May 22, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - For the first time in more than 20 years, Penn State's renowned Berkey Creamery unveiled a new "hall of fame" ice cream flavor named after legendary Nittany Lion women's volleyball head coach, Russ Rose.
The flavor, Russ "digs" Roseberry, joins the creamery's lineup of "hall of fame" permanent flavors, which pay tribute to Penn State people and institutions that have had significant impact on the University and wider community. The ice cream variety is made with black raspberry puree, whole strawberries, strawberry sauce, red raspberry sauce and pure Wilbur's chocolate in a vanilla base.
Rose has earned unprecedented success in his 35-year career at the helm of the squad, including the 2013 NCAA national title, marking the program's fifth national championship in the last seven years. But perhaps none of his victories has tasted as sweet as the honor he received this week.
"Coach Rose likes fruit-flavored ice cream," said Tom Palchak, manager of the creamery, "and his wife, Lori, loves chocolate. She was instrumental in helping to develop this new flavor, so we're pleased we were able to blend the fruits and chocolate in a way that we think the Roses, and the public, will love."
Palchak noted that the new flavor is meant to recognize not just Penn State's success on the court, but the way in which Rose has built his program.
"He's won conference and national championships with true scholar-athletes," said Palchak. "His players have been named Academic All-Big Ten 150 times, and 16 have been named Academic All-Americans, with four of those being named Academic All-American of the Year. They are well-rounded individuals who reflect their coach in their quest for excellence."
Developing a new flavor in Rose's honor first was discussed a few years ago, according to Palchak, but the coach -- who typically prefers not to focus on personal accolades -- politely declined. After he guided Penn State to its sixth NCAA championship in program history in December, he was approached again, this time accepting the recognition.
In the following months, Palchak hosted the Roses at the creamery so they could provide input and sample flavor combinations that might be appropriate.
"There are few people at this University who have had a flavor named after them, and when I was first asked, I wasn't quite sure about the idea," Rose said. "But after considering it, Lori and I decided to get involved and work with the creamery to perfect the flavor. I am honored to have been approached by the University, and I hope it's going to be a popular flavor."
Some of the creamery's "hall of fame" flavors include:
-- Cherry Quist, a creamy black cherry and vanilla ice cream, is named for John Almquist, professor emeritus of dairy science and the 1981 winner of the Wolf Prize, the highest award in the agricultural sciences.
-- Keeney Beany, a double-chocolate ice cream with chocolate chunks, pays tribute to Philip Keeney, professor emeritus of food science and nationally recognized authority on ice cream and chocolate technology.
-- Peachy Paterno, the winning name selected from a Penn State Food Science Club ice cream naming contest in 1987, honors former football coach Joe Paterno's academic contributions to the University.
-- WPSU Coffee Break is named for Penn State's award-winning public broadcasting television station.
-- Palmer Mousseum w/Almonds is named in recognition of Penn State's art museum, a popular place to visit within walking distance of the creamery. -- Alumni Swirl is named in honor of the thousands of Alumni who make a point of visiting the creamery every time they visit Penn State. It is Blue and White, of course.
Rose and the rest of the Nittany Lions open the 2014 season Aug. 29-30, hosting TCU, Iona and William & Mary on the court in Rec Hall. Season tickets are now on sale. New season ticket packages are priced at $84 for adults and $56 for youth ages 12 and under. To order tickets, please call 1-800-NITTANY or stop by the Athletics Ticket Office in the Bryce Jordan Center during normal business hours.