PSU Sports @a Glance By Christian Torres Sports Editor cgtlll@psu.edu PSU Lady Lions: For all the hard work and dedication put into another tough season, the Penn State Lady Lions ended their 2005 season on a sour note. They were unexpectedly ousted by Liberty in the first round of the Women's NCAA Tournament. To add fuel to the fire, there is now controversy in Happy Valley involving the coach and two players. The two players, Jen Harris and Lisa Etienne, have reportedly sought and have been granted permission by the university to seek transfers to other schools. While the moves may seem uneventful, events surrounding the moves raise questions about why the players want off the team. According to The Patriot-News, head coach Rene Portland announced to the team after the loss to Liberty that three players were no longer on the team. Portland did not announce to the team who the three players were but later that night, Harris, Etienne, and Amber Bland were informed that they were the three players. So what really happened behind close doors? Well, apparently no one is talking. Portland refuses to address the media on the situation and the players have said that they have asked for and have been granted permission to speak to other schools. What is known, however, is that Amber Bland will probably return to the team according to The Patriot-News. Losing Harris especially could be hard for the Lions. Already lost for next season is Tanisha Wright. The Big Ten leading scorer and AP All American is graduating this year, having finished her career as the fourth leading scorer in Penn State history. Harris, who was averaging just over 10 points a game, was poised to become a leader of the team next season as a junior. Also possibly leaving the team is Jess Strohm, the team's second leading scorer behind Wright. So ends what was a promising year for the Penn State Lady Lions. The off-season will certainly be interesting as Rene Portland and the rest of the team will have to pick up the pieces to get ready for another campaign next fall. PSU Football Notes: Football may be over for now, but JoePa and "da boyz" are already getting ready for another season. Spring practice began on March 29. The schedules for the 2007 and 2008 seasons have already been released. If you're planning on going to any games, mark your calendars for these match-ups. It may be only in 2007, but playing Notre Dame is always special. The Fighting Irish will be making their first appearance to Happy Valley since 1991. Also appearing at home that season will be lowa, Wisconsin, and Ohio State. The highlight of the season has to be the match-up with Notre Dame. As an independent school, Penn State has played Notre Dame on numerous occasions. In fact, a rivalry was born between the two powerhouse teams. Hopefully some of the past blood will spill over for some great memories this time around. Looking forward to next season though, it looks as if Penn State may be losing on prospect Jeremiha Hunter from Manhein Central. The RB/LB has reportedly dropped Penn State from consideration. This is a big hit to the Lions, considering that they had some momentum earlier with some big recruits signing for this coming season. Intercollegiate sports return By Peter Strella Press and Journal Reporter After nearly 12 years without intercollegiate sports, Penn State Harrisburg will give them another try this fall. The new era kicks off when the men's soccer team hosts sister campus Penn State Schuylkill on Sept. 10. Six more teams will take the field during the 2005-06 school year. The college's Provost and Dean Dr. Madlyn L. Hanes made the announcement on March 16 as students applauded from their seats in the Olmsted Building's food court. Behind Hanes, the Nittany Lion mascot whose workload will increase considerably by next fall raised its hands in celebration before hitting the halls to entertain students. Three _more teams men's baseball, women's volleyball and co-ed cross-country will begin playing in the fall. Men's and women's basketball will tip off in November and women's softball will begin in March. The teams will compete against other Penn State branch campuses as part of the upstart Penn State University Athletic Conference, formerly known as the Commonwealth Campus Herb counts down basketball's greatest By Herb Smith Staff Reporter hjsl3s@psu.edu Center: Wilt Chamberlain Forward: Karl Malone Forward: Larry Bird Guard: Magic Johnson Guard: Michael Jordan How's that for a starting five? In the history of the NBA, this is the starting lineup of the greatest players in history. Let's start with the big guy in the middle. Wilt "the Stilt" was the most dominating player in history. People who like to call Shaq the most dominant ever have very short memories. In 1961-62 season, Chamberlain averaged 50 points a game for an entire season. Sound impressive? No one has even sniffed 40 points per game average. Not Lebron, not Iverson, not Bryant, not even Jordan. We also know Chamberlain became the only player to score 100 points in a game and he did it right here in our own backyard, Hersheypark Arena. Another impressive stat? No player ever got within 20 points of accomplishing that feat. How about rebounding? Shaq is a good rebounder averaging about 14 rebounds a game over his career, Chamberlain, over his entire career, averaged nearly 23 rebounds a game. Add that to his 30 points per game average over his 14 seasons and you have the most dominating center to ever step on a hardwood court. Moving on to power forward, "the Mailman" Karl Malone was the best player at his position for 19 seasons. Arguably the greatest player never to win a championship, Malone spent the first 18 years of his career as a member of the Utah Jazz before going last season to the Lakers in hopes of finally getting that The Capital Times, April 4, 2 Athletic Conference. the lives of our students, enriching the support it needed to survive," "Our students who wish to their college experience. For this said Holtzman. continue their athletic careers reason, Penn State Harrisburg's At the time, the college offered after high school now have a administration is reintroducing classes for juniors and seniors This Nittany Lion mascot flexes flexes his muscles and raises a proud paw as the intercollegiate athletics program return to PSH. four-year opportunity here at Penn State Harrisburg," said Dr. Donald Holtzman, the college's senior director of student life and enrollment services. "Extra curricular activities should play an integral and constructive role in championship. An injury-plagued year ended in disappointment when the Lakers lost in the finals to the Pistons. Malone now appears to be retiring trailing only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in career points. Malone's career wrapped up with just shy of 37,000 points. A model of consistency, Malone averaged 25 points per game over his career and missed only 8 games before the nightmare last season. Malone was the king of Michael Jordan seemed to defy gravity as a Chicago Bull, when soaring through the air right before one of his famous dunks. the 18-foot jump shot and was the best to ever man his position. At small forward we have Mr. Clutch. If the game is on the line, this is the guy I want with the ball. Ice water in his veins, Larry Bird was the greatest clutch shooter in the history of basketball. Bird was short for his position, slow and couldn't jump, but he out hustled every single person athletics for the benefit of our entire student population." PSH cut its intercollegiate athletics program after 20 years in 1993, primarily due to budget constraints. "[The program] really didn't have on the court. He dove into the stands for loose balls, and gave his body night after night for the Celtics over 13 seasons. A career no doubt shortened because of how he played, Bird never took a night off. Never one to show his emotion, Bird would always give you that Indiana farm boy smile as he cut your heart out. He lived for that moment; the moment when he could crush all your hopes and dreams with one last unbelievable shot. Bird averaged 24 points per game over his career and won three championships for the green and white. Earvin Johnson is my point guard. His nickname is "Magic" and with good reason. He was pure magic on the court. As if we needed a reason to put him on this team, we can finally see Photo courtesy of geocities.com/psuboston only, with most students older than the traditional 18-22-year old college demographic. That changed when PSH opened its doors to more freshman and sophomores last fall. Holtzman said the move was critical to Johnson and Bird on the same team after all those memorable battles in the 80s between the Lakers and Celtics. Magic was the most creative passer of his time, a perfect guard to lead the "Showtime" Lakers with teammates James Worthy and Abdul-Jabbar. What is sometimes forgotten about Johnson is a game 7 against the Celtics. With Abdul-Jabbar on the bench with an injury, Johnson stepped in and Photo courtesy of espn go com played center despite being only 6'B. He led the team in scoring that night and led the Lakers to the championship. Johnson's career was cut short when he contracted the HIV virus. He attempted a comeback in 1995 but left after 30 games. Johnson averaged 19 points per game over his career and he held the 005 7 bringing back intercollegiate sports, which more and more students have been asking about in recent years. While schedules for each sport have been released, coaches have yet to be named. Bud Smitley, the college's coordinator of recreation and athletics, said the campus is accepting resumes and hopes to have coaches for fall sports in place by mid-July. The announcement that intercollegiate sports will return to PSH has brought about an influx of inquiries from aspiring coaches and athletes. "On Friday alone, I must have emailed 20 people who inquired about coaching the various sports," Smitley said. That same day, he also responded to 20 students who expressed interest in playing. "It's a good sign," Smitley said. "I'm happy it's coming along the way it is." Even when faCed with the task of getting a seven-team program off the ground, Smitley and Holtzman both have ambitions to further expand athletics at the college. Holtzman said the college hopes to add one or two sports a year and that its 10-year master plan calls for more athletic SPORTS cont'd on 8 all-time assist record before that was eclipsed by John Stockton. Rounding out the starting five is this guy from North Carolina. Even now I can hear that announcer at the United Center introducing the Bulls starting lineup. "At guard, 6'6, from North Carolina.... Michael Jordan." Jordan revolutionized the sport of basketball in more ways than one. He started and brought the dunk into our living rooms and in today's game; players are dunking more then ever. Before him, jump shots and short shorts were cool. "Air" Jordan changed all that. While other guys seemed to jump, Jordan soared, seemingly staying the air longer than ever thought possible. With tongue hanging out and baldhead glistening, Jordan owned basketball. He also brought marketing onto the court. Today we see all sports figures on television selling one product or another. That all began with Jordan. Nike, McDonalds, Hanes, Gatorade, the list goes on and on. Jordan became wealthier from his products then he did from playing. Jordan's career is blemished only slightly by his un-retirements. Twice Jordan walked away from the game, only to come back again. The first comeback was justified. He was still in his prime and came back to dominate the game yet again. The second comeback was a joke and put a dark spot on his once spotless career. Hopefully, we all remember Jordan as a Chicago Bull, defying gravity and hoisting trophies. Jordan finished his career as one of only a few players with a 30 point per game career average. There is my starting five. These five guys in their prime would be the best team ever assembled. Oh, we could only dream.
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