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About the Newsletter
DID YOU KNOW?
Number of studentathletes who received their diplomas during spring commencement exercises in May. Every varsity sports team was represented by at least one graduate. Also, 11 members of the cheerleading squad and seven members of the Lionettes dance team graduated.
35,000 Number of Penn Staters who remain without access to the Big Ten Network. If you do not have access and want it, contact your local cable TV provider.
Volume 30, No. 4 U.Ed. ICA-10-72
— Inside this Issue —
NLC Notebook: .......................................................3
Next STEP, Intentions: More Opportunities Exist................4-5 Cover Story: Ben Heath Hammers Home Run Record...............6-7
The Nittany Lion Club Newsletter is a quarterly publication sent to all Nittany Lion Club members. The magazine is published by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Nittany Lion Club Web Site www.nittanylionclub.com
Tried and True: Another Penn State Tradition ........................8
Official Web Site of Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics
Photos: A Look at Uniforms in Spider’s Web ......................10-11
Greg Myford, John Nitardy
Academic Awards: Banquet Honors Student-Athletes ...............9
www.gopsusports.com
Executive Editors
Big Ten Network: Many Remain Without Access ..................13
Track and Field: Outdoor Conference Crown for Women ...........14
Men’s Soccer: Proven Coach Takes Lead of Program................15
Basketball: Opponents Set for Big Ten-ACC Challenge ...............16
Lacrosse: Change for Men’s, Women’s Teams.........................17 Able Assistants: Swimming, Women’s Soccer Add Coaches ........18
Proud Penn Staters: Alumni Earn Awards, Honors ...............19
DEPARTMENTS Spider’s Web, 10-11 Recent Gift List, 13
ON THE COVER Junior catcher Ben Heath became Penn State’s home run king during a recordbreaking season. (Huntersville, N.C.)
Assistant Editor
Nikki Potoczny, Mike Milliron
Contributors
Penn State Athletic Communications, Steve Sampsell
Photographers
Penn State Athletic Communications, Steve Manuel, Mark Selders
Printing
Nittany Valley Offset, State College, Pa.
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.
— Contact Us — Phone: 1-800-NITTANY (648-8269) / E-mail: nittanylionclub@athletics.psu.edu 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 29sport intercollegiate athletics program.
NLC Staff Profile Jennifer DeAngelo Jennifer joined Mail: 157 Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA 16802 the Nittany Lion Michelle Davidson, Club staff in Bob White, Ken Cutler, NLC Stewardship NLC Director of Marketing/ 2008. In the NLC Director NLC, she works and Events Coordinator, Operations-Suites and Club of Development with major gifts. oyd3@psu.edu Seats, blw6@psu.edu for Athletics, She also assists kmc2@psu.edu with special projects and Janine Hawk, Mark Muhlhauser, John Nitardy, NLC Development Assistant, processes paperwork and budgetNLC Major Gifts Officer, related transactions. Jennifer resides NLC Director of Major Gifts jkh6@psu.edu mam83@psu.edu in State College with her husband and Annual Giving Tony and their daughter Annabelle. jdn13@psu.edu Nikki Potoczny, NLC Assistant Director, nlw10@psu.edu
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R.J. Gimbl, NLC Major Gifts Officer, rjg20@psu.edu
Casey Keiber, NLC Major Gifts Officer, cmk184@psu.edu
Mike Milliron, NLC Varsity ‘S’ and Sport-Restricted Giving Coordinator, mjm540@psu.edu
Staff Assistants Val Cingle, vjc4@psu.edu Jennifer DeAngelo, jxk298@psu.edu Stephanie Gordon, slh122@psu.edu Barbra Marsden, blm18@psu.edu Kristin McKee, kmm21@psu.edu Carol Spangler, cmh7@psu.edu Sharon Ries, sxr33@psu.edu Sandy Watson, szw6@psu.edu Robin Yeaney, rly2@psu.edu
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Summer slowdown? Not So For NLC, Members NLC NOTEBOOK
Summer must really slow down with no athleic events—ha—not for the Nittany Lion Club and Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics staff.
Since our last issue ...
We’ll have dozens of alumni and friends on campus for the men’s football fantasy camp, probably even more for the firstyear women’s camp and, of course, thousands of young student campers visiting for our popular summer sports camps.
Coaches, staff and even some studentathletes remain on campus to help with those events. Some student-athletes will be taking class and preparing for their upcoming season.
Those not on campus might be travelling to compete regionally, nationally and internationally. Also, we’re welcoming several new coaches to the Penn State family this Coach Ed DeChellis greets visitors to the Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournament. (Photo by Mark Selders) summer, so it’s an exciting time for them and for those of us who will make them With the transfer portion of the STEP program comfeel at home in Happy Valley. plete, we now need you to tell us what you plan to do All of those people benefit from the support of Nittany Lion Club members. Your contributions make our 29sport athletics program—which does not use any Pennsylvania tax dollars and is a self-sufficient organization—possible. Of course, it’s also an important time for NLC members.
in regard to football tickets for 2011. Those intentions must be declared by Sept. 1, 2010.
If you have questions, let us know. We’re here to help, and we’re used to being busy. Feel free to contact us by e-mail or phone and we’ll help you with questions about your account or the process.
Have a good summer! We are .... Penn State! — John Nitardy
Kickoff Times Set for Football Games Penn State’s first two home games of the 2010 football season, against Youngstown State (Sept. 4) and Kent State (Sept. 18), have been set for noon kickoffs with national television coverage.
Overall, times have been set for six games the upcoming season. Announced games are: ❚ Sept. 4 vs. Youngstown State, Noon, Big Ten Network ❚ Sept. 11 at Alabama, 7 p.m., ESPN ❚ Sept. 18 vs. Kent State, Noon, ESPN or ESPN2 ❚ Oct. 2 at Iowa, 8 p.m., ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC ❚ Oct. 9 vs. Illinois, Noon, ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC ❚ Oct. 30 at Michigan, 8 p.m., ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC
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State Successes
Future games may be selected by the networks under the six and 12-day provisions of their contracts with the Big Ten Conference. Penn State played eight games on ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC last season. The Nittany Lions also played four games on the Big Ten Network.
Penn State is 51-13 since the start of the 2005 season, tied for the nation's No. 7 winning percentage (79.7) over that span. The Nittany Lions earned their second consecutive 11-2 record last season, capped by a win over LSU in the Capital One Bowl, Penn State’s fourth bowl victory in the past five seasons. Penn State posted its 23rd final Top 10 ranking under Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno.
● Senior Noam Shaham (Kfar Saba, Israel) placed sixth in the high bar with a score of 14.400 at the individual event finals of the 2010 National Collegiate Championships, earning his first career All-America honor in his final performance as a collegiate athlete. ● Women's soccer sophomore midfielder Christine Nairn (Arnold, Md.) and incoming freshman forward Maya Hayes (Livingston, N.J.) were named to the U.S. roster for the 2010 FIFA U-20 World Cup. The duo will begin Cup play in Germany from July 13 to Aug. 1. ● Three Penn State fencers earned runnerup finishes at the 2010 North American Cup. Doris Willette (Lafayette, Calif.) took second in the women’s foil, younger brother David Willette (Lafayette, Calif.) took second in the men’s foil and Aleksander Ochocki (Clark, N.J.) finished second in the men's saber.
● Wrestler Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.) claimed the 185-pound national title at the 2010 University World Team Trials in Colorado Springs, Colo. Wright, a redshirt sophomore this coming year, downed Cornell’s Mack Lewnes in the finals.
www.nittanylionclub.com / NLC NEWSLETTER 3
Next STEP: All Members Must Declare 2011 Intentions MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
Hundreds of Nittany Lion Club members participated in the first part of the Seat Transfer & Equity Program (STEP) by transferring their football ticket privileges to family and friends during the past few months and ensuring that the excitement of Penn State football would remain in their families for years. Their support also provided new revenue to Intercollegiate Athletics that will be used for improvements and upgrades at Beaver Stadium in the future.
Now, all season ticket holders and Nittany Lion Club members who have football tickets must participate to declare their intentions for 2011 by Sept. 1, 2010.
The 2011 season marks Inside and outside Beaver Stadium, gamedays prothe first during which NLC vide an exciting atmosphere to share with family donations will be deterand friends. (Photos by Mark Selders) mined by seat location intion level and will not side Beaver Stadium. Members who choose be impacted by the to sit closer to midfield will pay more per seat program—in terms of than those seated in the end zones. (Please how much NLC memsee chart on next page). bers pay for the seats. STEP in 2011 is NOT an above-and-beyond contribution or separate from annual gifts to the Nittany Lion Club.
For example, an NLC member who is currently giving $200 and has two seats in the blue zone ($100 per seat) would not be required to give any more money to keep their seats in 2011.
Instead, three factors will determine a member’s annual contribution when purchasing football tickets for 2011. They are: ● the quantity of season tickets the donor wishes to purchase (as is currently the case); ● whether the donor would like additional benefits (such as preferred or reserved parking); and ● the desired location(s) of season tickets.
For many members of the NLC, the implementation of STEP for 2011 changes nothing.
