DID YOU KNOW?
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Inside this Issue
Structure enhances value of tickets...........4 Campaign close, Caravan shape calendar..5 Number of Penn Coach Franklin brings energy................ 6-7 State football players Student-athletes prove best of CLASS..... 8-9 who earned a 3.0 or PHOTOS: Endowment Dinner.............. 10-11 higher GPA during Letter Jacket Ceremony binds tradition... 13 the Fall 2013 academic semester. Rockwell returns to women’s volleyball.. 13 Many travel approaches, options............ 14 Sanderson serves as a voice of sport...... 15 PHOTOS: Signing Day, Signature Event..... 16 Eighty-three Penn First-person from leadership forum........ 18 State student-athletes Remembering Ellen Perry....................... 19
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from seven fall sports earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. During its 21 years in the conference, Penn State has had a total of 4,560 Academic All-Big Ten honorees.
Departments 3 NLC Notebook // 12 Compliance Corner // 17 Gift List
On the Cover
Coach James Franklin was named as the 16th head football coach in the 127-year history of Penn State football on Jan. 11, 2014. (Photo by Mark Selders)
About the Newsletter Volume 34, No. 2 U.Ed. ICA-14--28
The Nittany Lion Club Newsletter is a quarterly publication sent to all Nittany Lion Club members. The newsletter is published by the Penn State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Nittany Lion Club Web Site www.nittanylionclub.com Athletics Web Site www.gopsusports.com Executive Editors Mark Wharton, Nikki Potoczny Contributors Penn State Athletic Communications Nittany Lion Club Mission Statement The Nittany Lion Club, comprised of Penn State alumni and friends of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, was established in 1959 to create greater interest in and financial support of Penn State varsity athletics. Members of the Nittany Lion Club make possible grant-in-aid support for more than 800 student-athletes each academic year and provide operational support for the University’s entire 31-sport intercollegiate athletics program.
STARTING SHOT
With 107,844 fans in attendance, Beaver Stadium itself roared at times last fall during the Nittany Lions’ thrilling, 43-40 four-overtime victory against Michigan. Such enthusiasm and see-it-in-person action throughout the season helped Penn State rank fifth nationally in home attendance in 2013. It was the 23rd consecutive season Penn State attendance has been ranked in the top five nationally. (Photo by Mark Selders)
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NLC NOTEBOOK
NLC’s impact personal, professional as success continues for Penn State Dear Nittany Lion Club Member: As I write this letter, I am well into several months on the job as the Assistant Athletic Director for the Nittany Lion Club. From a once outsider’s perspective, I knew of Penn State as an excellent academic and athletic institution. Now, after experiencing first-hand the passion and unity of Penn Staters, I value and feel the pride and tradition that exists here. This experience, so far, has been life changing for the Whartons. We are incredibly fortunate to be a part of this Penn State family. The passion that our alumni, fans and students have for this great University is unmatched. Penn State has been through a tremendous amount of challenges the past several years. Penn State has remarkably persevered and held firm to what it truly is and always will be about. I believe that great days are ahead of us. In recent months we have welcomed two new hires that have come “home.” Coach James Franklin comes back to his home state to take the reins of our Nittany Lion football program. Arguably one of the nation’s top football coaches, he has proven his leadership with unprecedented success in the Southeastern Conference at Vanderbilt University, where he set school records in wins and bowl appearances while continuing to graduate his student-athletes. In my interactions with Coach Franklin and his staff, I’m confident they will represent Penn State with class and honor. In addition, Penn State hired its 18th president, Eric J. Barron, former president at Florida State University. Dr. Barron and his wife, Molly, spent 20 years at University Park before embarking on his journey to prepare him to come back to Penn State and lead our University during this pivotal time in our history. On behalf of Penn State and the Nittany Lion Club, we welcome you back to the Nittany Lion family! Our athletic programs continue to thrive through our fall and winter months with men’s soccer winning the Big Ten championship and both the men’s and women’s soccer programs
advancing to the NCAA Tournament. The women’s indoor track and field team won the conference championship and field hockey once again won the Big Ten championship and advanced to the NCAA’s. Our women’s volleyball, wrestling and fencing programs won national championships. Our winter and spring sports continue to excel with many being nationally ranked. At the time of this letter, Penn State stands second in the Learfield Sports Director Cup, ranking all universities on their athletic success. The tradition continues! Still, the most important part of our successes is the continued achievement of our studentathletes in the classroom. Penn State had 83 student-athletes representing our fall sports earn All-Big Ten accolades. The recognition comprises studentathletes that had a grade-point average of over a 3.0. Penn State received the second highest honorees in the Big Ten Conference for the fall of 2013.
CALENDAR NEWS Visit www.nittanylionclub.com to print and utilize the NEW online version of the Nittany Lion Club calendar. Soon members will receive a Nittany Lion Club mailer with exclusive membership items in place of the past printed calendar.
In closing, this spring the Nittany Lion Club and the Penn State Alumni Association will once again roll out the Coaches Caravan — featuring Coach James Franklin along with other Penn State head coaches. The caravan will target Franklin’s focus of “Dominate the State” with stops throughout Pennsylvania and the region. For information about the Coaches Caravan, check out the Nittany Lion Club website at GoPSUsports.com or the Penn State Alumni Association website. Thank you all for what you do for Penn State and the Nittany Lion Club! For the Glory!
