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About the Newsletter
DID YOU KNOW?
Number of studentathletes who earned Academic All-Big Ten honors during 2010 spring semester. Penn State has a conference best 3,365 honorees during the 16 years of the program. Ohio State is second with 3,342.
$185K
Penn State Coaches vs. Cancer raised more than $185,000 in net funds for 2009-10—marking the fourth consecutive year the organization has raised more than $170,000, placing it among the top eight CVC organizaitons in the country. The group has raised nearly $1.5 million since its inception in 1995-96.
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.
Volume 30, No. 5 Summer 2010 U.Ed. ICA-11-27
— Inside this Issue —
NLC Notebook:........................................................3
STEP Questions-Answers: Details About the Program .........4-5 Cover Story: Setting the Stage......................................6-7
Field Hockey: Experience Boosts Team................................8
Sports Medicine: Program Continues Growth, Service...............9
Photos: Summer Sessions.........................................10-11
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
Official Web Site of Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics www.gopsusports.com
Executive Editors
Greg Myford, John Nitardy
Men’s Soccer: Coach Builds Trust....................................12
Coaching Culture: Get to Know New Coaches .................14-15
Women’s Soccer: Team Eyes November Goal ......................16
Wrestling: Coach Embraces Challenges ..............................16
Assistant Editors
Nikki Potoczny, Mike Milliron
Contributors
Penn State Athletic Communications, Steve Sampsell
Photographers
Women’s Volleyball: Knowns, Unknowns for Team..............17
Penn State Athletic Communications, Steve Manuel, Mark Selders
Cross Country: Women Ready to Defend Crown ....................19
Nittany Valley Offset, State College, Pa.
Summer Semester: Important Time for Academics ...............18
DEPARTMENTS Spider’s Web, 8 Recent Gift List, 13 By the Numbers, 19
ON THE COVER
All-America lineman Stefen Wisniewski (Bridgeville, Pa.), other members of the football team and all our fall sports student-athletes are ready for their seasons to begin. (Photo by Mark Selders)
Printing
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
NLC Staff Profile Stephanie Gordon Stephanie joined Mail: 157 Bryce Jordan Center, University Park, PA 16802 the Nittany Lion Michelle Davidson, Club staff in the Bob White, Ken Cutler, NLC Stewardship NLC Director of Marketing/ spring of 2010. NLC Director She assists with and Events Coordinator, Operations-Suites and Club of Development processing and oyd3@psu.edu Seats, blw6@psu.edu for Athletics, recording NLC kmc2@psu.edu gifts and serves as the primary Janine Hawk, Mark Muhlhauser, John Nitardy, NLC Development Assistant, point person for NLC matching gifts. NLC Major Gifts Officer, Stephanie resides in State College NLC Director of Major Gifts jkh6@psu.edu mam83@psu.edu with her husband Joe and their and Annual Giving daughters Jessica and Jacqueline. 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 Robin Yeaney, rly2@psu.edu
Success with Honor
Anticipation builds as fall seasons draw near NLC NOTEBOOK
Football games at Beaver Stadium with 110,000 loyal, supportive fans creating perhaps the most imposing atmosphere in college football.
Since our last issue ...
Many other dominant teams (cross country, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball) begin defense of their Big Ten Conference crowns. A men’s soccer team starting its season with a new coach for the first time in 22 years—with that new leader already recognized as one of the most accomplished coaches in the sport.
All those things are part of fall sports sea- Along with football, several other sports seasons begin in the fall. They include cross country, field hockey, soccer and women’s volleyball (above). Penn State sons at Penn State and they combine to has emerged as the nation’s preeminent women’s volleyball program, winning create an exciting time on campus and three consecutive national championships. beyond. Penn Staters near and far can take pride in the efforts of those teams, their coaches Every aspect of the athletic program, from the student-athletes who rank as shining lights for the Uniand the student-athletes that round out their respecversity to the light bill itself, require support from NLC tive rosters. members. Because Intercollegiate Athletics is a selfsupporting unit at Penn State, and does not take Members of the Nittany Lion Club can take special Pennsylvania tax dollars to support itself, all mempride—because their support makes all that success bers of the NLC can share in the excitement in the possible. fall, and at anytime of the year—because they make it all possible. Gifts from NLC members help fund scholarships for our 800 student-athletes and ensure the existence of We appreciate that support, and look forward to necessary academic support and sports medicine programs. In addition, fundraising through the Nittany sharing the excitement of the fall with you! We are .... Penn State! Lion Club helps build and maintain athletic facilities — John Nitardy, across campus. NLC Director of Major Gifts and Annual Giving
Members of football team craft academic success during the spring Thirty-nine members of the Penn State football team completed the 2010 spring semester with at least a 3.0 grade-point average.
Of those 39, 15 earned dean’s list recognition by posting a 3.5 GPA or higher during the semester.
Three returning Nittany Lions earned a perfect 4.00 GPA during the spring semester—junior wide receiver Ryan Scherer (Avon Lake, Ohio); redshirt freshman guard John Urschel (Williamsville, N.Y.); and senior guard Stefen Wisniewski (Bridgeville, Pa.), a 2009 first team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American. Urschel also earned a 4.0 GPA
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State Successes
during the fall semester. A member of the Schreyer Honors College, Wisniewski has a cumulative 3.92 GPA in secondary education, having earned a 4.00 GPA the last three semesters.
Additional dean’s list honorees from last spring include: wideout Brett Brackett (Lawrenceville, N.J), linebacker Chris Colasanti (Leonard, Mich.), tight end Garry Gilliam (Carlisle), lineman Ty Howle (Wake Forest, N.C.), defensive back Kyle Johnson (Landenberg), defensive end Pete Massaro (Newtown Square), lineman Matt Stankiewitch (Orwigsburg), linebacker Nate Stupar (State College) and linebacker Jamie VanFleet (Williamsport).
● An outstanding athletic campaign, highlighted by two NCAA team championships and five Big Ten Conference crowns, lifted Penn State to another top15 finish in the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup. Penn State tallied 971.30 points and finished 11th—its 12th top-15 finish in the 17-year history of the Directors' Cup. Penn State has placed in the Top 25 every year, with eight Top 10 finishes.
● Senior golfer Kevin Foley (Somerville, N.J.) and junior T.J. Howe (Osceola, Pa.) were named PING Honorable Mention All-Americans. For Foley, it was the third All-America honor of his career. It was the first for Howe, who won the East Regional. They also helped Penn State earn its second berth in the past three years, and fourth overall, at the season-ending national tournament. Penn State and Ohio State were the only Big Ten teams that advanced to the championship event. (More info on Page 18.)
● Evonne Britton (El Paso, Texas) won the junior women’s 400-meter hurdles and finished second in the junior women’s 100-meter hurdles during the U.S. Track and Field Championships. Sophomore Casimir Loxsom (New Haven, Conn.) won the junior men’s 800-meter run at the event. ● Sophomore Christine Nairn (Arnold, Md.) and freshman Maya Hayes (Livingston, N.J.) played on the U.S. women’s soccer team during the U-20 World Cup in July.
www.nittanylionclub.com / NLC NEWSLETTER 3
A STEP Q&A about intentions (due Sept. 1) and more MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
The next deadline for Nittany Lion Club members as part of the Seat Transfer and Equity Program comes Sept. 1, 2010. By that date, all NLC season ticket holders who have football tickets must declare their intentions for 2011. They may do so online or by mail.
In general, ticket holders may retain, upgrade, downgrade or waive their rights for 2011.
As that Sept. 1, 2010, deadline nears, some NLC members might have questions about the program and what happens next.
Some common questions follow, with answers to help NLC members make decisions about the process.
After season ticket holders declare their intentions for 2011—which must be done by Sept. 1, 2010—one of the next visible parts of the program will be an online selection process that will allow NLC members to pick seat locations based on NLC point totals.
