UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics will highlight the numerous achievements by its more than 800 student-athletes during the sixth annual STATE of Excellence week, which will take place September 21-26. The STATE of Excellence week will also recognize the department's coaches and staff for their commitment to providing a complete student-athlete experience based on four pillars: academic, athletic, civic engagement and cultural leadership.
The Nittany Lions will celebrate student-athlete success through events and social media posts. The week will culminate with the 2020-21 National Champions being recognized during the Villanova football game in Beaver Stadium September 26, which kicks off at noon.
Under the leadership of Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Sandy Barbour, Penn State has one of the nation's most comprehensive and successful athletic programs, featuring 800 student-athletes across 31 varsity programs (16 men's, 15 women's). The Nittany Lions' 31 programs are tied for the fourth-highest number of sports sponsored by a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) institution.
The 2020 NCAA's annual graduation rates study of institutions across the nation revealed Penn State student-athletes at the University Park campus earned a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of a school-record 92 percent. Penn State student-athletes have logged a Graduation Success Rate in the 88-92 percent range during each of the past 14 NCAA reports, improving from 88 percent in the 2015 report to a record-breaking 92 percent report in 2020. Nine Nittany Lion programs earned 100 percent graduation rates and 16 programs were above the national average for their sport.
Penn State's 213 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans all-time rank No. 4 among all Division I institutions. Kerry Abello was selected as the 2020-21 CoSIDA Women's Soccer Academic All-American of the Year. She is the fifth female to earn Academic All-American of the Year honors for their sports and 10th overall.
Penn State has won 79 team national championships all-time, including a Big Ten-best nine NCAA titles since the 2013 fall semester. The Nittany Lions have won 51 NCAA Championships all-time to rank No. 5 nationally. Penn State leads all schools east of the Mississippi River in NCAA titles. Penn State student-athletes have won 171 NCAA individual championships in 11 different sports.
The Nittany Lions have won 299 conference championships (206 regular season; 93 conference tournaments) since 1941-42. Nittany Lion student-athletes have won 355 Big Ten individual championships and 35 relays in 10 different sports since 1991-92.
STATE of Excellence Week (September 21-25)
Tuesday, September 21 – Academics Achievement
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 recognized.
The 2020-21 academic year saw student-athletes continue to show their prowess in the classroom with the following results:
- 31 teams with a 3.0 GPA for the 2020-21 academic year;
- 185 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars (3.7 GPA in academic year);
- 446 Academic All-Big Ten selections (3.0 GPA);
- 6 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, including Women's Soccer Academic All-American of the Year Kerry Abello;
- 36.5% of student-athletes earned Dean's List recognition (3.5 GPA with 12+ credits) in spring 2021 semester;
- 83% of student-athletes had a 3.0 or better in the spring 2021 semester.
**Penn State used alternative grading due to COVID during the 2020-21 academic year.**
Wednesday, September 22 – Cultural Leadership
Let's Go State podcast: Field hockey head coach Char Morett-Curtiss and men's hockey head coach Guy Gadowsky will join Brian Tripp on the Let's Go State podcast to discuss cultural leadership.
Thursday, September 23 – Civic Engagement
Penn State Coaches Show featuring James Franklin at the Field Burger and Tap: Director of student-athlete welfare and development Liz Johnson will join Steve Jones on the Penn State Coaches Show presented by Pepsi to discuss the civic engagement accomplishments of Nittany Lion student-athletes.
Staff Appreciation Lunch: Intercollegiate Athletics staff and coaches will be recognized for their commitment to providing a complete student-athlete experience based on four pillars: academic, athletic, civic engagement and cultural leadership.
Friday, September 24 – Athletic Achievement
Penn State's 2020-21 conference and national champions will be recognized on the GoPSUsports social channel with a video to honor their achievements.
Saturday, September 25
Penn State's individual National Champions – fencer Ryan Griffiths and wrestlers Roman Bravo-Young, Nick Lee, Carter Starocci, Aaron Brooks – will be recognized in the first half of the Penn State-Villanova football game.
The student-athletes with the top 5 GPAs from each team will be recognized at halftime of the Penn State-Villanova football game.