Sept. 23, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - With Nittany Lion wrestling season tickets already at record levels, Penn State wrestling fans are running out of time to secure their season packages for the 2010-11 season. Head coach Cael Sanderson heads into his second season as mentor of the Nittany Lions and has put together an exciting home schedule in Rec Hall.
This year's season ticket package features seven home duals (the Nittany Lion Open is not part of the package) and costs only $42 for adults and $28 for youth (18 and under). Fans can place new orders for season tickets by calling Joel Diamond at 814-867-2557. A $5 per order handling fee will be added to all season ticket orders.
Sanderson's squad features two returning All-Americans and two straight top-three recruiting classes. This year's home schedule begins in earnest on Sunday, Nov. 14, with a home dual against in-state rival Lehigh at 2 p.m. Lock Haven then invades Rec Hall on Sunday, Dec. 12, for a 2 p.m. match-up.
The Big Ten season begins early when conference rival Ohio State comes to Happy Valley for a 2 p.m. dual on Sunday, Dec. 19. The Pittsburgh Panthers close out Penn State's non-conference schedule in Rec Hall on Friday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m.
The Iowa Hawkeyes come to town on Sunday, Jan. 30, at 2 p.m., followed by a match-up with the Illinois Illini on Friday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. The Nittany Lions close out their dual meet schedule with a home meeting with the Wisconsin Badgers on Friday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m.
The first national rankings were released earlier this week, with Penn State earning a No. 6 nod in WIN Magazine's pre-season TPI (tournament power index) rating. Six Nittany Lions were ranked individually at their respective weights in WIN's pre-season individual rankings: Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.), No. 3 at 149; Quentin Wright (Wingate, Pa.), No. 7 at 184; Brad Pataky (Clearfield, Pa.), No. 7 at 125; David Taylor (St. Paris, Ohio), No. 7 at 157; Cameron Wade (Twinsburg, Ohio), No. 8 at HWT and Ed Ruth (Harrisburg, Pa.), No. 14 at 174.
Penn State has long been one of the national leaders in average wrestling attendance, but Sanderson's inaugural season as mentor last year was exceptional even by Penn State standards. Penn State averaged 4,341 fans per dual meet, a figure more than 1,000 more per event higher than the next highest total since 1998-99 (accurate records prior to that are not available on a yearly basis). Last year's average was almost 1,700 more per event than the year before Sanderson's arrival.
A new benefit for this year gives season ticket holders the opportunity to purchase single event tickets earlier than the general public. Single event tickets are set to go on sale on Monday, Oct. 18, however, season ticket holders will be able to purchase single dual tickets on Friday, Oct. 15. A maximum of four single match tickets may be purchased on Oct. 15. Interested season tickets holders should either call 814-865-5555 or purchase in person at the Bryce Jordan Center Box Office (from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.) on that day to take advantage of this new benefit.
All season tickets are reserved seat locations. New ticket orders will be fulfilled and mailed by November 1, 2010. All times are subject to change. The 2010-11 Penn State wrestling season is presented by the Family Clothesline.