By JOHN HICKEY
Lion’s Eye staff writer
JWH244@psu.edu
Adjustment, dedication and sacrifice
... all things we experience when trying
something new. The intensity of the
change depends on the nature of the sit-
uation, and things can be as simple as
trying a new type of food or as compli-
cated as marriage.
More often than not, college athlet-
ics are located much closer to the com-
plex end of that spectrum. Trying to
7aesh a group of individuals — all with
different personalities, desires, class
schedules, work schedules and personal
lives — is not an easy task.
And so it goes for the PSU Delco
men's basketball team, which started its
season in late November.
"Building chemistry and finding the
right leadership are the most important
things at this point,"
The Lion’s Eye
on chemistry
definitely make a good run in the play-
offs.”
The team is 2-2 in the conference, a
decent way to head into the holiday
break. Based on the current situation,
free time that the break provides is
exactly what this team needs.
Adding to the early-season nui-
sances, Delco already has three injured
players. Rob Clupp has a broken wrist,
Steve Fuller a nagging back and knee
problems and Mike Johnston a strained
hip flexor. Thankfully, most if not all of
the players will be able to return rela-
tively shortly.
Doing his part to make the best of
the situation is freshman Will Stewart.
"I am very impressed with Stewart's
work ethic and tenacity on defense,”
said Farnese. "I really enjoy watching
him dive for loose balls; it definitely
helps to motivate the team."
There’s no mystery why Stewart is
so willing to con-
said head coach | UPCOMING MEN'S SCHEDULE | tribute.
Frank Farnese. oh "I just got out of
: Jan. 8 at Williamson 7 p.m. % :
The only time | jan. 14 atPSU Schuyikil 7pm. the Navy," he said.
most teams can truly | Jan. 17 PSU Hazleton 3p.m. "I was in a transi-
work out their issues | 2! at PSU York 3pm, tion period and I
: : Jan. 24 PSU Abington 1 p.m. >
is at practice. The | yan 26 Cabrini JV 7 p.m. needed something to
nroblem with that i 29 at Py Souter 8 p.m. fill the emptiness I
an. 31 erks 3 p.m. "
concept here at P SU Feb. 2 at PSU Hazleton 7:30 p.m. had.
Delco is that we're a Apparently,
commuter campus,
and some of the players aren't finding
the time to get to practice. Nothing can
be more damaging to a team's chemistry
and overall improvement than missing
players.
But Farnese knows you can’t under-
estimate the importance of high atten-
dance at team practices.
"The guys that are getting to practice
are continually getting better,” he said.
“If everybody makes that effort, we'll
Stewart came to the
right place. He now enjoys the fact that
basketball has helped him meet people
and how he can help his teammates by
whatever means possible.
This team shuold still have its better
days ahead of it. With the practice time
the holiday break provides, and the
relief of a completed semester, the team
members can head back to the drawing
board and compose themselves for a
“December 15, 2003
3 ; #
ae nin ye ss
%
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g
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i
3
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i 5 5
3 i i i
il I en. SH
Photo by Luanne Sims
The ball goes up and the Penn State Delco men begin their game against Penn State
Scranton recently. The Lions have found cohesiveness a struggle during the pre-hol-
iday schedule.
challenging season.
Also coming in January is senior
Nick Spinosa, out of Springfield High,
who has decided to finish his PSU
career at the Delco campus.
"Spinosa is a decent-sized player that
should give us some serious post pres-
ence," said Farnese.
Spinosa will be teaming up with his
younger brother Chris, who is compet-
ing with Delco's squad as a freshman.
As Delco students finish up their
semester and make plans for vacation,
the men's basketball team will be spend-
ing its time a bit differently.
True, everything is still a bit new,
but with adjustment, dedication, and
sacrifice, fans can most definitely
expect to see different team hit the
courts in January.
Sims gets the reins of athletic department
By SEAN ORNER
Lion’s Eye staff writer
SEO125@psu.edu
At the end of the spring semester
Penn State Delco will be losing long-
time athletic director Tiz Griffith.
Replacing Griffith will be the cur-
rent Assistant Director of Student
Affairs Luanne Sims. Sims has been in
that position since March, and begin-
ning the spring semester of 2004, will
"pe working in coordination with Griffith
to get the hang of things until Griffith
retires in May and Sims takes complete
control as athletic director.
Sims has been associated with Penn
State for more than 10 years. She
received her degree in speech communi-
cation from Penn State in
1993, with a minor in exercise f
and sports science. Sims went |
on to receive her master's
from Penn State in sxercise
and sports science in 1997. She §
also has experience playing and
coaching sports for Penn State.
Sims was a member of the soft-
ball team at Penn State Ogontz
and member, adviser and coach
of the Penn State rifle team.
Sims has additional impres-
sive experience in the world of
sports. She was a grant recipient of the
Ronald M. Friedman Award in 1994,
which was a competitive grant to fund a
LUANNE SIMS
and scheduling practice times. Sims is
also in charge of things that many peo-
ple wouldn't consider, such as handing
out and collecting uniforms, running
intramural sports, and supervising the
fitness center.
She will also be responsible with
working with club sports, which will be
a new responsibility for the athletic
firector as of the fall semester.
Although Penn State Delco is losing
a very experienced and well-liked athlet-
ic director in Tiz Griffith, who will
remain on campus as a faculty member,
it is gaining an educated and competent
new athletic director.
Sims seems to be a perfect choice to
fill such big shoes.
research trip to the NCAA
national office. More impres-
| sively, Sims was selected as the
United States’ | representative
to the International Olympic
Committee.
Sims says she is aware that
being athletic director at Penn
State Delco will not be a walk in
the park. As athletic director,
her responsibilities will include
coordinating varsity games, hir-
ing and supervising coaches