Bryce Jordan Center duals are special events for Penn State wrestlers — an electric environment that puts the national champions in the spotlight in front of as many as 16,000 fans.
The first BJC dual dates back to 1997. Since then, matches at the venue have become can’t-miss events for the Nittany Lions’ growing fan base. Last season, the team returned to the BJC to take on Ohio State with fans cheering thunderously for a winning Penn State team.
The Nittany Lions, whose home base is Rec Hall, have two dual meets in the BJC this season in back-to-back weeks. The first is Friday against Michigan, and on Jan. 27 they’ll host Iowa.
Friday will mark the first time freshman Levi Haines (157) will compete at the BJC, though as an Arendtsville native, he was among those in attendance at BJC duals growing up.
“(I’m) pretty excited,” Haines said. “I’ve watched a couple in there, but being on the team is a different aspect now and getting down on the floor.”
The Penn State Nittany Lion pumps up the crowd during the wrestling match against Ohio State at the Bryce Jordan Center. Abby Drey Centre Daily Times, file
He and the other wrestlers are accustomed to Rec Hall. It was built in 1927 and expanded twice in 1953 and 1963-64. It’s also the home of men’s and women’s gymnastics, men’s and women’s volleyball and previously hosted men’s (1929-1996) and women’s basketball (1965-1996) prior to the completion of the BJC. Rec Hall has been the home for 10 national championship wrestling teams, 53 individual champions and 233 All-Americans.
Fans have packed Rec Hall to its limit at a capacity of 6,846 people on a consistent basis, with Penn State recently adding shuttle services from West Deck on White Course Drive for wrestling events. Heading into Friday, Penn State wrestling has sold out 63 straight events in Rec Hall and seven of nine BJC duals, according to Penn State Athletics.
Has Penn State wrestling outgrown Rec Hall as a venue, while the team consistently fills out the BJC?
Haines thinks there should be more matches in the BJC but that they can’t totally get away from wrestling at Rec Hall.
“I think it would be something to look into, but you also have to look into the historical aspects that Rec (Hall) has,” he said. “I think a lot of the older generations look forward to going to Rec because you’re a lot closer.”
The history at Rec Hall isn’t something that should be ignored, according to Aaron Brooks (184). Brooks has seen his career blossom as a two-time NCAA champion, an All-American selection as a true freshman, a Big Ten Freshman of the Year selection and a two-time Big Ten Champion within the confines of Rec Hall.
“I think our fan base has definitely grown,” Brooks said. “I think the fans appreciate both. Rec Hall’s got that tradition — it’s different atmospheres, like Rec Hall’s over top of you, BJC is kind of wide open. So, I think even if we did (wrestle in BJC more) we’d still do it in Rec Hall.”
Head coach Cael Sanderson is looking forward to the BJC matches against Michigan on Friday and Iowa a week later. He coached his first BJC dual on Dec. 8, 2013 — a 28-9 victory against in-state rival Pittsburgh and the event set a then-NCAA record in attendance (15,996 fans).
Some of the matches could be added to the stage for a better view for a good portion of the BJC, but it would limit the view from certain seats. This presents a challenge that Sanderson brought up when speaking with the media on Tuesday.
“I think a lot of people like Rec Hall,” Sanderson said. “And it’s a great, small intimate environment, especially if something is happening that’s exciting. It’s also very quiet there. We kind of need something in the middle probably, but we don’t have that. So, you just make the best with what you have. That’s something we discuss every year and go back and forth. The Bryce Jordan Center is not designed obviously for a wrestling match. You know, the fans are further away than you’d like themto be.”
157: No. 17 Levi Haines (11-1) OR Terrell Barraclough (6-2)
vs.
No. 10 Will Lewan (10-3)
165: No. 16 Alex Facundo (9-1)
vs.
No. 5 Cameron Amine (7-1)
174: No. 1 Carter Starocci (8-0)
vs.
No. 30 Max Maylor (13-3)
184: No. 1 Aaron Brooks (5-1)
vs.
No. 9 Matt Finesilver (14-3)
197: No. 4 Max Dean (10-2)
vs.
Brendin Yatooma (4-7)
285: No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet (7-0)
vs.
No. 2 Mason Parris (17-0)
Penn State wrestling fans filled the Bryce Jordan Center for the match against Ohio State on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020. Abby Drey Centre Daily Times, file
No. 20 Michigan State (7-2, 0-2 Big Ten) at No. 1 Penn State (8-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Kyle J. Andrews is a 2018 graduate of the University of Baltimore, home of the perennially undefeated Bees. Prior to heading to the Centre Daily Times, he spent times as a sports reporter for the Baltimore Sun Media Group, covering the Ravens and Orioles for 105.7 The Fan, Baltimore Beatdown and Fox Sports 1340 AM.
