PASSHE Institutions Merging

[Fightingscot82]

The idea that Penn State branch campuses would have D1 football teams is foolish at best. In fact, some Penn State branch campuses DO have basketball teams, that play in D II. Imagine that...

Some play D3: Abiington, Altoona, Berks, Erie, and Harrisburg. Everyone else plays USCAA (community colleges).

[iupgroundhog]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing - that conflicts with what folks at PSU told me when I worked there. Then again, those same folks believed Paterno walked on water.

The extent that people continue to throw around this kind of wild, unsubstantiated (and unverifiable) innuendo and speculative rumor about what Joe Paterno did and didn't do does kind of keep his memory at sort of a messianic level. It's not the Joe Pa fans who perpetuate it. It's the people who remain fixated on his legacy (or deriding it).

[WarriorVoice]

So I guess this clears the way for any state school with multiple locations to start duplicate athletic programs. Heck, guess it would be OK for Penn State to start football programs at any of it's satelite campuses as a means of increasing enrollment...Let's see, I can play DII football at Edinboro OR D1 at Penn State Behrend. Hummmmm...Which one should I choose?? Maybe Penn State Beaver could use a shot in the enrolement arm? No problem, start a football team and watch enrollment jump!

The idea that Penn State branch campuses would have D1 football teams is foolish at best. In fact, some Penn State branch campuses DO have basketball teams, that play in D II. Imagine that...

[Fightingscot82]

https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/20...onsidered.html

Interesting. Thanks for sharing - that conflicts with what folks at PSU told me when I worked there. Then again, those same folks believed Paterno walked on water.

[Matt Burglund]

Penn State Behrend is D3. The only Penn State outlet store that's explored football was Altoona when it was thriving in the 90s (no longer so) but that was aborted, oddly because Paterno balked at the proposal that included hiring Jerry Sandusky has head coach.

https://www.pennlive.com/midstate/20...onsidered.html

[Fightingscot82]

So I guess this clears the way for any state school with multiple locations to start duplicate athletic programs. Heck, guess it would be OK for Penn State to start football programs at any of it's satelite campuses as a means of increasing enrollment...Let's see, I can play DII football at Edinboro OR D1 at Penn State Behrend. Hummmmm...Which one should I choose?? Maybe Penn State Beaver could use a shot in the enrolement arm? No problem, start a football team and watch enrollment jump!

Penn State Behrend is D3. The only Penn State outlet store that's explored football was Altoona when it was thriving in the 90s (no longer so) but that was aborted, oddly because Paterno balked at the proposal that included hiring Jerry Sandusky has head coach.

[Fightingscot82]

Both SB and VB are played by all 18 PSAC schools while WR (8) and FH (11) not so much. Doesn't make them less important to the participants or their schools but I was pointing out that the 6 sports most widely played were not really viable in 4 of the 6 branches of the merged institutions. IMO, were it not for NCAA minimum requirements, there really isn't a reason other than schedule filling and enrollment/tuition boosting for these schools to participate in those six sports. Purely personal observation.

Let's not kid ourselves. All programs are enrollment boosters.

[CALUPA69]

It's not. I disagree that all these sports at all these schools are "schedule fillers" and enrollment boosters. I think the long tradition of the student-athlete is alive and well at all of these schools. It's more about participation than what you are saying.

Well since they clearly aren't playing to win championships, participation and enrollment boosting seem to go hand and hand because I'm fairly certain playing on the 2-27 SB team isn't really that fulfilling. Although the trips to NC, SC and a week in FLA is definitely sweet.

[iupgroundhog]

Both SB and VB are played by all 18 PSAC schools while WR (8) and FH (11) not so much. Doesn't make them less important to the participants or their schools but I was pointing out that the 6 sports most widely played were not really viable in 4 of the 6 branches of the merged institutions. IMO, were it not for NCAA minimum requirements, there really isn't a reason other than schedule filling and enrollment/tuition boosting for these schools to participate in those six sports. Purely personal observation.

It's not. I disagree that all these sports at all these schools are "schedule fillers" and enrollment boosters. I think the long tradition of the student-athlete is alive and well at all of these schools. It's more about participation than what you are saying.

[CALUPA69]

You're doing some serious pick-and-choosing with those sports. Tell me why softball and women's volleyball are in a different category than wrestling and field hockey.

Both SB and VB are played by all 18 PSAC schools while WR (8) and FH (11) not so much. Doesn't make them less important to the participants or their schools but I was pointing out that the 6 sports most widely played were not really viable in 4 of the 6 branches of the merged institutions. IMO, were it not for NCAA minimum requirements, there really isn't a reason other than schedule filling and enrollment/tuition boosting for these schools to participate in those six sports. Purely personal observation.

[jrshooter]

Truth be told other than CAL and BLOOM, the other four schools are largely schedule filler. In the last 50 years counting FB, BB, MBB, WBB, SB and VB CAL has won 37 and BLOOM 25 championships. The other four have a combined 47 championships in those sports in 50 years. Specialty sports (WR, FH, M&W SW, M&W TF) aside, the athletics departments at these locations are basically enrollment and tuition boosters.

You're doing some serious pick-and-choosing with those sports. Tell me why softball and women's volleyball are in a different category than wrestling and field hockey.

[CALUPA69]

The interesting thing will be how these 'triad' athletic departments co-exist.

Does one become the 'football school' and the other becomes the 'basketball school', etc.

I realize they will all three have a football team but I'm curious to see how this all plays out.

Truth be told other than CAL and BLOOM, the other four schools are largely schedule filler. In the last 50 years counting FB, BB, MBB, WBB, SB and VB CAL has won 37 and BLOOM 25 championships. The other four have a combined 47 championships in those sports in 50 years. Specialty sports (WR, FH, M&W SW, M&W TF) aside, the athletics departments at these locations are basically enrollment and tuition boosters.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

There's never been a rule preventing Penn State Behrend from having football.

Anyhow, this merger is basically the same as one Vermont did a couple years ago, combining Johnson State and Lyndon State into Northern Vermont University while maintaining separate athletic programs.

The interesting thing will be how these 'triad' athletic departments co-exist.

Does one become the 'football school' and the other becomes the 'basketball school', etc.

I realize they will all three have a football team but I'm curious to see how this all plays out.

[Inkblot]

So I guess this clears the way for any state school with multiple locations to start duplicate athletic programs. Heck, guess it would be OK for Penn State to start football programs at any of it's satelite campuses as a means of increasing enrollment...Let's see, I can play DII football at Edinboro OR D1 at Penn State Behrend. Hummmmm...Which one should I choose?? Maybe Penn State Beaver could use a shot in the enrolement arm? No problem, start a football team and watch enrollment jump!

There's never been a rule preventing Penn State Behrend from having football.

Anyhow, this merger is basically the same as one Vermont did a couple years ago, combining Johnson State and Lyndon State into Northern Vermont University while maintaining separate athletic programs.

[CALUPA69]

So I guess this clears the way for any state school with multiple locations to start duplicate athletic programs. Heck, guess it would be OK for Penn State to start football programs at any of it's satelite campuses as a means of increasing enrollment...Let's see, I can play DII football at Edinboro OR D1 at Penn State Behrend. Hummmmm...Which one should I choose?? Maybe Penn State Beaver could use a shot in the enrolement arm? No problem, start a football team and watch enrollment jump!

I'd settle for UPJ MOUNTAIN CATS football so SHU can return to the MEC ;)