Under the baobab: Penn State makes community proud in new era of college sports

“Ours is not the struggle of one day, one week, or one year. Ours is not the struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part.” -U.S. Rep. John Lewis

Seeing Coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley of the Penn State women’s volleyball team receive the ESPY Jimmy V Award for Perseverance was exciting. She is the first woman to coach a NCAA Championship team and the first person to win the championship as coach and former player. She did it while battling stage 2 breast cancer. Her young players picked up her fire. At one point in the tournament, they were down two sets to none, but like their coach, they refused to lose. They fought back to win the match and the championship.

The ESPYs were a Penn State/Pennsylvania night. Saquon Barkley, a Nittany Lion alum, was honored for being best the best NFL player and for having the best play of the year for his “backward hurdle forward.” The Superbowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles were named best all-around team.

Our football team is proudly known for wearing uniforms with “no names on the back.” Our perennially successful wrestling team wins championships and puts world class athletes on the Olympic team. Yet, except for fans and wrestling aficionados, few people can name any of these athletes. A “team first” approach has served Penn State well in the past, but with the expansion of the Big Ten Conference to the West Coast and the new climate generated by NIL, it’s a new day.

In order to remain competitive in the major sports, our coaches must continue to attract super talented phenoms from around the country. Financial resources help, but national celebrity also appeals to young impressionable talent. Katie, Saquon and Chop Robinson are a beginning. Having James Franklin, the best young coach in the country, is another step in the right direction. Inviting well known Penn State personalities like John Cappelletti, Michael Robinson, Ty Burrell and Keegan Michael Key to share the bench during nationally televised games would be another.

Around town

After three years, the French cafe Oeuf, Boeuf et Bacon, has closed. Co-owners chef Gillian Clark and Robin Smith are moving back to New York. They will be missed.

Pastor Matthew, of the Penn State Catholic community for the last 21 years, is being transferred. He has been a nurturing and loving shepherd for over 10,000 Catholic students who attend University Park. His departure leaves a void.

U.S. Rep. John Lewis, the conscience of the American Congress, joined the ancestors five years ago. This year, Transformative Justice Coalition, Black Voters Matter, Keystone Indivisible, Declaration For American Democracy and Public Citizen hosted a vigil, John Lewis Day, at the Allen Street gates. Over 150 people attended the candle lighting ceremony. Our friend, John, wrote this letter which he asked to be read and printed on the day of his funeral:

“Though I may not be here with you, I urge you to answer the highest calling of your heart and stand up for what you truly believe. In my life I have done all I can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence is the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring. When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your generation who laid down the heavy burdens of hate at last and that peace finally triumphed over violence, aggression and war. So I say to you, walk with the wind, brothers and sisters, and let the spirit of peace and the power of everlasting love be your guide.”