Nov. 6, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA.; NOV. 6, 2012 - Penn State alum and current ESPN.com college basketball writer Dana O'Neil will be the featured guest speaker at the first Point Guard Club Brunch of the season held Wednesday, Nov. 7 in the Founder's Room at the Bryce Jordan Center. The Brunch, the first of four monthly events scheduled for the season, is presented by the Penn State Hoops Club.
"I'm thrilled that an outstanding and well-known college basketball journalist such as Dana is helping us start a great season of Hoops Club events at the BJC," Penn State coach Patrick Chambers said. "Dana is a good friend and an incredible Penn State alumnus and we are very fortunate that she is taking the time to join us."
O'Neil will be joined at the luncheon by Chambers and Nittany Lion players Tim Frazier, D.J. Newbill and Kevin Montminy. The monthly Point Guard Club Brunches are held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Bryce Jordan Center Founders Lounge and feature regular visits from Nittany Lion basketball coaches and players as well as the Voice of the Nittany Lions Steve Jones. They are open to Hoops Club members and guests at a cost of $15 for Club Members and $20 for guests. Other Point Guard Club Brunch dates for the season are Thursday, Dec. 13, Tuesday, Jan. 5 and Monday, Feb. 25.
One of the most respected journalists in college athletics, O'Neil has been in sports journalism for more than 20 years and has risen to become one of the top writers and a television personality at ESPN after stints writing for the Philadelphia Daily News, The Trentonian and the Berks County Courier Times. She is a board member for the United States Basketball Writers Association and has covered all the major stories, coaches, players and events surrounding college basketball.
The Penn State Hoops Club is under the direction of new president Michael Flanagan and has undergone several changes that have seen membership in the Club increase dramatically over the past several months.
"We have tried to broaden our base and get more of the community involved with the Hoops Club and the Penn State basketball program," Flanagan said. "There is a lot of positive energy around the program with Coach Chambers, the staff and players and many active and enthusiastic people involved with the Hoops Club. People can see something positive happening here and want to get involved early as this program grows."
The Penn State Hoops Club sponsors numerous events for members throughout the year including a large tailgate at home football games, a road game bus trip (this season to La Salle on Dec. 5), pre and post-game socials, Club Brunches, a Holiday Social, an open pre-season scrimmage and the annual post-season banquet (April 12). This season pre and post-game socials will be held at several local restaurants and cafés around State College as well as at the Bryce Jordan Center.
There are several membership options for the Penn State Hoops Club. Season individual memberships are $50 for adults and $20 for Penn State students and individuals graded 9-12. Family memberships, which include all members of a household, are $100. Ambassador Membership is $125 and Community Captain membership is a $1,000 package that includes four season tickets, a Hoops Club polo shirt, pre-game tour of basketball facilities, an invitation to closed basketball practice and a "Thank You" ad in the game day program during January.
To join the Penn State Hoops Club or get more information on memberships and events please visit www.PennStateHoopsClub.com or contact the club at pshoopsclub@pennstatehoopsclub.com.
Penn State officially opens the 2012-13 season on Friday, Nov. 9 when it takes on Saint Francis in a 7:00 p.m. tip.
Single game tickets for men's basketball are available by calling 1-800-NITTANY or by visiting GoPSUsports.com/tickets or Ticketmaster. Single-game tickets for Nittany Lion games are $24 for lower bowl seats between the baselines, $18 for the lower bowl behind the baskets and upper level between the baselines and $15 for upper level behind the basket seats for adults and seniors. Youth tickets (18 and under) are $10, while Penn State student tickets (University Park or branch campus) are $5. Penn State also offers special basketball group ticket rates for groups of 25 fans or more, while all groups of 15 or more qualify for a Penn State adjustable hat as a group gift. Nittany Lion group rates are $10 for adults and $5 for youth. Interested groups are asked to contact 1-800-NITTANY.
PNC Flex Books are also available again this year for $99. The Flex Book gives fans 12 vouchers, 10 that can be redeemed in any combination for Nittany Lion and Lady Lion Basketball tickets throughout the year and two extra vouchers for the Nittany Lions' Coaches Vs. Cancer game on Saturday, Jan. 26 vs. Ohio State and the Lady Lions' Think Pink game on Sunday, Feb. 24 vs. Michigan.
For all the latest information, notes, pictures and related links on Penn State basketball follow Associate Athletic Communications Director Brian Siegrist (@PSUSTRETCH) and the official Penn State men's basketball handle (@PennStateMBB) on Twitter and check GoPSUsports.com. The Nittany Lions are also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pennstatebasketball.
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