Sept. 30, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - It is not often that a student-athlete has the opportunity to make history twice in one game, but that is exactly what Joe Piorkowski did against Ithaca on January 17, 1953, in Rec Hall. The senior scored the Nittany Lions' 90th and 91st points pushing Penn State past 90 for the first time in program history. A short time later, Piorkowski went one better when he drained a 40-foot jumper to hit 100.
In breaking the century mark, Piorkowski inbounded to Dave Edwards before taking the return pass and pulling up to shoot. Draining the shot, it gave Penn State its first 100-point game as the Nittany Lions closed out Ithaca 105-47. The game held special significance for Piorkowski as it was his final outing at Rec Hall before graduating later that month.
A native of Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Piorkowski was a key member of 1952 and 1953 squads and was known as a master of Penn State's sliding zone defense. Following his performance against Ithaca, the team, led by Coach Elmer Gross, autographed the game ball and presented it to Piorkowski. Now retired and living in suburban Philadelphia, Piorkowski has graciously donated the game ball to Penn State All-Sports Museum where it will be preserved and displayed for future generations of Penn State fans and alumni.
In accepting the ball, museum director Ken Hickman commented, "We are extremely grateful to Joe Piorkowski for sharing this treasure with us. It represents a great moment in Penn State Men's Basketball as well as a highlight from one of the program's golden ages which included multiple NCAA tournament appearances."
The first 100-point game ball will be prepared for display and may be seen at the museum in coming weeks. Opened in 2002, the All-Sports Museum is located at the southwest corner of Beaver Stadium and is open Tuesday-Saturday 10-4 and Sunday 12-4. For more information on the Museum, please call 814-865-0044.