NLC: THE TEAM BEHIND THE TEAMS ONETEAM
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Structure enhances season tickets, offers options The new variable pricing structure for single-game football tickets available to Nittany Lion Club members provides exclusive pre-sale opportunities and offers tickets at prices lower than those available to the general public. The structure also enhances the value of season tickets. “Our Nittany Lion Club members and season ticket holders are very important to us,” said Assistant Athletic Director for the Nittany Lion Club Mark Wharton. “We feel this year’s single-game NLC ticket prices, as well as the extra benefits that our members receive add up to even more of an advantage to being a season ticket holder for Penn State football. We’re excited to see our members showing their support for the team again this fall in Beaver Stadium.” Although an exact date has not been set, the Nittany Lion Club exclusive single game pre-sale will most likely be scheduled sometime this May/June. Ticket locations at that time will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Variable pricing determines individual game prices from many factors including expected demand for that game, and will provide more pricing choices for Penn State fans this season. Variable pricing is common throughout ticketed sporting events and is used for home football games at some Big Ten Conference institutions, including Iowa, Maryland, Ohio State and Wisconsin. The evaluation of the variable pricing structure started in the fall of 2013. Several factors were evaluated to develop the pricing structure, including prices on Nittany Lion TicketExchange, other secondary markets and direct ticket sales information like sale patterns and pricing. That information was joined together with fan feedback to develop the best system possible. The system was created to increase the value for season ticket holders, address demand for more pricing options and put Penn State in the best possible position to fill Beaver Stadium for each home game. Even with those changes, the NLC remains committed to keeping games affordable. There was once again no increase in season tickets prices for Penn State football for the 2014 season.
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SCHEDULE Aug. 30................................vs. UCF (Dublin, Ireland)............... 8:30 a.m. (EDT) Sept. 6...................................AKRON...................................TBA Sept. 13..........................................at Rutgers.............................................TBA Sept. 20.......................... MASSACHUSETTS.............................TBA Sept. 27...........................NORTHWESTERN.............................TBA Oct. 11...........................................at Michigan............................................TBA Oct. 25................................ OHIO STATE................................TBA Nov. 11............................... MARYLAND.................................TBA Nov. 8............................................. at Indiana.............................................TBA Nov. 15................................. TEMPLE...................................TBA Nov. 22............................................at Illinois..............................................TBA Nov. 29............................MICHIGAN STATE.............................TBA
Option provides a way to grow NLC membership, impact Dedicated Nittany Lion Club members helped Penn State football draw the fifth-largest average attendance in the nation last season, but room for growth remains and tickets remain available. NLC members know the value of membership and we hope to grow membership with the season-ticket program aimed at recent graduates. Alumni who earned an undergraduate degree from 2010 to 2014 can purchase up to two season tickets for $300 per ticket for the seven-game home schedule this fall. The cost includes a $50 NLC donation and is a savings of 35 percent from the regular $460 season ticket price. A total of 2,500 seats will be made available for the Recent Graduate program on a first-come, first-served basis for James Franklin’s inaugural season as head coach. The seats will be located in the North Upper Deck, in Sections NAU-NLU. Current members are encouraged to let fellow alumni who qualify to know about the option.
Celebration prompts changes
A celebration for the end of “For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students,” during which Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics raised the most money of any unit at the University ($340 million), has prompted a change in typical Blue-White Weekend activities. While an autograph session will return, and the game itself kicks off at 1:30 p.m. April 12 in Beaver Stadium, there will not be a Nittany Lion Club Blue-White Event the morning of the game. The focus of on-campus activities during the weekend will be on the campaign — which was on target to surpass its $1 billion goal.
Special Caravan pricing for NLC members Members of the Nittany Lion Club and Penn State Alumni Association have access to special pricing for the Penn State Coaches Caravan scheduled to make 17 stops in 10 days this spring.
Building on his mission to “Dominate The State,” football coach James Franklin and several head coaches will participate in the annual event that includes 13 stops in Pennsylvania, including four on Penn State campuses. Additional stops will be in Baltimore, New Jersey, New York City and Washington, D.C. Franklin is scheduled to participate in all 17 stops and will be joined by various coaches at different stops on the tour. At each event, Penn Staters will be treated to a message from the coaches and have the opportunity to ask questions. In addition, each stop will feature a meet-and-greet session with the coaches during the lunch or evening receptions prior to the programs. During each of the Coaches Caravan events, Franklin will meet with alumni and fans to talk about his core values for the program, vision for Penn State football and preparations
Coaches Caravan Tickets
“The pride and passion for Penn State, the football program and all of our teams is very obvious. We are looking forward to getting around Pennsylvania and the region to visit with all of our proud Penn Staters,” Franklin said. “The opportunity to share our vision for this program and bring this family back together excites our entire staff.” The Penn State Coaches Caravan, jointly sponsored by the Penn State Alumni Association and the Nittany Lion Club, kicks off May 1 with an evening event in State College. The Coaches Caravan customized coach will roll out of Happy Valley on May 6 for events in York and Hershey, followed by stops in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. (May 7) and Uniontown and Pittsburgh (May 8) during the first full week. The Coaches Caravan will visit Nittany Nation
Schedule of stops for the 2014 Caravan:
May 1
Visit nittanylionclub.com for more information and special Nittany Lion Club and Alumni Association pricing. for the 2014 season, as well as how all Penn State alumni and fans can help build on Penn State football’s tradition of excellence.
COACHES CARAVAN
strongholds across Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic through May 22. Coaches on the Caravan have helped champion Penn State’s “OneTeam” philosophy, with the 31 varsity teams, athletics, 24 campuses, communities and constituencies all playing a role in the Nittany Lions’ academic and athletic success. Penn State has captured six Big Ten championships and one NCAA crown thus far in 2013-14, with 14 Big Ten crowns the past two years, while earning an NCAA Graduation Success Rate of 88 percent. Four of the Coaches Caravan events will be held on Penn State campuses, with stops at Penn State York, Penn State Fayette (Uniontown), the Pennsylvania College of Technology (Williamsport) and Penn State Erie, the Behrend College. The May 21 lunch event will be held in East Stroudsburg, Pa. at East Stroudsburg University, Franklin’s alma mater.
State College
May 6
Penn State York Hershey
May 7
Baltimore Washington, D.C.