About 55 percent of the seats in the stadium will remain at the current $100 per-seat dona-
So, in order to best prepare for 2011— and implement a customer-controlled, ticket-selection process for 2011 as soon as this fall— NLC members must notify Intercollegiate Athletics if they plan to retain their tickets for 2011 by Sept. 1, 2010.
Members may keep their existing tickets, upgrade or downgrade.
More information online www.GoPSUsports.com/step
They also may choose to relinquish their tickets. If members do not respond by Sept. 1, 2010, that lack of response will be considered a choice to relinquish their tickets. Also, the STEP program provides some firstever flexibility for NLC members who hold season tickets. Specifically, a member who
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wants to donate at their existing level, $100 per seat for example, may “upgrade” and have the right to change seats within their level without increasing the amount of their donation. Best of all, members in that situation may consider moving seats without losing rights to their existing seats.
That’s part of a customer-controlled, online ticket process that will allow NLC members to select their own seats based on NLC points.
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Key Dates
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
July 1, 2010
2011 NLC membership year begins.
July 1, 2010 to Sept. 1, 2010
2010 season ticket holders are required to submit seating intentions for 2011.
November 2010 to December 2010
2010 season ticket holders who must relocate will select new seating location for 2011.
Feb. 1, 2011
2011 NLC donation deadline; donation amounts to reflect STEP participation.
March 2011 to May 2011
2011 NLC members will participate in seat selection process based upon registered seat intentions and 2010 NLC point order. The Athletic Ticket Office will not make those selections.
“It’s really one of the more exciting portions of STEP,” said Associate Director of Athletics Greg Myford. “It’s a response to what our membership wants and utilizing technology for their benefit.
“Once everyone has declared their intentions, we’ll notify members who may then go online and pick their seats in their new giving level. They’ll do so in order based on Nittany Lion Club points. Plus, the process will show them where the seats are and even a view of Beaver Stadium from those seats.” Implementing that technology takes a bit of time, which makes the Sept. 1, 2010, deadline for NLC members to declare their intentions for 2011 vital.
All of the changes for 2011 (a home football season that includes games against
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Alabama, Iowa and Ohio State), are part of necessary changes for Penn State’s overall intercollegiate athletics program. Penn State is committed to a broadbased, 29-sports department—a self-sustaining unit that operates without money from other parts of the University or the state of Pennsylvania.
Also, STEP allows Penn State to pursue “Success with Honor” while aligning itself with peer institutions. Penn State is one of the only major programs in the country that currently does not align football season ticket locations with donor giving. A comparison of Penn State to other schools may be found at www.GoPSUsports.com/step online.
NLC POINTS
Nittany Lion Club points are a true reflection of the generous and loyal support of individual members to support our student-athletes. Priority status is enjoyed by NLC members for the purpose of procuring football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball tickets and seating. Members are given first priority to purchase tickets based on their point totals. Points are assigned as follows: 1 point for each $50 contributed since becoming a member; 2 points for each year of NLC membership; 5 points for Penn State alumni (maximum of 5 per membership); 10 points for lifetime members of Alumni Association (one time only); 10 points for lettermen in a varsity sport at the University Park campus.
www.nittanylionclub.com / NLC NEWSLETTER 5
COVER STORY
Power-Packed Performance
Ben Heath was all smiles this season. He widened his batting stance a bit, worked to be more patient and set the single-season home run record at Penn State.
A healthy Ben Heath smacks the most home runs in Penn State history
A routine approach throughout the season led to a record-breaking performance for Penn State catcher Ben Heath, who smacked more home runs in 2010 than any other Nittany Lion player in the baseball program’s 135-year history.
More than 1,050 student-athletes have earned letters since Penn State first fielded a team in 1875 and none have delivered the long ball as consistently in a single season as Heath. That’s in part because he does almost everything consistently when it comes to baseball.
“At this level, a routine that works for every guy is important and he’s got one. He’s got a stretching routine, a warm-up routine, things he does every day before the game,” said coach Robbie Wine. “He has a certain number of swings he takes and a way he goes about his business, specifically. “A big part of that is mental makeup and he makes it all work for him.”
Heath, a junior from Huntersville, N.C., grabbed the role as the team’s starting catcher early in the season. He had shared duties behind the plate in 2009 before a quadriceps injury cut his sophomore season short.
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Entering this season, he worked to make the spot his own with an altered approach at the plate and the benefit of abundant experience behind it. As a batter, Heath widened his stance and worked to remain patient whenever possible, trying to go deeper in the count when necessary. He also adjusted his swing a bit, working to keep his hands back and bring his hips and hands through the hitting zone more efficiently—increasing the torque and whip of his swing to better drive balls.
“It was good to come to the park every day knowing I was going to play. In terms of expectations, I put a lot of work in with my swing and I knew I was going to have a chance to put up some numbers,” Heath said. “Being hindered by injuries last year, I had a chance to work and improve and it just paid off. “My approach to hitting has changed a lot since I arrived at Penn State. In high school, lots of times you just ‘don’t want to get cheated’ and just ‘get a good swing,’ but the coaches have helped me a lot to mature in my approach. We use more video and I understand my mechanics better. I just have a much better plan at the plate.”
That plan produced a school-record 19 home runs. His 18th, a drive over the right field fence at the Metrodome during a game against Minnesota, broke the previous record set by Dave Simononis in 1978.
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COVER STORY
Heath was a second-team All-American and a semifinalist for both the Dick Howser Award (nation’s best player) and Johnny Bench Award (nation’s best catcher).
Heath’s 19th, which gave him a two-homer cushion on the record, was a drive to almost straightaway center field at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park during a season-ending series against Michigan. He was so caught up in his routine, and in working to improve each day, that the record almost snuck up on him. He knew he was having a good season, but he was more worried about continually honing his skills and helping the team improve. “Getting the record never really occurred to me, but it is kind of cool to have it,” Heath said.
“He’s a solid student-athlete,” Wine said. “He bought into the approach and practiced it every day. He made a routine work for him—it’s the same thing guys who become professional ballplayers do. In Ben’s case, it was good for our other younger players to see that and see it working. And doing that in college is tougher than in the pros because you do have to go to class. Ben did that, too.”
Getting the record never really occurred to me, but it is kind of cool to have it.” — Ben Heath
Heath was more than a power presence at the plate. He was a complete hitter. He finished the season with a .369 batting average and a .747 slugging percentage. He also shared team highs for doubles (16) and walks (31)—another testament to his patience, and to opponents pitching around him whenever possible.
“Later in the year you could hear the other teams talking about him,” Wine said. “From where I’m at, as the third-base coach, when we’re hitting, it’s pretty clear when they’re trying to avoid somebody who they know is a good hitter.”
He’s a good catcher, too. A physical presence at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds, he emerged as a team leader behind the plate, someone the coaching staff allowed to call his own games (a rarity in Division I college baseball) and set a tone for the entire team because of his approach to the game. Again, a testament to routine—and that’s a routine of success that carries over to the classroom, where Heath, a kinesiology major, also
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thrives. In so many ways, he’s a poster boy for the type of student-athlete Wine wants to build the Penn State program around.
In Heath’s case, though, the record-setting season might be his swan song at Penn State. He was selected in the fifth round of the Major League Baseball draft on June 8 by the Houston Astros and the financial windfall and overall opportunity that comes with professional baseball might be hard to resist. Wine hopes Heath does what’s best for him, and judging by his on-field abilities, as well as his ability to make good decisions, the coach thinks he will. “Hey, it’s tough for the program, but we want to have the kind of players who have those kinds of seasons and careers and can get drafted,” Wine said. “If he signs a contract, he’s going to be smart to get the rest of his education paid for—and he will come back and get his degree. He only has a few credits remaining. “If he stayed, certainly, he’d be someone we could build around and point to, but we can already do that. He’s proven the kind of success someone can have here.”
www.nittanylionclub.com / NLC NEWSLETTER 7
Another Tradition—Common Courtesy, Mutual Respect MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
intramural sports—can help with recycling while enhancing safety for Penn State students who later use those same fields for intramural sports.
Fall Saturdays in Happy Valley have changed for the better in several ways in recent years, with a ban on drinking outside Beaver Stadium once football games begin as well as rules prohibiting the use of glass bottles by tailgaters on grassy areas outside the stadium. In addition, enhancements have taken place in and around the stadium. They include improvements to parking areas as well as upgrades to facilities—all designed to make the experience more enjoyable for fans.
Tailgaters who maintain a reasonable space in driving areas and bag and separate their recyclables and trash provide a fast and safe route if an emergency vehicle needs to visit the lot and shorten the cost and time necessary for cleanup after home games. While University officials enforce such rules, Nittany Lion Club members and others can practice an approach of common courtesy and mutual respect to help.
“We always want to enhance the experience someone has when they come to the game,” said Greg Myford, associate athletic director. “It’s what I call ‘driveway to driveway,’ from their home and back. What do they experience? How can we make it better?
“Any way we can help with travel, entering the parking lot, enjoying all that’s around the stadium or tailgating if that’s what they choose to do, we want to do it.”
Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics relies on a core of full-time and game-day employees to make that happen—and those people have been largely responsible for helping implement changes in recent years.
