Category: Athletics

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Rachel Majewski (Marketing)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2025 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Rachel Majewski.


Major: Marketing

Hometown: Erie

Why she chose Behrend: I wanted a place where I could pursue both my academic and athletic career goals. Looking back, I know I made the right decision. From the moment I arrived, Behrend became my home away from home, providing me with endless opportunities to grow both as a student and as an athlete.

Why she chose her major: I chose marketing as my major because it offers a versatile skill set that can be applied to a wide range of industries and careers.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Breaking the Penn State Behrend women’s basketball program’s scoring record—a milestone that had stood for twenty-three years. On January 22, 2025, in a game against Alfred State, I was able to achieve this goal.

That night was truly special in every way. The energy in the gym was unforgettable, with the fans, my teammates, and my family in the stands cheering me on. Every shot, every play, and every moment leading up to that record-breaking basket felt surreal. When the ball went through the net, the roar of the crowd and the celebration that followed made all the hours of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication worth it. (See video here.)

But this achievement wasn’t just mine—it belonged to everyone who supported me along the way. I couldn’t have done it without my coaches, who pushed me to be the best version of myself every day; my teammates, who challenged and encouraged me on and off the court; and, most importantly, my family, whose unwavering belief in me gave me the confidence to chase my dreams.

Breaking the record was more than just a personal milestone—it was a testament to years of hard work, resilience, and the incredible people who helped me along the way. That night will always hold a special place in my heart. (Note: Rachel finished her college basketball career with 1,750 total points scored—the new record to beat.)

Campus involvement: Member of the Penn State Behrend women’s basketball team, captain from 2023–2025. I was also a member of Chi Alpha Sigma and the Marketing Club.

Awards and accolades: Dean’s List; Academic All-AMCC (2021–2024); Pre-season AMCC Player of the Year (2023–2024); First Team All-Conference (2022–2025); Second Team All-ECAC (2022–2023); and AMCC Player of the Year (2024–2025).

Parting thoughts: Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of meeting incredible people—amazing professors, coaches who have pushed me to be my best, and teammates and friends who have become like family. The bonds I’ve built here will last a lifetime, and the memories I’ve made, on and off the court, are ones I will cherish forever.

Behrend has shaped me in ways I never could have imagined, and no matter where life takes me, I will always hold this place close to my heart—and bleed blue and white!

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Emma Whiteman (Biology)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2025 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Emma Whiteman.

Major: Biology, Health Professions option

Minor: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Hometown: Harborcreek, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Chancellor’s Scholarship.

Awards: I completed the Behrend Honors Program and was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma Athletic Honor Society.

Why she chose Behrend: I liked the location. It feels semi-rural, but is not far from major shopping areas and downtown Erie. Also, the smaller class sizes gave me the ability to get to know my professors, which really helped with my studies.  

Why she chose her major: I have wanted to go into the medical field for years and Biology gave me the best foundation be able to take the Medical College Admissions Test and achieve my goal of becoming a doctor.

Campus involvement: I was a dual-sport athlete competing in Swimming and Diving and the Track and Field Teams. I was also treasurer of the Biology club and a Science Ambassador.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Helping to host fun youth outreach events, including Boo-ology and the Prehistoric Easter Egg Hunt.

Highest priority in the coming years: To get a job within the medical field to gain as much information as possible before going to medical school.

Advice for first-year students: College will be challenging at times, and you will struggle. Just stay positive and remember that while grades are important, they are not the only important thing in college. Make time for yourself and to have some fun, too.

After her graduation in May, Emma plans to work in the medical field for a couple of years before attending medical school.

Standout Seniors 2025: Daniel Boehme (Master in Manufacturing Management)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2025 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Daniel Boehme.

Majors: Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies (IBE) and Finance ’24; currently pursuing a Master in Manufacturing Management degree.

Hometown: Pittsburgh

Daniel, flanked by his parents, poses with his siblings who are all Penn State Behrend graduates.

Behrend is a family thing: All three of my older siblings attended Penn State Behrend. My brother David played baseball at Behrend and earned an IBE degree, my sister Kaylee was in Nursing, and my sister Victoria was a Marketing major.

