April 30, 2007 A rich sports i 1 • i n I il n history of Penn Major League Baseball Preview: State Harrisburg By MEGAN RESSER Sports Reporter MKR 1 57@PSU EDU Although I hope that by now mam ol'you arc aware that we haw intercollegiate athletic teams at l’enn State Harrisburg. I'm a Ira id that some of you may not he aware of this fact. Phis lack of awareness may be attributed to mam things. but is most likely due to the fact that intercollegiate athletic'- only returned to this campus m the fall of 2005, after a i 2-year hiatus, 1 recently sat down with Director of Athletics. Rahsaan Carlton, and he helped me to better conceptualize the Instore of mtcrcolleiiiate athletics on this campus as well as to bette visualize the future of intercollegiate PSII athletics. As far as the Instore of athletics was concerned. Carlton knows that the hiatus began in 1003. I le know s that students competed on various sports teams at e arums limes. These teams included, but were not limited to. men's basketball, baseball, golf, cross-country and softball. lie did not know the reason why the hiatus happened, but he has heard that there may ha\e been budgetary constraints. Another issue, which he imagines led to this decision, was the fact that the student body on this campus used to consist only of juniors and seniors who were more likclv to be focused on graduating than playing sports When asked what the impetus was for the return of athletics to the campus, Carlton said that the transition to a 4-\ ear college was the primary reason. Mr. Carlton and his adm mstratiw assistant. Andrea Howard, began working at \‘SH in 2U05. Dunne the fall of 2005. men's soccer, cross-country baseball, and women’s \ol!evball teams bcean mle winter 2005-2000 season included men and women's basketball and the spring 2006 season included soltball and baseball. All of these sports continued in the 2006-2007 school \car. with the addition ol co ed tennis, women's soccer, and golf. Athletic Trainer Brandon Conway began working tor PSII during the summer of 2006. Main of the PSI 1 teams ha\c enjoved. remarkable success coi fledgling status. With the transition to a 4-vear college comes a dedication In the Athletic Department to make the transition to \C AA l)n ision 111 status, fins transition will begin in the fall ol 2007. as the teams become provisional members ol the North Pastern Athletic Conlerenee. or NIiAC. Acco provisional status will potentially last for three veins, but it will most hkek take four wars to achieve lull I)i\ ision 111 status. In order to achiev e this. PSI I must follow N( 'AA rules mid peculations a> the besi of our ahilitv. I )unng Ihe tim'd vear. we must follow all rules and regulations w itluuit cue Ihi i ui” 1 u itU I In: i >lll\ is u m>a! period In order to dispel Mime rumor-, about our needinu to build Ineililies in order to he allowed to join l)i\ ision 111: 1 uskcil Mi. ( uillon ii'this was line. I Ic saal that uc cunvnth ha\call neciLd lacililiuh on campus, which is scheduled lacililies will he housed own campus. This we he accessed In clickmp on the lntercollcmatc Athletics link on the nahl side oh the I’enn State 1 laiTishure home pace. ( ailton cone haled his eomments b\ sn\inu. "It's an exeitine. time lor us-noma into the Nt A.A ami the new eonlerenee that lie is proud ol the lacl that I 'SI I will he one ol onh lour I‘cnn State puses that arc eompctme on the I Die ision 111 le\ el By KRISTY FASANO and RYNE CRABB Sports Reporters KLF2OO@PSU.EDU, RECI6I@PSU.EDU hsite can THE CAPITAL TIMES 96-66 95-67 90-72 62-100 93-69 89-73 80-82 78-84 Matt Garza Justin Morneau Johan Santana Gary Sheffield Jeremy Bonderman Jim Leyland Jim Thome Jermaine Dye Paul Konerko Gil Meche Alex Gordon Octavio Dotel Mike Piazza Rich Harden Milton Bradley Gary Matthews, Jr Chone Figgins Vladimir Guerrero Sammy Sosa Eric Gagne Mark Teixeira Ichiro Suzuki Felix Hernandez Jose Guillen Kristy Kristy: I love Jimmy Leyland, and the Tigers have the young arms, World Series experience, and a pissed-off Gary Sheffield; it's going to be tough to derail the reigning AL Champs. Its no secret, my heart is always pulling for the Bronx Bombers, but at least one of us has to be an objective journalist, right? Ryne: Just because I'm picking my favorite team to win doesn't mean I'm being subjective. The Sox simply have the best team in baseball. My girlfriend decided to root for the Yankees