At the same time, those who come to the games (Nittany Lion Club members, other Penn Staters or just general sports fans making an one-and-only trip to Happy Valley) can, and must assist with a long-standing Penn Stat tradition—creating an enjoyable atmosphere that thrives because of common courtesy and mutual respect.
where else know that. We’ve built a Saturday gameday experience based on generations of family and friends coming here and knowing how to conduct themselves. People enjoy sharing time with others and they do so in a largely responsible manner. “We need to work together to maintain and protect that. That’s who we are.”
As football season again nears, that common courtesy-mutual respect approach remains an area of emphasis.
Festivities, food and friendliness accurately define much of what happens in Happy Valley on fall Saturdays and officials hope to maintain and expand that approach whenever possible.
When more than 110,000 people converge on campus, a group sensibility helps make the day more enjoyable for everyone.
For example, in recent years, that collective effort has made Penn State a model for efficiency. Recycling efforts implemented and supported by University officials have been well accepted by tailgaters, who have used free bags for trash and recyclables and separated their garbage, making the cleanup process easier after the game and keeping thousands of pounds of materials out of the landfill.
“Penn Staters perhaps more than others any-
An ongoing request from Intercollegiate Athletics for tailgaters in grass lots is that they use plastic beverage bottles and containers instead of glass whenever possible. The use of plastic—especially in grass lots used for
“We, Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics, have a great responsibility in delivering the best experience we can, but we can only do that as well when our fans take hold of some level of responsibility as well,” Myford said. “What we all have to remember is that what we do impacts somebody else’s experience in some way.
Tailgaters have also responded well to the policy implemented in 2006 that prohibited alcohol at tailgate parties in the lots around stadium between kickoff and the final whistle.
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“All Penn Staters can take pride in creating an atmosphere that promotes enjoyment and responsibility. It is, without a doubt, all part of the Greatest Show in College Football,” said John Nitardy of the Nittany Lion Club. “We all play a part in making every Saturday special, the Penn State Way.”
Areas of concern as the season begins center on possible traffic congestion, because of noon starts at the beginning of the season and for Homecoming, and keeping many areas in parking lots clear for potential access by emergency vehicles.
“It’s all a matter of everyone working together and practicing that common courtesy-mutual respect approach,” Nitardy said. “People certainly want to have a good time, and we want people to enjoy gameday, but in all the lots around the stadium we have to maintain access routes for emergency vehicles. We have to keep the aisles and roadways clear.
“At the same time, because of the noon starts, almost everyone will be arriving at about the same time. We encourage people to be patient with the process. For later kicks, arrival times get spaced out a bit more.” Early season games also often provide an opportunity for Nittany Lion Club members to share their tickets with friends, making it possible for some who would not regularly attend Penn State games to enjoy an early season non-conference game. That’s a wonderful opportunity for those who cannot regularly attend, and something to keep in mind for fans more accustomed to making the trip. Season ticket holders who share their tickets and/or parking permits also should remember that they are responsible for the behavior of those who use them.
Season ticket holders may lose their ticket privileges and/or parking if their behavior (or the behavior of those who use their tickets) causes problems in and around Beaver Stadium.
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SAAB BANQUET
Record Number of Student-Athletes Earn 3.0 GPAs
True Grit Award recipients Meggan Quinn from the women’s basketball team (left photo) and Adam Highberger from the men’s basketball team (right photo) with John Nitardy of the Nittany Lion Club and Director of Athletics Tim Curley at the 23rd SAAB Annual Academic Achievement Awards Banquet. (Photo by Mark Selders)
A record total of 334 awards were presented as Penn State studentathletes were honored at the 23rd SAAB Annual Academic Achievement Awards Banquet in the Bryce Jordan Center.
The awards total, for student-athletes with a 3.0 grade-point average or higher in 2008-09, was the highest since the event began in 1988. The previous high was 333 total awards for the 2006-07 academic year. The Nittany Lion women’s soccer team was presented with the team award for highest gradepoint average during the 2008-09 academic year to highlight an outstanding year for Penn State student-athletes.
The Varsity “S” Awards were presented to the women’s and men’s teams with the highest team GPA. This year’s recipients were the women’s and men’s soccer teams.
Team members from the 29 men’s and women’s varsity sports teams combined to earn an overall 3.09 grade point average.
The women's soccer team, coached by Erica Walsh, earned its third highest team GPA award since the academic honors event began.
Sponsored by the Milton and Lois Morgan Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes and the Student-Athlete Advisory Board (SAAB), the 334 awards were presented to 254 student-athletes for their academic accomplishments in 2008-09. In 2006-07, 262 student-athletes were recognized. The event was held in conjunction with National Student-Athlete Day.
Presentations also were made to a record-tying 88 seniors who had a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA through the Spring 2009 semester. The 88 total tied the number of seniors that were honored from 2003-04 and was an increase of 15 from Spring 2008.
The members of Penn State’s 29 varsity programs combined to earn an overall 3.09 grade point average in 2008-09. Eighteen teams earned a grade point average of 3.0 or better.
The performance of Penn State's 14 women's programs was particularly notable, earning a combined 3.26 GPA during 2008-09. There are approximately 800 Penn State student-athletes on 29 varsity teams. Former Penn State football student-athlete Adam Taliaferro was the guest speaker at the awards dinner.
SAAB presented a special recognition award to Scott Kretchmar, who
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has served as Penn State’s faculty athletics representative to the NCAA for the past 10 years. His appointment ends on June 30.
The Nittany Lion Club presented its True Grit Award to two student-athletes for overcoming adversities during their careers. The recipients were Lady Lion senior Meggan Quinn (Red Lion) and senior Nittany Lion basketball player Adam Highberger (Blairsville). Both players returned to the hardwood after rehabilitating serious knee injuries.
The SAAB Award (Student-Athletes Above and Beyond) were presented for the third time. The recipients were women’s track and field senior Bridget Franek (Hiram, Ohio) and senior women's lacrosse player Margo Josephs (Reisterstown, Md).
The THON awards were presented to the student-athlete and team that raised the most donations for the Four Diamonds Fund and THON. The recipients were senior women’s golfer Lindsay Cullen (Allen, Texas) and, for the second consecutive year, the women’s lacrosse team.
The CHAMPS Cup Awards for community outreach were presented for the fifth time, with winners selected for squads with 20 or fewer members (women's basketball for the fifth consecutive year) and squads with more than 20 squad members (football-offense for the third consecutive year). Eight Penn State student-athletes were recognized for graduating from the Athletic Director's Leadership Institute, a program that has 50 student-athlete participants. Penn State's student-athletes, who have captured 23 Big Ten Championships during the past four-and-a-half years and eight NCAA titles in the past three years, consistently have been among the nation's most successful in earning their degrees.
www.nittanylionclub.com / NLC NEWSLETTER 9
Somethin
New fabrics and technology have changed those age-old,
From afar, the jerseys Brad “Spider” Caldwell (left) and Kirk Diehl help maintain for the football team look pretty much the same as always. But a closer look reveals some significant changes—just since 1993 when Penn State entered the Big Ten Conference and started using Nike as its exclusive provider.
The Nike patch was directly on the shoulder for just one year, 1993. And after that, the “Swoosh” logo was the company’s only visible presence on jerseys—and it moved to the chest/neck area.
Enhanced freedom of movement and speed represent the goal for much of the tinkering in designs and fabrics through the years. A change of the shoulder area (photos left and right from 1995 and 2009, respectively) shows more smaller pieces of fabric around the joint to allow ease of movement. More players have moved to tighter “linebacker” sleeves as well. At the same time, the Swoosh has moved closer to the neck line.
In 1995, jerseys were split along the sides (top photo). By 2001 (above), the split had moved to the middle of the front and back panels—a position that was designed to allow a more ergonomically appropriate movement.
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ng Special
6SL GHU¶ V :HE
blue-and-white jerseys significantly in just a few seasons.
In 1999, Nike moved from portal mesh to micro mesh, provided a tapered side panel and the jerseys also got longer—with this size 56 stretching 34 inches from the bottom of the white collar to the bottom of the front panel. Also, numbers were sewn on instead of silkscreened.
Jerseys were longer—32 inches in front, compared to 28 inches—from 1995 to 1997 (left photo) than they have been since 2007 (right photo). These days they’re also a half-pound lighter and made of fabric that does not hold moisture. That keeps them light, but also makes them harder to keep tucked into pants (because they’re somewhat slippery) or grip to tackle.
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www.nittanylionclub.com / NLC NEWSLETTER 11
Four Earn Academic All-District Recognition STUDENT-ATHLETES
Four Penn State student-athletes were named ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 2.
Senior men’s volleyball middle hitter Max Lipsitz (Williamsville, N.Y.) and senior women’s gymnast Brandi Personett (Katy, Texas) were named to the first team while senior field hockey player Amy Bonenberger (Palmyra, Pa.) and sophomore men’s gymnast Miguel Pineda (Galloway, Ohio) earned second-team accolades.
It was the second honor of Lipsitz’s career as he picked up first-team Academic All-District accolades in 2008. Lipsitz recently earned his finance degree, graduating with a 3.43 grade point average (GPA). In his final season with the men’s volleyball team, Lipsitz guided the Nittany Lions to their sixth NCAA Championship appearance.
The team finished the season 24-8, including an undefeated 10-0 record in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. Lipsitz was named an AVCA First Team All-American for the second straight year, was named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team and led the nation with a .524 hitting percentage. He led the Nittany Lions in blocking (1.42 blocks per set) and averaged 3.61 kills per set.
