motivated to reach excellence
INSIDE: Academic Success
AD Focuses on Student-Athletes
Women’s Sports 50th
Nittany Lion Club Newsletter
DID YOU KNOW? Penn State student-athletes who earned Academic All-Big Ten honors during the 2013-14 academic year — the second-highest total in Penn State history.
285
Number of Penn State student-athletes who earned a 3.0 or higher grade-point average during the spring semester. Of that group, 205 student-athletes earned a 3.5 or higher GPA.
461
Inside this Issue Student-athletes motivate AD......4-5 A matter of motivation...................6-7 Motivated crew enjoys its role..........8 Themed gamedays add to fun.......... 9 Women’s Sports 50th................ 10-11 Member Profile................................ 12 Gift List............................................... 13 Q&A: Erica Walsh....................... 14-15 A dream for ‘Goaltender U’............ 16 Top-five Learfield Cup finish.......... 17 Compliance Corner......................... 18
About the Newsletter Volume 35, No. 1 Summer 2014 U.Ed. ICA-15-XX 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 Mark Wharton, Nicole Potoczny Contributors Penn State Athletic Communications, Steve Sampsell
On THE COVER Penn State coaches prefer passion and preparation to false or fiery speeches. Cover story, pages 6-7. (Photo by Mark Selders)
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
Herb Combs, supervisor of athletic fields (right), checks in at Beaver Stadium and makes a phone call as Paul Curtis mows the field. Combs and his crew are just as motivated and proud of their efforts for Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics as the coaches and student-athletes. Story, Page 8.
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nlc notebook
People associated with almost every athletic team and every university invariably talk about striving for excellence, about being the best. At Penn State, it’s more than talk. It happens because our alumni and friends, our student-athletes and coaches, and every member of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is motivated. They’re motivated to do things the right way and to do them well. That’s why motivation is the theme of this edition of our redesigned Nittany Lion Club Newsletter. In this edition, we offer a look at how our championship-winning coaches motivate their teams and themselves. We also focus on what motivates members of the Beaver Stadium ground crew, the compliance office and our donors. So often at Penn State, that motivation develops impactful leaders and produces important results, and all of you who give play a vital role in that process. Without your support, our coaches and
student athletes, and all members of the intercollegiate athletics team at Penn State, would not be in the position to consistently achieve. John Quincy Adams, who served as the sixth president of the United States, said it best: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” As we move into fall, several leaders have emerged. We have a new President (Eric Barron), a new director of athletics (Sandy Barbour) and a new football coach (James Franklin) who will lead his team into action for the first time at Penn State. We’re also celebrating 50 years of women’s sports at Penn State this year — a prime example of the lasting impact of motivated leaders. We hope you enjoy the issue and continue to support Penn State Athletics and our student-athletes. For the Glory!
Mark T. Wharton
Give $110 more! Nittany Lion student-athletes have vowed to give 110% in the classroom and in competition. We respectfully ask that you consider giving an extra $110 in 2015 as we continue to foster the success of our studentathletes, teams and programs. Three (3) NLC points (1 point = $50) and a special recognition gift will be sent to those who participate.
NLC Important Dates Nov. 1, 2014 Early Renewal Deadline
(Receive 5 additional NLC points.)
Dec. 31, 2014 End-of-Year Tax Deadline Feb. 1, 2015 Renewal Deadline
(Renew online for 3 additional points.)
Feb. 1, 2015 Season Football Ticket Renewal Deadline (New this year.)
March 2015 Opportunity to Relocate Current Seats www.nittanylionclub.com
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Nittany Lion Club Newsletter
Barbour draws motivation from student-athletes Minutes after she was announced as director of athletics at Penn State, Sandy Barbour discussed her motivation and perspectives. A veteran leader of successful and wide-ranging intercollegiate athletic programs, Barbour displayed passion and perspective outlining her priorities. At the top of her list were student-athletes — and she stressed the importance of the first part of that compound descriptor. “Our student-athletes will be students first,” Barbour said. “Penn State is incredibly proud of the academic performance of its students and we will continue to be.” Barbour, who was introduced by President Eric Barron in the media room at Beaver Stadium on July 26, is the first women to serve as athletic director at Penn State, and the timing was appropriate as the University marks 50 years of women in sport this year. Barbour said she was thrilled with the opportunity. Until early July, she served as athletic director at the University of California, where the Golden Bears produced 19 national team titles and built a state-of-the-art athletic performance center. Named in 2004, Barbour was at the athletics helm at Cal for nearly a decade, and was one of the longest-tenured athletic directors in the Pac-12 Conference. “In Sandy, I believe we have found a proven leader who is well-suited to provide strong oversight for our 31 varsity sports, our 800-plus student-athletes and the $115 million budget of Intercollegiate Athletics,” Barron said. “I was 4
