Hello, my fellow Nittany Lion fans! I got some great news this month for all you students and alumni. Penn State is putting together a bunch of great recruiting classes for many of our beloved teams. I can't wait to see these kids in action; they look like class guys and gals, just like we had back in my day.

FOOTBALL:

             Now I don't know about you, but I'm ready to strap my boots on for another great Penn State football season! What can we expect but another great effort from Joe Pa and the boys. Darn tootin! Now, from what I been reading, them Nittany Lions corralled another outstanding recruiting class this fall. The best of the bunch is this kid from North Stroudsburg, Corey Pibsler. I hear that kid can throw the dang ball, knowhaddamean? Joe Pa will probably mold him into another All-American, just like that big redhead we had couple years back. Well darn if I can't remember his name! Another great recruit we got is the offensive lineman John Schmutzkey from Boyertown. My buddy Red Gabenslaben was over yonder in Boyertown, saw that boy's team play Holy Jesus High School from Meadville, couple months back. Said the kid scared the pants off them Holy Jesus d-linemen! And the great part is, he has a younger brother, Frank Schmutzkey who plays fullback, and also wants to come to Penn State. They say the younger Schmutzkey is even better than the older Schmutzkey! Two Schmutzkeys in the Penn State backfield - I can't wait! With talent like that coming in, a winning season can't be far behind.

SOFTBALL:

             Ever since my granddaughter Beth started playing for her school’s junior varsity team, I sure enough been hooked on softball, and can you blame me? Seems Penn State's recent recruiting class for softball was a helluva crop, too. I been reading their bios and all that, and it looks like a very promising bunch of young ladies. And how about the nicknames these talented youngsters have? I tell you what, you kids today, you're a handful! The top rated player is a pitcher from Scranton, her name is Jenny "Big Beaver" Frahm. Dang, that's a hum-dinger of a nickname, and I'd bet there's a great hunting story behind how she got it. Other members of the class are OF Kara "Butch" Tompkins, SS Melanie "Box Muncher" Phelps, and Utility player Courtney "I'm A Lesbo" Borchard. I tell you what, I can't wait to take my granddaughter to one of them Penn State softball games. Hopefully, I can introduce her to some of these talented new players, and maybe find out the stories behind some of these mysterious nicknames they have. I bet only their boyfriends probably know... Either way, it's gonna be a rip-roarin' season, I can feel it!

MEN'S BASKETBALL:

             Coach Jerry Dunn has this year's team primed for another outstanding showing in the NIT, and the recruiting crop isn't far behind. Looks like this past month we beat out the likes of SUNY-Binghamton, Alvernia, and Penn State-Bernhard for the services of crafty 6-foot point guard Shane Mitchell. He was rated one of the top 100 players in the greater Sommerset region, so you know with credentials like that, the kid can play. Another player the Lions coaching staff is involved with is power forward Shakalaka Johnson from Toledo, Ohio. I hear that boy is about 6-foot-9, or some such. I tell you what, dang if that ain't tall! I sure enough hope he can play, because the team will need some size to replace the multi-talented Scott Witkowsky next year.

             Well folks, that's all I got for you on the recruiting beat this month. The scoutmaster for my grandson Jake's troop has some great activities planned for this weekend's grandfather-grandson trip. It's gonna be a great time, with all those whippersnappers running around. But you can rest assured I'll keep in touch with all my alumni association buddies, and next month I'll bring you more updates from the Nittany Lion sports recruiting scene.