Personett picked up her second Academic All-District honor after earning second-team laurels in 2009. Personett, who holds a 3.77 in nursing, is a five-time, first-team All-American and finished second in the nation on floor at the 2010 NCAA National Championships. She earned All-America status on beam in 2008, floor in 2009 and beam, floor and the all-around this season. A four-time All-Big Ten First Team selection, Personett was honored as the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year for the second year in a row at the 2010 Big Ten Gymnastics Championship and was a five-time Big Ten
12 NLC NEWSLETTER / www.nittanylionclub.com
Gymnast of the Week during her senior season. Personett was one of four finalists for the Honda Award for women’s gymnastics.
Bonenberger is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. A 2009 team captain, Bonenberger finished fifth on the team with eight points, scoring two goals and tallying four assists. She also posted a career-best two assists in the opening round upset of Ohio State and earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Tournament Team for the second time in her career. Bonenberger holds Max Lipsitz earned first-team honors for the second time. (Photo by Mark Selders) a 3.87 GPA in kinesiology and movement science.
Pineda competed in every meet in 2010, anchoring the men’s gymnastics team on pommel horse and still rings. He earned 11 top-three finishes in three different events, capturing four still rings titles and one parallel bars title. A 2009 CGA First Team All-American Scholar Athlete, Pineda finished the season ranked No. 8 in the nation in the still rings. Pineda has a 3.99 GPA in science, the highest GPA among District 2 second-team honorees. To be nominated for ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District consideration, a student-athlete must be a starter or key reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale), and must be a sophomore in both athletic and academic standing.
Success with Honor
35,000 Penn Staters Without Access to Big Ten Network GIVING
Less than three years after launch, the Big Ten Network is available on 300 cable and satellite providers that carry the network to approximately 75 million homes in the United States and Canada, including 38 states and 19 of the top 20 U.S. markets. A handful of cable systems in Pennsylvania still do not carry the network, and Pennsylvania’s access to the Big Ten Network is the lowest among all states that are the home of a conference member. A combined total of more than 35,000 Penn State alumni live in communities served by these four providers, in addition to thousands more current Penn State students and fans.
Among the cable systems that do not carry the Big Ten Network in Pennsylvania are Armstrong, Blue Ridge, Metrocast and Adams Cable. Customers of these four cable providers missed more than 100 Penn State
athletic events on the Big Ten Network during the 2009-10 academic year. Twenty-four Penn State teams have appeared on the network, including football (four games, plus Blue-White Game), Nittany Lion basketball (16), Lady Lion basketball (nine), the three-time NCAA women’s volleyball champions (seven) and 20 more squads. The Big Ten Network is available on cable in 60 of 67 Pennsylvania counties.
To contact cable providers to request the Big Ten Network: Armstrong Cable: (724) 283-0925 and (877) 277-5711 E-mail: www.agoc.com/Contact.aspx Blue Ridge Cable: (610) 826-2551 and (800) 222-5377 E-mail: www.brctv.com/customer_care/contact/channelrequest.php Metrocast Cable: (570) 802-5642 and (800) 633-8578 E-mail: www.metrocastcablevision.com/contact_form.cfm Adams Cable: (570) 282-6121 and (888) 222-0077 E-mail: www.adamscable.com/digital/contact.php
Penn Staters who do not have cable access to the Big Ten Network, can make frequent and regular contact with their cable providers via phone call, e-mail and/or letter in order for there to be a possibility of your provider
adding the network prior to the start of the fall sports season.
A “channel finder” at www.bigtennetwork.com provides information about cable providers who carry the network across Pennsylvania and in major markets across the United States.
We are pleased to announce these gifts and pledges of $25,000 and above to our “For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students.” We sincerely thank the donors who, through their generosity, made these important funds a reality.
Opportunities exist to endow scholarships in specific sports or an area that meets your interest. Of course, all such
opportunities provide tax benefits. If you would like information on how to participate, please call us at (814) 863-GIFT (4438).
Donors
Scholarship/Naming Opportunity
Anonymous........................................................................Lasch Football Building Naming Opportunity—Player Development Director’s Office Anonymous ..................................................................................Lasch Football Building Naming Opportunity—John Bruno Jr. Hall of Honors Anonymous ...........................................................................................................................................................Endowed Football Scholarship Douglas Barszcz ............................................................Barszcz Family Football Program Endowment in Honor of Michael and Patricia Barszcz Harold and Dolores Brake...........................................................................................................................................................Blue Band Tower William and Denise Burns......................................................Corey Matthew Burns and Kevin Michael Burns Program Endowment for Football Mark Callihan .............................................................................................Mark Callihan Family Program Support Fund for Women’s Volleyball John J. and Kathleen Wooley Collins .................................................Maureen C. Collins Endowed Program Support Fund for Women’s Soccer Michael J. Farrell .......................................................................................................................Michael J. Farrell Endowed Football Scholarship Frank and Lisa Guadagnino .........................................................................................................................................................Men’s Volleyball Andrew and Michelle Ward Holzwarth ......................................................................Holzwarth-Ward Endowed Women’s Volleyball Scholarship Mel Kling................................................................................Lasch Football Building Naming Opportunity—Mel Kling Assistant Coach’s Office Robert H. and Patricia B. Krebs.................................................................................Krebs Family Endowed Program Support Fund for Football Joe and Mary Ann Matyaz ...................Lasch Football Building Naming Opportunity—Mary Anne and Joe Matyaz Academic Counselor’s Office Barry and Faith Pennypacker ..................................................Amanda and Adam Pennypacker Trustee Scholarship for Intercollegiate Athletics J. Annetta Pierce .............................................................................................................Richard and Annetta Pierce Women’s Basketball Award A. Duer Pierce Jr. ....................................................................................................................................Bud Pierce Men’s Lacrosse Scholarship Gustavo and Elisa SanRoman ................................................................................SanRoman Family Endowed Women’s Volleyball Scholarship Stephen R. Smith and Eileen Baumgarten Smith.........Stephen R. Smith and Eileen Baumgarten Smith Endowed Men’s Basketball Scholarship Margaret A. Sulkowski..................................................................Edward A. Sulkowski Athletic Training Scholarship in Intercollegiate Athletics Michael and Deborah Tanitsky...............................................................................Michael and Deborah Tanitsky Baseball Program Endowment Robert and Eleanor Weirman.............Robert C. and Eleanor Strauss Weirman Family Endowed Athletic Scholarship in Intercollegiate Athletics
Success with Honor
www.nittanylionclub.com / NLC NEWSLETTER 13
‘Triple Crown’ Completes Stellar Year for Speedy Squad WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD
Bolstered by a total of six individual and two relay titles, the Nittany Lion women’s track and field team completed its “triple crown” run for the 2009-10 academic year by winning team title at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. The victory was the third consecutive outdoor conference win for the Nittany Lions, who claimed all three possible Big Ten titles— cross country, indoor and outdoor—during 2009-10. Individual highlights were provided by senior Fawn Dorr (Akron, N.Y.) and junior Shavon Greaves (Lakewood, N.J.), who claimed two individual wins each and ran important legs on the winning 4x100- and 4x400-meter relays.
“The women were absolutely phenomenal all weekend,” said Coach Beth Alford-Sullivan. “This team has accomplished so much together and to see us execute at 110-percent was just a tremendous experience.”
Penn State joined Michigan (2002-04) and Wisconsin (1983-86) as the only Big Ten teams to win three straight women’s outdoor titles. The Nittany Lions' three titles are fourthmost in conference history, even though Penn State only started Big Ten competition in 1992. The Nittany Lions are also the seventh squad in conference history to sweep all three titles in the same academic year. Wisconsin has accomplished the feat four times and Michigan has swept all three titles twice, most recently in 2002-03. Greaves won gold medals in the 100 (11.56) and 200 (23.28) for the second year in a row while Dorr doubled up in the 400 (52.51) and 400 hurdles (57.50). Senior Aleesha Barber (Decatur, Ga.) won the 100 hurdles (13.11).
The Nittany Lions displayed exceptional depth throughout the sprints, with at least one Penn State athlete scoring in every sprint and hurdle event, two Nittany Lions scoring in the 200 and 100 hurdles, and three blue-and-white athletes earning points in the 400 and 400 hurdles. Dorr and Greaves both each added two more relay crowns to their resumes, joining teammates Caitlin Defusco (Schwenksville, Pa.) and Barber in the 4x100, and junior Megan Duncan (North Huntingdon, Pa.) and freshman Doris Anyanwu (Beltsville, Md.) in the 4x400.
Members of the women’s track team celebrate their outdoor championship, and the conclusion of a year when they won the conference’s “triple crown” with titles in cross country, as well as indoor and outdoor track.
The 4x100 brought the stick around in a season-best 44.62—the third-fastest time in school history—while the 4x400 capped the meet with a 3:35.18 victory.
Duncan also had a record-setting weekend individually, scoring a runner-up finish in the 400 hurdles with a personal record 57.88 and her first trip under the 58-second barrier. Freshman Evonne Britton (El Paso, Texas) impressed in the hurdling events, posting a sixth-place effort in the 400 hurdles in 59.67 and claiming seventh overall in the 100 hurdles in 13.85.