As always, anyone with questions may call 1-800-NITTANY (648-8269) or visit the STEP site online.
What do I do if I want to try to get better seats in the same pricing area? All those who wish to change seats within their current seating zone should register their intent to UPGRADE. That will allow you to search for seats in any zone of equivalent or higher value. But, doing so will eliminate lower-priced zones from your options. Going from the black or red zone, or from black or red to blue may not be done unless DOWNGRADE is selected. Then, when people make selections of seats next spring, they will do so in priority order based on NLC point totals.
If I declare my intent to UPGRADE, is there a chance, because of my NLC point totals, that I will not be able to get seats in that area? That possibility exists, but all those wishing to UPGRADE will be able to see all available seats that would qualify as an upgrade at the time of their selection. If
specific seats in a certain section are not available, you will have the option of several other upgrade locations. And, you do not give up your 2010 seat locations until your upgrade selection has been completed.
What do I do if I want to remain in the same seating location but change seat locations? Ticket holders who selected UPGRADE may look in their equivalent zone or higher zones. If you do not find a better option after looking, you will be able to stay in your current spot.
If I pay the per-seat donation that is required for the seat I currently hold, will I be guaranteed to retain that seat? Yes. As long as your NLC status is current and you are not being displaced you will simply select RETAIN for all of your seats.
What happens if my seats are displaced because of the move of the student section, ADA or the re-location of visiting team seating? Season ticket holders in that situation will
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be able to make their seat selection in November and December. If people are unable to find a seat location that they are happy with at that time, they have the option of coming back into the seat selection process with all others, based on NLC point totals, next spring. Approximately 11,000 seats are being displaced and the same number of seats will be made available. Note: People being displaced still must submit their intentions by Sept. 1, 2010, indicating RETAIN or WAIVE, with retain meaning they will select a location for the number of seats they plan to keep. If I declare that I want to retain my current seats for 2011, will I still have the option to participate in the online seat selection? For instance, I would like to keep my seats—unless I have the chance to move lower in my same section within the same zone. RETAIN should be selected if you wish to stay in your same seats. UPGRADE should be selected if you want to remain in your same zone but have an interest in changing seats or selecting seats in a higher zone. Success with Honor
MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
Key Dates
July 1, 2010 to Sept. 1, 2010
2010 season ticket holders are required to submit seating intentions for 2011. In August, an online virtual view of Beaver Stadium will be available for review— and that tool will allow season ticket holders to get an online view of the field from all seat locations in the stadium.
November 2010 to December 2010
2010 season ticket holders who must relocate will select new seating locations for 2011.
Feb. 1, 2011
Is anyone who chooses to DOWNGRADE and fulfills the requirements of the lower-priced zone guaranteed to have seats in the stadium in 2011? A seat exists for everyone who already holds a ticket in Beaver Stadium for 2011. However, when people select seats they will do so on a first-come, first-serve basis according to their intentions, NLC point totals and seat availability in each zone.
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.
More information online www.GoPSUsports.com/step
Does number of years season tickets have been held affect seat location? No. Seat selection will be determined by your intention (RETAIN, UPGRADE or DOWNGRADE) and your number of NLC points, because those factors will determine your order of selection.
How many people renewed their seats for 2010? This year’s 95 percent rate was on target with most years.
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How much added revenue can STEP generate for Intercollegiate Athletics? We’re hopeful it can generate an additional $3 to $5 million annually, and we have several projects that we hope can move forward, including many in Beaver Stadium, if we reach those levels. If I do not respond, can I simply retain my tickets for 2011? No. Any non-responses will be considered as a decision to WAIVE season tickets.
Championships Coming Penn State will again host numerous championships this year. They include: ❚ Big Ten men’s soccer, Nov. 11-14 ❚ NCAA men’s and women’s cross country regionals, Nov. 13 ❚ NCAA women’s volleyball regionals, Dec. 9-10 ❚ NCAA women’s basketball first and second rounds, March 19-21 ❚ NCAA men’s volleyball national championships, May 5-7
www.nittanylionclub.com / NLC NEWSLETTER 5
COVER STORY
Setting the Stage
Energetic, full-stadium participation in annual efforts to “white out” opponents have become a Beaver Stadium trademark for night games in recent years.
Facility upgrades, ‘tweaks’ in presentation planned for start of season in Beaver Stadium
Thanks to initial revenue from the Seat Transfer and Equity Program, and thanks to some serious off-season planning, people entering Beaver Stadium for games this fall might notice some minor changes and upgrades. Then again, they might not notice—and that’s OK, too.
“We try to make tweaks every year. We want to make the gameday experience fun and enjoyable,” said Guido D’Elia, director of communications and branding for football. “We’ve introduced some new things over the years and we’ve also worked hard to respect the traditions of Penn State football.” D’Elia leads a staff of more than a dozen people who coordinate what happens with everything from the stadium scoreboards and on-field activities unrelated to football. That includes the Blue Band and pregame flyovers when they happen. He has been credited with energizing the stadium in recent seasons and making Penn State’s “whiteout” efforts a national standard.
He knows, though, that it’s the fans who have done that. And while many people point to many different games as turning points in Penn State football history his personal favorite was Nov. 20, 2004—when 101,486 fans energized Beaver Stadium on a cold, wet day, the final
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game of what would be a four-victory season, as the Nittany Lions faced Michigan State.
“Hey, the game was on TV and all of those people could’ve been anywhere else,” D’Elia said. “Their dedication and support was typical of Penn State fans. We have great fans. They stood behind the team that day, and they do it every Saturday during the season.”
D’Elia said pregame music will change slightly this season, based at least somewhat on advice and input from junior receiver Derek Moye (Rochester, Pa.).
Text System Ready
Intercollegiate Athletics has implemented a text-messaging system inside Beaver Stadium and in the parking lots around the stadium that will enable fans to notify officials if they have a problem or need assistance this season.
Fans may simply text NITTANY to 69050 and provide a brief description of the issue (customer service, fan behavior, emergency) and its location. Fans will receive a message back indicating that the message has been received and help is on the way, or if there is insufficient information, it will ask for a more complete message. Standard text-message rates apply and in the case of an emergency fans are encouraged to call 911.
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However, many crowd favorites will remain and the production team puts much planning and thought into the music at the stadium.
COVER STORY
They have a color-coded chart of songs and even song segments that help determine what to play. Songs in green are “money,” guaranteed to evoke a response, while songs in other colors might be getting only a trial run.
Other changes this year include fewer on-field check presentations or recognition between quarters, which D’Elia believes will be good, and the presence of more visiting bands, which leaves less time for other activities. Only participants in Homecoming and the Penn State Dance Marathon will get on-field recognition. Other groups will be noted in game programs and other means.
Pre-game often represents the starting each spring for the coming fall, includes an effort to chart what they know and plan for variables, such as the weather. high point, and most stressful time, of D’Elia’s day. He gets butterflies himself before games begin and worries about all that could happen. Advance Parking Purchase a Traffic Move Guido D’Elia leads a team that works provide the best possible gameday experience for fans at Beaver Stadium. Their preparation,
He believes, though, that the stadium “finds its voice” at the start of the game each Saturday and he likes helping make that happen.
Football parking permits purchased in advance will cost $20 again this year, but people who purchase on gameday face an increase to $40.
In terms of physical differences at the stadium this season, fans might notice more drains to prevent pooling and puddling water. Those changes are the first part of an overall stormwater management plan that will be completed in 2011.
“I’m sure some people will see it as a money thing, but it’s really an operational thing,” said Mark Bodenschatz, associate athletic director for facilities and operations. “If people buy in advance, we can get them into the lots more quickly. We would love to have everyone purchase their permits in advance.”