Why he chose his major: Behrend’s IBE program has a 100 percent job placement rate out of college. It is a versatile degree that offers a ton of job opportunities. Companies like the skillset that an IBE degree provides. I have plenty of business experience, such as finance, supply chain, marketing, and management, as well as engineering experience with manufacturing and design.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Completing both an IBE degree and Finance degree while being a student-athlete. Baseball takes up a lot of time, so it was an exciting challenge to dual-major while also being a competitive athlete.

Time-management master: Time management is a skill that I’ve become more proficient at over the years. Being on the road for baseball made it difficult at times to manage my academics. I learned a few lessons and got much better at communicating with partners and professors and understanding how to schedule my time appropriately so that my work gets completed.

Campus involvement: Member of the men’s baseball team. This is my fifth year on the team, and it’s been a great experience from beginning to end. I’ve made numerous friendships that I’ll take with me long after I leave Behrend.

Awards: I was named to the First Team All-AMCC Team for baseball this past season and was named to the All-Conference Academic Team. Behrend won our conference in 2021 and 2024. We hope to repeat in 2025. I have been named to the all-conference academic team.

Traveling man: I will be traveling for work, and I’m excited to experience different people and places. I’ve lived all my life in Pittsburgh and Erie, so it will be great to see what other places have in store. Eventually, I will probably return to Pittsburgh to be near family because we are very close.

Advice for first-year students: Time flies, so embrace every moment. Go out of your way to talk to your classmates or professors. There’s something about communicating in person that gives you a dopamine effect and makes you feel more productive. Make sure you have some hobbies outside of school, ones that are healthy for you and help relieve stress when you feel overwhelmed.

After his graduation in May, Daniel will join Wabtec’s LEAD Operations Program, an intensive two-year rotational program that develops domain expertise, leadership skills, and business acumen.

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Ronan Murphy (Finance and Accounting)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2025 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Ronan Murphy.

Majors: Finance and Accounting

Hometown: Fredonia, New York

Scholarships: Class of 1922 Memorial Scholarship; Lawrence and Elizabeth Held Scholarship; Presidential Scholarship; Intrieri Family Student Scholarship; Penn State University Discover Award

Why he chose Behrend: Proximity to family, access to sports, and networking possibilities of Penn State Alumni. I originally planned to transfer to University Park after two years but decided to stay at Behrend because of the Intrieri Family Student Managed Fund and friends I had made on the swim team and within the Black School of Business.

Why he chose his majors: I’ve had a lifelong interest in finance and the income potential it offers. When I was young, I frequently read about investing and bonded with my grandfather over it.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Being appointed president of the Intrieri Family Student Managed Fund after having worked through the ranks over the years (associate analyst, analyst, lead analyst).

Challenges overcome:  In my senior year of high school, I broke my hand one week before our biggest swim meet of the year. This was devastating and it was difficult to get back in the water when I started swimming at Behrend. I’m more than glad that I did. I achieved most of my goals over the last four years, and that has been very rewarding.

Campus involvement: President of the Business Analytics Team, captain of the 2024-2025 Men’s Varsity Swimming Team, and president of the Intrieri Family Student Managed Fund.

What’s free time? Being on a sports team, having a double major, and being involved in several extracurriculars is tough, but I have been able to handle it well. When I get into the workforce and I have fewer responsibilities, I’m not sure what I’ll do!

What you’d be surprised to know about him: I have strong communication skills in high -stress situations. Being on a sports team can be pretty taxing, and I have been there for people when they are not in the greatest mood and need coached up. Same thing for group projects in my upper-level finance classes and my intermediate accounting class.  

Kick or swim: Originally, I wanted to play soccer but missed the try-out deadline, so I joined the swim team.

Top priority in coming years: Paying off student loans and making new friends in Nashville. I have always easily made friends with my teammates, so having to go about meeting people in a different way may be a challenge.

Advice for first-year students: Take advantage of living next to a Great Lake. Go to the bayfront and to Presque Isle State Park. The grey skies can get you down in the winter, so get outside and enjoy yourself when you can.

Ronan has accepted a position with Mariner Wealth Advisors. He will work at the company’s Nashville, Tennessee, location after his graduation in May.

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Katy Richardson (Software Engineering)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2025 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Katy Richardson.

Major: Software engineering

Minor: Game Development

Hometown: Hamburg, New York

Why she chose Behrend: I fell in love with the campus the first time I toured it. In addition to loving the campus, I liked the small class sizes. The potential to do research at an undergraduate level really made Behrend stand out when looking at different colleges.