May 8
Penn State Fayette Pittsburgh
May 13
King of Prussia
May 14
Philadelphia Scranton
May 15
Whippany, N.J. New York City
May 20
Penn College Wilkes-Barre
May 21
East Stroudsburg University Lehigh Valley
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A visit to a Penn State men’s ice hockey game was just a part of Coach James Franklin’s meet-and-greet efforts almost as soon as he arrived. (Photo by Mark Selders)
Upbeat Franklin brings energy, ‘process-oriented’ approach Fifty-five days into his job at Penn State, football coach James Franklin was talking about the start of spring football practice. He was talking about a positive attitude, work ethic, competing in everything, and a willingness to sacrifice. Those four things form the foundation for the tradition-rich program under Franklin’s direction, and he has a clear approach in mind. “We’re a process-oriented organization,” Franklin said. “We’re just trying to take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves.” That’s why Franklin was more worried about practice habits and toughness than he was about how the Blue-White Game at the conclusion of spring practice would be conducted. He said he hoped to play a full-fledged game but admitted what does happen April 12 in Beaver Stadium relies largely on the 14 practice dates leading up to the spring game. He’s more worried about getting to know members of the team beyond what he had
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seen on film during his first month and a half on the job. He’s not worried about setting specific goals, either. His process-oriented approach seems set on people to start. Especially the student-athletes on his team. “What I’m worried about is them waking up every single morning and being the best they can possibly can be, academically, athletically, socially and spiritually, and the rest of the stuff will take care of themselves,” he said. “The most important thing to me is I want to make sure that at the end of the spring, we have great chemistry and organization. Once you have great chemistry and the kids know how much you care about them, then you can maximize their experience here and maximize their potential. But it starts with that. It starts with trust. It starts with the relationships.” Among the changes under Franklin will be the opening of practice to parents. Plus, because he did not have the chance to meet the families of existing players as a recruiter, he
hopes to add a parents picnic to Blue-White Weekend. “We’re going to need the parents’ support, so that’s going to be a big part of it. Like I said, we’re not a goal-oriented team, but if I had to say one goal, it’s about the relationships and the chemistry, and the trust with the kids,” Franklin was named the Nittany Lions’ 16th coach on Jan. 11. A native of Langhorne, Pa., he led Vanderbilt University to unprecedented success the past three years, including consecutive nine-win seasons and bowl victories the past two years, as well as back-to-back Top 25 finishes, all for the first time in VU history. His 24 wins, including five straight to finish the 2013 season, are tied for the most by a Vanderbilt mentor in his first three years as head coach. In his 20th year of coaching, Franklin was a two-time All-PSAC quarterback at East Stroudsburg University. Those credentials and success brought him credibility to Penn State, and his energy and personality have helped ignite the passions of many Nittany Lions fans. He has consistently encouraged fans to rally around the football
“We’re going to work hard, move fast and be the best we can possibly be.” — James Franklin program, challenging them to make the passion and support they have displayed during his public appearances so far a reality on Saturdays in the fall.
sport, and more than a couple of sports. Although new to the Penn State family, he’s already a 31-sport, “OneTeam” kind of guy.
“You’ve heard me say before, we’re going to sell out every single game next year. I believe that,” Franklin said. “I’m going to keep pounding the table on that because we need to do that. We need to do that from a recruiting perspective. We need to do that from a financial perspective. And I truly believe once we get everybody pulling the rope in the same direction that we can build something really special here.”
“You look at what our volleyball program has been able to do.You look at soccer and you can go on and on. Basketball, women’s basketball, and I’ve had a chance to go and watch all those programs compete, and watch the support they get,” he said. “That is the thing that probably blows me away more than anything is the support this university and these athletic programs get from this community. We want to build on that.”
Franklin has taken every opportunity to support other Penn State programs and meet other coaches, too. “I’ve had a lot of conversations with Cael (Sanderson). I love to go to the wrestling matches and sit there and not only watch the guys compete, but watch him. He’s an impressive guy; he really is. He’s built an impressive program,” Franklin said. It’s much more than just one sport to Franklin. More than his
So far he’s done that from in-person meetings to social media exchanges. He plans to keep on doing it, too. He practices what he preaches about how he wants his team to practice. “We’re going to go out there and enjoy ourselves,” he said. “We’re going to work hard, move fast and be the best we can possibly be to represent Penn State.”
Coach James Franklin met with fans at a wrestling match (top) and had a family photo taken with wife Fumi and daughters Addy and Shola during his first days on campus. (Photos by Mark Selders)
NLC: THE TEAM BEHIND THE ONETEAM TEAMS
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John Urschel won the 2013 Senior CLASS Award for Division I Football in the Football Bowl Subdivision. (Photo by Mark Selders)
CLASS Connection Candidates, finalists across variety of sports reflect Penn State’s commitment Although the Senior CLASS Award lost its title sponsor, (formerly a blue-and-white home improvement store), the award has not lost it’s blue-and-white tint — thanks to the impressive success of Penn State student-athletes in the national program that focuses on success in the classroom and as a competitor. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award honors the attributes of NCAA Division I senior student-athletes in four areas: community, classroom, character and competition. The award program is designed exclusively for college seniors who are utilizing their complete athletic eligibility, remaining committed to their university and pursuing the many rewards a senior season can bring. Award winners are determined by a selection process that includes college coaches, national media and fans. Each year the program honors seniors in 10 different sports, and in the past year Penn State produced nominees in six sports (tied for the most of any institution), five finalists and two winners.