“Our fans have proven through the years that they can make a difference,” he said. “That’s fun.”
Other changes for this season include: ● altered ADA parking options on campus because of the construction of the new softball stadium below the Intramural Building; ● expanded access lanes to several parking lots that should allow two lanes of traffic to enter and exit at the same time, improving the flow of traffic; and ● improved student access at Gate A, including the installation of “bollards,” concrete barriers, to enhance safety in that area. The improvements, part of a three-year project, will also provide a slightly larger area for Paternoville. Also, all of Beaver Stadium was powerwashed during the offseason, changes were made to prevent birds from roosting throughout the stadium, the visiting team locker room was upgraded for the first time in decades and more than $1.5 million was spent on painting the perimeter fence, gates and other areas.
“A lot of what was done was not glamorous, but it needs to be done,” said Mark Bodenschatz, associate athletic director for facilities and operations. “It’s like the ongoing and preventative maintenance someone has with their home. It just happens on a much larger scale.
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The change was made to encourage people to purchase their permits ahead of time, and thereby speed access into lots around Beaver Stadium. If attendants do not need to stop cars without permits and complete a transaction, vehicles can flow more freely into the lots.
All permits include preferred directions to the respective lots and if people follow those directions to the lots, it should help ease traffic congestion as well.
Along with the $40 gameday price for cars, prices for RVs and buses increase significantly on gameday as well. For RVs, the cost goes from $40 in advance to $80 and for buses the price moves from $50 to $120.
To buy your parking in advance and take advantage of the cost savings, call 1-800-NITTANY (648-8269).
“While there might not have been really noticeable things this offseason, we took care of some important things and we’ve set the stage for some things that certainly will be obvious in the future.” Those changes will include the installation of ADA seating, as well as the related access ramps, in the first three rows of the both the east and west side of the stadium in 2011.
Outside the stadium, people walking along Park Avenue and University Drive will notice new sidewalks in many areas as the result of work by the state Department of Transportation and the University.
www.nittanylionclub.com / NLC NEWSLETTER 7
Gameday list includes logical, surprising items
Packing for tailgates at Beaver Stadium takes a lot of planning and no-doubt includes a wide variety of items.
FOOTBALL / FIELD HOCKEY
Experience Boosts Field Hockey Team Entering Campaign
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Even people trying to be efficient and save space face challenges. After all, you might need both the yellow mustard and the spicy brown because one of the regulars in your group prefers one or the other. With everything from different condiments to well-stocked traveling kitchens, fans and NLC members do pack a lot. Few gameday lists rival that of Brad Caldwell, though. He and his staff pack a lot, even with Beaver Stadium barely a half mile from the football offices and permanent locker room.
Here are just some of the highlights: ❚ backup game jerseys, numbered 1-99; ❚ ball pressure gauge; ❚ ball pump; ❚ bolt cutters; ❚ cordless drill; ❚ dry erase markers; ❚ duct tape; ❚ extension cords; ❚ eye black; ❚ eyeshields; ❚ facemasks; ❚ garden hose; ❚ gloves; ❚ gum; ❚ index cards; ❚ kicker’s tee ❚ pencils; ❚ replacement pads, including 12 pair of hip pads, 12 pair of knee pads and 30 tail pads;
❚ rubber bands; ❚ sandpaper; ❚ stopwatches; ❚ string; ❚ two-way tape; ❚ whistles;
Brad Caldwell, Equipment and Facilities Coordinator
nine dozen socks; 18 blue mesh shorts; 24 belts; 24 compression shorts (eight each in sizes
large, extra large and double extra large); and 60 T-shirts (30 regular, 30 dri-fit).
Preparation late in the week makes Thursday, Friday and Saturday especially busy for the managers and support staff.
On Thursday, their many duties include setting up lockers at the stadium, cleaning shoes and polishing helmets. They also check helmet facemasks and tighten hardware. Overall, their to-do list for the day includes 10 items.
On Friday, that list expands to 14 items, which includes delivering player ticket requests to the will-call window, setting up the training room and stocking beverages in coolers.
By Saturday, as with those who tailgate, the preparations have ended and the list seems shorter but days typically last 12 to 15 hours.
2010 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date ...............................................Opponent ........................................Time / TV Sept. 4.................................................YOUNGSTOWN STATE .........................................Noon / BTN Sept. 11........................................................at Alabama ..............................................7 p.m. / ESPN Sept. 18.......................................................KENT STATE .................................................Noon / TBA Sept. 25 ..........................................................TEMPLE ......................................................TBA / TBA Oct. 2...............................................................at Iowa....................................................8 p.m. / TBA Oct. 9 .............................................................ILLINOIS....................................................Noon / TBA Oct. 23 ........................................................at Minnesota...................................................TBA / TBA Oct. 30..........................................................MICHIGAN.................................................8 p.m. / TBA Nov. 6......................................................NORTHWESTERN...............................................TBA / TBA Nov. 13........................................................at Ohio State...................................................TBA / TBA Nov. 20 ................................vs. Indiana (at FedEx Field, Landover, Md.)............................TBA / TBA Nov. 27....................................................MICHIGAN STATE...............................................TBA / TBA Home games in ALL CAPS 8 NLC NEWSLETTER / www.nittanylionclub.com
Accomplished coach Char Morett knows the difference between good teams and great teams often rests on intangibles and a few well-timed goals. Entering this season she hopes the Penn State field hockey has the right mix of chemistry and productivity to bounce back from a subpar 2009 season.
“We’re going to have more experience on the forward line and we’re going to have experience in the goal cages that we did not have last year, so that’s comforting,” Morett said. “We’re above OK, but we have five starters to replace and there will be a transition.
“We’re going to have to learn a lot quickly and be ready to go.”
The team needs a strong start because, as usual, Morett has crafted a difficult early season schedule that includes home games against Old Dominion (Aug. 27) and Virginia (Aug. 29).
One regular-season game will be televised by the Big Ten Network—Sept. 26 at home vs. Michigan (1 p.m.)—and the conference semifinals (Nov. 5) and championship game (Nov. 7) will be televised as well.
Senior midfielder Daneen Zug (Manheim, Pa.) and junior back Lauren Alloway (Hummelstown, Pa.) will serve as the team co-captains and three of the team’s top four goal scorers return from last season. After the team dropped five one-goal games last year, Morett anticipates the leadership of her captains as much as any productivity. Plus, she thinks an offseason that allowed many former standouts to return and work camp sessions with current players was helpful in reminding the current players of Penn State’s tradition. “Effort has always been our trademark,” Morett said. “You can count on a game lasting 70 minutes and on us being in your face for all 70 of those minutes. We’re going to get back to that a bit more this year.”
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Penn State Sports Medicine continues growth, service INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
Much of what Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli does as director of athletic medicine at Penn State has changed since he arrived on campus 18 years ago.
Donations from NLC members support the sports medicine program and opportunities for additional support exist. Call (814) 863-GIFT (4438) for more information.
The sports medicine staff, which treats student-athletes as well as members of the community (that’s 29 varsity sports teams with 800 studentathletes as well as some 45,000 community visits each year) has grown, more than tripling in size.
bastianelli makes sure that happens. By attending practices and traveling with teams, he meets most studentathletes in comfortable situations that help build trust should his medical expertise and services be needed.
Medical technology has improved, making diagnoses (and expectations) quicker.
“He’s just around, a resource you get to know. You can trust him and he has your best interests at heart,” said Deon Butler, who graduated from Penn State and holds program records for receptions and receiving yards. “Luckily I didn’t need him for anything really big while I was there, but before the Alamo Bowl my junior year I was so sick and he and the staff stepped in and helped get me through that. They nursed me back to health so I could play.”
And the amount of time student-athletes spend participating in their sports has increased, many play or practice all year round because of conditioning programs or international competition. Despite all that change, the group’s core mission remains the same.
