Please explain your PSU fandom

[PAgeologist]

I went to Pitt Johnstown and was there during both of their titles. I went to tons of matches.

One of my new coworkers was a PSU fan. We were talking one day and I mentioned how boring much of college wrestling is (no scoring). He said you need to watch PSU. Their new coach is changing that. And I became a fan.

 

[pawrstlersinpa]

One of our treatment plants is like you describe. The plant has 2 long screw pumps that the operator needs to remove the exterior wall panel to get them apart.

They also made the pipe runs long from the hydrated lime silo to the treatment tank. They plug up fairly often.

Yeah, but they saved money on the size of the building.

 

[Wilco43]

They used to show PSU wrestling matches on PBS. My fandom started when I watched the dramatic victory over Lehigh in the late 60's on TV. Mike Reid won the decisive match and was carried out of Rec Hall. When CS was hired I told my nephew to buy season tix for us because this will become a dynasty. One of the few sure things I ever predicted.

 

[PSU7075]

I saw my first wrestling match in Rec Hall in the fall/winter of 1970. I've been a fan since that time. Andy Matter was the National Champ but Clyde Frantz was my favorite. For someone new to the sport he was fun and exciting to watch. I looked it up and he had 10 pins that season.
Believe it or not, Penn State wrestling was fun back in 1970.

 

[tikk]

My better half is a Penn State alum and for some years she's lecturing the English students on a yearly basis, telling them that they haven't wasted their lives on an English degree. She once had Morgan McIntosh in her class.

So in connection with that we've been making a yearly trip to State College for years. I wrestled in high school (I was decent enough to wrestle in college but my art school didn't have a wrestling program, only ultimate frisbee and soccer) so I'd known that Penn State had a decent wrestling program. I started watching around when Frank Molinaro was on the team, then started visiting message boards, etc.

Obviously Penn State wrestling is an easy bandwagon to hop onto, and it was made easier by us buying a place in State College about five years ago, where I now spend half my time. I've met a lot of people on this board (well, boards, plural at this point) and many of them are good IRL friends as well. You will often find me matside with a camera shooting for Black Shoe Diaries.

 

[SlipperyPete]

I think I just found the perfect walkout song for @El_Jefe
He paid the cost to be the boss...

 

[The Pitchfork Rebel]

I wish I knew you when I ran the kitchen at Dugan's. It would get up to 120 in that sucker during the summer.

Enclosed cab steam locomotive on a sunny day in July. 130-135.

 

[Stevej]

Enclosed cab steam locomotive on a sunny day in July. 130-135.

I'm generally curious.

Be honest.

So, I was born in 1974, graduated high school in 1993 and college in 1997. I was always a PSU fan. I started wrestling when I was 6, and my dad started taking me to Rec Hall about the same time. I have a cool story that I'll save for later about him taking me to Coach Fritz' office when I was like 11 or 12. I was always a PSU wrestling fan, but, I'd be lying if I said it hasn't been more fun and I haven't gotten more "die hard" after the Cael hiring. To be fair, when I went to college to play football, I kind of stepped away from the sport for a brief period of time. I grew up in Mifflin County, so, I followed Troy Sunderland's career closely and always rooted for him. I've met him several times, and you won't find a nicer guy.

Anyway, answer and provide details, or don't.

If this is in the wrong place I apologize. I don't know what I'm doing, it's why I never post.

I became a Penn State fan in 1983 when I met my wife, who graduated in 1978 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Her dad was a rabid football guy. We used to watch Penn State games on tv, and they had season tickets. My wife is in the Penn State Sports Hall of Fame for cross country, in the photo with Liz Berry.
I don't remember when I started watching wrestling, but I do remember Zain. He was so fun to watch. I listen to Jeff Byers, who is fantastic, every chance I get. I've been lurking on this board and the old one for quite a while. You guys are so knowledgeable and funny it just cheers me up when I visit here.

 

[mcpat]

My wife is in the Penn State Sports Hall of Fame for cross country,

Women’s team was 10th at NCAAs this year!!!

 

[manatree]

I became a Penn State fan in 1983 when I met my wife, who graduated in 1978 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Her dad was a rabid football guy. We used to watch Penn State games on tv, and they had season tickets. My wife is in the Penn State Sports Hall of Fame for cross country, in the photo with Liz Berry.
I don't remember when I started watching wrestling, but I do remember Zain. He was so fun to watch. I listen to Jeff Byers, who is fantastic, every chance I get. I've been lurking on this board and the old one for quite a while. You guys are so knowledgeable and funny it just cheers me up when I visit here.