Why she chose her major: In high school, I found that I strongly disliked chemistry, and the only way I could drop the class was if I found another class to replace it. I ended up joining a computer science class eight weeks into a ten-week quarter. I picked up the concepts easily and was able to complete ten weeks’ worth of work in the final two weeks of the quarter. I fell in love with programming and the problem-solving it required and knew it was what I wanted to do.

One rough semester: One challenge that I had to overcome was taking 22 credits in one semester, while actively participating in athletics. On top of that, I got a concussion during the third week of the semester. For several weeks, it was challenging to look at my computer screen for too long. I was able to overcome this by consistently communicating with my professors, who were incredibly supportive and understanding. I had to figure out how to structure my time to get all my work done while also giving my body the rest that it needed.

Student involvement: I am involved in Society of Women of Engineers, where I served as the outreach chair in my junior year. I have been an engineering ambassador for two years. I competed on the women’s varsity bowling team for four years, serving as captain in my senior year.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I spent my summers working at a residential summer camp while I was in college. I also attended this same camp for eight years before I worked there.

Have youth, will travel: One of my highest priorities for the coming years is to travel and have as many experiences as I can while I’m still young and have the energy to do so.

What she’s passionate about: Introducing STEM to the next generation. Throughout my work with Youth Education Outreach, I have had the opportunity to see kids find a passion for the STEM disciplines and see their reaction when they finally were able to solve a challenge. It’s very rewarding.

Standout Seniors ’25: Meet Anna Smith (IBE and PSCM)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2025 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Anna Smith.

Majors: Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering (IBE) Studies and Project and Supply Chain Management (PSCM)

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio  

Scholarships: Lawrence and Elizabeth Held Scholarship and Penn State Discover Award  

Why she chose Behrend: Because of the unique opportunity it provided for me to excel both academically and athletically. I really liked the idea of being able to thrive both in the classroom and on the field all while working toward a Penn State degree. I’ve always been a part of a team, so I knew going into college that I wanted to continue playing soccer, and Behrend seemed to be the best fit for me.

Why she chose her majors: This decision was driven by my interest in global logistics and operations. Some of my strengths include strategic and logical thinking, which is why supply chain management has always been of interest to me. Additionally, IBE is a unique way of combining both business and engineering practices that only further develops my supply chain knowledge.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Being selected for the AMCC All-Sportsmanship team in our conference, despite losing my entire season to injury (fractured femur) and never once stepping on the field. This recognition meant so much to me because it highlighted the impact that I had off the field. Throughout my recovery, I remained dedicated to supporting my teammates, embodying the spirit of sportsmanship by encouraging and motivating them from the sidelines. This experience taught me that true leadership and sportsmanship extend beyond physical performance. It’s all about showing up for your team, maintaining a positive attitude, and contributing to the collective success in any way possible. Winning this award reaffirmed my belief in the importance of character and resilience, and it remains a testament to my commitment and value that I was able to bring to the team.  

Challenges: Overcoming the challenge of losing my entire senior season of college soccer due to injury has been a transformative experience for me. It has taught me all about resilience and determination as I navigated the physical and emotional hurdles of recovery. This period of adversity pushed me to develop a positive mindset and focus on personal growth. I learned the importance of patience and perseverance, which not only helped me regain my physical strength but also made me mentally stronger.

A team player: Throughout my recovery, I always wanted to be there for my teammates, supporting them from the sidelines and showing up for them no matter what. This experience deepened my understanding of the value of loyalty and commitment, reinforcing the significance of being present for others in their times of need. Through this journey, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of my own capabilities and understand the value of supporting others facing similar challenges.  

Awards and accolades: Dean’s list most semesters,  Academic All-Conference all four years, Chi Alpha Sigma National Student-Athlete Honor Society, and AMCC All-Sportsmanship team.   

After her graduation in May, Anna will join the Supply Chain Rotational Program at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s global headquarters in Akron, Ohio.

Athletics Day of Giving Raises Nearly $113,000

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Women's soccer celebration pic

As the Behrend Athletics Day of Giving campaign comes to a close, we are excited to share that our sports teams have exceeded their goal, raising nearly $113,000!