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Penn State’s Senior CLASS candidates were: l Men’s basketball, Tim Frazier (Houston), finalist; l Women’s basketball, Maggie Lucas (Narberth, Pa.), finalist; l Football, John Urschel (Williamsville, N.Y.), winner; l Lacrosse, Austin Kaut (Morton, Pa.), candidate; l Women’s soccer, Maya Hayes (West Orange, N.J.), finalist; and l Women’s volleyball, Ariel Scott (Ridgewoood, N.J.), winner. Candidates move from that status to finalists and, eventually, winners, depending on the outcome of the selection process and public fan voting. Voting takes place on the Senior CLASS Award website yearly during the month leading up to each sport’s NCAA championship. It was a stellar year for Penn State senior student-athletes, but it’s that way regularly with the Senior CLASS Award. For example, Kaut, who was just named a candidate at the start of his season, follows fellow Penn State men’s lacrosse players Mathew Mackrides (2012), who was a finalist, and Nick Dolik (2013), who was
a candidate. Kaut, a business management major with a 3.29 grade-point average, is a three-time All-Colonial Athletic Association First Team member and the 2013 Ensign C. Markland Kelly Jr. Award winner as the nation’s best collegiate goalie. He grew out his curly hair as a high school senior in honor of his grandmother and he’s involved in several charitable and community efforts. Depending on the sport, as many as 100 nominees are submitted for the awards each year. The selection staff reads through every nomination, considering each against the fourpronged criteria of classroom, community, character and competition, to come up with each sport’s field of candidates. “When we sit down as a staff some people come in thinking one factor might be more important and others might have a strong Women’s basketball player Maggie Lucas was a nominee and finalist for the Senior CLASS Award this year. Men’s lacrosse goalie Austin Kaut opinion about another is a nominee, the third in a row for Penn State men’s lacrosse, who could become a finalist this year. (Photos by Mark Selders) aspect. As we compare Award recipient,” Urschel said. “I have tried to represent my team, and discuss them, though, it’s really interesting what comes out,” said Laurie Bollig, director University and family as best as possible during my time at Penn State. I am very appreciative and thank my family, professors, coaches, of communications for Premier Sports, which facilitates the award. She teammates and friends for all their support and help they have provided has worked with the internal selection committee for the past five years. with all my academic and football pursuits at Penn State.” “What you see is that these are good stories and these are good kids.” She said Penn State’s submissions are compelling and complete, which benefits the student-athletes. Penn State’s winners clearly show that combination of success in terms of those four Cs. Urschel finished his undergraduate degree in three years with a 4.0 GPA, earned his first master’s degree in math in one year and is working on a second master’s degree in math education. He has taught math classes to Penn State students while playing football. In the community, Urschel has participated in the Penn State Uplifting Athletes Lift for Life, an event that has raised nearly $500,000 the last four years for the Kidney Cancer Association. He has also volunteered at the Penn State Dance Marathon (THON) Make-A-Wish event, the THON pep rally, the Special Olympics Pennsylvania State Summer Games and Relay for Life. “I am honored and grateful to have been selected the Senior CLASS
Scott, a public relations major with minors in business and liberal arts, has maintained a 3.8 GPA in her major. She is an active member of the Penn State chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and has earned Academic All-Big Ten honors while also being selected as a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. Since her freshman year, Scott has volunteered regularly with the Special Olympics. “We are so proud to see Ariel earn this award that speaks to the way she has approached her time at Penn State,” said head coach Russ Rose. “Not only is she a leader on the court, but she’s a standout student-athlete in the classroom who is also actively involved in the community. The way she carries herself is representative of everything that embodies this award.” She’s clearly not alone in that approach. Classy seniors seems to be the norm among those who wear blue and white.
ONETEAM NLC: THE TEAM BEHIND THE TEAMS
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Meet an
Donors, student-athletes interac
(Photos by M
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nd Greet
ct at annual Endowment Dinner.
Mark Selders)
Last fall more than 500 people attended the Forever Blue & White endowment dinner which is held yearly for scholarship recipients and their respective donors. Each student-athlete, who has received a scholarship for that year, is invited to attend the dinner to meet their donor and thank them in person. To view photos from the event go to http://bit.ly/1dKjl28 online.
NLC: THE TEAM BEHIND THE ONETEAM TEAMS 11
COMPLIANCE CORNER
Autographs: Not always as simple as ‘just sign here’
Several times a year, and almost always in support of charitable efforts, Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics makes student-athletes available for autograph sessions — and the response from fans and supporters is always positive. It’s not as simple as giving them a Sharpie and letting them go, though.
There are rules — from the NCAA and the University itself — and the Compliance Office enforces those rules, while trying to provide the kinds of interactions and opportunities Nittany Lion Club members and all fans appreciate.
CONTACT COMPLIANCE Members of the Office of Compliance and Student-Athlete Services encourage Nittany Lion Club members and Penn State fans to contact the office with any questions they have related to compliance. Call (814) 863-8048 days. Still, Stolberg and his staff enjoy the opportunity to support Penn State coaches and student-athletes, helping them succeed academically and athletically.