“This is a full-service program,” Sebastianelli said. “We serve studentathletes and we also serve the community. Those things can complement each other well.” For Sebastianelli, weeks during the fall (and all year round, really) never change. There’s a base routine, but emergencies can alter the schedule and a hectic pace usually defines every day.
Along with treating patients, Sebastianelli and all the doctors at Penn State Sports Medicine also maintain their own professional education through regular testing and they conduct research–some of the most reDr. Wayne Sebastianelli leads a program that has grown from three doctors and cent on concussions in sports.
a handful of support staff to eight doctors, 12 physical therapists, 20 trainers and a few dozen support staff in the past 18 years.
Mondays and Wednesdays usually include office visits with 35 to 45 patients in the morning and then some time in the operating room in the afternoon before reporting to football practice at 4:30 p.m. for three hours or so until practice ends. On Tuesdays, he spends the entire day in the operating room before going to football practice at 4 p.m. for what is usually a busier day because of a heavy dose of full-contact drills.
Thursdays mean either all day in the clinic or all day in the operating room for major surgeries (as opposed to outpatient procedures on other days)—before again heading to practice.
On Fridays, he handles administrative and office work in the morning and then conducts some office visits in the afternoon on home football weekends. On away-game weekends, he clears his schedule to travel in the afternoon.
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“There’s a rough schedule of what’s supposed to happen, but one phone call could change everything,” Sebastianelli said. “It’s very fluid.”
Along with football, Sebastianelli primarily assists with men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s soccer and women’s soccer. Other physicians in the practice have responsibility for other varsity sports teams, and they all service community patients—meaning people in the region may be diagnosed and treated by the same doctors who serve Penn State coaches and student-athletes.
Whether treating community members or more high-profile patients (including football coach Joe Paterno and the visible case of defensive back Adam Taliaferro, who sustained a spinal cord injury in 2000), Sebastianelli practices the same patient-focused approach. Getting to know all his potential patients, especially each of the student-athletes he could treat, sounds like a hefty challenge, but Se-
On gamedays, in any sport, Sebastianelli, who played defensive tackle at the University of Rochester, still has a game plan. He admits he still has a bit of nervous energy, too.
“The first thing I do in football is go the the red phone on the sideline and make a sideline phone check, to make sure it’s working,” he said. “Plus you also check with the opposing team medical staff and the EMTs working the game. You want everyone to be on the same page and ready to go. We also talk to the referees if we have anyone with a splint or restrictive cast.
“There’s actually more to worry about as a doctor than as a player. Back then, all I needed to do was carry out my assignment. Now you have to worry about anything and everything.
“You never know when anyone is going to need anything in any sport and you have to be ready for it.”
www.nittanylionclub.com / NLC NEWSLETTER 9
Summer
Coaches, student-athletes often spend part of their sum
Some of the many coaches and student-athletes who assisted at summer camps this summer were: football assistants Dick Anderson (1) and Larry Johnson (2), College Football Hall of Fame member Curt Warner (3); Shannon Hutchinson, softball (4); men’s volleyball camp in Rec Hall (5); and Jen Long, a former field hockey All-American and assistant coach at Harvard (6), and Lauren Alloway, field hockey (7). (Football photos by Mark Selders)
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Sessions
mmers working at ever-popular sports camps on campus.
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Trust key in 100th men’s soccer season Life members get double NLC points MEN’S SOCCER / MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
In just three months on the job men’s soccer coach Bob Warming has already accomplished quite a bit.
He has rounded out his coaching staff (adding Jason Mims, who was one of his assistants at Creighton University and ranks as one of the nation’s best recruiters, and retaining Isang Jacob, who served as the program’s interim head coach before Warming arrived) and has guided a group of student-athletes through a preseason as they all got to know a little bit more about each other.
Both things were especially important for Warming, one of the nation's most successful men’s soccer coaches (383 career victories), who already feels at home in Happy Valley and wants to enhance the program’s long-standing success. Especially as the program celebrates its 100th season this fall.
With some players away from campus during the summer, Warming made a few visits to meet players and they had more time together as a group during summer camps that they led for high school participants.
Warming has several proven student-athletes to trust in his inaugural season. That includes three of the team’s top four goal scorers from 2009. They are: junior forward Corey Herzog (Reading, Pa.); senior midfielder Matheus Braga (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and senior midfielder Drew Cost (West Chester, Pa.). They combined for 21 goals last season.
In addition, Warming, a former goalkeeper himself, has junior Warren Gross (Sarasota Springs, N.Y.), who started all 22 games last season and recorded a 0.83 goals-against average.
The team opens its season Sept. 3 vs. Buffalo at the Wolstein Classic in Columbus, Ohio. Its first home game comes Sept. 10 against Bucknell during the Penn State Classic.
“Coming to Penn State boiled down to the people,” Warming said. “The academics, facilities and location are all great, and it’s just a place that felt right to me.
Two regular season games will be televised on the Big Ten Network: ● Oct. 3 at Michigan (1 p.m. game airing at 7 p.m.); and ● Oct. 23 vs. Ohio State (3 p.m. game airing at 6 p.m.).
“Getting ready for the season, though, the big thing is trust. There has to be that level of trust between the coaches and student-athletes and we’ve been working hard to get to know each other.”
Life members of the Penn State Alumni Association have a chance to score even more with the Nittany Lion Club.
Beginning in 2011, life membership will be worth 20 NLC points—double the current amount. The change applies to those with existing or new NLC memberships. And the change makes NLC membership even more valuable for Alumni Association members because point totals determine some NLC benefits. Specifically, members with higher point totals may get access to opportunities for bowl game tickets or other benefits that those with lower point totals do not. Questions about NLC membership status and point totals may be directed by e-mail to nittanylionclub@ athletics.psu.edu or by phone to 1-800-NITTANY (648-8269).
NLC MEMBERSHIP NOTES ● The NLC paper renewal form will be mailed this fall. ● All members utilizing a matching gift should submit their 2011 gift along with their matching gift form as soon as possible to allow time for your company to process the matching portion of your gift. ● All members who wish to receive 2011 ticket and parking benefits must submit their gift by Feb. 1, 2011 to be eligible for those benefits. ● Renew online anytime www.nittanylionclub.com 12 NLC NEWSLETTER / www.nittanylionclub.com
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GIVING 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 .....................................................................................................................Program Endowment for the Morgan Academic Center Robert Bonzo.................................................................................Robert D. and Patricia A. Bonzo Intercollegiate Athletics Trustee Scholarship Harold and Dolores Brake...........................................................................................................................................................Blue Band Tower Todd Campbell.....................................................................Lasch Football Building Naming Opportunity—TBJ Inc. Graduate Assistant’s Office W. Gary Eberle ..............................................................................................................................................W. Gary Eberle Football Scholarship Joshua N. Grim ............................................................................................................................................Joshua N. Grim Trustee Scholarship William and Henrietta Grosz .........................................William and Henrietta Grosz Endowed Wrestling Scholarship in Intercollegiate Athletics George Gustafson....................................................................................................................Baseball Scholarship in Memory of Chuck Medlar W.R. Hickey Beer Distributors Inc. ..............................................................................William H. Hickey/Charles Abramson Trustee Scholarship James and Joanne McCormick ..................Lasch Football Naming Opportunity—The McCormick’s, Jim 1968 and Joanne Hydro Therapy Area Steven A. Mower ..................................................................................................Steven A. Mower Intercollegiate Athletics Trustee Scholarship Gary and Paula Natale...........................................................................................Natale Family Trustee Scholarship for Intercollegiate Athletics Pincus Family Foundation ................................................................................Ability Athletics Program Support Fund/Scholarship Endowment
FOOTBALL FANTASY Participants in the annual Penn State Football Fantasy Camp joke with assistant coach Jay Paterno during a practice session. The popular camp conducted each summer allows participants to practice on Penn State’s fields, work with members of the coahing staff, dress in the locker rooms at Beaver Stadium and compete in a flag football game at Beaver Stadium. (Photo by Mark Selders)
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www.nittanylionclub.com / NLC NEWSLETTER 13
Coaches’ Quiz: Getting to Kn Women’s Lacrosse Missy Doherty Last stop: Towson FYI: Led Towson to first berth in NCAA Tournament. National champ as assistant at Princeton and threetimes as a player at Maryland.