last year because Johnny Damon is "hot." Just another reason for me to hate everything about the New York Steinbrenners. Their pitching will keep them out of a playoff spot anyways, mark my words. Kristy: I'm so fighting you right now. How can you pick a team that doesn't even have a closer? I'm picking Toronto as the wild-card, so have fun watching the playoffs without your beloved Sox. In fact, I'll bet you a beer at Guido's the Yankees finish with a better record than Boston. Ryne: You're on. Tell Sara to keep the Magic Hat cold, I'll be cashing in come October. AL Central Johan Santana. This reigning Cy Young winner's name can strike fear into the heart of any lineup, flame-thrower Garza is the next great pitcher from the Twins farm system. Joe Nathan is a Our favorite manager in cleats returns to lead his AL Champion squad to a World Series Championship. Sheffield has always played better with a chip on his shoulder, and having been It has been two years since Chicago's "other" team has won a World Series; but with the 3-4-5 punch of Thome, Konerko, and Dye, this is a strong offensive team. The unpredictable Ozzie Guillen Meche got $55 million for his 55 career wins; that contract puts him on the hot seat. Dotel tries to prove he can be a reliable closer. Third baseman Alex Gordon won't start the year with the The Big 3 Pitchers are all gone, with Harden left to pick up the pieces; is he ready to be an ace? Piazza plays his first game in the AL, hoping to find some magic Frank Thomas left The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim might have the worst team name in baseball, but they also have the best closer in Francisco Rodriguez. Veteran leaders Guerrero and Figgins will try Texas: where past-their prime veterans go to die Sosa makes the comeback of all-comebacks, seriously, who saw that coming? Gagne tries to return from injury, Kevin Millwood and Ichiro moves to CF this year, will he move out of Seattle next? The best team in the Pacific Northwest has the offense, veterans Guillen, Adrian Beltre, Raul Ibanez, and big sexy Richie Sexton Tigers over Cubs Final Thoughts: Al West Wor!d Series Ryne AL Central, AL West world-class closer. Morneau won the MVP last year, and catcher Joe Mauer won the batting title. This might be the most talented Twins club in years, can they put it all together? stripped off his pinstripes, he has a lot to prove in Motor City. Every season Bonderman lowers his ERA, and this season Leyland has given the 24 year old by the ball for Opening Day. keeps this team loose, and ready to play. The big question on the north side is how the rotation will react after losing staff ace Freddy Garcia in the offseason. club, but once he gets there, he has Hall-of-Fame talent. Watch the news for his call up, because you won't want to miss a minute once this kid hits the diamond. behind. Milton Bradley is the most talented, but most combustible, player on the field. Veteran Jason Kendall helps steer a less talented team hoping to repeat last year's team's division title. to help a team stay focused amongst the HGH and steroid rumors surrounding off-season acquisition Matthews. Ervin Santana and Jered Weaver have electric young arms in the rotation. Vicente Padilla try to lead a talent-stricken rotation. Kenny Loften is alive? Wow. Teixeira is a darkhorse MVP candidate, and Slammin' Sammy is 12 HRs away from 600 for his career. will score some runs. Its up to young King Hernandez to lead a shaky rotation. Its now or never for the Mariners; they need to win this year to re-sign their Japanese superstar. Red S( Bottom Line: They can't afford to keep the talent, so Twinkie fans better enjoy this year's team Bottom Line: This team is full of young arms , with Leyland at the helm, they are the team to beat Bottom Line: If the Sox don't see the playoffs this year, Guillen might be shown the door Bottom Line: The Royals are a few years away from anything resembling a playoff team Bottom Line: This might be the worst division, and Billy Beane always gives the A's a chance. Bottom Line: I wonder if the Rally Monkey can help them come back from the Matthews saga? Bottom Line: Texas is the Colorado of the AL; great hitting, but haven't had a rotation since, ever? Bottom Line: Expect a big year from the King, Seattle has "sleeper team" written all over /' )x over PFiTTHes
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers