. Jan. 13......................at Purdue.......................... TBA Jan. 16...........MICHIGAN STATE........... 7 p.m. Jan. 19.............. NEBRASKA............... 1 p.m. Jan. 23......................at Indiana...................... 7 p.m. Jan. 26.............. OHIO STATE................ Noon Jan. 31........................at Iowa........................ 8 p.m. Feb. 5.................. PURDUE................. 7 p.m. Feb. 9...................... at Nebraska.................... 9 p.m. Feb. 14.................. IOWA.................. 9 p.m. Feb. 17.................... at Michigan...................... Noon Feb. 21...................... at Illinois................. 8:15 p.m. Feb. 27...............MICHIGAN........... 6:30 p.m. March 2.................. at Minnesota....................... TBA March 7................at Northwestern................. 7 p.m. March 10............ WISCONSIN................ Noon March 14-17, Big Ten Tournament *-Puerto Rico Tip-Off #-Big Ten/ACC Challenge
“We need to win on the road to be successful,” Chambers said. “If we have another 0-for it’s going to be a long season.” Still, the team has room for optimism. With a much deeper front court—those who will share playing time include Sasa Borovnjak (Belgrade, Serbia), Jon Graham (Baltimore, Md.), Donovan Jack (Reading, Pa.) and Ross Travis (Chaska, Minn.)—the team has improved options that did not exist in the past. Even in a super-strong Big Ten Conference, Chambers thinks the deeper, more talented Nittany Lions can improve this season. They’ll certainly have the opportunity to play against the nation’s best every time they step on the floor. “It’s not supposed to be easy, but our guys are ready for the challenge,” Chambers said.
SCHEDULE
Upbeat, hard-working Maggie Lucas provides important scoring punch for the Lady Lions. (Photo by Mark Selders)
Experienced, talented core group fuels next-level expectations for Lady Lions Facing hefty expectations hardly phases the experienced and talented Lady Lions. As the preseason pick to win the Big Ten Conference, the consensus Top 10 team was appreciative and honored but still focused. With Alex Bentley (Indianapolis) and Maggie Lucas (Narberth, Pa.) on preseason All-America lists and among 30 women’s basketball players named to the Wooden List as candidates for the nation’s best player, there was again appreciation but even more motivation. After losing to perennial powerhouse UConn in the regional round of the NCAA Tournament last season, the Lady Lions hope to advance farther this season. They stewed over a fist-round tournament loss to DePaul and used that to help fire their regional run last season, and they hope to do the same this season. Bentley and Lucas lead the ultra-competitive group. Coach Coquese Washington calls Bent-
ley the most competitive player she’s ever coached and Lucas the most driven. Together, they bring energy and passion to the floor every night. It’s an approach that fuels enough of a competitive fire for the entire team—but they’re hardly alone in their desire to do well and represent Penn State. The unselfish duo regularly makes room to involve teammates and the Lady Lions perform best with a well-balanced approach on both ends of the floor. That includes contributions from center Nikki Green (Diboll, Texas), tenacious forward Mia Nickson (Ashburn, Va.) and athletic Arial Edwards (Elmont, N.Y.). Along with that trio, the team boasts an abundance of depth and height. Green, at 6-foot-4, is not even the team’s tallest player. That honor goes to 6-5 Tori Waldner (Milton, Ga.), who earned ample playing time as a freshman last season. In addition, Edwards and Talia East (Philadelphia) are both 6-3 while Nickson and Marisa Wolfe (Ford City, Pa.) are both 6-2.