DeFusco and Anyanwu also got on the board individually with DeFusco coming in fourth in the 200 at 23.98, and Anyanwu registering a fifth-place standing in the 400 in 54.36. Barber added an eighth-place finish in the 400, running 54.65.
“The commitment from this program to focus toward a triple crown started in the fall with the women’s cross country victory and to see it through to the end is just outstanding,” Sullivan said. “A lot of the credit goes to (assistant) coach (Chris) Johnson and our sprints core, as well as the senior contingent that has given us outstanding team leadership over the years.” Along with a victory in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, senior Bridget Franek (Hiram, Ohio) recorded scoring finishes in the 1,500 and 5,000 meters. Franek, who ran an NCAAleading 9:48.28 in the steeplechase, placed fourth in the 1,500 with a personal-best 4:18.33—and came back to take third in the 5K with an effort of 16:18.68.
14 NLC NEWSLETTER / www.nittanylionclub.com
Teams Dominate Postseason Awards After winning the program’s third-straight Big Ten Outdoor Championship, the Nittany Lion women’s track and field team was well represented in the conference’s postseason awards—with senior Fawn Dorr (Akron, N.Y.) named Track Athlete of the Championship while Coach Beth Alford-Sullivan was named Coach of the Year. Freshman Casimir Loxsom (New Haven, Conn.) was recognized on the men’s side, earning Freshman of the Year accolades, thanks to his victory in the 800meters.
Dorr stood out throughout the event, winning four gold medals with individual victories in the 400 and 400-meter hurdles to go with relay wins in the 4x100 and 4x400. Dorr, who was joined by teammates Shavon Greaves (Lakewood, N.J.), Caitlin Defusco (Schwenksville, Pa.) and Aleesha Barber (Decatur, Ga.), anchored the winning 4x100 to a season-best 44.62—which also ranks as the third-best performance in school history. Sophomore Caitlin Lane (Greenwich, N.Y.) also got a piece of the scoring in the 5,000, finishing eighth overall in 16:39.18.
Penn State, ranked No. 7 in the nation by the United States Track and Field/Cross Country Coaches’ Association, scored 133.5 points to secure its third consecutive Big Ten outdoor title. Minnesota was second with 123 points.
Success with Honor
Coach Warms to Big-Time Opportunity, Joins Penn State MEN’S SOCCER
When Bob Warming was starting to build the men’s soccer program at Creighton University, he sought advice and information about what he considered some of the best college sports programs in the nation.
SCHEDULE Date ......................Opponent......................Time *Aug. 21 .....................HARTWICK ..........................3 p.m. *Aug. 28 ......Louisville (at Fort Wayne, Ind.)...........5 p.m. Sept. 3 ................Buffalo (at Ohio State) .................5 p.m. Sept. 5 .............Charleston (at Ohio State) ................Noon Sept. 10.......................BUCKNELL .....................7:30 p.m. Sept. 12 ....................BINGHAMTON .......................2 p.m. Setp. 17 ......................at Air Force ..........................9 p.m. Sept. 19 ........................at Denver ...........................3 p.m. Sept. 24 ........................INDIANA .......................7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 .................ST. FRANCIS (PA).....................7 p.m. Oct. 3 ..........................at Michigan..........................1 p.m. Oct. 6..........................VILLANOVA..........................7 p.m. Oct. 10 ...................MICHIGAN STATE.....................3 p.m. Oct. 13 ...........................AKRON .............................7 p.m. Oct. 17.....................at Northwestern ......................2 p.m. Oct. 20 ............................UMBC..............................7 p.m. Oct. 23 .......................OHIO STATE .........................3 p.m. Oct. 27 ...........................at Penn .............................7 p.m. Nov. 2 .........................at Lafayette..........................7 p.m. Nov. 6 ........................at Wisconsin.........................8 p.m. Nov. 11-14, BIG TEN TOURNAMENT at Penn State *-Exhibition
As part of that research, he studied a little bit about the Penn State football program. Warming said what he learned influenced what he did with what became a highly successful program. In 14 total years at Creighton, served in two different stints (1990-94, 2001-09), Warming became the most successful coach in program history. He led the Bluejays to 190 victories, seven Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament championships, 11 NCAA Championship appearances, and a trip to the 2002 College Cup. His teams proved nearly unbeatable at home, compiling a 107-18-15 record in Omaha, Neb., and he was a three-time selection as Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year.
Now Warming, who was named the Penn State men’s soccer coach in late May, has the opportunity to bring his coaching talents to Jeffrey Field—right next door to Beaver Stadium, where the Penn State football program has crafted its success for decades.
“My entire family is excited about Penn State,” Warming said. “It was going to take a very special situation for us to ever leave Omaha and all the relationships we had built there and all the developments we have made with the soccer program. Penn State is that opportunity on every level.” Warming, whose distinguished career has spanned 32 years, became the 11th coach in Penn State history.
He joins the program at a special time—as it begins a season-long celebration of its 100th year of existence. In addition, the Nittany Lions will also serve as host of the Big Ten Tournament (Nov. 11-14) for the third time since joining the conference in 1991 and for the first time since 2002.
In between his tenures at Creighton, Warming served as head coach at Saint Louis University, where he guided it to four Conference USA championships, three NCAA Championship berths and to the 1997 College Cup. Along with his experience at Creighton and Saint Louis, Warming previously held head coaching positions at Old Dominion (1996), Charlotte (1982-88), Berry College (1977-81)
Success with Honor
Creighton, as at least one player has been selected in every MLS Draft, a total of 24 since the league's inception in 1996.
Bob Warming
and Transylvania University (1976). His career coaching record stands at an impressive 383-180-64 (.662).
His three-plus decades as a head coach have been marked by distinction, achievement and success. A six-time finalist for National Coach of the Year and 2008 winner of the award, he ranks sixth among active Division I coaches and 15th in Division I history with his 383 victories. Warming is also one of only two coaches in Division I to take two different programs to the College Cup. “Penn State is very fortunate to have secured the services of a coach with such impeccable credentials,” Director of Athletics Tim Curley said. “Bob’s success has placed him among elite company in the history of NCAA men’s soccer. He is an outstanding coach and recruiter who has a proven track record of developing accomplished student-athletes, on and off the field.” Also successful in the classroom, Warming's Creighton squads received the NSCAA Team Academic Achievement Award in 2003, 2004, 2008 and 2009. Warming has also produced numerous professional prospects while at
An ardent believer in giving back through charitable works, Warming’s 2009 Creighton squad won the community service award for performing more than 1,500 hours of volunteer activities, including working on Habitat for Humanity projects, reading to elementary school students and helping out at hospitals. Warming has also has served as the honorary chairman of the Boy Scouts of America for Nebraska and as the honorary chairman of the Omaha Children’s Crisis Center annual fund raiser.
Warming has not only built successful teams on the field, but also assisted with the design, fundraising and construction management of three collegiate soccer stadiums, including the $13 million, 6,000-seat, state-of-the-art Morrison Stadium at Creighton. He and his winning teams helped fill the stands at the stadium, as Creighton led the MVC and ranked in the NCAA top 10 in attendance each of the past seven seasons. A 1975 graduate of Berea College in Kentucky, Warming was a four-sport varsity letterwinner, starring on the golf, swimming, tennis and soccer teams. As a starting goalkeeper, he posted a 28-2-2 record. Warming also holds a master’s degree in sport administration from Eastern Kentucky University.
Warming and his wife, Cindy, have four children—Emily, Bess and twins Audrey and Grant.
www.nittanylionclub.com / NLC NEWSLETTER 15
BASKETBALL
COACHES VS. CANCER Coach Ed DeChellis (above) and the Penn State Golf Courses played host to the 14th annual Coaches vs. Cancer Celebrity Golf Tournament in early June. More than 350 golfers, celebrities and sponsors took part in the event—part of a year-long effort led by DeChellis that has made Penn State one of the leading institutions in the overall Coaches vs. Cancer effort. Under the leadership of DeChellis, the program has raised more than $175,000 each of the past three years. (Photos by Mark Selders)
Washington Signs Contract Extension Women’s basketball coach Coquese Washington has signed a two-year contract extension to coach the Lady Lions through the 2013-14 season. In keeping with the University policy, specific terms of the agreement were not released.
ketball program that all Penn Staters can be proud of.”
Named the fifth head coach in Lady Lion history on April 23, 2007, Washington has produced a trio of All-Big Ten performers during her tenure in Tyra Grant, Brianne O'Rourke and Kam Gissendanner.