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Penn State President Eric Barron welcomes Sandy Barbour during her introductory news conference at the media room in Beaver Stadium. (Photo by Annemarie Mountz)
impressed by her hands-on approach to things, her strategic thinking and her ability to combine sports, business and education in an effective and accountable way.” Barron, who had tasked a diverse University committee to identify and screen potential candidates for the position, said it was important to find an AD with common values and a deep commitment to success on and off the field. Barbour’s naming was a unanimous decision by the committee. “Sandy is an excellent fit for Penn State and the Big Ten,” Barron said. “She stood out among a highly qualified pool of candidates. I am excited by her energy, her experience and her knowledge of intercollegiate athletics. I look forward to working with her to further strengthen Penn State’s
rich athletics tradition and studentathlete success.” Barbour was happy to be selected and brings an appreciation for Penn State tradition to the position. “When you spend a professional lifetime serving institutions and most importantly students, you dream about coming to a place like Penn State,” Barbour said. “You dream about the opportunity to lead a program like Penn State. Why? Because it represents the opportunity to have it all — athletic excellence, academic achievement, community engagement and fiscal responsibility.” A graduate of Wake Forest where she was field hockey team captain, Barbour grew up on the East Coast and has always had a deep passion for Penn State and its athletic department. That’s what drew her to
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the position. “I love the ‘We Are ... Penn State.’ I particularly love what it stands for. It stands for family,” Barbour said. Even with her experience, Barbour knows she can enhance her immediate impact and long-term success by making connections as she settles in at Penn State. “Unity doesn’t mean one opinion, and I actually embrace that, embrace the diversity of opinion, diversity in a variety of different ways, and I actually think that will make us stronger in our ability to move forward,” Barbour said. “As I said before, I have something to learn from everybody, and I’ll be doing a lot of listening.” Barbour’s career in intercollegiate athletics — which has taken her to Northwestern, Tulane and Notre Dame, as well as Cal — began as a field hockey assistant coach and lacrosse administrative assistant at the University of Massachusetts in 1981. She has since served as assistant athletic director at Northwestern and in 1991 was recruited to Tulane as an associate athletic director. In 1996, Barbour was appointed Tulane’s director of athletics, where she oversaw the athletics program and the winning of 12 conference championships and the hiring of Tommy Bowden as football coach. From Tulane, Barbour went on to Notre Dame, where she first served as senior associate athletic director and then deputy director of athletics. In that position, she oversaw facilities and event operations for the school’s 26-sport program, including football gameday management.
QUOTABLE What Penn State coaches had to say about Sandy Barbour: “I am truly thrilled that Sandy Barbour will serve as the next athletic director for Penn State. Sandy is a strong, dynamic and passionate leader. She is also an incredibly smart visionary and strategic thinker. It is exciting to imagine all the ways Penn State, and Penn State athletics in particular, will be positively impacted by her leadership.” —women’s basketball coach Coquese Washington “She has passion, vision and just a great understanding of the Penn State community. Both as a head coach and as an alumnus, I am really excited to start working with her.” — women’s ice hockey coach Josh Brandwene “There is a culture, history and tradition of tremendous academic achievement at Penn State and that will continue. I know it’s important to our president, athletic director and all of our coaches. That will continue. I know we’ll spend as much time as we need to so we can start building.” —football coach James Franklin
At Cal, Barbour managed an annual budget of about $100 million, a staff of 260, a 30-sport program and helped to attract more than $315 million in gifts toward scholarships, operations and facilities. Under her leadership, Cal undertook two major facility projects designed to benefit both student-athletes and fans: the $321 million renovation of Memorial Stadium and the 142,000-squarefoot Simpson Center for StudentAthlete High Performance. “I am incredibly excited to be coming to Penn State. I am drawn to this great University by two things: its pursuit of excellence in all endeavors and its sense of family in every aspect of the Nittany Lion community,” Barbour said. “I’m
Barbour snaps a selfie with baseball coach Rob Cooper. (Photo by Annemarie Mountz)
as competitive as they come, and I know I’m joining a community that wants and expects to win big, all while maintaining a sense of tradition, integrity and ethics. I’m all in!”