Date................... Opponent.................. Time Nov. 11................HOWARD............. W, 72-61 Nov. 14..................at Texas A&M............... W, 63-58 Nov. 18.............. LAFAYETTE............ W, 75-34 Nov. 23*.................. vs. Detroit.................. W, 80-72 Nov. 24*............... CS-Northridge.............. W, 85-73 Nov. 29#....................at Miami.................. 7:05 p.m. Dec. 2..........FARLEIGH DICKINSON........ 2 p.m. Dec. 6........................ at UConn...................... 7 p.m. Dec. 9.............. GEORGETOWN............... Noon Dec. 12................. at Virginia Tech.................. 7 p.m. Dec. 16....... SOUTH DAKOTA STATE........ 2 p.m. Dec. 23.................. NJIT............... 1:30 p.m. Jan. 3.............NORTHWESTERN........... 7 p.m. Jan. 6..................at Michigan State.................... TBA Jan. 13.............. NEBRASKA............... 2 p.m. Jan. 17.............. WISCONSIN.............. 7 p.m. Jan. 21.................... at Michigan............... 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24..............MINNESOTA.......... 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27................... at Ohio State.................... 1 p.m. Jan. 31................... at Wisconsin................... 8 p.m. Feb. 4.................. PURDUE................. 7 p.m. Feb. 7........................at Indiana................. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10...........MICHIGAN STATE........... 2 p.m. Feb. 14........................at Iowa........................ 8 p.m. Feb. 20................ILLINOIS................ 7 p.m. Feb. 24...............MICHIGAN............... 1 p.m. Feb. 28................... at Minnesota....................... TBA March 3................... at Nebraska........................ TBA March 7-10, Big Ten Tournament *-Cal Northridge Thanksgiving Tournament #-Big Ten/ACC Challenge
All those players provide many options for coach Washington, who knows how to handle all the team’s roster provides. It’s a job made a little easier because the experienced team includes five seniors. Guard Dara Taylor (Wilmington, Del.), a transfer from Maryland, provides another important weapon, as does pesky and guard Gizelle Studevent (La Jolla, Calif.). And the squad includes just one freshman—Candice Agee (Victorville, Calif.), a McDonald’s High School All-American who played a productive role for the USA Basketball U18 national team this past summer. “There’s a good mix of experience and talent,” Washington said. “It’s a good group of kids, too. We certainly have an opportunity to do some special things and that’s not something this group will shy away from. They’ve embraced the expectations that have been placed on them.”
NLC: THE TEAM BEHIND THE ONETEAM TEAMS
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Coach Char Morett led the field hockey team to a strong season and earned her 400th victory at Penn State with a roster that shared 12 scholarships. (Photo by Mark Selders)
Scholarship Situations
Different sports and scholarship limits require different approaches from coaches More than 800 student-athletes represent Penn State on 31 varsity sports teams, and they all benefit from the support provided by Nittany Lion Club members. All those student-athletes may utilize academic advising and counseling services provided by the Morgan Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes. They also benefit from the expertise of Penn State Sports Medicine for preventive health and the treatment of injuries. Getting a scholarship means different things depending on the sport, though. According to NCAA rules, eight varsity sports provide scholarships on a “headcount” basis. So, whoever earns a scholarship in those sports gets a full ride and coaches have no option to divide a scholarship among more than one student-athlete. Sports that award scholarships on an “equivalency” basis en-
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31 SPORTS ... ONETEAM
able coaches to divide their maximum number of scholarships in any manner they wish. No matter the sport and no matter scholarship situation, the respective coaches have a plan—and a reason for their plan. For example, women’s basketball coach Coquese Washington, who can award a maximum of 15 scholarships, has just 11 student-athletes on her team’s roster this season. “It’s good when you have a nearly full roster to help you get through times when you have injuries, and even just to run a more complete practice,” Washington said. “On the flip side, there’s only so many minutes during a basketball game and if you don’t have the right people some chemistry issues can develop in terms of playing time if you use all 15 scholarships.” While Washington considers how her scholarship allocation may impact how teammates get along, coaches in equivalency sports must weigh many things just to build their teams.
“We try to give everybody a little something, enough for books, or something that might help them out, but we also want to make sure our best guys are getting the most support,” said wrestling coach Cael Sanderson. “The guys that are going to be leading us to nationals and who have a chance to be national champions are going to get more support than other guys. It’s only fair.”