Good job, you married up!

 

[Stevej]

Good job, you married up!

Yeah I did!

 

[Kiddagger311]

Matters: Hardcore fan of PSU ever since the day I got banned on the Rutgahs forum.

 

[dougt24]

I grew up near State College. My HS had a strong wrestling team which exposed me to the sport. Started following PSU wrestling in the 70's and have been a fan ever since but much more since Cael. John Fritz and Wayne Packer were my first favorites. Graduated PSU in '77 and afterwards lived in California and Utah (current).

 

[The Pitchfork Rebel]

I went to Pitt Johnstown and was there during both of their titles. I went to tons of matches.

One of my new coworkers was a PSU fan. We were talking one day and I mentioned how boring much of college wrestling is (no scoring). He said you need to watch PSU. Their new coach is changing that. And I became a fan.

It's funny. Nobody says that about soccer and there's even less scoring there.

 

[The Pitchfork Rebel]

If this is in the wrong place I apologize. I don't know what I'm doing, it's why I never post.

I became a Penn State fan in 1983 when I met my wife, who graduated in 1978 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Her dad was a rabid football guy. We used to watch Penn State games on tv, and they had season tickets. My wife is in the Penn State Sports Hall of Fame for cross country, in the photo with Liz Berry.
I don't remember when I started watching wrestling, but I do remember Zain. He was so fun to watch. I listen to Jeff Byers, who is fantastic, every chance I get. I've been lurking on this board and the old one for quite a while. You guys are so knowledgeable and funny it just cheers me up when I visit here.

Think of it as a digital water cooler, the conversation wanders. Being competitive, somebody tells me they were exposed to 120, I one up them.

 

[PSU LU]

My son started wrestling in high school in 2011. I was a huge PSU football fan starting back in 1978(still am). Fell in love with the sport so naturally started following PSU wrestling program. What a time to start following. So many great wrestlers over the years.

 

[Goggles Paisano]

This is one of the most boring 2 weeks of the year for PSU wrestling. That brought me back to this thread and question.

Yes, I have been a huge fan of both wrestling and PSU wrestling since I attended the wrestling camp in the summer of 1975-ish as a yute.

The training didn't stick since my highschool wrestling career was far from stellar. That's not fair, my single claim to fame was swinging wildly after my opponent hit me with "an illegal fist to the back" (of my head) , and when the Ref stepped between us he caught my elbow and was literally knocked out for more than a minute. I still have the picture in my yearbook somewhere, but lost the match. Ok, so I wasted the skills I had been taught. I attended PSU, and never stopped being a fan of wrestling, but really reconnected to the PSU program with viggor, after the Cael announcement, and discovered the forum several years later. I was part of the holy **** it's happening crowd, things are going to be different.

Now I have been spoiled, and trained to cheer for what has now become a sure thing. PSU wrestling victories are almost an afterthought, with t the uncertainty being winning by how much. Now I fear the inevitable withdrawals when PSU comes back to earth after Cael, Casey & Cody graduate ;-)

I sense a personalp political and social upheaval might be in order in order for me to get my sure thing fix post dynasty. Where else can I find guaranteed victorious outcomes? I think there is only one area where big dudes with beards are guaranteed to win. I won't get more explicit for fear of getting banned, but doing a complete 180 and becoming an advocate? I think I need to start the AA meetings now... my addiction to winning every time is in a dangerous place.

 

[impalanut]

wrestled one year in high school. Wrestling was big in NY where I was. Had a high school teammate go to the olympic trials. Had to choose between gymnastics and wrestling (both are winter sports, tried doing both for one year), walked on gymnastics at PSU, graduated in '77. Never missed a wrestlling match as a student. Now , fortunately, don't miss many since almost all are online somewhere. Probably follow wrestling more than all other sports combined. Have been to some matches on campus, some tournies, big tens and ncaa's last year for the first time. All awesome.

 

[PAgeologist]

It's funny. Nobody says that about soccer and there's even less scoring there.

Thats cause we are all bored to death or sleeping.