Men’s Lacrosse
Jeff Tambroni Last stop: Cornell FYI: Three-time national coach of year. Led Cornell to NCAA championship game once and national finals three times.
Men’s Soccer
Bob Warming Last stop: Creighton FYI: Former national coach of year with 383 victories. Has taken two different programs to College Cup.
Women’s Gymnastics
Jeff Thompson Last stop: Auburn FYI: Two-time SEC Coach of the Year. Auburn qualified for NCAA Regionals eight years in a row, No. 2 seed twice in past three years.
Family with you here in Happy Valley?
Husband Brian and sons Evan, 3, and Nate, 10 weeks
Several head coaches have joined Penn State in the
First thing you do each morning?
Watch “Clifford the Big Red Dog” with Evan
Most memorable coaching victory?
Favorite movie or TV villain?
Beating Georgetown to win the NCAAs in 2002.
Gargamel from the Smurfs
Wife Chelle (’91) and daughters Carissa, 8, Maddie, 6, and Ella, 3
Check my Blackberry and then have breakfast with my girls.
In 2004, about 10 days after our captain died and we had taken eight days off, we took the field as a family and beat Yale, 10-6.
Favorite movie ... “Miracle” — tribute to the biggest upset and greatest sporting event of all time!
My wife Cindy and I have four children: Emily, Bess and twins Audrey and Grant.
I love to read the sports section and see who is doing well.
At Creighton, we beat Boston College 6-2 at their place to reach the Final Four. And Creighton had dropped soccer before I arrived.
Just watching movies with my son and I together is the best part.
Wife Rachelle and sons Parker, 14, and Griffin, 12
Go to the coffee maker
Beating five-time NCAA champ Georgia for the first time this past January
Jack Nicholson in The Shining
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now the Latest Nittany Lions past few months, here’s quick look at a few of them. I can’t wait to ...
Favorite sport other than yours?
... win at Penn State.
... learn my way around State College without a Garmin.
basketball or golf
I can watch any sport on TV at any time, but it’s tough to beat college football.
When people say ‘rival’ I still think ...
______ shaped me most as a coach.
Artist with most songs on your iPod?
Phrase/philosophy you use most?
... who will it be this year.
My teammates at Maryland
Dixie Chicks
work hard
... Yankees-Red Sox. I’m a huge Yankees fan married to a Red sox fan living in Phillies country!
The birth of my three kids and the passing of one my former players in 2004 ...
Tim McGraw or Kenny Chesney
leave it better than you found it
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... fill Jeffrey Field with fans who will us to victory in the NCAA Tournament.
There really isn’t a sport I don’t enjoy.
... anyone we play.
My college coaches and the wonderful players I have coached
Sting and the Allman Brothers
eleven as one
... go back to the Creamery
rugby
... Indiana basketball (I grew up in Kentucky)
Suzanne Yoculan
My iPod has 6,000 songs—Dave Matthews to Dvorak, Tchaikovsky to Tool, Benny Goodman to Bob Marley
only verbalize what you want to become a reality
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www.nittanylionclub.com / NLC NEWSLETTER 15
Streak? Shhh ... women simply stress a November goal WOMEN’S SOCCER / WRESTLING
Although the women’s soccer team has won 12 consecutive Big Ten Conference championships coach Erica Walsh insists continuing that streak has not been a topic she has specifically addressed as the start of the season approaches. In fact, she said she has not talked about it. She has other things on her mind, and thinks the team should as well.
The slate at Jeffrey Field includes seven other dates—non-conference contests against Bucknell (Sept. 15) and Dartmouth (Sept. 19) as well as meetings with Michigan State (Sept. 26), Minnesota (Oct. 15), Wisconsin (Oct. 17), Indiana (Oct. 28) and Michigan (Nov. 7). Also, four matches will be televised on the Big Ten Network: ● Oct. 3 at Ohio State (3 p.m.); ● Oct. 17 vs. Wisconsin (1 p.m. game airing at 4:30 p.m.); ● Nov. 7 vs. Michigan (1 p.m.) and; ● another match that will be announced later in the season.
“We really try to focus on the current year,” Walsh said. “We don’t talk about the past much.
“We know that we graduated a lot of talent and a lot of experience, and we know we have a lot of talent remaining on the roster and coming into the program. We have to focus on the challenge of this season, and we’ll see how things turn out.”
Instead of focusing on a 13th consecutive championship, Walsh Walsh has another late-season goal in mind for the squad. Erica
If the team crafts a solid record and qualifies for the NCAA Tournament, it could play at home throughout the month of November because tournament action—from first-round play, which begins Nov. 11, to the national quarterfinals, scheduled Nov. 26-28—will be contested at campus sites. The home portion of the team’s schedule begins with the Penn State Invitational, featuring matchups against Virginia (Aug. 27) and William & Mary (Aug. 29).
Walsh anticipates on-field leadership and production from senior forward Dani Toney (Northville, Mich.) and sophomore midfielder Christine Nairn (Arnold, Md.). She thinks the the team should have a nice mix of experience and talent.
“We’re going to have plenty of speed, albeit young speed,” Walsh said. “We should be able to create a lot more with speed on the attack.”
Among those creating might be freshman forward Maya Hayes (Livingston, N.J.) and junior midfielder Jess Rosenbluth (Gladwyne, Pa.).
“Maya has zero experience but all kinds of speed,” Walsh said. “And Jess brings a lot of experience and craftiness. We have a lot of pieces, a lot of possibilities, it’s just a matter of putting the all together the right way. We should have solutions for different challenges and hopefully we can get them right and be playing at home in November.”
Sanderson: Program welcomes expectations, opportunities
Even in the summer, at what could be a down time for some, the leader of Penn State’s wrestling program has one thing on his mind: a national championship.
He’s always taking steps to get there—conducting camps on campus, visiting camps across the state and planning for the upcoming season.
“We’re probably not considered in the hunt by other people next year but we think we are,” said Cael Sanderson, who recently completed his first a year on the job and marked his family’s first full calendar year in Happy Valley. “We have to get better, but if you compete hard and have a little luck—and guys make their own luck with effort—we think we can do well.”
During the past year Sanderson has experienced many changes, including becoming a father again (with he and his wife welcoming a second son this past spring). Nothing ever varies about his outlook, though. He’s singleminded about that national championship. “Our goal here is the national championship,” he said. “We want to dominate.” It’s not a mean-spirited message, more matter-of-fact, and it has resonated with those in
the program and beyond— from student-athletes wearing blue-and-white singlets to high school coaches across the state.
“It’s easy for me to recommend Penn State for my guys who want to wrestle in colCael lege,” said Hempfield High Sanderson School coach Vince DeAugustine, who coached Nittany Lion redshirt freshman Jake Kemerer in high school. “Cael’s just a class act. He was at our camp this summer and he took time to wrestle with every kid there. We had 60 kids, all kinds of different abilities, and the guy who I consider the greatest to ever lace up a pair of wrestling shoes, somebody who could have an ego but does not, made time for every one of them.”
With a calm, down-to-earth approach, Sanderson sees every challenge as an opportunity. While others might have expectations for the program, none expect as much as him.
“We want to stay ahead of the expectations,” Sanderson said. “There are challenges everywhere you go but once you establish the discipline levels and responsibilities other things fall into place.”