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Motivational Material
Forget the fiery speeches, coaches prefer preparation, repetition
Men’s hockey coach Guy Gadowsky likes the non-stop action in his sport, which leaves no time to comment or correct everything that happens. He focuses on getting the team ready in practice so solid communication and familiarity fuel good play during games. (Photo by Mark Selders)
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All those challenge-your-pride, heartfelt or tear-jerking speeches coaches make on TV or in the movies to motivate their teams? They’re mostly make believe, according to most Penn State coaches. They do not believe an emotional approach works — no matter the coach or the team. For most coaches, motivation boils down to observable actions and communication. They believe putting student-athletes and a team in position to succeed means more than an impassioned speech before or during a game. “For me, it boils down to communication. You’re trying to build that and, as a result, trust,” said women’s field hockey coach Char Morett, who has 458 career victories after a Hall of Fame playing career. “We put a lot of enthusiasm and passion into our practices so when gameday comes the hard work is done. We want them prepared.” Other coaches — from the seemingly more emotional Guy Gadowsky (men’s ice hockey) to drywitted five-time national champion Russ Rose (women’s volleyball) and the nearly stoic Mark Pavlik (men’s volleyball), who has two national
championships of his own — agree. “In my experience, if you don’t look like you’re interested you’re probably not interested. All we can do is observe,” Rose said. “Our practices are a daily competition, and we’re watching.” Pavlik takes a similar approach. “When they tell me they want to come to Penn State and play volleyball, they’re telling me they’re motivated,” he said. “Still, motivation is simply words. Show me what you want to achieve by your actions.” Both coaches stress they want their student-athletes to succeed, and they hope to nurture success with communication. During daily team stretching and warm-ups, Pavlik asks about classes and families, consistently making a connection. Likewise, Rose encourages his student-athletes to make the staff aware of any problems. “My approach is pretty straightforward,” Rose said. “I’ll tell them what we’re seeing and open a door for conversation. It’s better to prevent something then let it become a problem.” Gadowsky pins motivation on team-specific goals. When everyone
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Women’s volleyball coach Russ Rose believes competitive practices prepare his team for games, when he can then make specific points about the team’s play and institute adjustments. For the matter-of-fact coach with five national championships, the non-emotional approach works well. (Photo by Mark Selders)
has the same endpoint and results timeout ends. After all the practicing, workouts, clear of examples of in mind, motivation becomes part of he believes they should rely on their their existing motivation. Years ago the process. skills, not emotions. He thinks many coaches might have worried about “It’s most effective when team members staying in shape it comes internally, when the during the offseason, but that’s “If you preach process, players themselves display hardly the case anymore. process, process and then leadership in the locker room “We might be a little harder and their verbage is all about and mindful of incoming say ‘emotion,’ you’re sending the team,” Gadowsky said. He freshmen, but our studentthe wrong message.“ knows he gets vocal during athletes know what they have to — MARK PAVLIK do during the summer,” Morett games, but it’s just about being heard above the din of men’s volleyball coach said. “Our season starts right the crowd and making specific away. We give them a plan and corrections rather than any they pretty much stick to it so kind of emotional play. “You have of the seemingly emotional methods they come back to campus ready to to be authentic, and that’s not me,” of other coaches — as much as 75 go.” he said. “Plus, the game moves too percent — are engineered for the So, with already well-motivated fast for that. Preparation is most benefit of others watching. team members, the coaches important.” “If you preach process, process, correctly focus on communication Along with strong leaders, Pavlik process and then say ‘emotion,” and preparation. said common sense and consistency you’re sending the wrong message,” “What separates good coaches shape his communication efforts. He he said. from not so good ones comes down rarely gets caught up in emotions Most motivated studentto getting people to do something during a match, often telling team athletes already make a year-round they might not want to do,” Rose members to get a drink and then commitment to their sports anyway. said. “That’s encouragement and addressing them briefly just before a That means summer leagues and repetition as much as motivation.”
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Paul Curtis, a member of the Beaver Stadium grounds crew, maintains the stadium turf during the summer.
Motivated behind-the-scenes crew enjoys its role often represent some of the A job with an abundance busiest times of the year for of uncontrollable factors the grounds crew. Everything and potentially thousands of from insects and weeds to demanding critics sounds turf grass diseases and, of stressful, even unforgiving, course, the weather, impacts but Herb Combs enjoys what what they do. What the crew he does and thrives on the does during the summer results. has a direct impact on the As supervisor of athletic playing conditions once the fields at Penn State, Combs Herb Combs fall sports season begins. leads a staff of eight fullMost days for Combs begin at 5 time employees that also includes nearly two dozen student employees, a.m., and on a good day things end by 5 p.m. Of course, gamedays for depending on the season. any sport can alter that schedule for The group is responsible for 40 him and members of his team. acres of fields used by varsity teams Still, their passion and their work at Penn State and about 50 acres of are pretty much the same. Plus, fields used for intramural sports. coaches and student-athletes value They’re also responsible for pretty their efforts to keep facilities pristine much everything around and inside Beaver Stadium in terms of the field, and safe. “We do all we can to provide bleacher areas and concourse. There the best conditions possible. are numerous landscape areas they We’re all drawn to this, and when control as well — at the stadium, you do it well there’s a sense of Beard Field and Jeffrey Field, for accomplishment,” Combs said. example. “Safety for the student-athletes is While most Penn State teams always our top priority. We feel we’re get the summer off, those months 8
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a part of the success at Penn State, and that’s our motivation.” Just like a coach, Combs puts his personnel in a position to succeed. Because the experienced group has some members who have been on the job nearly 30 years, the team tackles what needs to be done using its expertise. Combs said he often points out tasks for the day — not necessarily methods to get them done — because he trusts his team. At the same time, the grounds crew efforts have a distinctly hightech component, including moisture sensors embedded in the fields that produce real-time data Combs can access from his smartphone. Like any team, Combs believes the clear success of the grounds crew, visible anytime people walk into a Penn State facility, boils down to its people. “It’s just a big team effort, regardless of how cliché that sounds. They all take pride in what they do.”