SCHOLARSHIPS BY SPORT HEADCOUNT SPORTS Football...............................................................85 Women’s basketball............................................15 Men’s basketball.................................................13 Women’s gymnastics..........................................12 Women’s ice hockey...........................................18 Men’s ice hockey.................................................18 Women’s volleyball.............................................12 Women’s tennis....................................................8 EQUIVALENCY SPORTS: WOMEN Cross country/track and field..............................18 Fencing.................................................................5 Field hockey........................................................12 Golf.......................................................................6 Lacrosse.............................................................12 Soccer.................................................................14 Softball................................................................12 Swimming and diving.........................................14 EQUIVALENCY SPORTS: MEN Baseball...........................................................11.7 Cross country/track and field...........................12.6 Fencing..............................................................4.5 Golf....................................................................4.5 Gymnastics........................................................6.3 Lacrosse..........................................................12.6 Soccer................................................................9.9 Swimming..........................................................9.9 Tennis................................................................4.5 Volleyball...........................................................4.5 Wrestling...........................................................9.9
With just 9.9 scholarships (the NCAA maximum for wrestling), Sanderson spends an important part of the offseason working on the math regarding his roster. Determinations for scholarship support must be complete by the start of the fiscal year in July, and the wrestling season does not begin in earnest until November. “You have to have a plan, and then you have to hope it works out,” Sanderson said. “It’s good that the NCAA has rules and timetables, though, because it keeps everything fair across the sport and the student-athletes are treated fairly.” Teams across the nation face the same limitations on a sportby-sport basis, although differences in scholarship availability differ by gender in the same sport. For example, women’s volleyball teams can fill 12 headcount scholarships while men’s volleyball teams get 4.5 scholarships on an equivalency basis. Likewise, women’s gymnastics may offer 12 full rides while the men’s gymnastics team shares 6.3. Men’s teams have decimals for their equivalency sports as a result of an NCAA effort to cut scholarships by 10 percent. “You’re dealing with pieces of support in most cases,” said men’s golf coach Greg Nye. “You want to help everyone as best you can, but it’s hard in our sport to give anyone a lot more than someone else. Of course, all parents think their kid is worth a million dollars, but we might only have a partial scholarship.”
Ian Hendries and members of the men’s volleyball team share 4.5 scholarships. (Photo by Mark Selders)
All Penn State teams have their scholarship slots, whether headcount or equivalency, filled at the maximum level. That’s a commitment from Intercollegiate Athletics in terms of supporting the 31-sport program at the highest level. It’s also the result of continuous support from NLC members. The different approaches and overall success of Penn State coaches across sports might provide insights for football coach Bill O’Brien, too. His program must deal with a reduced level of scholarships for four years (from 85 to 65 beginning in 2014) as part of NCAA sanctions. From the outset, O’Brien has said he has a plan to address the situation. As he balances fewer scholarships—perhaps setting internal limits on the number of grant-in-aids at certain positions and enhancing the run-on program for non-scholarship players—he certainly has some successful models to follow.
ONETEAM NLC: THE TEAM BEHIND THE TEAMS
9
Dynamite Russ Rose, women’s volleyball
Kyle VanThof, men’s lacrosse
Middle Row Photos, Left to Right 1. Taylor Alotta (women’s gymnastics) and Judy Larson 2. Kerry Collins and Bridget Basehoar 3. Kori Chapic (women’s soccer), Linda Forrest, Lauren Yao (softball), Keith Forrest and Amy Modglin (swimming & diving) 4. Margaret McCormick (women’s lacrosse) and Mary Noe
Photos by Paul Hazi
10 31 SPORTS ... ONETEAM
Popular Endowment Din allows interaction with co
e Dinner
nner recognizes donors, oaches, student-athletes.
Jeff Tambroni, men’s lacrosse
Kristin Carpenter, women’s volleyball
Bottom row Photos, Left to Right 5. ZaVon Watkins (track and field) and Horace Ashenfelter 6. Lynn Abramson and Erica McKee (fencing) 7. Jonathan Warner (football) and Steve Krentzman
NLC: THE TEAM BEHIND THE ONETEAM TEAMS 11
Dramatic, unpredictable season ends in storybook fashion Any self-respecting Hollywood executive would quickly reject a sports movie with a college football focus that included all the twists and turns that members of the football team endured before and during the 2012 season. It would be impossible to make up the distractions, hardships and injuries. At the same time, few could imagine the character, loyalty and work ethic necessary to overcome those obstacles. Sometimes, though, truth can Coach Bill O’Brien and members of the football team sing the alma mater after beating Wisconsin. (Photo by Mark Selders) be stranger than fiction. And, back Zach Zwinak (Frederick, Md.), who became the 14th Penn while nobody would dare script what happened during the State player to rush for 1,000 yards. recently concluded football season, the 110 student-athletes who wear blue-and-white uniforms—under the guidance of a Still, this team was never about individuals. From start to finish, committed coaching staff—set a standard for everyone related it was a team effort. Members of the senior