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SCHEDULE Date ......................Opponent......................Time Nov. 12 .....................at Bloomsburg .......................7 p.m. Nov. 14 ..........................LEHIGH.............................2 p.m. Nov. 21.......at Sprawl and Brawl Duals ..(Binghamton, N.Y.) Dec. 5..................NITTANY LION OPEN .............8:30 a.m. Dec. 12 ......................LOCK HAVEN ........................2 p.m. Dec. 19.......................OHIO STATE .........................2 p.m. Dec. 29-30 ............at Southern Scuffle...(Greensboro, N.C.) Jan. 7-8...................at Virginia Duals ..........(Hampton, Va.) Jan. 21 .............................PITT ...............................7 p.m. Jan. 23 .........................at Indiana ...........................1 p.m. Jan. 30 ............................IOWA ..............................2 p.m. Feb. 4 .....................at Michigan State .....................7 p.m. Feb. 6..........................at Michigan..........................2 p.m. Feb. 11..........................ILLINOIS............................7 p.m. Feb. 13.......................at Minnesota.........................3 p.m. Feb. 18 .......................WISCONSIN .........................7 p.m. March 5-6..........Big Ten Championships(West Lafayette, Ind.) March 17-19 .......NCAA Championships ........(Philadelphia)
After a year at Penn State, Sanderson has also learned about the strong support of Penn Staters. “So many people care and support the program,” he said. “That’s really not something you see everywhere. We appreciate that, and we want to give them a lot to cheer about.” Call the customer relations center at 1-800NITTANY or (814) 863-1000 for season ticket information.
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4 Things You Need to Know WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
About being a three-time national champion ...
with (left to right) Arielle Wilson (Broadview, Ill.) , Alyssa D’Errico (Byron, N.Y.) and Blair Brown (Purcellville, Va.) 1. Everyone is superstitious Every player has their own idiosyncrasies. For these three it’s freshly painted finger nails (Wilson), one of two headbands (D’Errico) and the same pair of kneepads (brown) for every match. “If Arielle did not paint her nails, we’d wonder what was up,” Brown says.
3. Expectations exist “Coach Rose expects the best of us on and off the court, for ourselves and for our families. Always,” D’Errico says. “He has a reason for what he does and it works.”
2. Traditions matter They protect the team’s traditions, including the pregame routine, and team leaders have much to teach the nine freshmen—especially the importance of freshmen skits before matches.
4. A big boost helps After three consecutive crowns, the team has become more well known on campus and beyond. “We really appreciate how much everyone supports us,” Wilson says.
Knowns, unknowns to define women’s volleyball team
Never mind those three consecutive national championships, Russ Rose has moved along. He’s focused on the 2010 season.
“Every year is different,” said Rose, the Hall of Fame coach who has made the Penn State women’s volleyball program one of the best in the nation thanks to its consistency. He annually worries about knowns and unknowns, and somehow continues to replace consensus AllAmericans as the team consistently piles up victories.
This season, the team must replace Alisha Glass and Megan Hodge.
“The biggest challenges we have revolve around the graduation of two kids who are now playing a lot for the national team,” Rose
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said. “I think there are new players who will be in the mix and at the same time we’re going to need leadership from those players who have been here the past few years.” Regular season action begins Aug. 27-28 at North Carolina with matches against UNC, Villanova and Campbell University. The first home matches come Sept. 3-4.
Five matches will be televised on the Big Ten Network: ● Sept. 26 at Wisconsin (2 p.m. game airing at 7 p.m.); ● Oct. 2 vs. Michigan (6 p.m.); ● Oct. 20 at Ohio State (7 p.m.); ● Nov. 13 vs. Illinois (TBA); and ● Nov. 27 at Minnesota (TBA).
While he’ll address the unknowns—among them developing a consistent, go-to offensive presence—during preseason practice, Rose believes defense ranks as one of the knowns entering the season.
Seniors Blair Brown, Alyssa D’Errico and Arielle Wilson (see photo above) should provide the leadership while competition at defensive spots should help as well. Rose thinks defense will be an early season strength.
Defensive leaders should include seniors Cathy Quillico (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) and Jessica Ullrich (Winfield, Ill.). Other contributors could include sophomore Kristin Carpenter (Mechanicsville, Va.) and junior Megan Shifflett (Falls Church , Va.).
www.nittanylionclub.com / NLC NEWSLETTER 17
INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
Golfers’ steady effort concludes strong year
The men’s golf team completed play at NCAA national tournament, finishing 29th with a +34 (898). Redshirt-junior T.J. Howe (Osceola, Pa.) shot a 1-under in the third round, and finished the week with a team-leading 221 (7674-71). Penn State’s season came to a close, highlighted by its second appearance in the tournament in the past three years.
“These guys could have easily let down in the final round, but to their credit they went out and played our best round of the event,” coach Greg Nye said. “I was very pleased to watch Kevin (Foley) close his great Penn State career on a high note.”
CAMP CONTACT Participants in the first Penn State Football Ladies Xs and Os Camp practice blocking drills inside Beaver Stadium. Fifty women, from teenagers to grandmothers, participated in the camp, which included a behind-the-scenes look at the football program and instruction from members of the football coaching staff. (Photo by Mark Selders)
Conference recognizes 57 student-athletes
The Big Ten Conference has recognized a total of 484 student-athletes who have been selected as recipients of the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award. In its second year, the award honors student-athletes who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.7 or higher during the previous academic year. A total of 57 Penn State student-athletes were selected for the Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award, the second-highest total among all conference institutions. Twenty-one sports were represented by Nittany Lion honorees, led by women's swimming and diving (seven), women's soccer and field hockey (six), softball and women's track and field (five), men's gymnastics (four) and women's cross country, men's swimming and diving and football (three each).
Ten of Penn State's Distinguished Scholar Award recipients earned a perfect 4.0 GPA during the 2009-10 academic year. They were: ● Jessica Babcock (women's cross country/track & field, elementary education, Irvine, Calif.); ● Tara Davies (women's soccer, elementary education, Cape May, N.J.), ● Ashley Griffith (softball, kinesiology, Mount Laurel, N.J.); ● William Donley (men's lacrosse,
journalism, Pittsburgh, Pa.); ● Robert McClaren (men's fencing, criminal justice, Holley, N.Y.); ● Rachel NeMoyer (women's track & field, science, Orchard Park, N.Y.); ● Miguel Pineda (men's gymnastics, science, Galloway, Ohio); ● Rebecca Snyder (women's swimming, education, Harmony, Pa.); ● Stefen Wisniewski (football, secondary education, Pittsburgh, Pa.); and ● Logan Wyman (men's gymnastics, classics & ancient Mediterranean studies, Phoenix, Md.). Griffith was the female recipient of the Big Ten Medal of Honor and was also named to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic AllAmerica third team. Wisniewski is a two-time Academic All-American, earning second team honors in 2008 and first team honors in 2009. Also among Penn State's honorees were: NCAA steeplechase champ Bridget Franek (cross country/track & field, kinesiology, Hiram, Ohio); three members of the NCAA champion men's and women's fencing teams; All-American gymnast Noam Shaham (engineering science, Kfar Saba, Israel); gymnast Brandi Personett (nursing, Katy, Texas); and Ryan Wolf (division of undergraduate studies, York, Pa.), of the men's volleyball team.
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Foley (Somerville, N.J.) played his best round of the tournament in the third round, carding an even-par 72. The senior All-Big Ten selection posted a 227 (79-76-72) for the tournament at +11. Freshman Ernie Marin (Miami, Fla.) also posted a 227 (77-72-78) to finish at +11 in his first NCAA appearance.