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Themed gamedays make Saturdays more special Themed gamedays for every 2014 Penn State football game at Beaver Stadium provide many reasons to enjoy time with family and friends this fall in Happy Valley. Excitement about the season has been intense — with more than 4,000 new season football tickets sold. Here’s a look at the lineup of themes and related activities for the home games this fall.
Sept. 6 vs. Akron Community Hero Day, 1994 Team Reunion and Scout Day Penn State will celebrate Red, White and Blue Community Hero Day at the home opener. First responders will be celebrated and recognized throughout the game. At halftime, the 1994 undefeated Big Ten Conference and Rose Bowl championship team will be honored during its 20th reunion. The Akron game also is Scout Day, with all Boy Scout and Girl Scout organizations able to purchase tickets at a reduced rate by calling 1-800-NITTANY.
Sept. 20 vs. UMASS Band Day, Celebration of 50 Years of Women’s Athletics A Penn State fan favorite returns with Band Day. In addition to the Penn State Blue Band, the UMass Minuteman Marching Band will play and additional bands may perform. Throughout the 2014-15 academic year, Penn State will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Women’s Athletics on the University Park campus.
Sept. 27 vs. NORTHWESTERN Homecoming The Alumni Blue Band will be featured as its members join the Blue Band performance at halftime. The Homecoming court will parade onto the field and the 2014-15 King and Queen will be announced during halftime. The annual Homecoming Parade will be held Sept. 26 on campus and downtown. Also, a Varsity ‘S’ tunnel will take place for team entrance against the Wildcats, with hundreds of former studentathletes lining up on the field just prior to kickoff.
OCt. 25 vs. ohio state White Out, Uplifting Athletes Day A team and fan favorite, and one of the most iconic scenes in college football, the Penn State White Out, is scheduled against the Big Ten East Division rival Buckeyes. All fans are encouraged to wear white for the primetime clash. The official White Out T-shirt can be purchased at the Penn State Bookstore. A Penn State Football Letterman’s Club tunnel will take place for team entrance. At halftime, the Penn State Chapter of Uplifting Athletes will present a check to the Uplifting Athletes Organization.
NOV. 1 vs. maryland All-U Day, THON Day Penn State Dance Marathon (THON) will be featured for the event’s amazing fundraising efforts in the fight against pediatric cancer when Maryland travels to Beaver Stadium for the first time since 1992 and its first visit as a Big
Ten member. A celebration of all Commonwealth campuses will take place as the Nittany Lions host the Terrapins. Two students from each of Penn State’s 24 campuses will represent their campus by carrying its banner onto the field during halftime.
NOV. 15 vs. TEMPLE Military Appreciation Day, Parade of Champions Penn State fans are encouraged to purchase tickets to be donated to soldiers and their families through the “Seats for Soldiers” program. ROTC elite, active duty, Wounded Warriors and veterans will be honored for their service to our country during halftime. “Seats for Soldiers” tickets are $35 and can be purchased by calling 1-800-NITTANY. The game also includes the “Parade of Champions,” a celebration of team and individual successes from 2013-14.
NOV. 29 vs. Michigan state Senior Day, Blue Out The season concludes with Senior Day. Nittany Lion seniors will be introduced for the final time in front of the Beaver Stadium faithful, as Penn State meets Michigan State for the first time since 2010 in the renewal of the battle for the Land Grant Trophy. The game is also the Blue Out game. Fans are encouraged to wear blue to support Prevent Child Abuse PA. Official shirts can be purchased at the Penn State Bookstore and other outlets, with proceeds going to Prevent Child Abuse PA.
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Olga Kalinovskaya Five-time National Champion 1992, ‘93, ‘94, ’95, ‘96
The Pennsylvania State University & Intercollegiate Athletics Celebrates The
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Anniversary of Women i
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Christie Welsh National Player of the Year
2001
Ann Carr first woman to receive a full athletic scholarship at Penn State Broderick Sports Award
Shavon Greaves 9 time NCAA All-American 14 time Big Ten Champion
n in Sport
Helen Darling Frances Pomeroy Naismith Awardwinner
Brenda Stauffer Penn State’s First Female National Player of the Year
1982 Megan Hodge Four-time First Team All-American NCAA National Championship Most Outstanding Player 2007, 2008 National Player of the year 2009
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member profile
Kim and Bob Otenzio-Nielsen
Kim and Bob Otenzio-Nielsen have many Penn State connections. Kim earned her bachelor’s degree in individual and family studies in 1979. She also earned a graduate degree through the physician’s assistant program at Hershey Medical Center in 1983. Bob served as a resident at Hershey Medical Center from 1975 to 1978, and was the chief resident from 1977 to 1978.
“We’re Nittany Lion Club members because of their commitment to student-athletes, alumni and fans of Penn State sports,” Kim says. “Plus, the staff makes a commitment to working with members, and that’s a wonderful benefit.” Here they talk about their motivation for giving to support Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. Reason for first gift? Our first gift was an endowment to men’s basketball in my children’s names. My parents were fans and loved watching the games. Plus, we wanted to get football tickets. We progressed with my daughters love of soccer to the Lauren Ortenzio Women’s Soccer Endowment. The next endowment was the Michael and Andrew Ortenzio Wrestling Endowment. I wanted to do something for my husband’s 60th birthday so we endowed the Dr. Robert Nielsen
Bryce Jordan Center. Favorite memory? So many! Witnessing four straight national wrestling championships. Last year’s Michigan football game.
