Lions’ new weight room ready to go

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Sherry Coons

Penn State football’s director of strength and conditioning, Craig Fitzgerald, is eager to have the Nittany Lions players return May 14th and begin their summer conditioning program. He can’t wait for them to get to work in their newly updated weight room in the Lasch Football Building.

The guts of the weight room were installed the end of April. After working more than 12 hours on a Saturday, Fitzgerald and the installation crews from Penn State’s physical plant and Sorinex Exercise Equipment put the finishing touches on the new equipment. The weight machines are configured in 24 stations that will accomodate all the team’s strength and conditioning activities.

GoPSUsports.com posted the following video, offering a full tour of the Nittany Lions’ new digs …

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Former Lions could use your help

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Frank Bodani

If you’re a Penn State football fan, you should check out the work that a couple of former players are doing to help others. 
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And make a point to learn about the non-profit organizations which they help serve and/or have created. 
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Today, I briefly profiled the post-football careers of Justin Kurpeikis and Bill Spoor and the outreach projects they’re involved with in Africa. 
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Kurpeikis is currently on his second two-week medical mission trip to Madagascar, an island nation off the African coast. 
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Meanwhile, Spoor and his wife have dedicated a large chunk of their lives to basically adopting an entire village in Uganda. The idea is to defeat poverty, and the Spoors travel there each year and pay for medical care for villagers. 
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Former Penn State receiver Bill Spoor and his wife, Elke, are helping to defeat poverty in Uganda, a step at a time.

But, almost more importantly, they are trying to change peoples’ lives through education and are in the process of building a school. 
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Of course, both projects could use your help to help others. 
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Kurpeikis, who works in medical sales, is traveling as a part of Operation Small Steps. 
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Spoor and his wife, Elke, have founded Happy Valley Uganda.

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Penn State football live chat: 8 p.m., 5/7

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Lyzz Jones

It just wouldn’t be a Monday night without a chat with Frank.

Our main man is back at 8 tonight.

Did you catch his column this week? Two former football players are both working to make a difference in different parts of Africa.

Also, check out our Storify from the recent PSU Coaches Caravan.

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Storify: The first leg of the Penn State Coaches Caravan

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Sherry Coons

Penn State football coach Bill O’Brien and several others embarked on a meet-and-greet tour called the Coaches Caravan last week. With stops in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, Va., the PSU leaders introduced themselves to hundreds of supporters.

The coaches will be back on the bus this week, with more stops planned, beginning May 8.

Through Storify, here is a look at the first leg of the Coaches Caravan tour, as told through the tweets, videos and photographs of those in attendance.

Continue reading →

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Lions heading into Africa

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Frank Bodani

Former Penn State defensive end Justin Kurpeikis poses for a picture last year during a medical relief trip to Madagascar. Kurpeikis joined a non-profit organization called Operation Small Steps, which helps people in the island nation who suffer from orthopedic disabilities and other conditions. (Submitted)

They left football and Penn State with the rest of their lives to live. 
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What would they do with them? 
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In time, Bill Spoor and Justin Kurpeikis found answers they never could have imagined. 
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Though never teammates, they both have become part of similar missions on the other side of the world. 
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Working to help save the “ghosts of society.” 
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Click here to learn their stories.
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Weeknight football? Looks like Penn State will escape again

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Frank Bodani

Piece by piece, Penn State’s 2012 football schedule is coming together. 
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Even that one shaky part of it … 
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We’re talking about ever-important game times. Of course, there’s a big difference between a noon kickoff and one at night, and only part of it has to do with travel arrangements for fans. Part is perception and atmosphere. Part of it is how a team responds.
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(For example, late-night Fridays give the famed student section at Beaver Stadium an excuse for slowly filing into their seats after noon games have already started). 
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Continue reading →

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Bill O’Brien knows his top quarterback, but he’s not telling

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Frank Bodani

CAMP HILL — It sounds as if Bill O’Brien knows who his starting quarterback will be heading into preseason camp.

He may know who his No. 2 guy is, too.

But, earlier tonight, the new Penn State coach said he isn’t ready to tell the world of his decision.

Not just yet.

But when?

he said he and his assistants will meet and talk about the situation this month and next, as they nail down exactly how much they will try to install into their new offense and defense this season.

O’Brien said he’s just not sure when he’s going to spill the decision on the QBs.

He did confirm that things seemed to clear for him after watching tapes of the Blue-White Game, which concluded spring drills.

If anything can be taken from that scrimmage, the simple evaluation would be that senior Matt McGloin appeared to make better, quicker decisions in the pass game and that sophomore Paul Jones owns the biggest arm (by far) and most mobility.

And probably the most upside.

That leaves even more question about scattershot Rob Bolden.

But what does that mean about a decision already made?

One hardly anyone knows about?

We’ll just have to wait and see.

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Penn State coach said he stands behind Devon Smith

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Frank Bodani

It appears as if Devon Smith hasn't fumbled away his senior season, after all.

A recent marijuana charge will not jeopardize Devon Smith’s last season at Penn State.

The senior receiver was charged by police for possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia at his apartment. This evening, Penn State coach Bill O’Brien reaffirmed his support of Smith and declined to reveal details of their discussions or his possible punishment.

The speedy but diminutive receiver (5-foot-7, 147 pounds) caught 25 passes for 402 yards (16.1 yards per catch) with two touchdowns last season.

“I think he’s a good kid,” O’Brien said. “I’ve spoken to him about what went on there. He has his side of the story.

“How I deal with Devon Smith will be between Devon Smith and I. I’m behind Devon Smith.”

Police searched Smith’s apartment March 14 and reportedly found a plastic bag containing marijuana, a scale, “multiple blunts” and other drug paraphernalia.

Smith missed much of spring practice with a sprained left foot.

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Central York’s Kyle Baublitz changing positions at Penn State

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Frank Bodani

CAMP HILL — Central York’s Kyle Baublitz will be making a big jump this summer at Penn State — though he won’t be moving far.

Because of depth concerns, the redshirt sophomore will switch from defensive end to tackle this summer.

Penn State lists him at 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, and he has the frame to put on even more weight.

Kyle Baublitz is being asked to "grow" into a different position ... defensive tackle.

There shouldn’t be any problem with having quick enough feet for the position. Baublitz actually played some linebacker in high school.

Continue reading →

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PSU football chat: Post-NFL draft edition

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Jessica Sprenkle

I have to give Frank credit. Before he left the YDR office on Friday afternoon, I asked him if he thought any YAIAA grads would end up with NFL teams this weekend. He predicted both Penn State’s Chaz Powell (Susquehannock) and Temple’s Wayne Tribue (Central York) would get drafted or signed as undrafted free agents by the end of the day Monday. Lo and behold, both were signed in free agency by about 10 p.m. Saturday night, just a few hours after the draft ended. They joined a ton of Nittany Lions who were either drafted or signed as free agents.

In other PSU news, Bill O’Brien is taking off on his coaches caravan today. Anybody going to see him in Camp Hill on Wednesday? Make sure you also check out Frank’s column on his first impressions of the new head coach.

With all of that food for thought, be sure to join Frank’s weekly Penn State football live chat. It’s at 8 Monday night right here.

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