class, which got to the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and the University. abundant and deserved credit for leadership, know about the team-first approach better than anyone. Before the season, As they completed an emotional 8-4 campaign, members of they lobbied teammates to stay at Penn State despite NCAA the football team did so with a focused, one-game-at-a-time sanctions that allowed them to transfer freely. Once they crafted approach that allowed them to face opponents and shake off a coalition of commitment, they came together on the field. things that did not go their way when necessary. As part of that process, on- and off-field standouts emerged and helped make All the while, people were watching—everyone from the most the 126th year of Penn State football one of the program’s most critical to the most committed Penn State faithful. In the end, memorable. the team’s effort and performance won over almost everyone, garnering praise from many of those critics and unifying many “I’ve been around some special teams and this is a very special Penn Staters. O’Brien addressed all those audiences after the football team because of the players and especially the sefinal game when he told the Penn State Sports Network that niors,” coach Bill O’Brien said after the Nittany Lions capped Penn State never did have a culture problem. their season with a dramatic 24-21 overtime victory against Wisconsin. It was the first overtime victory ever for Penn State Changes were plentiful during the season, most noticeable at Beaver Stadium—another in the myriad milestones and among them names on the back of jerseys and even, in that notes for the team this season. final game against Wisconsin, numbers on the team helmets. That move, with all players wearing a “42” in a nod to injured “There’s a huge difference, it just sounds better (than 7-5). It’s senior linebacker and team leader Michael Mauti (Mandeville, just a much better feeling,” said O’Brien, who became the first La.), was another sign of team unity, though. In the end, the coach in program history to win eight games in his debut seaUniversity also committed to honor the team at a historic levson. “When you’ve been in a winning locker room at the end of el—adding “2012” to the ring of honor of great teams on the the season, it’s a euphoric feeling.” east side of Beaver Stadium. Among the many record-breaking performances during the season were efforts by: senior quarterback Matt McGloin (Scranton, Pa.), who set the career school record for touchdown passes (46) and season records for passing yardage (3,266) and completions (270), among others; sophomore receiver Allen Robinson (Southfield, Mich.), whose 1,013 receiving yards made him only the second player in school history to reach the 1,000-yard plateau in a single season; and sophomore running
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“I just want people to make sure that people know how much respect I have for the teams that are up there. The national championships, the undefeated teams; there’s some great teams up on that ring there on that east side,” O’Brien said. “To have our 2012 team up there is pretty neat.” It’s also certainly deserved, a special end to a memorable season.
Dominant standouts such as David Taylor (above left), Ed Ruth (above center) and Quentin Wright make the team’s lineup strong from top to bottom. (Photos by Mark Selders)
Standard set for two-time defending champ wrestlers In the fairly black-and-white, win-and-lose world of wrestling, the honest, straightforward style of Penn State coach Cael Sanderson works well. He and his staff set expectations for their student-athletes and the measurables can be found on the mat, and in the winloss column. As Penn State has dominated college wrestling the past few seasons—with back-to-back Big Ten Conference and national championships—a talented group of wrestlers has brought that straightforward style to the mat on a regular basis. With five All-Americans back this season and seven members of the team ranked nationally entering the season, Sanderson expects more success this season. “People expect a lot of us, but we expect a lot of ourselves,” Sanderson said. “We want kids who want to be national champions, kids who want to wrestle in big matches. We’re going to give them that opportunity, and we expect them to prepare and work hard to get to that level.”
Sanderson gets the most out of his team by knowing which emotional and physical buttons to push at the right time throughout the season. Dual-meet results matter, but so does the development of individual wrestlers.
SCHEDULE
A little higher in the lineup, Andrew Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) and Dylan Alton (Mill Hall, Pa.) are expected to hold down spots at 149 and 157, respectively.
Date................... Opponent.................. Time Nov. 16.................LEHIGH................W, 29-6 Nov. 18................ at West Virginia............... W, 44-3 Dec. 2...........NITTANY LION OPEN.........All Day Dec. 9.................. INDIANA................. 2 p.m. Dec. 15............. LOCK HAVEN.............. 2 p.m. Jan. 1-2............. at Southern Scuffle.............. All Day Jan. 13...........MICHIGAN STATE........... 2 p.m. Jan. 18.............. WISCONSIN.............. 7 p.m. Jan. 20......................at Purdue...................... 1 p.m. Jan. 27.............. NEBRASKA............... 2 p.m. Feb. 1..........................at Iowa........................ 9 p.m. Feb. 3........................ at Illinois...................... 2 p.m. Feb. 8...........................at Pitt......................... 7 p.m. Feb. 10................... at Ohio State.................... 2 p.m. Feb. 17................. RIDER.................. 2 p.m. Feb. 24..................... at Rutgers..................... 1 p.m. March 9-10, Big Ten Championships at Illinois March 21-23, NCAA Championships at Iowa
The team’s talent continues at 165 with two-time All-American David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio). Taylor was dominant last season, winning all but two of his bouts with bonus points, including 15 pins, nine technical falls an six major decisions. He won the Hodge Trophy Award as the nation’s best wrestler.