After leading the team's efforts for two days with a 71 (-1) and a 76 (+4), junior Tommy McDonagh (East Norwalk, Conn.) slipped slightly during the third round, carding an 85 (+13) and ending the tournament with a 232 (+16). Senior Jim Markovitz (Bridgeville, Pa.) finished the third round with a 78, concluding NCAA play with a 234 (77-79-78).
NLC Staff Note
Sandy Watson will depart the NLC staff because she has accepted a staff assistant position with Associate Athletic Director Mark Sherburne.
The NLC would like to thank her for all of her years of dedication in pleasantly serving our Nittany Lion Club membership in the office, on the phone and via email. We congratulate Sandy and wish her all the best. Success with Honor
Student-Athletes Share What Their Numbers Mean to Them BY THE NUMBERS
13
25
481
Danielle Toney
Talor Battle
Evan Royster
A senior women’s soccer player from Northville, Mich., Danielle, the team’s top returning scorer (13 goals), has a team goal in mind as her final season begins.
“If we win the conference championship again, that would be 13 in a row. That’s pretty special.
“It’s exciting as a senior because you know more about the program and its tradition than you did as a freshman. We have so much pride in our school, and I think this year is going to be another good, fun team. We have some people with experience returning and some really good freshmen. We know it’s not going to be easy, but we’re willing to fight and work hard to make it happen again.
“Every season is different, but the team atmosphere is what makes things work. We support each other. When someone has a rough day, we just pick them back up and help them through. We know it’s going to be a struggle, but we have a group that’s willing to help each other through and that’s why I’m excited about the season.”
A senior basketball player from Albany, N.Y., Battle needs 25 rebounds to become the first Penn State player with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 400 assists.
“Rebounding is fun. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing.
“Coach DeChellis wants everybody going after the ball and I’ve told our big guys that if they get a body on people and are doing their jobs, I’ll get whatever they miss. Rebounding is really all about the team because everybody has to do their job. When we do that, somebody is going to end up getting the ball.
“If you pay attention to the angles, you can do a pretty good job of knowing where the ball is going to come off the rim, and I think every shot will be a miss. Size doesn’t really matter as much as you think. Some of the best rebounders have been undersized big men who really want the ball and work hard to get it. If you bring that mentality, you’re going to get the rebounds. It’s about effort and hard work.”
A senior running back from Fairfax, Va., Royster needs 481 yards to pass Curt Warner and move atop Penn State’s all-time rushing list.
“It would be awesome. It’s something I’ll carry with me my whole life, something I can tell my kids, my grandkids about down the road. Just to be named in the same category as some of those guys, it’s a great honor.”
Along with Warner, Royster would surpass Larry Johnson, D.J. Dozier, Curtis Enis, Blair Thomas and Tony Hunt. Entering the season, Royster’s 6.1-yard average ranks fourth all-time behind Ki-Jana Carter (7.1), Johnson (6.4) and Lenny Moore (6.2).
Royster has bulked up a bit entering this season, too.
“I felt good last year but at the same time there have been times in games when I’ve felt like with a little bit more weight I could break that tackle or deliver a little bit more of a blow and get a couple extra yards.”
Men’s, women’s cross country teams set for strong runs “Youthful experience” sounds impossible but it does exist and it should be a strength for the men’s and women’s cross country teams this fall. Both squads return most of their top runners from last season and many of those runners are still underclassmen.
For the defending Big Ten Conference champion women—who claimed that crown on their home course at the Penn State Golf Courses—the youth movement includes sophomore Nicole Lord (Media, Pa.), who regularly scored for the team last season, never placing lower than third for the team in any event she ran.
Her similarly young teammates who scored points for the team last year include: junior Caitlin Lane (Greenwich, N.Y.); junior Kara Millhouse (Boiling Springs, Pa.); sophomore Natalie Bower (Pleasant Unity, Pa.); and sophomore Brooklyne Ridder (Cincinnati, Ohio).
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After winning the conference title last season, the women advanced to the NCAA Regional, which was contested in Princess Anne, Md., and placed fourth among 27 teams. Several talented freshmen have joined the roster this year, too.
For the men’s team, all seven runners who scored for the team at the Big Ten Championships are back. Those student-athletes are: senior Sam Borchers (Yellow Springs, Ohio); senior Kyle Dawson (Downingtown, Pa.); senior Ryan Foster (Tazmania, Australia); senior Lucas Zarazeczny (Pittsburgh); junior Chris Cipro (Harmony, Pa.); junior Vince McNally (Smoketown, Pa.); and sophomore Danny Pawola (Naperville, Ill). That core eventually helped the team finish 16th among 28 teams at NCAA Regionals, where McNally finished eighth.
The Big Ten Network will televise the cross country championships on Oct. 31.
www.nittanylionclub.com / NLC NEWSLETTER 19
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Varsity ‘S’ Day highlights busy schedule of activities
Dates for Varsity ‘S’ Day and several other alumni events have been set for 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. Those organizing the events for each of the sports teams treat them as season highlights—special opportunities for alumni to meet current student-athletes and to reconnect with each other. Some who attend see each other on a regular basis. Others might not have seen each other Lettermen from many varsity sports teams (above and inset) annually return to campus for Varsity for years. ‘S’ Day, which was an enjoyable occasion outside Plus, the cross-generational Beaver Stadium despite rain last season. aspect of all the events allows in a while to get reconnected because former student-athletes from the sports they can meet people who have had who might not have ever met or played many of the same experiences and together to learn about each other and share that passion for Penn State.” swap stories about shared experiences— Events begin a women’s golf reeven if they happened years apart. union Aug. Aug. 27-29 and run “These events are great for everyone through Oct. 23 as men’s soccer coninvolved,” said Mike Milliron, a former ducts a session for alumni and to celPenn State baseball player who serves as ebrate the program’s 100th year of Varsity ‘S’ and sport-restricted giving cocompetition. ordinator. “They’re emotional and enjoyIndividual sports offices are hanable, a great way for people who always dling details for their events, but Milsee each other to spend more time toliron may be contacted by phone gether, or a wonderful opportunity for (814-867-2202) with questions. those who have not been back to campus
Track and field alumnae shine at nationals
Three alumnae, two who graduated this spring and one who made a comeback after a couple seasons away from the sport, led a strong Penn State contingent at the U.S. Track and Field Championships. Alumnus Connie Moore, an 11-time All-American while at Penn State who graduated with a de-
UPCOMING VARSITY ‘S’ EVENTS Aug. 27-29, Women’s Golf Alumni Weekend Sept. 3-4, Men’s Golf Alumni Event Sept. 25, Varsity ‘S’ Day vs. Temple Oct. 2, Fencing Alumni Event Oct. 16, Diving Alumni Event Oct. 16, Cross Country Alumni Event Oct. 23, Men’s Soccer Alumni Event gree in psychology in 2004, won the 200-meter dash. It was her first U.S. crown. Also, 2010 graduates Fawn Dorr (400-meter hurdles) and Bridget Franek (steeplechase) recorded top-five finishes. They have signed contracts and compete professionally for Brooks and Nike, respectively.
Q&A: Scott Shirley engineers an uplifting career path
(Former football team member Scott Shirley, who earned a bachelor’s degree, 2003, and master’s degree, 2004, from Penn State, serves as chairman of the board and executive director for Uplifting Athletes. He is responsible for fundraising, leadership and strategic planning. At Penn State, he was wide receiver and a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. He earned the Frank Patrick Total Commitment Award and the Walkon Award. Before joining Uplifting Athletes, he was a project engineer with Clark Construction Group.)
Where did you grow up and where do you currently live? I grew up in Enola, Pa., and currently live in Harrisburg.
