Blue White Illustrated

Rachelle Thompson will step down as associate head coach on June 30, Penn State confirmed last month. Thompson's exit comes on the heels of a Daily Collegian report in April in which several former gymnasts went public with their complaints about the program, in- cluding claims that they felt pressured to continue training when injured. In an official statement issued May 20, Penn State acknowledged that Rachelle Thompson would be leaving the pro- gram. Her husband, Jeff Thompson, will remain as head coach. "We have accepted Rachelle Thomp- son's resignation and thank her for her commitment to Penn State, our women's gymnastics program and her many con- tributions as Associate Head Coach," the statement read. "We wish her all the best as she begins her next chapter. The pro- gram has a solid foundation for future success and we look forward to continu- ing to build upon it with Head Coach Jeff Thompson and his staff. A national search for her replacement will begin immediately." Penn State has also been looking into complaints of a hostile atmosphere in the women's ice hockey program. Sever- al former players went to the Collegian in March with their allegations, prompt- ing a review by Intercollegiate Athletics. The review was forwarded to Penn State's Office of Ethics and Compliance in May. Athletic director Sandy Barbour told the Centre Daily Times that athletic officials have "put a lot of time and effort into this, into making sure we get this right and we fully understand the dynamics that are at play... and that we understand the bal- ance between tough coaching and behav- ior that crosses the line." ■ WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS Associate head coach to leave program ADMINISTRATION Board approves alcohol sales at sports venues Alcohol will be available in a limited capacity at some Penn State athletic events after the board of trustees in May approved a proposal by Intercol- legiate Athletics to begin sales at cer- tain ICA events. Under the terms of the proposal, al- cohol will be available in private, con- trollable spaces, such as suites, club seats and reception areas. It is not be- ing considered for general seating ar- eas, including student sections. Net proceeds from alcohol sales will go to Student Affairs for student alcohol education programming, In- tercollegiate Athletics, and Auxiliary and Business Services. "Penn State has always advocated for responsible consumption of alco- hol for those who are of legal drink- ing age," said David Gray, senior vice president for finance and business. "We believe that, in a controlled en- vironment where there are strict lim- its and restrictions built into the sys- tem, that those of legal age to drink will respond appropriately and re- sponsibly. We also believe that edu- cating our student population to be more responsible should be a funda- mental part of this initiative." Athletic director Sandy Barbour said the implementation of the plan will bring Penn State in line with the majority of its Big Ten counterparts; 10 of the conference's other 13 insti- tutions offer alcoholic beverages in athletic facilities. "Those engaging in private and premium seating experiences expect hospitality to include alcoholic bev- erage service, similar to those in comparable facilities in other mar- kets," Barbour said. "We believe, be- cause of this, we will find new rev- enue in the value of the opportunity BASEBALL Doubleheader split ends Lions' season On Penn State's Senior Day, it was a freshman who ended up being the hero, as Connor Klemann clinched a winning season with an RBI single in the bottom of the 12th inning to defeat visiting Iowa, 5-4, on May 20. The 4 hour, 27 minute game, Penn State's longest of the season, capped a doubleheader. Iowa won the day's first game, 8-0, to clinch the series and a crucial head-to-head tiebreaker over Penn State, which finished 12-12 in the conference and 28-27 overall. With the loss, the Nittany Lions did not qualify for the Big Ten tournament, finishing instead in a tie for eighth place in the conference standings. Even so, it was Penn State's best finish in the past four years. The overall win total was the Lions' best since 2012, as was their Big Ten win total. Penn State was successful in the stands as well, as 1,430 fans attended the finale to push the Lions' per date av- erage to 1,001 for a 12.5 percent increase over the previous season. SOFTBALL PSU falls to Michigan in Big Ten semifinals Penn State ended its season with a 6-1 loss to No. 2-ranked and top-seeded Michigan in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament May 15. The Nittany Lions finished their sea- son at 30-24 overall and 14-9 in the Big Ten. It was the team's first 30-win sea- son since 2011, when it finished with 31 wins. The Lions also finished in the top four of the conference for only the third time in the program's history. ■ N O T E B O O K

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