Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/641865
Penn State Athletics T H E M O N T H I N . . . It's fair to say Franklin was forced to take more risks late in the '16 cycle than he did in '15. In doing so, his "strikeout" rate likely rises and more of a burden to cor- rect late missteps, particularly at the defensive tackle and linebacker positions, falls on the '17 recruiting class. But when the dust settles, there's also a good chance Penn State's group of incoming freshmen features more than its share of All-Big Ten type players. And that should be plenty to offset the number of risks that inevitably won't pay off. DUSTIN HOCKENSMITH PENNLIVE.COM If I had a nickel for every Penn State fan in the past week who – in light of Sign- ing Day – mentioned the importance of Sept. 10, I'd have enough money to buy a quarter-cup of coffee at the College Ave. Starbucks tomorrow. ... When it comes to Penn State's 2016 schedule, Pitt is it. It is the first truly must-win game of the Franklin Era. Penn State opens with Kent State in Beaver Stadium on Sept. 3, then heads to the Steel City to start building Franklin's post-sanction resume. Make no mistake: It is a Big Game. MIKE POORMAN STATECOLLEGE.COM It would be awesome. To have another opportunity to play with Coach, be re- united with [him], and the whole staff. ... A lot of those guys recruited me and built a great relationship up there. But I think ultimately the goal for me is making sure that I am the most well-rounded prospect I can be, as prepared as I can be to impress as many teams as I need to and let the cards fall where they may. CHRISTIAN HACKENBERG discussing a potential NFL reunion with Bill O'Brien It was a short ball, and I saw the guy run past me. So I made up my mind right there that I was going to catch the ball and see what I could do with it. JORDAN NORWOOD, former PSU and current Denver Broncos wide receiver, on his 61-yard punt return vs. Carolina in Super Bowl 50, the longest punt return in Super Bowl history I would go on record as saying hiring Cael was the greatest hire of any institution in the history of college sports. TOM RYAN, Ohio State wrestling coach, on Cael Sanderson Q U O T E S O P I N I O N S ALL SPORTS New academic center to be finished in May Construction of the new home for Penn State's Morgan Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes is on schedule for a late-spring completion. The estimated $7.2 million project, which is converting the Greenberg In- door Sports Complex into the new Mor- gan Academic Center, began in October. The more than 30,000-square-foot home of academic services and support will, for the 5rst time, consolidate the center's services and sta6 into one physical location for 800 Penn State student-athletes. Designed by Hoffman Leakey Archi- tects of Boalsburg, Pa., the new facility features a first-floor reading and study area that combines an open floor plan with high ceilings and window fixtures stretching two stories on the McKean Road side of the building. The ground floor of the new academic center will rest where the former ice surface exist- ed in Greenberg for the Penn State Icers. Construction is slated to be complete by late May, with a turnover targeted for mid-June. The academic center will be in full service for the student-athletes' return to campus in August for the start of the fall semester. The Morgan Academic Center project is included in the Bridge to the Future Fund, which will enable Penn State Ath- letics to renovate and upgrade athletic facilities for the basketball, 5eld hockey, lacrosse, track and 5eld and volleyball programs. ■ SUPPORT SYSTEM The view from the reading room