As quarterly reports from former U.S. Sen. George “Autographs are one of the Mitchell have proven since Sam Ficken signs the shirt of a young fan during Lift for Life last summer. (Photo by Mark Selders) more challenging areas, the NCAA sanctions were a store, it’s up to us to take corrective action.” and definitely a hot spot in terms of compliimplemented against Penn State last year, Inance,” said Matt Stolberg, associate athletic tercollegiate Athletics conducts a program that Stolberg and the compliance staff regularly director for compliance and student-athlete check for such items at brick-and-mortar stores would provide a model for many others across services. “Student-athletes are able to make and online. They have issued cease-and-desist the nation. an appearance or use their likeness to support orders, some to the same vendors on multiple permissible causes — and we do that with Pink Stolberg predicted that would be the case occasions, to stop the unauthorized sale of Zone, THON and several other activities — but two years ago when the idea of a monitor items signed by student-athletes in the past. they’re not allowed to sign things that get sold. was first proposed. Rather than chafe at the So we try to put them in a position to succeed Still, Stolberg appreciates the interest in signed additional oversight, he said the scrutiny would when we do autograph signings.” make Penn State look even better — because items and the connection they provide for administrators and coaches do their job well, those who support the program. As part of an That “position to succeed” means group setand because they do consistently comply with effort to cut down on balls, banners and other tings for signings, and limiting fans to one item NCAA and institutional rules. items showing up at team offices, the Complito be signed during such events. ance Office plans to launch an online request That does not mean the days in the Complisystem later this spring. The system would Outside of those events, more than 100 allow charitable groups and others to request a ance Office are boring, but everything from requests come to Penn State for coach or A to Z, from academics, autographs and all signed item, which would then be sent directly student-athlete autographs each month. Those that follow, get serious consideration from all to the requesting group. requests usually come in the form of unsolicitinvolved. Best of all from Stolberg’s perspeced balls, papers or other items that show up in tive, compliance personnel are usually involved “We’re hoping it’ll be an efficient and useteam offices. from start to finish — a part of the process and ful tool,” Stolberg said. “We appreciate the a partner, as opposed to an obstacle. passion and support of our fans. The system More often than not, though, those items go should allow us to meet the needs of those unsigned because the institutional process has “We take a lot of pride in what we do, from start fans, while continuing to put our coaches and not been followed. to finish,” Stolberg said. “A little more attention student-athletes in a position to succeed.” on us in recent months only means more peo“We try to steer people to departmentally ple know what we do. We’re a valued part of Autographs are just a small part of what the organized events,” Stolberg said. “That way, seven-person compliance staff focuses on. The what happens at Penn State. We have a voice we have a better sense of who’s asking for in making things work for our coaches and stuoffice touches everything from initial eligibility the autograph and what the student-athletes to team travel, and their dedication to small de- dent-athletes. We all work together to do things are signing because we’re also responsible for the right way and make people proud of Penn tails — such as tracking down signed items for enforcement after things happen. So if there’s State. We’ve always done things that way.” sale online — and that work can lead to long something signed out there for sale online or at
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Fencers, wrestlers earn championships, merit dynasty status Two tradition-rich Penn State programs claimed national championships on back-toback days in late March, giving the Blue and White 15 national championships since 2007 — the most of any school in the nation during that time.
Coach Bob Warming joined members of the men’s soccer team who received their jackets at the ceremony.
Letter Jacket Ceremony provides connection to predecessors, others A new group of student-athletes received tangible evidence of their status as Penn State letterwinners during the Varsity Letter Jacket Ceremony in February. Two hundred first-time varsity letterwinners across all sports received the traditional blue-and-white jackets during the ceremony hosted by the Varsity ‘S’ Club at the Nittany Lion Inn. Along with the honorees, the event brought together administrators, coaches and staff members. “It is a great day for you and a great day for Penn State to be able to honor you,” said Director of Athletics Dave Joyner. “My deepest congratulations to you because you are joining a terrific group of people that have won letters at Penn State.” During his introduction, Dr. Joyner addressed the phenomenal past few seasons of success at Penn State. Most recently, the women’s volleyball team won its sixth national championship, which was its fifth in the past seven seasons. Penn State has earned numerous Big Ten Conference titles, had several coaches secure “Coach of the Year” honors and Maggie Harding (State College, Pa.) was named an NCAA Elite 89 student-athlete. Keynote speaker David Hall, who played baseball at Penn State and graduated in 1994, said the varsity jacket and its distinctive ‘S’ mean a lot — across sports and across generations.
“You have a partnership for life. This institution is committed to you,” Hall said. “Also, people who have been here before you understand what you go through, and they support you as well.” Preston Gall (Columbus, Ohio), a junior men’s gymnast and president of the Student Athletics Advisory Board (SAAB), used the ceremony to challenge his fellow student-athletes.“Don’t be afraid to be a leader,” he said. Junior women’s gymnast Sidney Sanabria-Robles (Caguas, Puerto Rico) was among many who seemed prepared to embrace that role. “The jacket represents Penn State and all the student-athletes. You have to be a good role model,” she said. “It feels good to get the letter because it’s something I’ve earned, not something I’ve been given.” “It’s nice seeing all the other athletes because we never really get together a lot and it’s cool that we have a connection,” sophomore swimmer Alyson Ackman (Montreal, Quebec) said. “It’s a great honor to be a part of a special group of people,” quarterback Christian Hackenberg (Palmyra, Va.) said. “The support for each other is great.” No student-athlete took their jacket off during the event, which ended with the singing of the Penn State alma mater.
The wrestling team recorded its fourth consecutive national championship led by individual champions David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio) and Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.) at 165 and 184 pounds, respectively. Taylor, a four-time All-American and two-time champion, was named Most Outstanding Wrestler. Ruth, also a senior, became Penn State’s first three-time champion. Penn State finished with 109.5 points, ahead of Minnesota (104) and Oklahoma State (96.5). In addition to Taylor and Ruth — and just as important in the championship run — five other wrestlers earned All-America status. They were: junior Nico Megaludis (Murrysville, Pa.), who finished third at 125, becoming a threetime All-American; freshman Zain Retherford (Benton, Pa.), who finished fifth at 141; senior James English (York, Pa.), who finished seventh at 149; junior Matt Brown (West Valley City, Utah), who finished fifth at 174; and sophomore Morgan McIntosh (Santa Ana, Calif.) who finished seventh at 197. Penn State became only the third team in NCAA history to win four championships in a row. Iowa won at least four in a row twice, most recently from 1995 to 2000, and Oklahoma State had three such runs, most recently from 2003 to 2006. A day after the wrestling team capped its season in championship style, the fencing team did the same — earning its 13th national championship and third in the past six years. Penn State recorded 180 bout victories to outlast Princeton (159) and St. John’s (156). The fencing program is now the winningest in NCAA history. Individually, sophomore Kaito Streets (Redwood City, Calif.) claimed the men’s saber championship. Streets became 13th individual champion in Penn State fencing history.