 

[o_rawdaddy]

Grew up with a dad in the military (he and my mom were both PSU grads). When he would go overseas, we would move to Uniontown /McClellandtown , Pa where my cousins and friends were big into wrestling. 2 of them won PA States. I would practice with them and get my *** kicked. They loved Penn State. when we moved across the United States,it was not like today. You could not watch or even get reports on PSU wrestling. When my dad retired, we moved to the Harrisburg area. He and I would go up to matches. When, I was at PSU 1980-1985 I would go to matches. Just went by myself, because I did not know many that liked wrestling.

Funny story, when I was in my last year, I went to the Iowa match. At that time student got in free. It was packed and I was walking up to the top of Rec Hall and saw a seat open. The two guys next to it were talking to people beside them. So I ask if the seat was taken. They turned around and it was my dad and neighbor. They said no! They called my roommate, but we did not see each other that day.

My following really improved when I found BW Illustrated and the wrestling forum.

Trying to figure out who your cousins were. Uniontown HS?

 

[Fatwoodchuck]

This is one of the most boring 2 weeks of the year for PSU wrestling. That brought me back to this thread and question.

Yes, I have been a huge fan of both wrestling and PSU wrestling since I attended the wrestling camp in the summer of 1975-ish as a yute.

The training didn't stick since my highschool wrestling career was far from stellar. That's not fair, my single claim to fame was swinging wildly after my opponent hit me with "an illegal fist to the back" (of my head) , and when the Ref stepped between us he caught my elbow and was literally knocked out for more than a minute. I still have the picture in my yearbook somewhere, but lost the match. Ok, so I wasted the skills I had been taught. I attended PSU, and never stopped being a fan of wrestling, but really reconnected to the PSU program with viggor, after the Cael announcement, and discovered the forum several years later. I was part of the holy **** it's happening crowd, things are going to be different.

Now I have been spoiled, and trained to cheer for what has now become a sure thing. PSU wrestling victories are almost an afterthought, with t the uncertainty being winning by how much. Now I fear the inevitable withdrawals when PSU comes back to earth after Cael, Casey & Cody graduate ;-)

I sense a personalp political and social upheaval might be in order in order for me to get my sure thing fix post dynasty. Where else can I find guaranteed victorious outcomes? I think there is only one area where big dudes with beards are guaranteed to win. I won't get more explicit for fear of getting banned, but doing a complete 180 and becoming an advocate? I think I need to start the AA meetings now... my addiction to winning every time is in a

 

[PSUeng]

Trying to figure out who your cousins were. Uniontown HS?

They wrestled for German Township. Mark McCahill, I considered a state champ. He was a light weight, and they moved the lower weight class up a weight. They still let the weight below wrestle and Mark won it. Mark had the bracket banner hanging in his room. George or Terry Dugan was the other one. I was younger them those two remember them wrestling my cousins.

 

[BaccaFarmer]

Grew up on Penn State football. Fond memories of listening to the games on the radio from hunting camp in Potter County.

Wrestled from 6th grade through three years of college (D3).

Graduated and moved to/worked in State College for a bit.

Have sent two kids to University Park thus far, one of whom was a varsity athlete (and All-Academic Big Ten).

Season tickets to football; been on the waiting list for wrestling forever.

Always been a PSU wrestling fan but all the winning definitely brought me more into it.

Had a hunting camp north of Roulette in Potter County. Entertainment is pretty scarce up there (unless you count the Bar at the ABC Motel on Rt 6) so I too listened to wrestling on AM radio. Alway attended 2 or 3 matches per year throughout the 80’s & 90’s until they offered season tix (think that was 2009 or 2010). A lucky dog I am! That waiting list ….. I know a long term ee in the ticket office and I can almost guarantee you that until they overhaul the system, you ain’t gettin no season tix. The renewal rate is very high and when season tickets are not renewed ….. eh … mostly they get offered as “adds” to existing ticket holders. I snagged 2 extra season tickets this way about 5-6 years ago, but, being a negligent capitalist I found myself giving most tix away for free. I turned those extra two season tix packages back in after 2 years. Now days I trundle 465 miles each way to 3 or 4 matches. It’s a bit of a grind for a guy north of 75 years, but, as my wife says: I’m a fan for life”.

 

[PAgeologist]

Grew up on Penn State football. Fond memories of listening to the games on the radio from hunting camp in Potter County.