What sports did you play at Penn State? I played football, 1999-2003. In Scott Shirley has played inside Beaver Stadium, helped renovate the facility and created a lastthe spring of 2001 I worked out ing impact as one of the co-founders of “Lift for Life” and leader of Uplifiting Athletes. with the baseball team. What stands out the was an intern for Barton Malow/Alexander on most about Penn State? the Beaver Stadium expansion project. It was What degree(s) did you earn from Penn In the summer of 2003, pretty cool to play in the stadium that I helped State? teammates Damone Jones, to build. Bachelor’s in civil engineering and masters Dave Costlow and I organin mechanical engineering. ized an event called “Lift What is your favorite place on campus? For Life” to benefit kidney Beaver Stadium. I also enjoyed sitting by Family? cancer research in response the pond next to the Hintz Alumni Center beNot married yet. to my father’s diagnosis with this rare disease. tween classes. It obviously started because of what we What is your current job? learned through his challenges in finding an efWhat sports do you enjoy watching the My childhood dream (other than playing fective treatment, but it would have not materimost? professional sports) was to be an engineer and When I was in school I tried to watch every- alized without the involvement of my work for a large general contractor. I was forteammates, the faith of the administration in us thing. One of the most enjoyable aspects of tunate enough to graduate from Penn State as student-athletes or the outpouring of support being a student-athlete at Penn State was bewith two degrees in engineering and work in of our great fans. That combination of factors coming friends with the other student-athletes that field. About three years ago, “Lift For is very unique to Penn State. Eight years later, and supporting each other’s efforts. Life” had evolved into “Uplifting Athletes” the tradition still lives on through the effort of and it needed full time attention. I currently the current members of the Penn State football Thoughts on your coaches while at Penn serve as the organization’s executive director team. Lead by Brett Brackett, this year’s Lift State. and I am very proud of how the effort has For Life event raised more than $98,000! My coaches at Penn State were like family. grown both at Penn State and beyond. One of the things that really sets Penn State What does it mean to you to be a Penn apart is loyalty of the coaches to the school and What is your fondest memory as a Penn State Nittany Lion? the student-athletes. State student-athlete? Being a Nittany Lion is an honor. I’m alThe 2002 night game against Nebraska is by ways proud to tell someone that I went to Penn How do you think the University and InState and I do my best to make Penn State far the most electric gameday environment I tercollegiate Athletics have changed since proud in return. ever experienced. I get chills just thinking you left? about it. Carrying Joe off the field for his 324th The facilities continue to grow. With the adWhat have you done to stay connected to victory against Ohio State is a great memory, dition of the baseball stadium, renovations to the University? too. the soccer field and more, the athletic subcamEvery fall I make it back to one or two footpus continues to be one of the best in the counball games, a baseball game in the spring and What is your fondest memory as a Penn try! meet with that football student-athletes that State student? volunteer for Uplifting Athletes in the summer. During the summers of 2000 and 2001, I
Peetz earns Distinguished Alumni Award, elected Trustee
Former Penn State field hockey 1998 to run the domestic corporate and lacrosse standout Karen Brethertrust business. Before joining The ick Peetz, who earned her degree in Bank of New York, she spent 16 individual and family studies in years with JPMorgan Chase and had 1977, has enjoyed some truly blueseveral sales and business manageand-white moments in the past few ment positions, including an assignmonths. ment in London. She also was a She was honored with a Distincommercial lending officer. guished Alumni Award from the UniShe is a member of BNY Mellon’s versity in January. executive committee, the organizaKaren Then, in May, she was elected as a Bretherick Peetz tion’s most senior management body. member of the Penn State Board of She also is the chairperson for the Trustees. Her three-year term started July 1. company’s Women’s Initiatives Network and Peetz is senior executive vice president reserves on its diversity council. sponsible for financial markets and treasury She has been named the second-most-powservices within BNY Mellon, a leading asset erful woman in banking by U.S. Banker magmanagement and securities company and the azine. corporate brand of The Bank of New York The Distinguished Alumni Award is the Mellon Corp. Peetz was also the business highest honor that Penn State bestows upon manager responsible for corporate trust and an outstanding alumna or alumnus. The award led the integration of the JPMorgan asset salutes the achievements of outstanding swap in 2006. She managed the global payalumni whose “personal lives, professional ments business as well. achievements, and community service exemPeetz joined The Bank of New York in plify the objectives of their alma mater.” The
Opportunities abound for alumni assistance
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 stu-
dent-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.
TERRIFIC TWINS: Twins Donovan Michael Glass (left) and Carter Anthony Glass
arrived April 1, 2010—six weeks early—to parents Aric Glass (’02 Football) and Rebecca Glass. They’re happy and healthy brothers, and they learned it’s never too early to become a Nittany Lion. Aric also has a twin brother. He, Rebecca and the boys live in Lancaster, Pa.
award is an engraved bronze medallion, matching pen. Peetz played both field hockey (1974-76) and lacrosse (1974-77) under legendary coach Gillian Rattray at Penn State. “The Distinguished Alumni Award weekend was the experience of a lifetime for me and my extended family of Penn Staters,” Peetz said. “Preparing for the speeches was great fun because it allowed me to think through the impact that Penn State has had on my life. Delivering the speeches to such willing Penn State audiences was even better. It was a humbling and moving experience.” “We’re so proud of Karen and in awe of her accomplishments,” said field hockey coach Charlene Morett, who played with Peetz. “We're so fortunate to have someone like Karen out there representing Penn State. “I was always in awe of Karen as a player and person because she really was a great competitor on the field and just a wonderful teammate," said Morett. "She was the ultimate student-athlete.”
A Plan: One Gift, Any Size, Every Year As you know, Penn State is a fully selfsustaining athletic department, meaning it does not utilize state funds, University funds or tuition dollars to finance its 29 varsity sports. We rely heavily on private donations through the Nittany Lion Club. And, we are continuing the opportunity for former athletes to designate their NLC donations directly back to their team, helping make an immediate impact on the sports that have given them so much. It doesn’t take a million dollars to make a difference, either. If you are looking for other ways to financially support your team, contact the appropriate development person. ● RJ Gimbl (814) 865-5576 / rjg20@psu.edu for football, golf, tennis, swimming, and wrestling; ● Mark Muhlhauser (814) 867-1598 / mam83@psu.edu for women’s basketball, baseball, gymnastics, softball, volleyball and fencing; or ● John Nitardy (814) 863-7664 / jdn13@psu.edu for men’s basketball, track and field, field hockey, lacrosse and soccer.
In 2009, former student-athletes gave more than $4.5 million to Intercollegiate Athletics.
Mail from Mike ... For the Glory, For the Future
Dean Fellow Nittany Lions, I don’t know what to say, I am really at a loss for words. As the 2010 Nittany Lion Club giving year came to an end (June 30) and I was taking a look at the reports that showed the involvement of our former student-athletes in the Nittany Lion Club—I was proud.
Contact the Varsity ‘S’ Club
I was proud to see that more than 1,550 of our former student-athletes generously made a gift to Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics through the Nittany Lion Club in support of current Nittany Lion student-athletes! (That’s an increase of more than 200 from the 2009 NLC giving year.)
Mike Milliron (814) 867-2202 varsitys@athletics.psu.edu
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Continuing to be a part of the Penn State Athletics family and supporting the student-athletes of today are key pillars of what the Varsity ‘S’ Club is founded on. Your generosity and support enables our current Nittany Lions to
chase their dreams (no different than the dreams that we had as student-athletes) of hoisting a national championship trophy, becoming an AllAmerican, and most importantly earning a Penn State degree.
Achieving and maintaining Success with Honor is not easy. Everyone at Penn State works tirelessly each and every day to ensure this tradition holds true. Your generosity and support make certain our student-athletes have the necessary resources to carry out the tradition that you helped build and since has become synonymous with Penn State Athletics.
Again, thank you for all that you did as a Penn State student-athlete and for all that you continue to do in supporting our student-athletes of today. 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.