The formation of the Commonwealth College during a 1997 University-wide reorganization not only opened the doors academically for students in different parts of the state, but it also created opportunities for the athletically inclined.
The 12 campus Commonwealth College, which spans Pennsylvania, was developed in response to changing demographics and a shift in the educational needs of students statewide. This reorganization also spawned a revitalization of an athletic conference that has existed for decades, but only recently showed signs of life.
"Since the reorganization we have been making changes to meet all the needs of students at our campuses," said John Fritz, who oversees the campus sports endeavors. "Changes to the extracurricular side may have gone unnoticed, but that is an important aspect of a student's college life. It now allows more involvement and more opportunities for students who were involved in sports in high school to continue that involvement at the college level."
Fritz, director of the newly reworked 14-team Commonwealth Campus Athletic Conference, said about 1,000 athletes throughout the Penn State system compete regularly in a variety of sports ranging from volleyball to golf and soccer. Basketball, tennis and baseball are mainstays on the roster too. Each individual campus, which funds its own sports, may be involved in anywhere from two sports to 10 different sports. Under the supervision of Tim Curley, University athletic director, the conference has flourished, according to Fritz.
The Commonwealth College is Penn State's largest college with an enrollment of about 14,000. Under the conference, not only do 11 of the 12 campuses of the Commonwealth College compete against one another, but also against three other Penn State locations, local community colleges, two-year institutions and sometimes four-year colleges. The 11 Commonwealth Colleges involved in the conference are Beaver, Delaware County, DuBois, Fayette, Hazleton, McKeesport, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Wilkes-Barre, Worthington Scranton and York; the three other Penn State locations that compete are Abington, Berks-Lehigh Valley and Schuylkill.
In January, Penn State Fayette witnessed the return of its intercollegiate sports when it hired a new women's volleyball coach and a men's basketball coach to lead its Roaring Lions' to victory. Bearing names like the Beaver Blue Devils or just simply "Lions," campus sports teams aim to get students involved.
"Athletics at this level gives the student one more chance to participate on a team," said Jim Crivaro, athletic director at Penn State York. "They participate because they love the sport. There are no scholarships, no big crowds, no media hype."
Just a love of the game, say Crivaro and Fritz. And occasionally, according to Fritz, students from campus athletic teams make the transition to University Park and survive the cut for an intercollegiate team and Division I play -- what Fritz calls "the big time."
"That is a goal of some of our athletes," said Jennifer Kulics, athletic director at Penn State Beaver. "These are bright athletes who opted to play at Penn State with no offer of a scholarship because they are acquiring a Penn State education. And that's the amazing part. The Penn State name in our community is so important and to play here for two years and then complete your education at University Park with the chance of making the team is something that they thrive on."
Although the primary emphasis is always on academics, the athletic directors say extracurricular activities -- like sports -- help students feel connected.
"A big plus of an athletic program is the camaraderie it provides," Kulics said. "These kids build friendships that last. They fit in."
In addition, Kulics said athletes at Beaver and other campuses learn responsibility and time management. They also display the dedication required to be part of a team and maintain good grades. At Beaver, the men's baseball team recently spearheaded a volunteer drive to help the Women's Center of Beaver County collect three truckloads of donated items worth more than $2,000.
"Athletics really does improve the quality of life of a campus and this conference is really a source of pride for Penn State," said Curley. "The University is attempting to provide opportunities in all areas for all students, across the system. Through intercollegiate athletics we are doing a number of important things, including easing the transition to college for some students."
One added bonus of the Commonwealth Campus Athletic Conference is the excitement in each community that is generated by having a "home" sports team. Overall, the creation of the conference has invigorated not only student campus life, but also has helped recruit students, strengthened community ties and improved the ties among the campuses that were somewhat disconnected within the Penn State system.
"One of the things that I think has happened through the formation of the Commonwealth College is that it now gives us a sense of belonging," said Marty Ogle, president of the Commonwealth Campus Athletic Directors Council and athletic director at Mont Alto. "Before, we had 17 different campuses, but now we have our own identity. It has helped us all get on the same page to think about the success of the group, not our individual campuses."
Ogle, who has been with Penn State for 15 years, said leadership from University Park has boosted the conference to a level it had not previously known. The new status of the conference is helping with student recruitment as well as gender equity issues, according to Ogle, who said opportunities for women in athletics at the campuses has "blown wide open," with more sports offerings. In fact, Ogle's female cross-country team was started this year. His women's volleyball team has gone 34-0 over the last two years, a fact that Ogle is only too happy to add.
"It sounds odd that competition could bring these campuses closer together," Fritz said. "But these sports teams have allowed athletes, athletic directors, other students and community members to see a variety of sides of Penn State -- all of them good."