Centennial 'Hoop'-la Electrifies Crowd in Bardo Gymnasium

During Tuesday's basketball doubleheader against Penn State DuBois, Penn College officially began its Centennial Celebration for students. Free hot dogs and other awesome refreshments from Dining Services, as well as a great crowd – including more than 120 student-athletes from a number of Wildcat sports teams – were part of the celebration that honors 100 years of tradition and excellence. The evening also featured performances from the dance team, giveaways of centennial T-shirts and maracas, and contests (not the least of which was a chance to win $10,000 during the halftime of the men’s game).  The Wildcats paid tribute to institutional history with T-shirts from The College Store:  Williamsport Technical Institute for the women's team and Williamsport Area Community College for the men. One employee (Rick D. Wyland, dining services manager) and one student (Craig C. Baker, of Clymer, majoring in building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration) each received "bags of goodies" from The College Store during halftime elimination competitions. The night provided two exciting games: the women's team scored a season-high 92 points and the men's team lost a heartbreaker (77-76) in the final seconds.

– Photos by Craig R. Urey, student photographer

Kelly R. Hebert, of Wellsboro, an applied health studies: radiography concentration major – and member of the Wildcat women's volleyball team – scores a $150 meal plan during intramural assistant Jeremy R. Bottorf's "Let's Make a Deal" game. Other winners took home a gift card from The College Store; a Dining Services water bottle; and a flash drive, courtesy of the Athletics Department.

Contributing 10 points for the home team, Nicole Reyes-Molina was among the night's five double-figure scorers.

Alyssa C. Fernandez, a general studies major from Lancaster, gets an "E" for effort in her unsuccessful quest for a half-court payoff.

Ryan C. Hunt, a building automation technology major from Scotia, N.Y., and new vice president of the Off-Campus Housing Organization, makes some noise (and a fashion statement), thanks to the centennial T-shirt/maraca giveaway.

The Wildcats' Laquinn Thompson, a picture of driving determination.

Positive vibes from stands as a fellow student aims to score big-time from midcourt.

Stephanie Michaud performs with her dance teammates.

A young fan comfortably enjoys the court-level view.

Penn College forward Thomas Ross loosens up in a WACC T-shirt.

The predominant color this season? Wildcat Blue, of course!

Faculty/staff contestant Rick D. Wyland eyes his shot, as Elliot Strickland Jr., chief student affairs officer, waits his turn.

Lady Wildcat guard Chelsea Burger warms up in centennial garb.