Our student-athletes and their coaches will directly benefit from this support, which will help cover the growing costs of travel and meals. Proceeds also will be used to purchase new equipment, uniforms and warm-up gear.

Sincere thanks to all Behrend alumni, coaches, faculty, staff, family and friends who have contributed to this campaign. Your support will enable our student-athletes and coaches to focus on training, competing, studying and making Penn State Behrend proud of their efforts.

If you haven’t participated in the Day of Giving campaign, you can still support Behrend Athletics until 9 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, making a gift to one or more teams. Details are at https://give.psu.edu/penn-state-behrend-athletics.

Thank you again for your support of Behrend Athletics!

Behrend Competitive Cheer Team Places Second in National Competition

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By Heather Cass, Publications Manager, Penn State Behrend

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Penn State Behrend’s competitive cheer team recently made history, earning the college’s first nationally ranked cheerleading trophy. The team, led by coach Kelli Carpinello, took second place in the 2023 NCA Collegiate Cheer National Championships, the highest-ranking competition for collegiate cheerleading, which was held in Daytona Beach, Florida, earlier this month.

Cheerleading is a club sport at Behrend, but Carpinello and students involved take it as seriously as a competitive sport.

“Sometimes students hear the word ‘club’ and feel their attendance isn’t mandatory, however, I make it clear in the beginning that I treat this much like a varsity sport, where they are expected to attend practices, workouts, and everything that goes along with being a student athlete,” Carpinello said.

Practices are typically three times a week, and team members are required to work out at least twice a week on their own. Tumblers are asked to attend open gym weekly to keep their skills fresh.

Carpinello, who also works as a financial aid coordinator at Behrend, coaches two cheer teams – Game Day Cheer and Competitive Cheer – and the college’s Dance Team, too.  All three clubs have grown considerably under her guidance, with more than thirty-five students participating in the 2022-23 academic year.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth in the past couple of years,” Carpinello said. “I believe that, post-COVID, people wanted to get out and do more. Most of these students missed out on memorable events at the end of their high school years and beginning of their college years. This past fall, we had a record number of people, nearly sixty, try out for cheer.”

Behrend Blog talked with Carpinello and Competitive Cheer club member Lauren Hanke, a junior Nursing major, to learn more about cheering at Behrend and the club’s big win.

What is your background with the sport, Kelli?

Kelli: I was a cheerleader and dancer in my younger years. I danced in my youth, cheered in middle school and high school, was on a dance team at IUP for one year, and then cheered and danced for the Erie Invaders Football team in 2000. I was the assistant cheer coach at Edinboro University (now PennWest Edinboro) between 1997 and 1999, and the dance coach at Edinboro in 1998. I took some time off and began coaching cheer again in 2015 at Behrend. I assumed the dance team coach position in 2021. I am both adviser and coach for Behrend’s Cheer and Dance Teams.

They are all separate clubs?

Kelli: Yes. Game Day cheerleaders perform at men’s and women’s basketball games. The Competitive cheerleaders participate in local, regional, and national competitions (such as the NCA Collegiate Cheer National Championship). The Dance Team is another club.

We’ve seen you perform at games and events, and it’s obvious the team is inclusive and having a lot of fun. Is that something you try to cultivate or is it just organic?

Kelli: It is a little bit of both. At the beginning of each season, we embrace the “team is family” mindset. I grew up as an athlete in various sports with various coaches and different styles, so I knew what kind of a coach I wanted to be.

Often the tone of a team reflects the leaders. Who are the leaders that stand out in cheer?

Kelli: Leadership begins with the coaches and trickles down to executive board members and ultimately the rest of the team. How I conduct myself as a coach has an impact on the team’s mood and attitude. I have been blessed with an amazing assistant coach, Karle Cortes, who is very talented and brings amazing energy to our teams. The executive board members have been instrumental in maintaining club business, organizing team bonding events, and keeping team morale high.

What is the key to being a good cheerleader?

Kelli: Experience and skill is easy to spot, but I look for someone who also has a good attitude, is coachable, will take constructive criticism, and is a good teammate. I’d rather coach a student with a great attitude who is open to improvement in their skills than someone who is very skilled but has a not-so-great attitude. Ideally, a winning attitude and excellent skill is a cheer coach’s dream.

Tell me about the Florida competition. How did you fund the travel?  

