Blue White Illustrated

F O O T B A L L Franklin: PSU's bid to improve facilities calls for 'a real sense of urgency' James Franklin is a champion of progress. He's acknowledged through- out his tenure with the Penn State foot- ball program that it's not always a linear phenomenon, that there are often twists and turns on the road to success, but his desire for constant improvement has never been in doubt. In early May, Franklin took that mes- sage on the road, as Penn State resumed its Coaches Caravan following a one- year hiatus. Unlike in previous years, the latest edition of the Caravan took place entirely in Pennsylvania, with stops in York, Valley Forge, Hazleton, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Altoona and Williamsport. Franklin was joined on the tour by athletic director Sandy Bar- bour, Alumni Association leaders and other Penn State coaches, giving speeches at luncheons and dinner receptions, posing for pictures and, maybe most important, taking one-on-one meet- ings with potential donors. Those would-be bene- factors are a huge part of Penn State's future. Barbour has at times called them "dream makers," and with the athletic department having recently released its ambitious master plan, complete with renderings of a radically revamped Beaver Stadium, they will have significant roles to play in whatever comes next. Franklin said the football program's needs involve cre- ating the type of infrastruc- ture that will allow it to continue the on-field NEWS & NOTES FIELD DAY Franklin leads his Nittany Lions into Beaver Stadium prior to the Blue-White Game. Photo by Patrick Mansell |

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