“We are very pleased with the Washington, a Flint, Mich. native, is progress that our women’s basketball very active in the women's basketball program has made under Coquese," community, serving on the 29-memDirector of Athletics Tim Curley said. ber WBCA Board of Directors and on “With the return to the postseason for the USA Basketball Women’s Junior the first time in five years and backNational Team Committee. Additionto-back nationally-ranked recruiting ally, Washington was tabbed the "Risclasses, Coquese has established a ing Star" in the coaching ranks in a solid foundation to put Lady Lion basCoquese vote of the members of the Women's ketball back on the track to national Washington Basketball Coaches Association prominence. Her commitment to this (WBCA) during the 2007-08 campaign. She program and this community is unparalleled was also recently elected as treasurer of the and I look forward to seeing her on the sideexecutive committee for the Women’s Baslines for many years to come.” ketball Coaches Association (WBCA). She will begin her three-year term at the group’s The Lady Lions enjoyed their best season to August board meeting. date under Washington, returning to the postseason for the first time since 2004-05 Washington has also made a name for herwith a WNIT berth. The Lions also picked up self in the community as a philanthropist. In their most overall wins (17) and conference addition to assisting with the efforts of the wins (8) since the 2004-05 campaign en WBCA Pink Zone at Penn State to raise route to a sixth-place finish in the Big Ten. money and awareness for breast cancer, Penn State claimed a pair of victories over Washington created Coquese's Drive for the ranked opponents in #15/15 Pittsburgh and Women's Resource Center. The two Co#20/23 Michigan State during the 2009-10 quese's Drives raised nearly $19,000 for the campaign. Centre County Women's Resource Center to aid in the fight against domestic violence. “I truly enjoy being the head coach here at She is also active in Special Olympics, servPenn State and I am eager to continue the ing as the honorary chair of the Pennsylvania work of rebuilding this program,” Washington Summer Games in 2008. said. “It is my goal to build a women’s bas-
16 NLC NEWSLETTER / www.nittanylionclub.com
Men Add D.C. Forward in Late Signing Period
The men’s basketball team received a National Letter of Intent from 6-foot-8, 218pound forward Jonathan Graham (Baltimore, Md.) during the late signing period.
Graham joined 6-4 guard Tre Bowman (York, Pa.), also a late-period signee, and 6-2 guard Taran Buie (State College) in the 2010 signing class. Penn State has one scholarship still available.
“Jon is a very versatile forward who can score around the rim as well as step out and be effective on the perimeter,” DeChellis said. “He is a very good rebounder, runs the floor well and plays extremely hard. He’s just very passionate about the game.”
A two-time All-Metro selection, Graham averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game last season, leading his Calvert Hall College High School team to a 21-7 record and the Baltimore Catholic League tournament championship with a 46-44 upset of No. 1 seeded Mount St. Joseph in the title game.
Dates, Opponents Set for Big Ten-ACC Challenge Men: Dec. 1 vs. Maryland Women: Dec. 2 at Boston College Success with Honor
Coach, Former Player Thiel Retires After 37 Years with Strong Program LACROSSE
Long-time Penn State Nittany Lion men’s lacrosse coach Glenn Thiel announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2010. Thiel recently completed his 33rd year in charge of the Nittany Lion lacrosse team— and his 37th with the program overall, counting his undergraduate playing career. He has been a collegiate head coach for 43 years. “This was not an easy decision, but it is one that I felt was right to make,” Thiel said. “I have had the honor of coaching hundreds of outstanding young men during my time here and now it is time for me to focus on other areas of life, like my children and grandchildren.
He twice coached the South to victory in the North/South All-Star Classic (1973, 1994). In the fall of 1996, Thiel was among the second class of inductees into the Virginia Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
In 1977, after eight highly successful years at Virginia, Thiel returned to his alma mater as the Nittany Lions’ head coach, following in the footsteps of his late father, Glenn “Nick” Thiel, who guided Penn State’s lacrosse teams from 1935 until 1956.
This was not an easy decision, but it is one that I felt was right to make. I have had the honor of coaching hunGlenn Thiel dreds of outsanding young men during my time here and now it it sime for me to focus on other areas of life.” — Glenn Thiel
“Penn State will always be a part of me and I look forward to seeing this lacrosse program flourish in our new conference and gain strength nationally. As this sport continues to grow here in the Centre Region, I look forward to being involved with Centre Lacrosse, helping the youth of this area in any way I can.”
A 1966 Penn State graduate, Thiel played from 1964 to 1966 under then-coach Dick Pencek, whom Thiel succeeded as coach, serving as co-captain his senior campaign.
Thiel received the Pittenger Award as the squad’s most valuable senior and was selected to play in the North/South All-Star Classic after scoring 27 goals with six assists in 1966.
After receiving his master’s degree from Massachusetts in 1970, Thiel was named head coach at the University of Virginia, laying the foundation for one of the nation’s elite programs. Thiel logged a record of 63-30 in eight seasons as head coach at Virginia from 197077. His 1972 squad won the NCAA Championship title with a 13-12 victory over Johns Hopkins. In 1970, the Cavaliers tied for the USILA national title. In guiding Virginia to three Atlantic Coast Conference championships, Thiel coached 12 first-team AllAmericans.
Success with Honor
In 33 years at Penn State, Thiel led Penn State to numerous top 20 national rankings and conference regular season crowns. He leaves Penn State with a 313-222 career record in 43 years, including a 236-186 mark at Penn State. During his time as coach of the Nittany Lions, Thiel led Penn State to its first trips to the NCAA Championships in 2003 and 2005. He was named ECAC Coach of the Year in 2005.
Thiel was also very active in developing and promoting lacrosse. He was a former member of the executive board of the USILA and served on the organization's All-American and National Rankings Committees. Thiel is a past member of the United States Lacrosse Coaches Association executive board and was involved in the selection of the 1982, 1986 and 1990 U.S. world teams. Thiel was also integral into Penn State’s move to the Colonial Athletic Association, which has energized the program heading into next year and includes a chance to play in a post-season conference tournament for the Nittany Lions for the first time.
“Glenn Thiel is Penn State lacrosse and while his retirement leaves a hole in our coaching ranks, we wish him the very best as he transitions to a life outside of collegiate sports,” Director of Athletics Tim Curley said. “I have had the honor of working with Glenn for many years and he is, without question, one of the most dedicated and principled people I've known.”
Coach Isidor Ends Decade with Women
Suzanne Isidor has announced her resignation as coach of the Penn State women’s lacrosse program for personal reasons.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve as the head coach at Penn State,” said Isidor. “Penn State is a special place and I am grateful to have been able to coach not only great players, but great people during my tenure. I want to thank Tim Curley and Sue Scheetz for the opportunity to coach at my alma mater and for their constant help and support. I will always cherish the friendships and relationships I have made while in Happy Valley and leave with nothing but fond memories of my time here.”
During her 10-year head coaching tenure, Isidor, the eighth coach in Penn State women’s lacrosse history, guided the Nittany Lions to 84 victories, two NCAA Tournament bids and one American Lacrosse Conference title game appearance. In 2005, she led her team to a career-high 12 wins, including a 5-1 conference record, and a berth in the NCAA Tournament, where Penn State suffered a double overtime loss to North Carolina.
Individually, Isidor’s players earned a total of 38 All-ALC selections, 21 IWLCA Regional All-American honors and nine IWLCA All-American accolades.
Isidor’s student-athletes were also successful academically. Her players received recognition by the IWLCA on its honor roll or as scholar athletes 16 times and one was honored as a First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic AllAmerican. Nittany Lions have also earned Academic All-ALC honors on a remarkable 144 occasions since 2002. Under Isidor, the Penn State women's lacrosse program was a part of two historic events. In 2002, the Nittany Lions competed in their first season as one of seven charter members of the American Lacrosse Conference, a league that has developed into one of the strongest in the nation. That same year, Isidor and the Nittany Lions etched their name in the record book on March 20 when they took the field for a contest against Johns Hopkins, becoming the first women's lacrosse program in current Division I history to play 500 games.
www.nittanylionclub.com / NLC NEWSLETTER 17
Swimming, Women’s Soccer Add Experienced Assistant Coaches INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
An assistant coach from a longtime rival and a member of the Penn State family were recently hired as assistant coaches for the swimming team and women's soccer team, respectively. For the swimming team, Aaron Workman arrives from Pitt, where he worked as an assistant swimming coach and recruiting coordinator. During his time at Pitt, Workman was in charge of assisting in all aspects of team preparation, including practices and weight training.
“As a head coach, you always keep [someone like Aaron] on your radar,” said Penn State coach John Hargis. “I’ve had my eye on Aaron for the last three years he's been at Pitt. He’s recruited back-to-back top-25 classes. His sprinters have continued to compete well and continued to improve.” Before working at Pitt, Workman held the same duties at UNLV.
Workman’s college work began early as he served as the assistant swim coach at Wittenberg University from 2003-2004 and the head coach at Hollins University from 2002-2003. At Wittenberg, Workman coached two NCAA All-Americans and a top 20 Division III team. Not only has Workman succeeded as a coach, he was also a very successful swimmer at the University of Kentucky where he graduated in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting. Workman was a four-time AllAmerican, four-time Academic All-SEC performer and an Academic All-American in 2001.
The women’s soccer team added Tim Wassell, former head coach of the Penn State Altoona women’s soccer team, as its goalkeeper coach. Previous goalkeeper coach Mariel Wilner was offered and accepted a full-time assistant coaching position with the Utah women's soccer program earlier this spring. Wassell joins Penn State for the 2010 season after a successful stint at the Altoona campus. Over the past three seasons, Wassell led the women’s program there to a 48-11-5 overall record, while taking home NSCAA Great Lakes Coach of the Year honors in 2008. He was also named the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008. While with the Nittany Lions in Altoona, Wassell's defense-oriented teams posted 39 shutouts in 64 games as the squad set new
marks for wins in every year of his tenure with 13, 17 and 18, respectively. During the 2008 campaign, his Altoona team posted the thirdbest goals against average in Division III at 0.34.
