Penn State Athletics

Introduction | Cultural | Social | Academic | Athletic

Introduction

Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics will highlight the varied and numerous achievements by its 800 student-athletes during the first STATE of Excellence Week, set for September 26-October 1.

The Nittany Lions will celebrate four aspects of student-athlete success and experience -- cultural, social, academic and athletic -- with a different facet highlighted each day from Sept. 26-29. The week will culminate with team and individual champions being recognized at the Minnesota football game in Beaver Stadium on October 1 (3:30 p.m. kick).

Cultural

The diversity of Penn State's student-athletes, the recent international trips taken by Nittany Lion teams and the University's study abroad programs will be highlighted. During the past year, Penn State squads have made cultural and competitive trips to Canada, Cuba, Greece and The Netherlands.

Baseball

• VIDEO: Rob Cooper on the Trip to Cuba
• Cuba Trip Teaches Team Many Lessons Off the Field
• Lions Grow on Diamond in Cuba

Field Hockey

• Trip to Holland Day 1
• Trip to Holland Day 2
• Trip to Holland Day 3
• Trip to Holland Day 4
• Trip to Holland Day 5
• Trip to Holland Day 6
• Trip to Holland Day 7
• Trip to Holland Day 8
• Trip to Holland Day 9

Men's Hockey

• Goodwin Embraces Opportunity to Teach in Cuba

Women's Hockey

• When in Rome: Sutton's Stories from Study Abroad
• Hello from Hannah: Summer in Florence

Women's Lacrosse

• Nittany Lions Embark on 10-Day European Trip

Men's Soccer

• Trip to Canada Day 1
• Trip to Canada Day 2
• Trip to Canada Day 3
• Trip to Canada Day 4
• Trip to Canada Day 5
• Trip to Canada Day 6
• Trip to Canada Day 7
• Trip to Canada Day 8
• Trip to Canada Wrap Up

Social

Student-athlete involvement in the community will be highlighted. Penn State student-athletes completed more than 8,000 hours of community engagement in 2015-16.

• Teams Volunteers at United Way Day of Caring
• Penn State Athletics' Initial #GivingTuesday a Success

Academic

Penn State student-athletes' commitment to academic excellence and the support provided by The Morgan Academic Center and ICA staff, faculty, fans and donors will be feted. The Athletics staff will gather for a celebration of academic achievements in the Bryce Jordan Center.

The 2015-16 academic year saw seven school academic records broken by Penn State student- athletes, including:

• 516 student-athletes earning at least a 3.0 grade-point average during the fall 2015 semester (63 percent, also a record)
• 229 Academic All-Big Ten honorees (3.0 GPA and a letterwinner)
• 81 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars (3.7 GPA and a letterwinner)
• Record-tying 109 graduates following the 2016 spring semester.
• • Record 299 Penn State Student-Athletes Earn Academic All-Big Ten Honors in 2015-16
  • New Morgan Academic Center Already Serving Student-Athletes
  • Penn State Student-Athletes Continue to Exceed National Academic Averages
  • Record 79 Penn State Student-Athletes Earn Winter Academic All-Big Ten Honors
  • Eighty Penn State Student-Athletes Earn Fall Academic All-Big Ten Honors

  Athletic

  
  
  Penn State student-athletes' commitment to athletic excellence will be discussed during a Coaches panel that is open to the public. The panel will include coaches Erica Dambach (women's soccer), Wes Glon (fencing) and Cael Sanderson, all of whom have captured NCAA Championships in the past two years. Women's rugby head coach Kate Daley also will be a panelist after guiding Penn State to the 2016 USA Rugby College 15s national title, its fifth consecutive crown.

  The Coaches panel will be held at the Penn State All-Sports Museum from 7:15-8:00 p.m., hosted by Steve Jones, the voice of the Nittany Lions. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and parking is available in Lot 44, just south of Beaver Stadium.