Physicians Office in the Lasch Football Building. Because of our love of wrestling, we did a second endowment to wrestling in our name. We also wanted to get involved with ice hockey so we made a commitment to Pegula Ice Arena for the physicians office. Why keep giving? One of our favorite nights of the year is the Endowment Dinner when you meet the student-athlete who benefits from our scholarship. It is so rewarding to hear from them and see how your money is helping. Favorite teams? Football, wrestling, volleyball, field hockey, soccer and ice hockey. Gameday traditions? To provide our guests with the best possible experience, we must be in the stadium one hour prior to the game for all the activities. We joke about rushing to close our tailgate because they cannot start things without me being in my seat for the Blue Band. One of my favorite things is watching the Blue Band go by our tailgate to
Favorite student-athlete? Adam Taliferro. He has become a good friend. A true miracle! All-time favorite game? For Bob it was the year we beat Ohio State at night (2005). For me, it was the Nebraska game in 1982. Also, one of my favorite football games was Ohio State in 2009. We had a tailgate/60th birthday party for Bob. Several members of the Blue Band surprised him, came by and played “Happy Birthday.” All-time favorite team? The 2012 football team. Their commitment through the worst time in Penn State history will always be special to us. Favorite venue? Beaver Stadium and Rec Hall for wrestling. Favorite among new facilities? Pegula Ice Arena. We have become huge fans. The facilities are incredible. Now we have to get working on the soccer field and bring it to the level of other facilities.
Member Profile features NLC members at all giving levels. If you have someone to nominate, or would like to be featured, send an email to nittanylionclub@athletics.psu.edu with DONOR PROFILE in the subject line. 12
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GIFT LIST We are pleased to announce these gifts and pledges of $25,000 and above to Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. We sincerely thank the donors who, through their generosity, make 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 about how to participate, please call us at 814-863-GIFT (4438). DONORS
SCHOLARSHIP/NAMING OPPORTUNITY
Anonymous.............................................................................................................................. Athletic Scholarship Anonymous................................................................................................................. Athletic Trustee Scholarship Anonymous.................................................................................................................. Family Football Scholarship Anonymous...................................................................................................................... Football Excellence Fund Anonymous................................................................................................................Football Position Scholarship Anonymous..............................................................................................................Memorial Athletic Scholarship Anonymous............................................................................................................... Men’s Basketball Scholarship Anonymous................................................................................................ Men’s Gymnastics Naming Opportunity Anonymous....................................................................................................... Multi-Sports Facility—Video Room Anonymous........................................... Nittany Lion Club Program Support Fund for Strength and Conditioning Anonymous...................................................................... Program Endowment for the Morgan Academic Center Douglas Barszcz.................................... Barszcz Football Scholarship in Honor of Michael and Patricia Barszcz Kenton Broyles................................................................................................................ Bridge to the Future Fund Michael Cannon............................................................................................................... Football Excellence Fund Tom and Michelle Day................................................................................................................ Various Allocations Nancy Higgins Dooley and Anonymous Donor.............Dooley-Higghin Memorial Football Scholarship Honoring Jim Dooley ‘53 and Bob Higgins ‘19 & ‘30-’48 Michael and Michelina Fink...........................................Fink Family: Michael, Maggi, Michael Rod and Alexandra Women’s Volleyball Scholarship Janet Fox.......................................................................................... Penn State Women’s Volleyball Caoch’s Fund Michael and Susan Geering....................................................................... Geering Family Ice Hockey Scholarship Gloria Gershenow.................................................................... Gloria Gershenow Offensive Lineman Scholarship Thomas and Cynthia Hess..........................................................Thomas and Cynthia Hess Endowed Scholarship for Womens’ Soccer and Field Hockey Michael and Ellen Hodes............................................. Ominsky Family Foundation and Michael and Ellen Hodes Athletic Trustee Scholarship John Leone....................................................................................................................... Football Excellence Fund Lois Morgan....................................................................................................... Morgan Academic Support Center Penn State Wrestling Club......................................................................................................... Wrestling Program Mark Piven and Alison Altman.......................................................................... Mark Piven Wrestling Scholarship Richard Richardson...................................................................... Richardson Family Endowed Track Scholarship Thomas and Karen Robinson.......................... Robinson Family Trustee Scholarship for Intercollegiate Athletics Karen Schuckman.................................................... Schuckman Program Endowment for Women’s Gymnastics Austin, Pam and Meghan Shanfelter............................................................. Feasibility Study for Wrestling Room Donald Simmons............................................................Pride and Class Scholarship for Intercollegiate Athletics Emil Sos Jr................................................................................................................................... To Be Determined Paul Stecko Family.......................................................................................................... Football Excellence Fund Donn and Mary Ann Wagner............................ Bridge to the Future Fund—Men’s Basketball Film Room Project Friends and Supporters................................................................. Penn State Women’s Volleyball Coache’s Fund