Wrestled from 6th grade through three years of college (D3).

Graduated and moved to/worked in State College for a bit.

Have sent two kids to University Park thus far, one of whom was a varsity athlete (and All-Academic Big Ten).

Season tickets to football; been on the waiting list for wrestling forever.

Always been a PSU wrestling fan but all the winning definitely brought me more into it.

Do you still have a camp up in Potter? What town?

 

[mcpat]

Do you still have a camp up in Potter? What town?

No longer. My old man sold it maybe 7 years ago. Between Coudersport and Germania. Many a good time at the Waldheim.

 

[PAgeologist]

No longer. My old man sold it maybe 7 years ago. Between Coudersport and Germania. Many a good time at the Waldheim.

Ours is between Costello and Austin. If you know where the El Rancho Grande was, we are on that road. No place better.

 

[RockySmith]

Wrestled district 4, graduated in ‘87. Wrestled Jimmy Martin twice- I was an undersized 96 pound Freshman, he was a senior. In retrospect he beat me so badly both times that I didn’t understand how badly he was beating me. Pretty sure I tech’d his little brother later, or at least my teammates told me it was his brother. I turned out ok…. My senior year I drew a dual with the eventual state runner up- I had him beat but the ref called stalling with no time left to draw the match 10-10. Kid went 35-1-1 or something. But I was a bit of a head case, I could talk myself out of winning matches If I thought my opponent was pretty good.

Went to PSU, roomed with @NittanyChris one year. Went to some matches, but we just weren’t any good in that time span. As a fair weather fan, I started following the team again about 10 years ago.

Edit: I can still make 125 if I cut a few pounds, but I’m told my eligibility has run out.

 

[manatree]

Edit: I can still make 125 if I cut a few pounds, but I’m told my eligibility has run out.

Pffftttt…….. even I can make 125 stone.

 

[APSPSUwrestlingfan]

Pffftttt…….. even I can make 125 stone.

I would need to be stoned to try to make 197.

 

[NittanyChris]

Wrestled district 4, graduated in ‘87. Wrestled Jimmy Martin twice- I was an undersized 96 pound Freshman, he was a senior. In retrospect he beat me so badly both times that I didn’t understand how badly he was beating me. Pretty sure I tech’d his little brother later, or at least my teammates told me it was his brother. I turned out ok…. My senior year I drew a dual with the eventual state runner up- I had him beat but the ref called stalling with no time left to draw the match 10-10. Kid went 35-1-1 or something. But I was a bit of a head case, I could talk myself out of winning matches If I thought my opponent was pretty good.

Went to PSU, roomed with @NittanyChris one year. Went to some matches, but we just weren’t any good in that time span. As a fair weather fan, I started following the team again about 10 years ago.

Edit: I can still make 125 if I cut a few pounds, but I’m told my eligibility has run out.

You neglected to mention how we saw PSU knock off #1 ranked Iowa in Rec Hall. I remember Gable chewing out one of his kids in a side hallway. Jimmy Martin and Ken Chertow were a Hell of a leadoff combo.

 

[ScottishSteel]

Slick thread full of cool personals. Mine, not so much. Will only say that our HS didn’t start a wrestling program till my 10th grade (near Pittsburgh), but I joined and enjoyed. Always fascinated with the NCAA tournament, Cael’s move to PSU had me at hello. Selfishly want another 15 years before the goodbye.
Should be all Cael needs for an untouchable legacy of 20-to-25 team titles.

A former WPIAL kid? A little surprised it doesn't feel like any other WPIAL wrestler's in the replies to this thread

 

[PSU7075]

Ours is between Costello and Austin. If you know where the El Rancho Grande was, we are on that road. No place better.

I used to bear hunt out of a camp in Wharton. The little white house at the opposite end of the road from the hotel/bar/store. We usually hunted up by Cherry Springs or up on Montour Road. I haven't been there in a few years. A couple times, we hunted out of a camp off of First Fork Road just before Prouty.
Beautiful country.
Did you ever go to the turkey shoot up on Montour Road the Sunday during bear season?
A few years ago, my friend and I took our wives for a weekend and stayed at the First Fork Lodge. We went to the Tannery for a few beers and pizza. The wives weren't impressed with the holes in the floor by the shuffleboard table, but the pizza was good! Brenda, the owner of the bar, told us that she was an Indian leg wrestler. Maybe that's where Nolf picked up the Winn-Dixie!