“I’m tremendously excited and honored to join the women’s soccer staff at Penn State,” Wassell noted. “I have great respect and admiration for the tradition that has been built in Happy Valley and I am eager to contribute to the future successes of the program.” Wassell, a Hollidaysburg native, earned his bachelor's degree in business from Penn State.
Women’s gymnastics
Junior Danielle Hover (Hamburg, N.Y.) and sophomore Whitney Bencsko (Pompton Plains, N.J.) have been named team captains for the 2010-11 season.
Hover has been a consistent contributor during her three seasons with the Nittany Lions. She competed in 12 meets this past season on vault, averaging a 9.683, and six meets on beam, averaging a 9.675.
Bencsko earned All-America status as a freshman and competed in the all-around in seven meets in 2010 before suffering a season-ending injury. She averaged a 38.664 in the all-around, including scoring a seasonhigh 39.300 in her last full meet of the season.
Women’s lacrosse
Senior Theresa Bucci (Hudson, Ohio) and junior Maggie Dunbar (Cockeysville, Md.), have been recognized by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) with All-Midwest Region First Team honors. A First Team All-ALC honoree in 2010 after earning second team honors as sophomore and junior, Bucci enjoyed her finest season as a Nittany Lion in her senior year, setting career highs in goals (30), assists (7) and points (37). With two goals in the regular season finale against Temple, she became the first Nittany Lion to reach the 30-goal benchmark since 2006. Dunbar made the successful transition from defense in 2010, emerging as a force in the midfield. Making an impact on both ends of the field due to her versatility and aggressive playing style, she led the Nittany Lions in ground balls (38) and caused turnovers (19) and ranked second in draw controls (32). Dunbar scored two goals and tallied a careerhigh nine assists.
18 NLC NEWSLETTER / www.nittanylionclub.com
WOMEN’S SOCCER Date ......................Opponent......................Time *Aug. 14 .....................at Villanova..........................3 p.m. Aug. 20....................at West Virginia ......................7 p.m. Aug. 27.........................VIRGINIA ......................7:30 p.m. Aug. 29..................WILLIAM & MARY ...............2:30 p.m. Sept. 3 ............................at Yale..............................7 p.m. Sept. 5 ......................at Connecticut........................1 p.m. Sept. 10 .......Washington (at Portland, Ore.)......7:30 p.m. Stp. 12.........................at Portland .....................5:30 p.m. Sept. 15.......................BUCKNELL ..........................7 p.m. Sept. 19.....................DARTMOUTH ........................1 p.m. Sept. 26 .................MICHIGAN STATE.....................1 p.m. Oct. 3 .........................at Ohio State ..........................Noon Oct. 8.......................at Northwestern ......................8 p.m. Oct. 10 ...........................at Iowa .............................2 p.m. Oct. 15 .......................MINNESOTA .........................7 p.m. Oct. 17 .......................WISCONSIN...........................Noon Oct. 24 ..........................at Illinois............................2 p.m. Oct. 28 ..........................INDIANA ............................7 p.m. Oct. 31..........................at Purdue ...........................1 p.m. Nov. 7 ..........................MICHIGAN ..........................1 p.m. Nov. 11-28, NCAA Tournament *-Exhibition
Former women’s lacrosse standout Mary McCarthy Stefano will be inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame as part of its 2010 class.
A 1987 graduate of Penn State, McCarthy Stefano first made her mark on the lacrosse world at Moorestown High School in New Jersey, where she was a member of the AllSouth Jersey Team and part of the New Jersey state championship team in 1983. At Penn State, as the team captain in her senior season, McCarthy Stefano led the Nittany Lions to a 17-2 record and their first NCAA Championship and fourth overall national title. A three-time first team All-American (198587), she was a part of teams that compiled an impressive 59-10 record over the course of her career. McCarthy Stefano is the seventh Nittany Lion women's lacrosse player or coach to receive the prestigious honor, following in the footsteps of Candace Finn Rocha (1998), Susan Delaney-Scheetz (2000), Betsy Williams Dougherty (2000), Julie Williams (2002), Barb Jordan (2004), and Gillian Rattray (2005).
Women’s tennis
Freshman Petra Januskova (Ottawa, Canada) was selected as the Atlantic Region Rookie Player of the Year by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
Men’s tennis
Junior Eddie Bourchier (Hobart, Australia) was named to the All-Big Ten Team. Bourchier is just the program's sixth player to earn allconference laurels.
Success with Honor
INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
SOFTBALL STADIUM STARTS Groundbreaking ceremonies for Beard Field at the Nittany Lion Softball Park included (from left to right): George Vanden, Fran Vanden, Director of Athletics Tim Curley, Bill Beard, Lee Beard, President Graham Spanier, softball coach Robin Petrini and Board of Trustees chair Steve Garban. (Photo by Mark Selders)
Club Honors Franco Harris as Person of Year
Penn State legend Franco Harris has been selected the Big Ten Club of Southern California's Person of the Year for 2010.
Harris joins a prestigious list of previous Person of the Year recipients by the Big Ten Club, which was founded in 1933. The event was held May 19 at the Tournament of Roses’ Wrigley Mansion in Pasadena. The Big Ten Club of Southern California has selected a Person of the Year since 1985, when Olympic gold medal swimmer Mark Spitz was the first recipient. Among some of the other recipients are: Bob Hope, Archie Griffin, Jim Delany, Keith Jackson, Hayden Fry and Drew Brees.
Harris, a standout running back, played a significant role in the Nittany Lions’ 29-4 mark from 1969 to 1971, teaming with Lydell Mitchell to form one of the nation’s top backfield tandems. Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 12 overall pick of the 1972 NFL Draft, Harris teamed with former Penn State teammate Jack Ham to bring four Super Bowl titles to Pittsburgh.
Success with Honor
The Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl IX, Harris was selected to nine Pro Bowls during his tremendous 13-year NFL career. He topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark in eight seasons and joined Ham on the NFL’s AllDecade Team for the 1970's. Harris spent 12 seasons with the Steelers and finished his career with Seattle in 1984. His “Immaculate Reception” in the final seconds of the 1972 AFC playoff game against the Oakland Raiders is arguably one of the greatest plays in NFL history. A product of Mount Holly, N.J., Harris was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. A 1972 Penn State graduate, Harris established Super Bakery after his playing career ended with the goal of making it “The Leader in Bakery Nutrition.” His products, Super Donuts and Super Buns, are sold to school systems across America and are available in retail stores. Harris is president and owner of Super Bakery. Harris also is a long-time supporter of Special Olympics. The day after the Blue-White Game in April, he greeted the more than 800 runners and walkers in the inaugural Beaver Stadium Run.
Kanaskie, Brady Inducted
Men’s basketball associate head coach Kurt Kanaskie and former All-American tight end Kyle Brady were inducted into the West Shore Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
Kanaskie, a native of Mechanicsburg, was an all-state basketball player at Cumberland Valley High School and a standout collegiate player at LaSalle. He has more than 30 years of collegiate coaching experience, including 17 years as a head coach during stops at Lock Haven University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Brady, from Camp Hill, was a Parade Magazine All-American at Cedar Cliff High School. At Penn State, he was an exceptional blocker and pass catcher. He was a first-round pick in the 1995 NFL Draft by the New York Jets and went on to a 13-year NFL career with the Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots, culminating in Super Bowl XLII.
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Save the Date—Come Support the Team!
Lift for Life
Friday, July 9 Holuba Hall
Men’s soccer enjoys reunion, previews 100th season
More than 50 alumni returned for activities that included a golf outing, games, more memories and a speech by Hall of Fame coach Walter Bahr (below center).
Past and present generations of Penn State men’s soccer players and coaches came together April 30 to May 1 under sunny Happy Valley skies to renew old acquaintances, recount past times, relive former days of glory and forge new bonds. “It was great to see the connection between the alumni and the current players rejuvenated,” said interim head coach Isang Jacob. “This is the future direction of the program, one which every player who wears the Penn State uniform understands the tradition, honor, integrity, respect and family behind him. These are the core values that we live and breathe. Every time we step on the field, we play with pride because we are Penn State and we saw that today.” According to alumnus Jeff Maierhofer (’83), who was integral in helping to organize the event, 51 former Nittany Lions were in attendance. Included in that distinguished group were 1979 Hermann Trophy winner Jim Stamatis, 1991 Big Ten Player of the Year Steve Sergi, Penn State career shutouts and
saves leader Greg Kenney, three-time AllAmerican Chris Bahr and Hall of Fame Coach Walter Bahr, just to name a few. The weekend began with a golf outing on Friday at the Elks Club. On Saturday, the alumni took the pitch at the Nittany Lions’ practice facility for several spirited games, squaring off against one another for nearly two hours. A lunch afterward, which included what was described as a “rip-roaring” and “gutwrenching” speech by Walter Bahr, wrapped up the organized activities.