It gets no easier for opponents after that, with a succession of standouts that begins with Matt Brown (West Valley City, Utah) at 174, defending NCAA champion and two-time All-American Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.) at 184 and three-time All-American Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) at 197.
Make no mistake, standout wrestlers have come to Penn State and developed under Sanderson. This year’s strong lineup starts with returning All-American Nico Megaludis (Murrysville, Pa.) at 125.
NLC: THE TEAM BEHIND THE TEAMS 13 ONETEAM
Men’s gymnasts excited to begin, end season at Rec Hall As it does every season, the Penn State men’s gymnastics squad will compete against some of the best programs in the country during the 2013 slate. Coach Randy Jepson’s roster will face off with seven teams that are ranked in the College Gymnastics Association’s preseason top-15 and the University Park campus will play host to the NCAA Championships for the eighth time in program history from April 19-21. “Hosting the NCAA is huge for our program,” Jepson said. “We bid on this meet four years ago without any idea of what type of team we’d have. We’d brought in eight freshmen in hopes that they’d be a group that would be ready to challenge for a championship, but there are no guarantees. “As things have progressed, it’s developed to where we are now in a spot where we can say that they are ready to challenge for a championship. So the stage is set. We need to stay healthy and do our jobs for the season. It’s nice to have a group that’s prepared to step into that arena and compete.” The public will get its first glimpse of the men’s gymnastics team Dec. 14 when the Nittany Lions hold their annual Gymnastics Showcase in conjunction with the women’s squad. This event will feature the entire men’s and women’s rosters competing against each other to kick off the season in Rec Hall. The tune-up for the season opener will leave just 126 days for the men’s squad to get ready to host the nation’s elite college gymnasts. After that, the regular season opens with meets against Army and a trip to compete in the Navy Open. Along with the Nittany Lions, Navy will welcome William & Mary, Temple and Springfield College to Macdonough Hall for the one-day competition. “We generally try to (schedule) teams from the east to test our guys early in the season,” Jepson said. “You look at
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the preseason rankings, and there are some very strong teams throughout the east and, as always, in the Big Ten. With Michigan being No. 1 and Illinois at No. 2 (in the preseason polls), there are going to be some challenging meets ahead of us. “When it comes down to it, at the end you want to have guys that are battle hardened and ready, and those types of meets throughout the season are going to help us at the championship meets. It should be a good set up for us.” Big Ten foe Ohio State begins the second month of the year with a double-dual meet (Feb. 2) as the Nittany Lions look to continue their five-meet winning streak versus the Buckeyes. Penn State won last year (355.5-348.2) in Columbus. Next on the schedule will be a trip to Las Vegas to compete in the two-day Winter Cup Challenge, sponsored by USA Gymnastics. Trips to Temple and a home meet versus Springfield College close out the shortest month of the calendar year. March will feature three road trips and one home meet. That includes a trip to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for the third year in a row as the Nittany Lions face off with the Caribbean island’s national team. The meet has been a success for the program during the past two seasons—with victories in each of the team competitions—and also allows the three members of the squad from Puerto Rico to compete in front of their family and friends. The championship portion of the schedule will begin on April 5-6 when the squad returns to Minneapolis to compete in the Big Ten Championships. The Nittany Lions captured the Big Ten title last in 2008 and will look to improve on their thirdplace showing from a year ago. For the seventh time in Rec Hall and eighth time in program history, the University Park campus will be taken over by the nation’s top collegiate gymnasts when the NCAA Championships return to
SCHEDULE Date................... Opponent.................. Time Dec. 14........... PSU SHOWCASE............ 7 p.m. Jan. 12................. ARMY.................. 7 p.m. Jan. 19................... at Navy Open................... 2 p.m. Feb. 2.............OHIO STATE (DD)........... 7 p.m. Feb. 7...........Winter Cup (in Las Vegas).... 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9...........Winter Cup (in Las Vegas).... 6:30 p.m. Feb. 16......................at Temple...................... 7 p.m. Feb. 23....SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE (DD).... 7 p.m. March 2..................... at Illinois...................... 7 p.m. March 8................. at Puerto Rico.................. 7 p.m. March 16..........MICHIGAN (DD)............ 7 p.m. March 24................ at Minnesota................... 5 p.m. April 5-6, Big Ten Championships in Minneapolis April 19-21, NCAA Championships at Rec Hall
the historic venue from April 19-21. The Nittany Lions will look to build on their third-place finish from last season and add to their nation’s-best 12 NCAA titles when they host the championships. The last time the championships were held at Rec Hall the Nittany Lions won it all in front of their home crowd in 2007. Seven team members earned All-America honors last season—the most for Penn State since 1959—and seven of those standouts return again this season as the program strives for a national championship in its home gym. Those returning standouts include: senior captain Parker Raque (Louisville, Ky.), senior Felix Aronovich (Kiryat Bialik, Israel); junior Adrian Evans (Boulder, Colo.); sophomore Craig Hernandez (Libertyville, Ill.); redshirt senior Nihir Kothari (Malvern, Pa.); junior Néstor Rodriguez (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico); and Scott Rosenthal (Clearfield, Pa.) Rosenthal placed second in the still rings, just half a point out of the top spot, scoring at 15.250. It was the second All-America finish of his career. In 2012, Rosenthal either won or was the runner-up in still rings in every meet. “There’s nothing like hosting nationals on your home turf,” Jepson said, “and we hope to have a great crowd, a very supportive crowd, with the Blue-White Game being the same weekend.”
