Pennsylvania State University has athletic interest across the board in all teams. For men and women, there's baseball/softball, basketball, cross country, fencing, field hockey (women only), football (men), golf, gymnastics (women), lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and wrestling (men). You can virtually take your pick of these fantastic athletes and find that there's more than a bit in the news virtually all the time about Penn State sports. Penn State Lady Lions are the women's basketball team and recently Marissa Wolf from Ford City, Pennsylvania received a tap on the shoulder for recognition as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week (week ending February 21). With more than 800 student athletes, Director of Athletics Timothy M. Curley stays busy but for many good causes. The vision statement for all of the Intercollegiate Athletics at Penn State is based on a foundation of providing and maintaining broad-based programs to rival any in the country in both national and conference competitions. This is accomplished through 12 core values which begin with a focus on the student from the day of recruitment to their graduation. Teamwork is to prevail in interactions with coaches, staff, administration and fellow students. An aggressive community outreach program is coupled with the belief and regard that athletics and recreation are integral parts of the mission, vision and goals of Penn State. Traditional values such as honesty, commitment, hard work and integrity are not just words on a wall but values that Penn State athletes, coaches, staff and administrators live by. Competition is not a means to devalue others at Penn State, it's a way to show healthy respect for others and self through skillful talent that comes with practice and dedication. While athletics are an integral part of the student experience at Penn State, the ultimate goal remains to education the student from start to finish (graduation). There is no question that these beliefs and values, in concert with overriding goals are a part of what makes Penn State athletics so great. It is not just about picking up a baseball or swimming a lap but a means for student athletes to participate in intramural sports no matter what income level they may be at. It is also about gaining and continuing to maintain the national prominence that can be achieved with athletic and academic achievements. With so many different teams and athletic events, it should come as no surprise that there are several facilities at Penn State for these sports. Beaver Stadium, Medlar Field ad Lubrano Park, Rec Hall and Bryce Jordan Center make up the host of complexes where you can go and take in a sporting event features one of these teams. Of the list, Bryce Jordan Center, affectionately referred to as "The Big Joint" is home to many great games. A multi-purpose arena located in University Park, Pennsylvania on University Drive and Curtin Road, Bryce Jordan Center comfortably holds 15,261 for basketball games and more than 16,000 for concerts and other venues. It has been home to the Penn State Nittany Lions men's basketall team and Penn State Lady Lion's women's basketball team; both since its opening in 1996. Owned and operated by Pennsylvania State University, Bryce Jordan Center was named after former president Bryce Jordan for his role in getting the funding to have the building constructed. In addition to many winning games, Bryce Jordan Center has featured such acts as Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Bon Jovi, Toby Keith, Matchbox Twenty, 50 Center, WWE's RAW, the Penn State Dance Marathon and many other events that give this arena a reputation that's second to none.
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