The event served to kick off what will be a special 2010 season for the men’s soccer program, as it commemorates its 100th year of existence. Beginning this spring and culminating in the fall with a weekend of events including a reunion reception, a Nittany Lion game and a banquet, the celebration will acknowledge the program's proud and distinguished tradition and history. Information, announcements and any updates will be posted to GoPSUsports.com when they become available. In 2010, Penn State will also serve as host of the Big Ten Tournament (Nov. 11-14) for the third time since joining the conference in 1991. “I thought the weekend was a huge success,” said Varsity ‘S’ coordinator Mike Milliron. “We had alumni from all across the country travel back to Penn State to spend the weekend with old teammates and friends while getting to know the current group of Nittany Lion soccer players. It was great to see the alumni and current team unite as one family of Penn State soccer.”
UPCOMING VARSITY ‘S’ EVENTS Aug. 7, Football Letterman’s Club Golf Outing
Oct. 2, Fencing Alumni Event
Aug. 27-29, Women’s Golf Alumni Weekend
Oct. 16, Diving Alumni Event
Sept. 3-4, Men’s Golf Alumni Event
Oct. 16, Cross Country Alumni Event
Sept. 25, Varsity ‘S’ Day vs. Temple
Oct. 23, Men’s Soccer Alumni Event
Q&A: Justin Kurpeikis ‘eternally grateful’ for coaches
(Football standout Justin Kurpeikis played at Penn State from 1997 to 2000, becoming a twoyear starter and serving as team co-captain. He was named the team’s MVP his senior season. As a senior, he recorded 76 tackles (55 solo), six sacks, had two interceptions and forced a fumble. He led the team and was third in the Big Ten with 18 tackles for loss. His 43 career tackles for loss tied him for fourth on the Penn State list with Bruce Clark.)
Where did you grow up and where do you currently live? I grew up in Western Pa., just north of Pittsburgh in Allison Park. I now live in State College. What sports did you play at Penn State? Varsity football
What degree(s) did you earn from Penn State? A bachelor of arts in letters, arts and sciences as preparation for medical school.
What about your current family? I am married to Kelly, also a Penn Stater. We have a 2-year-old daughter, Olivia, and are expecting a new baby Sept. 4. What is your fondest memory as a Penn State student-athlete? Walking out of the tunnel for the first time as a member of the team. It is validation that you are now part of something much bigger than yourself.
What is your fondest memory as a Penn State student? The day I met my wife as I was walking to class.
What is your favorite place on campus? The locker room at Lasch Football Building. The camaraderie you experience with your teammates is something you appreciate during your time here, but also take for granted. Then you leave and realize just how special it really was. You can never recreate it. A big part of that special bond was formed in the locker room at Lasch.
What sports do you enjoy watching the most? Obviously football. However, I enjoy watching any sport that a team or individual finds a way to overcome all odds or rise above what they are supposed to be capable of.
Thoughts on your coaches while at Penn State. There is no group of individuals that’s better at molding young men. I am eternally grateful for their unwillingness to accept anything but my very best.
How has the university and athletics changed since you left? Obviously everything is bigger. There seems to be non-stop construction. What some fail to realize is that Penn State is a special place because of the people that go to class in the buildings and compete in the arenas, and not because of bigger or newer facilities.
What stands out the most about Penn State? That after spending such a small portion of
your life as a student there, Penn State finds a way to be a part of you for the rest of it.
What does it mean to you to be a Penn State Nittany Lion? Once you become one, you become part of the tradition for life, and no one can take that away.
What have you done to stay connected to the University? I am a member of the Nittany Lion Club and the Football Letterman’s Club. I am also a volunteer for the Varsity ‘S’ For the Future Campaign.
Born into the Penn State family—Boaz Mark Saltsman (Jan. 10, 2010)
An alumni husband-and-wife team, who played lacrosse for the men’s and women’s teams at Penn State, welcomed their first child on Jan. 10, 2010. Skye Saltsman and Dan Saltsman, who both played defense for the Nittany Lions, are the proud parents of Boaz Mark Saltsman. Dan, who earned playing time as a freshman, was a two-time, first-team all-conference selection. He was a team captain as a senior and a member of the 2005 men’s team that appeared in the NCAA Tournament. Skye’s productive career was highlighted by a senior season when the team beat two top-ranked opponents (Princeton and Virginia) and earned a No. 2 national ranking. The team also beat Maryland for the first time in 12 years and reached the NCAA Tournament. The couple was engaged in August 2006 and married on Aug. 4, 2007. They live in Clarksburg, Md. Dan works as a civil engineer and Skye, a former physical education and health teacher, is a stayat-home mom.
Dan and Skye with Boaz Mark Saltsman.
Dates set for eight fall events Dates and initial plans have been set for seven alumni events in the fall. In 2009-10, alumni events sponsored by the Varsity ‘S’ Club, an important part of the club’s mission, brought more than 1,100 alumni back to campus. Organizers of alumni events this year hope to bring even more Penn Staters back to campus. Planned events run from early August until late October. They include:
Aug. 7, Football Letterman’s Club Golf Outing An event that brought back more than 90 alumni last year. For information call Diana Weaver (814) 863-3122.
Aug. 27-29, Women’s Golf Alumni Weekend A chance to celebrate the opening of the Tombros Varsity Clubhouse and enjoy social activites and a round of golf.
Sept. 3-4, Men’s Golf Alumni Event Scheduled same weekend as official dedication of Tombros Varsity Clubhouse. Activities include a golf tournament, social and the
opportunity to purchase tickets to home football game vs. Youngstown State. Sept. 25, Varsity ‘S’ Day vs. Temple Social activites for all former student-athletes and the chance to purchase tickets to home football game vs. Temple.
Oct. 2, Fencing Alumni Event Annual event for alumni and members of the team.
Oct. 16, Diving Alumni Event Conducted every five years. Event includes a diving competition, social activities and more. Oct. 16, Cross Country Alumni Event Annual event for members of the team with social activities, events and more.
Oct. 23, Men’s Soccer Alumni Event Part of the official season-long celebration of 100 years of Penn State soccer. Events before the home match vs. Ohio State and a post-match dinner at the Mount Nittany Club are some of the highlights.
Role for alumni to assist
Former Penn State student-athletes and Varsity ‘S’ Club members may choose from a variety of ways to support “For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students.” Options range from easy, such as simply attending an alumni event, to more committed, such as giving to the Nittany Lion Club. And, by participation in the Nittany Lion Club, former student-athletes may designate their support to a specific team and still earn NLC benefits. Gifts of any size make a difference in the success of each and every varsity sports program. A committee of more than 30 former student-athletes has been created to assist the Varsity ‘S’ Club and Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics with reaching out and reconnecting with our more than 11,000 former student-athletes. Volunteer representatives on the committee from each of the sports will be contacting alumni from those sports in the near future to seek more participation from all of our alumni.
SAAB SUCCESS: The Varsity ‘S’ Club presented its awards for men’s and women’s team grade-point average during the annual Student Athlete Advisory Board banquet. Teams recognized were women’s soccer (above left), which produced one Academic All-American and 16 Academic All-Big Ten selections, and men’s soccer (above right), which produced one Academic All-American and 13 Academic All-Big Ten selections. (Photos by Mark Selders)
Baseball, field hockey events popular
Special events for field hockey and baseball drew large numbers of returning alumni in the spring. Coach Char Morett hosted a social at her house for field hockey alumni to start the weekend, which also included a matchup between alumni and the current team—with the current team recording a 2-0 victory. They also tailgated and attended the BlueWhite Game as a group. For the baseball team, alumni enjoyed
watching a Friday night victory against Iowa to open the weekend before enjoying a post-game social at Damon’s. On Saturday, alumni participated in a full day of hands-on activity. That included batting practice and infield work at
Medlar Field, all of which began at 9 a.m. Both teams’ events were a big success.
Mail from Mike ... For the Glory, For the Future
Dean Fellow Nittany Lions,
At the recent field hockey alumni event, a Varsity ‘S’ member mentioned how much she appreciates all of the club’s activities because it helps all the former Nittany Lion student-athletes who have competed for the Blue and White feel like one big family.
This past year, we have been able to connect with many different groups that have provided associations with the old and the new covering many different eras.
Contact the Varsity ‘S’ Club Mike Milliron (814) 867-2202 varsitys@athletics.psu.edu
Find Varsity ‘S’ on Facebook!
The involvement of former Nittany Lions in the Varsity ‘S’ Club is critical to keep the program growing and help establish the family atmosphere. We all are products of the Penn State environment; we had a lot of fun and have made some great friends during our time in Happy Valley, and it is the goal of the Varsity ‘S’ Club to help us stay connected as we watch and enjoy our University’s contin-
ued success and growth into one of the most respected institutions in the United States.
As the club’s coordinator, I encourage each and every one of our members to continue to be an active member of the Penn State Athletics family. Take advantage of the alumni events, attend and cheer on our current Nittany Lion student-athletes at their competitions, and providing financial support through the Nittany Lion Club are all great ways to remain an active and integral part of our family.
During your time as a Nittany Lion student-athlete you competed For the Glory of Old State, now as a proud alumnus your continued involvement will help us secure a great future for the Penn State Athletics family. We are…PENN STATE!
(’05 Baseball)
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
If you need to update your contact information or wish to submit news for possible inclusion, please e-mail VarsityS@athletics.psu.edu with “VSC Member Update” in the subject line.