Madison Merriam (Gaithersburg, Md.) and Sharaya Musser (Colorado Springs, Colo.) are the only seniors on the roster for the women’s gymnastics team.
Coaches excited for young, talented squad to show its skill After hours of work getting ready, with a home schedule that includes six competitions at Rec Hall, the women’s gymnastics team and its coaching staff are ready to compete—and to improve on their individual and team performances from last season. “We are extremely excited,” said head coach Jeff Thompson. “The girls have worked extremely hard this fall. They’ve been working for 20 hours a week for 13 to 14 weeks. As a staff we are excited because this is our first recruiting class we have here. They’ve bought in to what we sold them a few years ago.” Thompson enters his sixth season and returns six competitors from last year’s squad that finished sixth at the Big Ten Championships. Among the key returning standouts for the Nittany Lions is senior Sharaya Musser (Colorado Springs, Colo.), who was named Big Ten Gymnast of the Year and became the second Penn State gymnast in the last four years to earn the honor. Musser became the seventh overall Penn State student-athlete to win the Big Ten’s top gymnast award.
and beam, seven on vault, six on floor and had six all-around appearances in 2012. She is expected to compete on bars and beam in every meet again this year. A 2012 Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Musgrove competed on vault in six meets and beam and floor in one met.
SCHEDULE Date................... Opponent.................. Time Dec. 14........... PSU SHOWCASE............ 7 p.m. Jan. 5........................at Denver...................... 6 p.m. Jan. 12.........................at UIC......................... 5 p.m. Jan. 19... MINNESOTA, KENT, TOWSON.... 7 p.m. Jan. 26....... IOWA, RUTGERS, PITT........ 7 p.m. Feb. 2.............OHIO STATE (DD)........... 7 p.m. Feb. 10.................... at Nebraska.................... 2 p.m. Feb. 16.................... at Michigan.................... 4 p.m. Feb. 23....... MICHIGAN STATE (DD)........ 7 p.m. March 2..................... at Illinois...................... 4 p.m. March 9.. N.HAMPSHIRE, PENN, TEMPLE... 4 p.m. March 16......... KENTUCKY (DD)............ 7 p.m. March 23, Big Ten Championships at Michigan State April 19-21, NCAA Championships in Los Angeles
The All-American will be a team captain, along with fellow senior Madison Merriam (Gaithersburg, Md.). Merriam was an AllBig Ten second team selection in 2012 as she had a total of nine top-five finishes in the all-around. She earned Academic All-Big Ten recognition for the second time in her career and competed in the all-around in 13 meets. Lindsay Musgrove (League City, Texas) and Kassidy Stauder (Palmerton, Pa.) are returning juniors for the Nittany Lions. Stauder competed in 13 meets on bars
The sophomore class returns three in Lexi Carroll (Olney, Md.), Krystal Welsh (Bowie, Md.) and Alex Witt (Odessa, Fla.). Carroll returns after making nine appearances on vault and seven on floor during her rookie campaign. Welsh made 13 total appearances last season, with 12 coming in the all-around, and had four top-five finishes. Witt enters her sophomore year with experience in five meets on the vault. The team also includes seven newcomers, including a transfer from LSU in Sidney Sanabria-Robles (Caguas, Puerto Rico). Thompson welcomes six freshmen: Taylor Alotta (New Tripoli, Pa.), Alix Faden (Roslyn, N.Y.), Hannah Kobman (Cincinnati, Ohio), Kelsey Kreider (Bethlehem, Pa.), Samantha Musto (Mays Landing, N.J.) and Savannah Soares (Providence, R.I.).