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QUARTERLY Q&A In seven seasons at Penn State, women’s soccer coach Erica Walsh has led her teams to quite a record of success — seven NCAA Tournament berths, six Big Ten Conference championships, one national runner-up finish and 11543-8 record. Still, she’s motivated for more and she, her staff and members of the team spent the summer getting ready to build on that success. She’s featured as the Newsletter relaunches its Quarterly Q&A. With the program’s success, how do you prepare from one season to the next? During the offseason one of the many things we did was look at all the goals we scored last year and all the goals we gave up. We looked for tendencies. We looked for what worked and what did not work. We also break down individual players, what they did well and where they can improve. We send them all videos periodically. How important is that technology as a coaching tool? It’s relatively new for us. We try to use as much technology as you can, and we’re efficient with free YouTube. As a staff it’s something we believe it. How has it impacted what you do? I think our teaching is very different from year to year in terms of the methods. But, at the same time, there are a couple common themes we try to instil. One is “you play 14
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Erica Walsh
Erica Walsh appreciates the team’s success, but she’s not at all satisfied. (Photo by John Beale)
for those who came before you,” teaching them about the history of the program. And with the 50th anniversary of women’s athletics at Penn State it’s important for them to understand what those women did before them. It’s come a long way to the point where we have the facilities we do and the Nike gear. What are your core values? There are a couple of themes that drive what we do — and to be clear it’s not my team. It’s the studentathletes’ team, it’s Penn State’s team and it’s the fans’ team. That’s how we view it. There are a few principles, though. One is a united family. And we talk about the bluecollar mentality and work ethic. Plus, we really try to define what we mean by that for the team. How do those ideas become actions? Again, it’s really not a top-down approach. We engage our leaders
on the team in all we do. We stress that this is their team. We had our four years, so it’s their time. We do a lot of leadership training, and it starts in the spring with those leaders knowing what they can do. As coaches, we only have two hours of contact with them a day, so they have to take some things on their own shoulders. What challenges come with that? It’s mostly trust. You have to have leaders you can count on, that’s our cornerstone. Additionally, we recently restructured the coaching staff. We named Ann Cook our director of player development to help track student-athletes through their four years, help them understand where they can be and work backward from there. It’s a position that’s unique to our sport and it’s important. That position is so key to the success of the program.
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Why make that change now? It’s a little bit unique to her skill set, because she’s just finishing her master’s in physiology and heartrate monitoring and GPS work and the demands on a women’s soccer player. She’s been working with me for seven years, so it’s just the best way to enhance the strengths of the staff. Our other assistant, Tim Wassell, is the Type-A businessman who is all about recruiting and sales. We’ve been together a while as a staff and we want to keep evolving to keep getting better. Did you change to challenge the staff or keep it intact? That was a big part of it, not that anyone was going anywhere, but it was a matter of providing challenges and opportunities for them just as we do with the team. These two could go anywhere in the country, so you have to engage them and keep them excited. Plus, it’s going to make the team better. How do you find team leaders? That’s one of the most challenging aspects of coaching, and one of the most exciting. It’s different every year. A lot of times you identify the potential leaders as freshmen, and other times they emerge. It’s not black and white. It’s an art. It it easy to trust those leaders? If we’re going to encourage them to take a large role, we have to bend a bit when they share things. We have to be honest, and we have to listen. Is it challenging to try different things? It’s been embedded in me. Your
Erica Walsh went outside her comfort and her message on the Coaches Caravan was a highlight on every stop. (Photo by Mark Selders)
initial reaction is to justify why you’re doing things, but if you don’t take on a growth model it’s easy to slip into a routine — and that’s the death of you as a coach. It would be different if we’ve been winning national championships every year. But, considering our goal is to win the national championship, in no way, shape or form do I feel that we’re doing it right. We’re doing some things right and some things well, but until we get to that College Cup every year we have a lot of work to do. What do you think other people expect of your program? I hope they expect a national championship. I hope they’re not satisfied with what we’ve done. We put people in the stands, they deserve a good product, and I feel we have the support of the administration. We have good facilities. You look around and compare yourself to other people and, to me, the surface at Jeffrey
Field is heaven, and that’s all that matters. We have enough — good support, super facilities — to win year in and year out. What’s your strength as a coach? I think it’s being comfortable being uncomfortable. You do that by putting yourself in positions to grow and learn, by being around the best or in situations where it’s not especially easy. Take the Coaches Caravan, for example, that was uncomfortable in a lot of ways but that’s where you grow. Anytime you look at a situation and think, ‘Oh, I don’t want to do that.’ That’s when you do it. The same thing happened for me coaching with U.S. soccer. You’re around great minds, the best in the game, and you learn from it. What’s the best part of your job? It’s different every day if you allow it to be. You define those principles and find ways to make them work. It’s exciting.