Lauren: We held several fundraisers during the year to help cover the cost of travel. The Student Activity Fee and Student Government Association were generous enough to pay for the registration fees to enter the competition. We are grateful that the school invested in us and gave our team the opportunity to represent Penn State Behrend at a national level.

How long were you there and how did the competition work?

Lauren: The competition was three days long with routines starting at 8:00 a.m. and going until 9:00 p.m. We competed in the Spirit Rally Division. After our Day 1 performance, we were in second place, only 1 point behind first place. Our Day 2 performance scores were then combined with Day 1 performance, which ultimately resulted in our team claiming second place. We were very proud!

Did you have time to enjoy the beaches/city?

Lauren: We did have a day off where we were able to spend time on the beach with our friends and family who came to support us. NCA hosted a glow party with a DJ, games, and multiple activities where we were able to make friends from other teams and celebrate our last days in Daytona.

Any special moments or memories, from the competition or from this season, that you want to share?

Kelli: There are many moments that are memorable, but for me as the coach, one of the most memorable was a photo that one of the students’ parents took of our team clapping and cheering for Thiel, which had won first place. Their support was genuine and indicative of good sportsmanship. It made me very proud.

Lauren: The tradition at the NCA competition after winning a title is to run into the ocean with the trophy to celebrate everyone’s hard work over the past eight months. I think the team would agree that this was the most memorable experience for us. There were a lot of tears, hugs and, of course cheers!

Do you have a lot of seniors? Will you lose a lot of your team?

Kelli: We have just two seniors on our Competitive Cheer team this season. We are a young team, so there is plenty of potential for continued growth.

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You can follow the team on Facebook and Instagram at “PSBCheer.”

 

 

Standout Senior: Meet Danielle Kosslow (Mathematics and Secondary Education in Mathematics)

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Penn State Behrend’s class of 2022 is ready to make its mark on the world!  We’re proud of our students and the things they’ve accomplished and learned while here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be introducing you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technology, participated in important research projects, and left an impression at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Danielle Kosslow: 

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Major: Dual major in Mathematics and Secondary Education in Mathematics

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: I have received the Chancellor’s Scholarship, Council of Fellows Leadership Scholarship, Riley Ride Alumni Scholarship, Schreyer Honors College Scholarship, and Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship.

On choosing Behrend: I felt right at home when I walked on campus. It feels like we are tucked away in our own little world. Also, the opportunities are endless. Because Behrend is a smaller school, it allowed me to develop great professional relationships with my professors, while also gaining life-long friends.

On choosing her major: I started at Behrend as a nursing major. It was a big switch to mathematics, but I love math and I have always loved working with people and helping others. So Secondary Math Education allowed me to do both. I added a Mathematics degree because I am a big nerd and math is a perfect fit for me, so why not?

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I am on the Behrend volleyball team, so my proudest accomplishment here would have to be winning the AMCC championship twice and getting to participate in the NCAA D3 volleyball championships. I learned and played a new position, and made first-team, all-section, this year, which was just awesome. From an academic standpoint, my proudest accomplishment would have to be maintaining a 3.96 GPA while at Behrend.

Campus involvement: I am on the Behrend women’s volleyball team, the National College Athlete Honors Society (Chi Alpha Sigma), and the Math Club.

Awards and recognitions: I received the President’s Freshman Award, Academic All-AMCC, First Team All-Conference AMCC, Third Team All-Conference AMCC, and All-Academic AMCC.

What makes her unique: What sets me apart is that I am a student athlete, a dual major, a Noyce scholar, and I work at three different jobs at Behrend. I am involved in many different activities, and I juggle all of them while also having time to have some fun with friends.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I think people would be surprised to know that I used to play the drums and had a full set at home.

Her passions: I am deeply passionate about contributing to teaching the next generation. I have loved every second of working with kids so far, and I am excited to continue. I am also extremely passionate about volleyball. It has been a part of my life for the past ten years, so it plays a significant role in my day-to-day schedule. I want to keep incorporating this sport in my life and plan to coach my own team. I volunteer as a coach every summer, so I would like to build on that.

Advice for first-year students: My main advice would be to just get involved in many different things. My freshman year I was shy and nervous about everything I did. As the years went on, the more involved I got, the more I grew as a person. If I had not forced myself to get involved around campus, I would not have made as many friends and had the same opportunities I have now. Study hard but make sure you have some fun. It goes quick and you never want to look back and say to yourself, “what if?”

