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Penn State AD Pat Kraft up for top Sports Business Journal honor: Newsstand

Greg Pickelby:Greg Pickel•about 17 hours•

GregPickel

pat kraft
Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

Penn State news, notes, and updates for March 19 include Lions athletic director Pat Kraft being a finalist for a top industry award, headlines of the day, and more.

Penn State tweets of the day

The Sports Business Journal has its list of finalists for this year’s athletic director of the year honor. Kraft is one of five still in contention for the honor. Boise State’s Jeramiah Dickey, Vanderbilt’s Candice Storey Lee, Iowa State’s Jamie Pollard and Tennessee’s Danny White are the other administrators still in the running. The winner will be announced on May 21 in New York.

The Nittany Lions led the Big Ten in the Directors’ Cup Division I standings following the 2024 fall season and were third overall. Beyond competition success that includes but is not limited to a College Football Playoff semifinals appearance for the football team and a women’s volleyball national title, Kraft is also overseeing numerous facility projects at Penn State, headlined by the $700 million Beaver Stadium renovation. That work, of course, will not conclude until 2027.

“I think it’s important that everyone understands what’s going on,” Kraft said in February. “I know it’s hard to look at all of those programs, but I think we’re like 11 or 10 every week ranked in the top 25, which is pretty awesome, and we’re poised for even more success. We’re not satisfied with that, but I think that’s important to notice.”

Headlines of the day

Bo Nickal says ‘we’ve started up discussions’ about bringing UFC card to Bryce Jordan Center: Sostek, PennLive

What’s the top question facing each Penn State wrestler at 125-157 pounds before the NCAA Championships?: Pickel, BWI

Penn State’s Abdul Carter, Tyler Warren Projected Firmly Inside Top-15 NFL Draft Picks by Analyst: Engle, Statecollege.com

Who are the Penn State football competitors of the day after winter workout No. 5?: Pickel, BWI

Former Penn State men’s soccer striker called up to Guyana national team: Waxman, Daily Collegian

St. Joseph’s Prep LB Brandon Lockley sets spring visits to Penn State, Pitt and Syracuse: Snyder, BWI

Will revenue sharing widen the gap between Penn State wrestling and everyone else?: Snyder, The Athletic

Penn State wrestler Braeden Davis to be ‘even better’ health wise at NCAAs after trying season: Pickel, BWI

Quote of the day

“I like that he’s honest with you. He keeps it real with you and just tells you the truth on things. I like people who are straight up, and that’s what he’s all about. I also like the energy that he comes with and he’s played the game at a high level. He’s coached some big-time safeties now, too, so there’s a lot of things to like about him. He has this upbeat personality, and he’s pretty funny, too. But between his personality and what he’s accomplished, there’s a lot to like about him.”

Class of 2026 Texas safety Jordan Deck to BWI on Nittany Lions safeties coach Anthony Poindexter.


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