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Nittany Lion Club Newsletter
Dream of young boy, support from donors, help built ‘Goaltender U’ When Mack Brady, 8, died suddenly on New Year’s Eve 2012, his parents wanted to honor his dream of becoming a Penn State goalkeeper. Elizabeth and Christian Brady established the Mack Brady Soccer Fund benefitting Penn State men’s soccer and the goalkeeper program in particular. After 18 months, the endowment fund is now over $160,000. “We believe that this is the only dedicated goalkeeper development program at any university in the country,” said Michael Behonick, Penn State men’s soccer goalkeeper coach, who was recently recruited from the University of Virginia. “The vision of developing the Nittany Lions into ‘Goalkeeper U’ is big, it sets Penn State apart. With the success and outstanding performance of the United States goalkeeper, Tim Howard, in the recent World Cup, there is no better time to promote the program.” Currently, the fund provides Penn State goalkeepers additional resources to have the best equipment and training methods to succeed. In addition, the coaches would like to build a new training area, which would include both grass and artificial turf areas and a sandpit to help keepers develop skills for different sorts of ground. Eventually, the goal is to build a clubhouse dedicated to training goalkeepers. The clubhouse would include facilities for watching videos, a yoga studio, a training room for weight lifting, boxing and a special lightboard designed for speed and agility training. It would be the first training facility of its kind in the United States. “The goal of our men’s soccer program is to recruit, develop and graduate top level soccer players whose Penn State experience will assist them in impacting our society long after their playing careers,” said men’s soccer coach Bob Warming. “An outstanding goalkeepers program that is community supported will help achieve these goals. The Mack Brady Soccer Fund is a great example of what Penn State culture is really about. We are about servant leadership and instilling 16
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In just 18 months, the Mack Brady Soccer Fund has grown to more than $160,000. This year’s annual Mack Brady Game for the Penn State men’s soccer team will be contested Sept. 21 vs. Ohio State at Jeffrey Field. (Photo by Christian M. M. Brady)
the importance of helping others through great initiatives like THON and the Mack Brady Soccer Fund.” “Elizabeth, Izzy and I are humbled by the outpouring of support for Mack’s fund,” said Christian Brady, dean of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State. “When Mack died we heard from many professional goalkeepers who heard his story and saw his photo. They said they remembered when they were young and played the game for the pure love of the sport, when it was uncomplicated, but with big dreams. They welcomed Mack into the Goalkeepers Union, or GKU, [the unofficial “union” that all keepers belong to by nature of their unique position]. It’s a great honor for him and for us. We can’t imagine a better legacy than for Penn State to become the next GKU — “Goalkeepers University”. To further grow the Mack Brady Soccer Fund, the Brady family, coaches from six different Penn State sports and Penn State fans enjoyed an evening together Aug. 8 at PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, the home of Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union. The event included dinner and a silent auction benefiting the fund. People unable to attend that event, but who would like to support the Mack Brady Soccer Fund can focus on the Sept. 21 men’s soccer home opener against Ohio State. Coach Warming has announced that as this year’s annual Mack Brady Game.
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Championships drive top-five Learfield Cup finish Anchored by three NCAA championships and a school recordtying eight Big Ten Conference titles, Penn State earned its first top-five finish in the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings in 11 years, earning a school record point total for the second consecutive year during the 2013-14 academic year. Penn State compiled 1,113 points to finish No. 5 in the final Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings, surpassing last year’s previous record total of 1,100 points. The Nittany Lions were the only Big Ten institution to place in the top 10. Penn State was tied for the national lead by winning three NCAA championships (fencing, women’s volleyball and wrestling). Connecticut and Oregon also won three NCAA titles this past year. The Nittany Lions earned their first top-five finish in the Learfield Cup standings since placing No. 5 in 2002-03. Penn State earned its fifth top-five finish and secured its 10th top-10 finish in the 21 years the Directors’ Cup has existed. Penn State earned consecutive top-10 finishes in the Directors’ Cup standings for the first time since 1998-99 and 1999-2000 after placing No. 6 last year. The Nittany Lions were No. 2 in the 2013-14 final winter Directors’ Cup standings and No. 6 after the fall standings For the second consecutive year, 21 of 31 Penn State teams participated in their respective NCAA championship this past year. Stanford won the Learfield Cup with 1,482 points.
Members of the wrestling team celebrate their fourth consecutive national championship, which helped propel Penn State’s success in the Learfield Cup. (Photo by Mark Selders)
The Nittany Lions are one of only eight programs nationwide to finish in the top 25 in all 21 years of the comprehensive competition. The national championship teams in women’s volleyball, wrestling and fencing combined to score 300 Directors’ Cup points. Penn State’s three NCAA championships this year were its most since winning three in 19992000. Penn State student-athletes, who have an 88 percent graduation rate, won a school record-tying and conference-best eight Big Ten titles in 2013-14 and 16 titles over the past two years, easily topping second place Michigan (nine) in combined titles the last two years among all Big Ten institutions. The Nittany Lions have a combined 20 conference championships during the past two
FINAL STANDINGS 1. Stanford: 1,482 2. Florida: 1,216.50 3. Notre Dame: 1,128.25 4. Virginia: 1,118.50 5. Penn State: 1,113 6. Texas: 1,093 7. UCLA: 1,078.50 8. USC: 1,063.75 9. Duke: 1,051 10. Texas A&M: 1,022 years — the most in a two-year stretch in school history. The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings were developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in up to 20 sports — 10 women’s and 10 men’s.
