March 18, 2008
By Tony Mancuso, Athletic Communications Student Assistant
High school athletes dream of what it would be like to advance to the state championship game and play on the biggest stage in interscholastic athletics. They have visions of what it would be like to sink a game-winning shot, hoist a trophy and wear the champion's medal.
For Pennsylvania scholastic basketball players and fans, that stage has been set on the campus of Penn State. The Bryce Jordan Center welcomed the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Basketball Championships for the second-straight year last weekend.
The Jordan Center hosted eight state championship battles (four boys, four girls) over the course of two days. Although it may seem like just another event to the Bryce Jordan Center, months of preparation are necessary to put on the championships. Nonetheless, hosting the event in 2007 provided the framework for this season's games.
"A lot of preparation went into our initial time hosting the 2007 event, as it was the first time in the Bryce Jordan Center," said Jennifer James, Penn State Assistant Athletic Director. "We had to work with the PIAA to find out their needs and how we would handle them or adapt something to handle them at our facility. This year was still a lot of time and effort, but the groundwork had been laid so it was a little easier."
As one would expect, one site hosting eight basketball games over the course of two days is a sizeable task for a staff of any size.
"It is a rather large challenge, especially this year with it happening over Spring Break and a lot of staff/volunteers being out of town," said James. "However, we still had a great response from our key staff and the volunteer community and I am confident that we put on a great show again this year!"
Prior to the games being held in Happy Valley, Giant Arena in Hershey was the home of PIAA basketball. The games were moved to State College in 2007, and will remain at Penn State through the 2009 season.
Penn State is a natural fit for the high school basketball state championship. Aside from its central geographic location and top-notch facility, Happy Valley puts scholastic athletes on hardwood filled by Big Ten athletes.
"We are so very centrally located in the state for one," James said. "Secondly, we have great facilities and fabulous staff - both paid and from the volunteer community. Plus for basketball, we are truly playing in a basketball arena, so we can do some things that other facilities cannot due to space, technology, knowledge or financial constraints."
The Chester boys basketball team celebrates their PIAA title. (photo courtesy of the Centre Daily Times) |
In addition to the thrill for high school athletes, hosting the PIAA Championships is truly a privilege for Penn State. Hosting the state basketball championships grants the university an opportunity to annually host the best scholastic basketball talent in the state on its home floor. Also, hosting the championships goes far beyond eight basketball games.
"It is a tremendous honor to host the highest level of the state high school basketball talent," James said. "And even if there is not a current Nittany Lion or Lady Lion basketball recruit on the teams that are playing, they could be in the stands as family or friends or even just basketball fans. Therefore we get to showcase our fabulous facility."
"Family and friends also get to spend some time on campus and may be seeing it for the first time, thus possibly adding to their interest in coming to Penn State even if they are not recruited as a student-athlete. Alumni can be proud of us hosting and doing a good job and therefore they might decide to donate a little more to the university. The extra benefits of hosting this here is pretty far-reaching."
After a glowing success in 2007, Penn State and the PIAA are anticipating another successful weekend in the Jordan Center. Penn State will once again host the championships in 2009. The event is slated for March 20 and 21. After the 2009 championships, the event will be up for re-bidding.
"We will hopefully be able to pull of the fantastic partnership that we did for '07, '08 and '09 with the Central Pennsylvania Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Improvement District folks to put in the remarkable bid that got the attention of the PIAA Board Members," said James. "That along with our track record of hosting the best basketball championships in the state will help us keep this event in Happy Valley for years to come!"
PIAA Basketball Championships
Friday, March 14
Class AA Girls - York Catholic 52, Northern Cambria 40
Class A Boys - McKeesport Serra Catholic 67, Freire Charter 66
Class AAAA Girls - Central Dauphin 54, Mount Lebanon 49
Class AAA Boys - Steelton-Highspire 65, Susquehanna Township 52
Saturday, March 15
Class A Girls - Marian Catholic 40, Mount Alvernia 34
Class AA Boys - Jeannette 76, Strawberry Mansion 72
Class AAA Girls - Mt. St. Joseph Academy 53, Mercyhurst Prep 43
Class AAAA Boys - Chester 81, Norristown 77