By: Robert Kiefer, Lions Eye Staff Writer, rck5176@psu.edu
With a new fall semester upon us, Brandywine athletics are in full swing. Penn State Brandywine offers a wide variety of varsity level sports including men’s soccer, tennis, golf, basketball,
women’s soccer, volleyball, softball and cross country. Brandywine is also offering a number of new club sports starting this semester including competitive cheerleading, dance, and martial arts. Also being offered are brand new fitness classes, which are held on Tuesdays from 12:10-1:10 p.m., and Pound and Zumba classes that are held Thursdays from 12:10-1:10 p.m. Brandywine will soon be adding self-defense and kickboxing classes as well. “These kind of programs are great for students who may not want to participate in a sport but still want to be physically active,” said Director of Athletics, Sarah Kurpel.
There are high expectations for the new fall season of athletics at Penn State Brandywine. Last season, a number of teams won league championships, including men’s and women’s soccer, women’s basketball, and women’s softball. Brandywine hopes to win the Pennsylvania State
University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) Chancellor’s Cup for the second year in a row, which is an award given to the top athletic program in the PSUAC. Brandywine also looks to continue
expanding and maintaining a healthy athletic program. “Our coaches and staff provide a really great student athlete experience,” said Kurpel. “It’s not just about winning. We are always looking for a way to improve and offer more for the students.”
There are several upcoming athletic events that students are encouraged to attend. There was a faculty/staff vs. student softball game held on September 12 on the softball field. Also, Brandywine’s softball and volleyball teams competed during the Blue & White Festival on September 23, an open house event in honor of Penn State Brandywine’s 50th anniversary. Women’s volleyball faced off against Penn State Lehigh Valley at 1:00 p.m., and women’s soccer against Penn State Scranton at 4 p.m.
Women’s volleyball will begin their Dig Pink weekend on Saturday, September 30, where they will be raising money and awareness for breast cancer research, with two games. Their first game is against Penn State Greater Allegheny at 2 p.m., and the second game is against Penn State Beaver at 4 p.m. On Sunday, October 1 they will compete against Penn State Fayette at noon and Penn State New Kensington at 2 p.m.
Brandywine’s men’s basketball team will face off against the University of Pennsylvania Division I men’s basketball team on November 18 in the BD Global Gulf Coast Showcase at the historic Palestra. This will be the first time our men’s basketball team has ever competed against a Division 1 team. Look for more information on this event.
Brandywine intramurals are a way for students to be physically active while meeting new people and participating in a fun and competitive environment. Students interested in intramural sports should look at the IMLeagues flyer in the athletics hallway for registration information or visit psubrandywineathletics.com for more information.