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Nittany Lion Club Newsletter
COMPLIANCE CORNER
Staff draws motivation by providing opportunities, solutions A team’s roster starts to take shape months, even years, before a season begins. That’s when coaching staffs seek out student-athletes driven and worthy to wear blue and white. Eventually, a team’s roster becomes real and tangible when fans see it in a game program listing names, numbers and hometowns. In between the beginning and end, the real work of developing a roster takes place. That’s the time — usually in mid- to late summer each year — when members of the Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics compliance staff review and verify team rosters. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s important and it goes to the heart of what motivates members of the compliance staff to do their jobs. “In college I was able to compete and represent my school and my home state,” said Andy Banse, director of compliance and one of seven full-time staff members in the Office of Compliance and StudentAthlete Services. “It was a wonderful opportunity, something that made me proud. Working in compliance gives me the chance to help others have that same kind of opportunity. The motivation is very much about making things possible.” Matt Stolberg, associate athletic director for compliance and student-athlete services, said members of the office strive to focus on compliance as a matter of cooperation with coaches and student-athletes in order to define opportunities. He said rules matter, 18
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but he views a successful compliance effort as a proactive, rather than reactive, approach. That means getting paperwork such as roster checks done well ahead of time. It also means working closely with the Penn State Alumni Association and groups such as the Penn State Members of the women’s lacrosse team participate in the pep rally during THON (top) and running back Akeel Lynch greets a child during Dance Marathon a Make-A-Wish session at the Lasch Football Building. (Photos by Mark and Uplifting Selders) Athletes to ensure that and we helped make it possible,” alumni and fans know the rules, and Grimes said. “It’s a great feeling.” that student-athletes find the right Recent and potential NCAA ways to participate in charitable rules changes have helped keep endeavors. the office busy. At the same time, “Yes, there are rules and things ongoing oversight from former that have to be done, but we’re more Sen. George Mitchell has produced about solutions,” Stolberg said. “We glowing reports that have proven work closely to not so much tell Penn State goes about its business people what to do, but to point out well. That’s something Stolberg and what’s possible.” his staff were confident about from Tiffini Grimes, assistant director the outset, and they’re happy to help of athletics compliance, said she prove Penn State’s approach and takes pride in helping coaches and succcess in terms of compliance. student-athletes navigate through Still, they remain focused on NCAA, conference and school rules. supporting coaches, teams and In turn, when competitors have student-athletes and preparing for success, she knows she has played what might be next. “That’s the key,” an important role. Stolberg said. “We want to always “It’s gratifying to see what our teams do, to know we were a part of want to be ready to help .”
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Motivation, success reach to administrators as well Motivated people who were from professional strive for excellence stretch sports leagues and far beyond the playing field at organizations. Bodenschatz Penn State — and one such was the lone honoree for person was recently honored all NCAA colleges and with a national award. universities. More than Mark Bodenschatz, 400 security professionals associate athletic director attended the national for facilities and operations, conference. was named college athletics’ Mark Bodenschatz The annual conference 2014 Professional of the Year is sponsored by the NCS4, by the National Center for Spectator which is based at the University of Sports Safety and Security (NCS4). Southern Mississippi. Bodenschatz Bodenschatz and eight other was also among the first 11 professional sports, high school and individuals to attain the Certified event security professionals were Sport Security Professional recognized for their leadership in certification, the nation’s first addressing safety/security issues as professional security credential part of the National Sports Safety and designed for those responsible for the Security Conference and Exhibition planning and security operations of in Indianapolis. Six of the recipients sport venues and events.
A member of the Intercollegiate Athletics staff since 2007, Bodenschatz is an integral part of safety and security at Penn State and its athletic facilities. He supervises the unified command during football gameday operations. In this role, he has expanded buffer zone protections, improved crowd management procedures, developed better signage within the stadium and enhanced recycling efforts in and around the stadium. Bodenschatz serves as the facilities coordinator for Athletics and is responsible for capital planning and major maintenance. He supervises building coordinators, field maintenance staff, operations staff, event staff and IT staff, in addition to oversight of all athletic facilities.
Phone: Gifts and Membership: 814-865-9462 / Email: nittanylionclub@athletics.psu.edu
CONTACT US
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. / Tickets: 1-800-NITTANY (648-8289) Mail: Nittany Lion Club, 157 Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA 16802
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and improve access for fans Nittany Lion Club Newsletter
NO BAGS PERMITTED INSIDE STADIUM Including but not limited to: backpacks, diaper bags, purses of all shapes and sizes. A single one-gallon clear plastic bag per person is permitted for medical and child care needs (Ziploc® or similar)
UNBAGGED OK
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