NLC: THE TEAM BEHIND THE ONETEAM TEAMS 15
Many Highlights in Academic Report Penn State student-athletes continue to graduate well above their peers nationwide, earning record-setting academic performances, according to statistical information released by the NCAA.
In addition to releasing each institution’s overall four-year Graduation Success Rate, the NCAA also released the federal graduation rates for students and student-athletes as it has for the past 22 years.
The NCAA’s annual study of institutions nationwide revealed that Penn State student-athletes at the University Park campus earned a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 88 percent, compared to the 80-percent average for all Division I institutions for student-athletes entering from 2002-03 through 2005-06. The 88 percent figure was third to Northwestern (97) and Illinois (89) among Big Ten Conference institutions.
The four-year federal graduation rate average for University Park student-athletes was 78 percent, second to Northwestern (88) among Big Ten schools, and significantly above the 64 percent Division I average. The four-year average for University Park students was 85 percent, also far exceeding the 63 percent rate for all students nationwide.
The Penn State football team broke its program record for the second consecutive year with a GSR of 91 percent, tied with Rutgers for the No. 7 graduation rate among all 120 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams. The Nittany Lion basketball (92 percent) and Lady Lion basketball (100) teams also earned GSRs at least 15 percent higher than the national average. This is the 22nd annual release of institutional graduation rates since national “right-to-know” legislation was passed in 1990. In 2005, the NCAA Division I Committee on Academic Performance implemented the initial release of the team GSR data. The GSR is the NCAA’s more inclusive calculation of student-athlete academic success. The NCAA rate is more accurate than the federally mandated methodology because it includes incoming transfers and students enrolling in the spring semester who receive athletic aid and graduate, and deletes from the calculation student-athletes who leave an institution and were academically eligible to compete. The federal rate does neither.
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Among the 2005-06 entering freshman class, 80 percent of Penn State student-athletes earned degrees within six years, the same as last year, and well above the 65 percent average for all Division I institutions. The graduation rate for all Penn State students was 87 percent in the entering class of 2005-06. The NCAA data revealed that student-athletes from five Penn State squads earned a Graduation Success Rate of 100 percent—women’s basketball, field hockey, softball, men’s tennis and women’s tennis—and 10 additional teams were at 90 percent or higher for a total of 15. Nineteen of Penn State’s 25 teams (track/cross country teams combined) earned a GSR at or above the national average of 80 percent. In addition, the GSR report found that Penn State African-American student-athletes earned a school-record 90 percent GSR, up from last year’s 87 percent. The figure was second in the Big Ten (Northwestern, 92) and 25 points higher than the national average (65 percent). Also, Penn State African-American student-athletes earned a 72 percent four-year federal graduation rate, 18 points higher than the national average (54).
Talia East enjoys collecting coins thanks to her father.
East’s hobby helps her travel the world Talia East’s father, a music producer, travels a lot—and those travels inspired her to find a special way to stay connected. As a result, East, a junior forward on the women’s basketball team from Philadelphia, collects coins. “When he’d come home, I’d go through his change looking for coins from different places, wherever he’d been,” East said. “It always seemed there was something different.” East’s collection has grown to dozens of coins, although she had just a handful on campus, and the team’s trip to Europe this past summer was an opportunity for her to add to her collection. Her teammates know that any trip, near or far, can provide another coin for East’s collection. “Everyone kind of helps out,” she said. “It’s fun, and even educational.”
We’re pleased to announce these gifts and pledges of $25,000 and above to our For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students. We sincerely thank the donors who, through their generosity, made these important funds a reality. Opportunities exist to endow scholarships in specific sports or an area that meets your interest. Or, support one of our facility projects. Of course, all such opportunities provide tax benefits. If you would like information on how to participate, please call us at (814) 863-GIFT (4438).
