Blue White Illustrated

Proposed upgrades to the Mildred and Louis Lasch Football Building and Beaver Stadium press box, as well as the appointment of AP Architects to design improvements to the Penn State Lacrosse Field, were recommended for approval March 19 by the board of trustees' Committee on Finance, Busi- ness and Capital Planning. The full board approved the expenditures at its meeting on March 20. When it opened in 1998, the Lasch Building was considered one of the finest football training facilities in the country. But it has received few up- grades since then, and coach James Franklin has talked about Penn State's desire to stay abreast of its rivals. The building remains functional and contin- ues to serve the majority of needs for In- tercollegiate Athletics and Penn State football, but there are a number of func- tional requirements that are not being met, according to athletics officials. The proposed $2.3 million project in Lasch will include the creation of a nu- trition bar adjacent to the weight room, enabling players to have convenient ac- cess to healthy food around practices and strength and conditioning sessions. The Lasch project adds a video projection system to the ongoing $2 million lob- by renovations and team auditorium with new graphics, as well as new lighting and an audio sys- tem in the team auditorium. In January, the board ap- proved a $12 million project to expand and renovate the Lasch locker room, equipment room and recruiting lounge. The press box was last renovated in 1978, and the proposed renovations will assist in maintaining its functionality. As part of the $2 million project, Penn State will replace the south elevator, in- stall new and refurbished windows to improve ventilation on the third floor, replace carpeting and other finishes, make minor improvements to rest- rooms, clean and paint some interior and exterior areas, and re- place emergency lighting fix- tures and some lighting on the third floor. The project is scheduled for completion be- fore the Sept. 12 home opener. The Penn State Lacrosse Field was constructed in 2011 with limited bleach- er seating and fan amenities. The pro- posed $8.4 million project will include terraced seating on the hillside next to the facility, a press box, restrooms and concession facilities. Fundraising efforts for the Lasch Building and Lacrosse Field projects are under way, as the projects are to be completely financed through private gifts. ■ A school-record 500 student-athletes earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher during Penn State's 2014 fall semester, the university announced in March. Of those 500 stu- dent-athletes, a record 241 garnered Dean's List honors by posting a GPA of 3.50 or higher. A minimum 12 credits are required for Dean's List recognition. The 500 high achievers topped the previous Penn State record of 468 stu- dent-athletes with a 3.0 GPA during the 2013 fall semester. They represent 62 percent of the 810 student-athletes en- rolled during the fall semester. The 241 Dean's List honorees broke the previous record of 211 from the 2012 fall semester. Thirty percent of Penn State's student-athletes achieved posted a 3.5 GPA or higher last semester. The efforts of the student-athletes re- sulted in a record 23 teams earning a se- mester GPA of 3.0 or higher. The previous high was 22 squads with a 3.0 during the 2013 spring semester. The combined av- erage GPA was 3.08 among Penn State's 31 varsity sports during the fall semester. "This stellar academic performance is a tribute to the effort our talented student- athletes direct towards their academic pursuits, the priority placed on academic achievement by our coaches, and the support they receive from our dedicated Morgan Center staff, faculty and admin- istration," athletics director Sandy Bar- bour said. "At Penn State, developing well-rounded and well-educated citizens of the world is our top priority, and these results make our alumni and donors who have invested mightily in that premise, so very proud. These are the kinds of results that make me proud to be at Penn State each and every day." ■ FOOTBALL Renovation projects approved ACADEMICS Penn State athletes set records in classroom WRITE STUFF The new funding will help spruce up Beaver Stadi- um's aging press box. Photo by PennStateLive

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