After her graduation in May, Danielle plans to stay in Erie and teach mathematics in a high-needs school district.

Disc Golf Course Doubled to 18 Holes

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By Heather Cass, publications manager, Penn State Behrend

Five years after the college’s first 9-hole disc golf course opened, one thing was certain: It was a popular addition to the Penn State Behrend campus. Rare is the rain-free day when you don’t see players tossing discs toward their targets, medieval looking chain-link baskets on metal poles, that snake through campus.

Now, players will have even more targets to hit as the course was recently expanded to 18 holes. See the new course map here.

Brian Streeter, senior director of athletics, ordered the new targets last fall but they arrived too late to install in 2020, so Athletics staff took the extra time to design the expanded course – reworking some of the original nine holes and creating nine new ones with input from members of the Erie Disc Golf club.

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New tees are temporarily marked with flags. Signage will be installed when the course is finalized.

The new holes opened April 1 and expanded play from the west side of Jordan road to the east side of the road. Streeter said the course is a work in progress.

“We’re still tweaking it,” he said. “We discovered some things that weren’t working, like a hole that was too close to Junker Center, which resulted in players trying to throw over the building, and we are listening to feedback from players.”

Additionally, construction now underway on Federal House near Junker Center required some planned holes to be placed in a temporary location.

Once the course is finalized, Streeter said that the plan is  to put up permanent signage, including a full course map and signs at each tee. For now, the new hole tees are marked with orange flags. Maps are available at hole no. 1, near the tennis courts.

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Pick up a course map at hole No. 1 in front of the tennis courts.

Student legacy

The original 9-hole course was a student-driven project, initiated by Kyle Stephan ’14, a former SGA president, who got the ball rolling discs flying. Stephan was joined by then students, Trey Neveux, Mark Malecky, Steve Lester, and Tyler Ferraino, now 2016 graduates, who together designed the course, located equipment, and secured funds. Even as they finished the original course, the team hoped it might be expanded one day.

“I’ve talked to all the members on the original board of the club, and we’re all extremely happy the course was expanded to make it a full 18 holes,” said Neveux, who is now a launch engineer at Space X in Los Angeles. “I’m excited that the new course takes players into less explored parts of campus on the east side of Jordan Road. I’m looking forward to playing the expanded course and have already talked to friends and former professors about playing a round next time I’m in Erie.”

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Former students Tyler Ferraino and Trey Neveux, both 2016 graduates, are two of several students who developed the original 9-hole disc course. File photo from 2015. 

Disc Golf 101

Equipment

A basic disc golf set contains three discs—a driver, a mid-range disc, and a putter. Just as with golf, the driver is used for long drives from tee, the mid-range disc is used for shorter distances, and the putter is used when a player is close to a target.

Several sets of discs are available for students to borrow for free at the registration desk at Junker Center, or players can pick up sets of their own at most retailers or online for less than $30.

How to play/rules

Standing at the tee, a player throws the driver disc toward the basket. Players — typically in groups of two to four — take turns throwing their discs with the one whose disc lands the farthest from the basket going first (as with golf).

One point (stroke) is counted each time the disc is thrown and when a penalty is incurred. The goal is to play each hole in the fewest strokes possible. A disc that comes to rest in the basket or chains marks successful completion of that hole. The player with the lowest total strokes for the entire course wins.

Most of the holes on Behrend’s course are a par 3, but there are also some par 4 and 5. Map here.

Learn more about how to play disc golf here.

Visitor parking, course notes

  • Visitors may play for free anytime the course is available. Users are encouraged to park in the overflow lot on the south side of Jordan Road on Old Station Road, which is the closest lot to start and finish of the 18-hole course. A visitor parking pass can be obtained from Police Services. In current times, players are asked to wear masks and stay socially distanced from other teams.
  • Note that, at times, some holes may be closed for safety reasons when an athletics event, such as a baseball or softball game, is underway nearby.
  • Penn State students, faculty and staff members may borrow a set of three discs (driver, mid-range, putter) at the Junker Center registration desk with their Penn State ID.

RELATED: Check out this post from the Behrend Blog archives about the original 9-hole disc golf course at Behrend.

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