 Donors...................................................... Scholarship/Naming Opportunity
Anonymous.................................................................................................................. Track and Field Scholarship Anonymous..................................................................................................................Men’s Lacrosse Scholarship Anonymous................................... Pegula Ice Arena Naming Opportunity-Women’s Director of Operation’s Office Tim Bhanubandh.......................................................................................... Pegula Ice Arena Naming Opportunity Todd and Heidi Chan.....................................................................................Pegula Ice Arena Naming Opportunity Women’s Volunteer Assistant Coach’s Office Pamela and Keith Driftmier............................................................................................Pamela and Keith Driftmier Intercollegiate Athletics Trustee Scholarship Charles P. and Roberta A. Gatski........................................................Lasch Football Building Naming Opportunity Charles P. and Roberta A. Gatski Casting Room Ryan and Stacy Givens................................................................................ Pegula Ice Arena Naming Opportunity Ryan and Stacy Givens Equipment Manager’s Office Kelly J. Grimes and Felix J. Boake III..........................................................................John D. and David J. Grimes Endowed Women’s Golf Scholarship Delores C. Kelley......................................................................................... Robert C. Kelley Memorial Scholarship Roman Markosky............................................................................................................................ Levi Lamb Fund Geoff and Stephanie Martha........................................................................................Geoff and Stephanie Martha Men’s Ice Hockey Scholarship Robert Morris III and Robin H. Morris.............................................................................................. Levi Lamb Fund Penn State Women’s Volleyball Booster Club............................................................................ Women’s Volleyball Manager’s Scholarship in Honor of Della Durant, Ellen Perry and Susan Delaney-Scheetz Barry and Faith Pennypacker....................................................................... Pegula Ice Arena Naming Opportunity Equipment Room Michael and Laurene Smychynsky..................................................................... Michael and Laurene Smychynsky and Family Trustee Scholarship Greg and Kim Stock...................................................................................................... Greg and Kim Stock Family Intercollegiate Athletics Trustee Scholarship Jonathan and LuAnne Wolf............................................................... Richard Wolf Trustee Scholarship in Athletics
Newly created endowment offers chance to give, honor 2012 team Fans of Penn State football have a unique opportunity to honor the 2012 Nittany Lions thanks to the generosity of Philip and Rosalind Sky, longtime friends of Penn State.
create “The STAR Football Scholarship Honoring Coach O’Brien and the 2012 Football Team,” and they are encouraging other fans to enhance its impact by making their own gifts to the endowment.
The Skys have committed $50,000 to
Gifts of any amount to the STAR Football
Scholarship can be made online at http://GiveNow.psu.edu/2012Football online. Donations made to this scholarship may earn NLC points but do not qualify for ticket and parking benefits. If a donor accepts NLC points, their tax deduction for the gift would be 80 percent.
ONETEAM NLC: THE TEAM BEHIND THE TEAMS 17
BY THE NUMBERS: Student-Athletes Share What Their Numbers Mean to Them
Sean Grier
Bekka Simko
Deja McClendon
Swimming Hummelstown, Pa.
Cross Country Mentor, Ohio
Volleyball Louisville, Ky.
Already the school record holder in the 100-meter butterfly (46.8), Grier would like to lower the mark to 45.5.
Simko emerged as one of the standouts for the women’s cross country team in the fall and she thinks that experience and success will help her reach an important plateau for the 800-meter run during track season.
A junior outside hitter, McClendon recorded her 1,000th kill this season—and the milestone she was never really chasing actually means a lot to her.
45.5
“I think it’s pretty realistic,” said Grier, who came to Penn State with a PR of 48.6 in the event. He knows trimming 1.3 seconds to reach 45.5 will not be easy, but he has a plan. “Probably the biggest thing in making it happen will be getting off every wall, making every turn efficient. That’s a combination of power and technique and it’s something I work on every day. If things go well, by the end of the season it could be even lower.”
2:00.00
“It’s going to help me get to another level. For people who run the 800, two minutes is an important goal,” said Simko, who has lowered her PR in the event by six seconds since coming to Penn State. “Cross country distances, and the strength you need to finish, will carry over in the last half of the 800 and help me.”
Philadelphia College Hockey Faceoff Penn State vs.Vermont 7:30 p.m. / Saturday, Jan. 19 Wells Fargo Center Tickets: www.comcasttix.com / (215) 218-7825
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1,000
“Honestly, when I came here, there was so much talent I thought I’d be on the bench, but playing time opened up,” McClendon said. “I really had no idea I was getting closer, but when you find out about it, and you consider the history of the program and the players that have reached 1,000 kills before it becomes something you want to make happen. to be among that group is really special.”
FIRST GOAL Casey Bailey (foreground) celebrates Penn State’s first goal as an NCAA Division I program. Bailey scored the even-strength goal at 4:37 of the second period during the season opener against American International College. The game was played before a standing-room-only crowd of 1,300 at the Greenberg Ice Pavilion. (Photo by Mark Selders)
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NLC: THE TEAM BEHIND THE TEAMS 19
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