Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/277774
the subject of speculation ever since Tim Curley's abrupt exit in November 2011 following his indictment on a perjury charge stemming from the investigation of Jerry Sandusky. Dave Joyner stepped in during the chaotic early days of the scandal, and he has said he will stay on as athletic director as long as Penn State wants him to do so. Erickson has given Joyner his full support, but after he steps down, Barron will be the one assessing the department's future. Without addressing specific personnel matters, Barron told WPSU's Patty Sa- talia that his ideal athletic director is someone who "understands compliance, who understands scheduling, who un- derstands how to attract a coach, who works hard to make sure that student- athletes are successful, with the student being a very important part of that hy- phenated word. And so you really want someone in that position that is strong and knows what they're doing. "My hands-on [role at Florida State] was probably necessary as a transition from an institution that had a long-term coach and had some compliance issues," he added. "We were aspiring to do a lot of different things and needed a differ- ent type of AD. And so in a sense, you could say that I stepped in to make sure it was clear that the university was in charge and that the university had stan- dards on issues like student-athlete per- formance and that it wasn't just win- ning. But I like to win too, mind you." In addition to bringing in a new athletic director, Barron played a key role in Florida State's reconciliation with Bow- den. Fuming over the university's deci- sion not to renew his contract for one A:er escorting the Make-A-Wish families through the Lasch Building, the Nittany Lion players headed to the Bryce Jordan Center for Athlete Hour, a show of support for the fam- ilies and the dancers. The football team showed o8 its dance moves, performing a choreographed routine to the sounds of Outkast and Chum- bawamba. But it was upstaged by the men's swimming and diving team, which took top honors in the uno9- cial dance competition. There were four Penn State varsity athletes representing the Student Athletic Advisory Board in THON this year: Maggie Harding (women's volleyball), Natalie Buttinger (7eld hockey), Erin Kehoe (women's soccer) and Christian Kaschak (men's soccer). By the time it ended Sunday night, they had been on their feet for 46 consecutive hours. There's no sitting during THON, and no sleeping either. In order to participate in THON, dancers must raise at least $2,000 apiece. Their e8orts are one facet of a massive fundraising initiative that helps provide assistance to cancer patients and their families while also supporting research aimed at im- proving cancer treatment. This year's event raised a record $13.3 million thanks to the work of an estimated 15,000 Penn State student volunteers. THON is the nation's largest student-run philanthropy and does its work year-round. "THON is a 24/7 thing. I remem- ber before I even came here, I'd see THON on TV and it was a big thing back home on the news stations," said linebacker Nyeem Wartman, who attended high school in Scran- ton, Pa. "It really shows you the character of Penn State. It's so nice that the whole campus comes to- gether all year for this 48-hour span, to give back. It's really spe- cial." – MATT HERB LET'S DANCE Penn State foot- ball players entertain the crowd during THON's second day. Annemarie Mountz