NLC: THE TEAM BEHIND THE TEAMS 13 ONETEAM
Home games for the women’s softball team (above) come each season only after thousands of miles of travel. (Photo by Mark Selders)
Coaches approach scheduling, travel with clear game plan Long before they played at home in state-of-the-art Beard Field at Nittany Lion Softball Park this season, members of the softball team had already traveled thousands of miles and visited four different states to play 21 games. They’ve been almost everywhere. That’s Arizona, Louisiana, Virginia and twice to Florida. With northern weather that’s the game, though, and first-year coach Amanda Lehotak has no plans to use travel this year, or any year, as an excuse for how her team performs. “From my point of view, we don’t hide anything. When we are recruiting and with the team we have to travel,” Lehotak said. “Our mentality is that we’re just going to be tougher than you. We are going to have the same enthusiasm, same focus and we’re not going to make any excuses. A lot of great schools do it every year across the country.” Baseball coach Rob Cooper, also in his first season, preaches that same mentality. He also promises to tweak the team’s schedule in the future. This year’s slate was pretty well set before he arrived, and a spring break trip to California might not be repeated in the future — even though it put him within two hours of where he grew up, allowing his mom and sister to attend the game. Cooper wants to find a balance between competition and cost when crafting a schedule. In addition, he has to work with 56 playing dates and a University limitation that his student-athletes can only miss 7.5 class days per semester. So bigger trips during spring break will always be a mainstay, but a savvy approach will complement trips to places like North Carolina or South Carolina in the future with more home games. “My goal is to put our guys in as many championship caliber environ-
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ments as possible. If our goal is to reach the NCAA Tournament, they have to have experience in that atmosphere,” Cooper said. He knows that might not happen quickly, but an investment of time to play top teams when possible is important. Long weekends (leaving Thursday and returning Sunday) are the staple of the baseball team’s travel approach. At the same time, he thinks home games are especially important — and efficient. Part of his input on this year’s schedule was booking a two-game midweek series against NYIT that provided a home-opening victory two days after spring break ended. “They’re a Division I opponent and we got them on their spring break to travel to us,” Cooper said. “We paid a guarantee for them to come here. For that, we still get a decent level of competition, and we get two home games while saving a lot of money. We play at home without having to have the kids miss class, charter a bus and pay for hotels and meal money. Plus, we need as many home games as possible to help the community connect with the program.” Coaches across sports view the benefits similarly. Traveling can build camaraderie among team members and allow coaches to learn even more about their student-athletes. Depending on the sport, scheduling can be done years in advance (football) or happen just as one season ends and before another begins. Sometimes a head coach designates an assistant to handle scheduling, and sometimes they do it themselves. Men’s volleyball coach Mark Pavlik handles his team’s scheduling, and likes the consistency that it provides. “Travel for us is not overly exciting,” he said. “We’re at the same places
every year, which makes it easier on the budget and it’s something I might not get to until the end of the season.” That consistently similar schedule includes an annual trip to Hawaii or southern California along with 14 league dates in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. It also builds a rotation of travel favorites, such as a restaurant in Long Beach, Calif., called Claim Jumper. “We usually let the guys pick, though,” Pavlik said. “They like salad, soup, pasta places.” Overall, the NCAA allows 28 competition dates for men’s volleyball. Take out those 14 EIVA opponents, and other dates go quickly. It’s not always easy to get teams from the West Coast to visit Happy Valley, either. But, Pavlik has an ace up his scheduling sleeve in the coming years. As the host site for the 2015 NCAA Championship, other teams will be a bit more interested in visiting and he might consider urging them to come east in both 2014 and 2015 if they want to be one of the team’s on Penn State’s home schedule. For coach Coquese Washington and the women’s basketball program, a good schedule features a mix of valuable games at home and on the road for different reasons. It’s just not always easy to make that happen — especially when they try to firm up most of their schedule a couple years in advance.
Wrestling coach Cael Sanderson has embraced his role as a voice for the sport. (Photo by Mark Selders)
Sanderson embraces leadership role Some Penn State teams ended up in unusual places during the past year, with the women’s basketball team at South Dakota State, the men’s basketball team playing at Pitt for the first time in nine years and, looking ahead, with the football team set to play in Ireland in August.
“The way I look at the non-conference schedule is preparation. We want to get ready for conference play, face good opponents and be in hostile environments,” she said. “Plus, you don’t always get to play who you Still, the wrestling team’s trip to Boston University was just business as want to play when you want to play. Sometimes schedules just don’t work usual, and perhaps even more important, with the powerhouse Nittany out, and you make the best of it.” Lions traveling to defeat a lesser opponent for the good of the sport. With the wrestling program on the chopping block at BU, Penn State’s visit was Along with the practicality of preparation, Washington tries to work in intended to help raise the profile of the sport. some rewards for her players. That means games near the hometowns of seniors when possible and, usually, a challenging and enjoyable holiday “I think when we can help with something like that we should,” Cael Sandtournament. erson said. “We have to do what’s right for the sport when we can. We could’ve had a match somewhere else, but that was important.” “The Bahamas was pretty nice this past Thanksgiving,” she said. Still, such fun scheduling is only a small part of what she hopes to do for Along with his team’s travels, and because of his profile in the sport, her program. The coaching staff works to expose student-athletes to Sanderson has become an even bigger voice for wrestling this past year. non-basketball things when they can, but the conference season, when He’s helped keep the sport in the Olympics and taken a visible stand on teams get in and out of cities quickly, usually determines what happens. the sport’s approach to dual meets. And, when the quiet coach and former And student-athletes have to get back to class. Because of that, Washchampion speaks people tend to listen. “It is part of my job to stand up for ington has an overriding approach to travel. “It’s mostly business,” she the sport,” Sanderson said. said. “We try to find ways to make it fun, but it’s fun to get home, too.”
Gymnast Evans, runner Giannotti honored with McCoy Award Gymnast Adrian Evans and runner Emily Giannotti have been selected as the 2014 recipients of the Ernest B. McCoy Memorial Award.
The McCoy Award is presented annually to one senior female and one senior male student-athlete who have combined successful athletic participation with academic excellence. The award is named for the longtime dean of Penn State’s College of Physical Education, who also served as the University’s athletic director. Evans (Boulder, Colo.) earned his second consecutive All-America honor on the pommel horse at the 2013 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics
Championships. Outside of the gym, the advertising major and 2014 team captain earned College Gymnastics Association All-America Scholar-Athlete honors the last three seasons, while also earning a spot on the Academic All-Big Ten team. Recently, he was selected as one of nine finalists for the 2014 Nissen-Emery Award. Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in collegiate gymnastics, Evans is the 26th Nissen-Emery finalist in Penn State program history. Giannotti (Coudersport, Pa.) a rehabilitation and human services major, has been a fixture on the Nittany Lion women’s track and cross country teams during her career. On the course, the long-distance runner has com-
peted in three NCAA Cross Country Championships (2011-13), leading the Penn State contingent during the 2013 championships in Terre Haute, Ind. Giannotti also earned All-Region status with a 21st-place finish at the 2012 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional, which the former All-Big Ten member helped the Nittany Lions win.
On the national scene, Giannotti qualified for the 2013 NCAA Eastern Preliminary Round in the 10,000 meters and for the 2012 edition of the meet in the steeplechase. A graduate student, she placed third in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in the USATF Junior Outdoor Championships.
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Signature Event, Signing Day (Photos by Mark Selders)
Fans who renewed their season tickets the night of the Signature Event had their picture taken with Coach James Franklin at center court of the Bryce Jordan Center.
Many Nittany Lion Club members were able to meet with Coach Franklin during activities around National Signing Day and the first-ever Signature Event.
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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, in areas 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
Michael and Carolann Bellaman........................... Bellaman Family Trustee Scholarship for International Athletics Kenton Broyles.........................................................................................................................Various Scholarships Martha Carter-Bhatti................................................................................................ Edgar Levis Carter Scholarship Peter and Kristen Chadwick...............................................................Barth Chadwick Athletic Position Scholarship David and Melissa Eisenreich.................................................................. Nittany Lion Club Program Support Fund for the Morgan Academic Support Center Christel L. Ertel and Gary N. Stewart................................................................................Football Excellence Fund William and Elaine Given..................................................................................................Football Excellence Fund Peter and Julie Greene.................................. McCoy Natatorium Naming Opportunity -- Assistant Coaches Office Joan Haag Beiter................................................. C. Webster Haag and Joan J. Haag Family Football Scholarship Howie and Pam Haldeman.................. Lasch Football Building Naming Opportunity -- Graduate Assistant’s Office Bruce and Debbie Hershock.........................................................................Pegula Ice Arena Naming Opportunity Bruce and Debbie Hershock and Family Retail Shop Todd and Barbara Hilsee........................................Todd B. and Barbara C. Hilsee Abilities Program Support Fund Earl Hoffman and Family.................................................................................................. Bridge to the Future Fund Dorothy Huck.................................................................................. Lloyd and Dorothy Huck Family Wrestling Fund Paul and Judy Hummer.......................................................Hummer Family Program Support Fund for Men’s Golf William and Kimberly Kerlin...............................................................................................Football Excellence Fund Daniel and Kathleen Langdon.........................................................Dan and Kathy Langdon Wrestling Scholarship Daniel Lieberman...........................................Nittany Lion Club Program Support Fund for the All-Sports Museum Jay May...................................................................................May Family Endowed Men’s Basketball Scholarship Helen McDermid and Sylvia Feldman..... McCoy Natatorium Naming Opportunity -- Women’s Team Locker Room Joseph and Linda McKenna.............................................. McKenna Family Athletic Trustee Endowed Scholarship Scott and Carole McKeon.............................................................................................................. Lacrosse Facility James and Janet Meister...................................Jim and Janet Meister Endowment for Sports Medicine Research Mark and Lorraine Roller.......Mark and Lorraine Roller Endowed Program Support Fund for Lady Lion Basketball Fred H. Schaefer...............................................................................................Fred Schaefer Football Scholarship John and Paige Smith................................................... John T. and Paige S. Smith Endowed Athletic Scholarship Richard and Susan Sokolov..............................................................................................Football Excellence Fund Ivan Spinner................................................................................................................................. Men’s Tennis TBD Ronnie and Amy Stuck.......................................................................Stuck Family Abilities Program Support Fund Michael and Deborah Tanitsky........................... Michael and Deborah Tanitsky Baseball Scholarship Endowment Tom and Ginny Trite......................................................Football Excellence Fund and Two Endowed Scholarships Jack and Frances Tsui...................................................................................................... Bridge to the Future Fund Richard and Marjorie Weiler..................................... Rich, Marjorie and Will Weiler Endowed Football Scholarship George Will......................................................................................George W. Will Endowed Baseball Scholarship Susan Bartholomew Will.........................................Susan Bartholomew Will Women’s Endowed Golf Scholarship David T. and M. Joan Wilson......................................... David T. Wilson Ice Hockey Program Support Endowment David and Jane Zazworsky...............................................Endowed Scholarship for Men’s Basketball Point Guard and Endowed Fund for Sports Medicine Simon Ziff..........................................................................................................................Football Excellence Fund
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First Person: Bernard Bennett-Green at Leadership Forum NCAA session a chance to learn about life challenges, proudly represent Penn State
On the first day of the Student-Athlete Leadership Forum in Providence, R.I., master of ceremonies Diana Cutaia of Coaching Peace asked, “Do you guys have a pulse?” She asked because many of us were tired from a long day of traveling to Rhode Island, but I don’t believe that’s what she wanted to hear. I was definitely one of those people who had to look down and check if I had a pulse. I was still happily surprised I was able to attend, and because I was a little tired from rain delays on the way there. Still, it was a great event and I was proud to be there. I had been nominated by my head track and field coach, Beth Alford-Sullivan, and then was selected by Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics to represent Penn State student-athletes at the regional event. Penn State has more than 800 student-athletes on campus who hold a variety of leadership positions, so it was a huge honor to be selected. Throughout the Leadership Forum, representatives from NCAA member schools led small group discussions about a variety of topics, including behavioral styles, branding, decision making, emotional intelligence, social media and values. The goal of the forum was to help us become more effective leaders and motivators when we returned to campus.
“I have family members who have battled alcohol and drug abuse and I have stood by and not offered help. That all will change now that I have new insight on how to approach the sensitive topic.” — BERNARD BENNETT-GREEN of introduction, from any other person in the world. You never realize how true six degrees of separation is until you are faced with talking to someone you don’t know and start asking small questions here and there until you eventually come to the conclusion that one of your good friends goes to school with one of their good friends who also knows you. I know that might have seemed confusing, but try and talk to a random stranger one day and you will come to realize how much you have in common. One nugget of wisdom I took from the conference and believe that everyone should try and follow is to get out of your comfort zone at least once a day. When you do that, you learn a lot more about yourself as a person and about the people around you.
The Leadership Forum was more than discussions and networking, though. The NCAA rented out a Dave & Busters for all the student-athletes for a night — which Senior Bernard Bennett-Green, who represented Penn State at the NCAA Student Leadership Forum, recorded the nation’s fourth fastest was a blast! We also got to make blankets I definitely took the discussions to heart, indoor 200-meter run earlier this year. (Photo by Mark Selders) and stuff teddy bears that we gave to St. and I believe I gained even more by lisMary’s Children Home in Rhode Island. am, and how much more that I need to do in tening to the speakers and interacting with We also traded ideas about community service helping others who battle with drug and alcohol the other student-athletes and administrators addiction. I have family members who have ideas we all do on our own campuses. that were there. battled alcohol and drug abuse and I have stood by and not offered help. That all will The Leadership Forum was a great life expeOne speaker that really stood out in my mind change now that I have new insight on how to was Chris Herren. Herren is a former NBA rience that I wish everyone had the chance to approach the sensitive topic. basketball player who played for the Boston attend because it was simply amazing. I made Celtics. His story stood out because he battled what I hope will be some lifelong friends in a Interacting with the other student-athletes and with drug and alcohol addiction throughout truly amazing city — and was able to find my administrators also helped me gain a better his career, and after it. He lost everything, pulse, too! perspective about life overall. including his family and money, but somehow managed to regain his life back. Bennett-Green (Elkins Park, Pa.) is a senior majorSix degrees of separation is a theory that everyone is six or fewer steps away, by way ing in journalism. His story helped me realize how grateful I
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IN MEMORIAM Ellen Perry, 1942-2014 Former Associate Athletic Director Ellen Perry, a women who helped make women’s athletics possible, prominent and successful at Penn State died in early March. Perry, 72, was retired but her impact was ongoing, and she remained active with Intercollegiate Athletics and in the University community. She died Tuesday, March 4, in State College. Ellen Perry Perry was a member of the Athletics staff from 1966 until her retirement on June 30, 2002. Her career included 40 years in teaching, coaching and athletic administration. Perry was the Nittany Lions’ first women’s swimming and diving head coach. She was named associate athletic director and senior woman administrator in 1989. Under Perry’s tenure as a senior administrator, Penn State’s women’s programs captured 14 national championships in six sports, as well as winning 17 Big Ten Conference regular season championships and nine Big Ten tournament titles. The women’s fencing team also combined with the men’s team to win nine national titles in that period. “Ellen Perry was one of the primary forces in making Penn State an early leader among national universities in providing opportunities for women in athletics on the intercollegiate, intramural and club levels,” said director of athletics Dave Joyner. “Ellen made a meaningful difference on the lives of Penn State students and staff and members of the State College and intercollegiate athletics’ communities. “She played a significant role in Penn State’s transition into the Big Ten Conference and helped lay the foundation for the 60-plus Big Ten titles and nearly 20 national championships our women’s teams have
won.” Perry, from Reading, Mass., had management oversight responsibilities with Penn State’s 14 women’s sports as well as student-athlete services for the approximately 750 Nittany and Lady Lion student-athletes. “It’s a sad day for the entire Penn State family,” said Charmelle Green, the current senior women’s administrator in Athletics. “Ellen Perry was not only a tremendous administrator, but she was an outstanding mentor, and friend to so many. I will forever be grateful for her support, her knowledge, and her expertise. And I will miss her positive spirit and outlook on life.” Perry guided the Penn State women’s swimming and diving program from 1970-81 and posted a winning percentage of .790 in 124 dual meets. Seven of her Penn State swimmers won a total of nine All-America citations. Four of her alumnae have coached at the collegiate level. In 1990, the Eastern Women’s Swimming League named its team championship trophy the “Ellen Perry Cup.” “Ellen Perry was truly an exceptional teacher, coach, and administrator for more than 40 years at Penn State. I will always remember her unwavering commitment to providing competitive athletic opportunities for female student-athletes and her pride in Penn State’s broadbased athletic program,” said Assistant Athletic Director Jan Bortner. “As a tennis coach during Ellen’s time as senior women’s administrator, I got to observe first-hand her devotion, commitment, work ethic, and tireless support as a real Champion of Penn State athletics. It was a pleasure and honor to have worked with EP.” Without her devotion and guidance, Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics would not have reached the heights it has. And her impact spanned generations.
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