UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The future of Penn State’s intercollegiate athletics facilities will be discussed during the next episode of WPSU Penn State’s “Higher Education in Focus: Tackling the Athletics Master Plan” at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17, on WPSU-TV and WPSU-FM.

Sandy Barbour, Penn State’s director of athletics, and University President Eric Barron will discuss the reasoning, encourage community input and timeframe for the athletics facilities master plan, which will address current and long-term needs for Penn State’s 19 facilities.

"This facilities master plan will be critical in conjunction with our strategic plan as we develop our road map for the short- and long-term future," said Barbour when announcing the plan in October. "This study will encompass all our venues and spaces and be vital in helping us determine our options in creating the best conditions for success for our student-athletes, enhance the fan experience, and add value for our passionate alumni and fans while maximizing the potential of all our facilities."

Penn State Athletics is partnering with Populous, an architecture and sport event planning firm, for the project. Scott Radecic, a senior principal at Populous, will also join Barron and Barbour during the 30-minute program.

Barbour will join the show, which discusses University-related topics each month during the academic year, for the second time after appearing in the 2014-15 series premiere. For more information and to watch archived episodes, including last month’s episode on engaged scholarship opportunities at Penn State, visit wpsu.org/infocus.