 

[Shifty15]

No longer. My old man sold it maybe 7 years ago. Between Coudersport and Germania. Many a good time at the Waldheim.

Was in a bar near Gernania about 30 years ago. Wild place, wild night. Obviously they think drinking is a competitive sport up there!

 

[PAgeologist]

I used to bear hunt out of a camp in Wharton. The little white house at the opposite end of the road from the hotel/bar/store. We usually hunted up by Cherry Springs or up on Montour Road. I haven't been there in a few years. A couple times, we hunted out of a camp off of First Fork Road just before Prouty.
Beautiful country.
Did you ever go to the turkey shoot up on Montour Road the Sunday during bear season?
A few years ago, my friend and I took our wives for a weekend and stayed at the First Fork Lodge. We went to the Tannery for a few beers and pizza. The wives weren't impressed with the holes in the floor by the shuffleboard table, but the pizza was good! Brenda, the owner of the bar, told us that she was an Indian leg wrestler. Maybe that's where Nolf picked up the Winn-Dixie!

I havent been to the turkey shoot.

The Tannery. My, what a dump. But somebody bought it and is actually fixing it up. I forget what its supposed to be.

Its sad all those old places are closing. Tannery, El Rancho, Cockeyed Cricket just in my area.

 

[BaccaFarmer]

Do you still have a camp up in Potter? What town?

Built a house with my wife's family up along Fishing Creek north of Roulette in the 80’s. Sold it 2 years ago. It is indeed God’s Country.
Gotta share a short story about the hollow where we built the house. We were living in a pop-up camper while building the house. Late in the summer a rough looking crew took up residence about a half mile up the creek. We were drained from construction work and trying to sleep, but, our new neighbors kept at it until 2:00, 3:00 and beyond. They were fueled by unknown chemical substances. Finally about 3:30 I approached their camp site and yelled a few choice words of encouragement. My efforts were either ignored or not heard. I went back to bed, however, in the morning my brother in law informed me that our new neighbors were of the neo-nazi persuasion and that I should not antagonize them further. Never did meet those guys, but, they left us alone.

 

[PAgeologist]

Built a house with my wife's family up along Fishing Creek north of Roulette in the 80’s. Sold it 2 years ago. It is indeed God’s Country.
Gotta share a short story about the hollow where we built the house. We were living in a pop-up camper while building the house. Late in the summer a rough looking crew took up residence about a half mile up the creek. We were drained from construction work and trying to sleep, but, our new neighbors kept at it until 2:00, 3:00 and beyond. They were fueled by unknown chemical substances. Finally about 3:30 I approached their camp site and yelled a few choice words of encouragement. My efforts were either ignored or not heard. I went back to bed, however, in the morning my brother in law informed me that our new neighbors were of the neo-nazi persuasion and that I should not antagonize them further. Never did meet those guys, but, they left us alone.

Yeah. Heard there was a lot of that up there. Probably still is a little.

 

[PSU7075]

I havent been to the turkey shoot.

The Tannery. My, what a dump. But somebody bought it and is actually fixing it up. I forget what its supposed to be.

Its sad all those old places are closing. Tannery, El Rancho, Cockeyed Cricket just in my area.

It has to be hard to make a living in that area running a bar and relying on hunting and fishing seasons to make enough money to survive the whole year. I know she was trying to sell the Tannery for a long time and she finally sold her liquor license to the Sheetz in Coudersport.

 

[PAgeologist]

It has to be hard to make a living in that area running a bar and relying on hunting and fishing seasons to make enough money to survive the whole year. I know she was trying to sell the Tannery for a long time and she finally sold her liquor license to the Sheetz in Coudersport.

We spend quite a bit of time up there pretty much year round. Minus some winter. The Potter County Pub seems to keep fairly busy. But I doubt the area would support more than that and the Austin Legion.

 

[PUR158]

No longer. My old man sold it maybe 7 years ago. Between Coudersport and Germania. Many a good time at the Waldheim.

I spent some summers up in Cameron County at a camp,

Ours is between Costello and Austin. If you know where the El Rancho Grande was, we are on that road. No place better.

Buddy has a camp up by Sizerville, breakfast at the Buttonwood?

 

[District 4]

Based on this board i think we all did lol.

Yeah I did!