Penn State AD Pat Kraft issues call for broad-based support
New Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft held off on making definitive statements in his opening press conference Friday.
Introduced at Beaver Stadium alongside Penn State president Dr. Neeli Bendapudi, assessments would come concurrently with time spent on the job. But, in an interview with Penn State in-house host Brian Tripp, one assurance was clear for Kraft.
Having played at Beaver Stadium as a former Indiana Hoosier linebacker, the cozy accommodations of the visiting locker room would remain intact under his watch.
“The visitors will always be like that,” Kraft said. “That visitor’s locker room is awful and it will stay awful. It’s got to be tight and cramped. I may make it even worse.
“But, this is the place in college football. And, there is nothing like playing a game in this building. And, we’re going to continue to make it very, very, very difficult to get one on us in here.”
The force behind that home-field advantage for Penn State wove its way throughout Kraft’s first media appearances.
Hammering home the notion of elite success as a possibility for all of the program’s 31 sports, Kraft took the notion a step further. More than a possibility, the sports that makeup Penn State’s department will be determined and supported to reach those goals, he said.
And, that support, a necessary element to Penn State’s past successes, is what Kraft is hoping to cultivate.
Penn State’s path forward
Asked what message he relay to Penn State fans nearing the end of the 10-minute interview, Kraft’s choice was instructive. It offered a glimpse into the mindset that will guide the department forward.
Fans, supporters, and the community at large will be relied upon to lift Penn State athletics. Without them, he added, those highest levels of success will be elusive.
“Let’s go. Be a part of it. Let’s go,” Kraft said. “I know they’re passionate, but let’s get after it. It’s gonna take everybody, but we are here to win. And we’re here to do it the right way. But you’re all welcome in the family. Come and be loud and support all 31 teams and support everyone. These student-athletes are amazing and amazing people.
“But I think all I would say is we’re all in it together. No one does this by themselves and it takes everybody, everybody, to do it at a really high level.”
And, describing Penn State as an amazing opportunity, Kraft added that he’s been humbled throughout the process.
Tapped to lead the department beginning July 1, he is determined to live up to the responsibility. Determined to “create memories” for an entire community of stakeholders, his ability to corral broad-based support and enthusiasm will dictate success.
“You can achieve everything and anything you want (at Penn State),” Kraft said. “We can win at everything. That is rare. These jobs are just not common. We have 31 programs that can win a national championship. That is why I’m so humbled. It is truly a dream come true for me at this moment, and for my family, to have this opportunity.”
