Penn College News

'Coaches Caravan' Includes Penn College on 17-Stop Tour

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

The third week of the Penn State Coaches Caravan began Tuesday with a sold-out visit to Penn College, where head football coach James Franklin and colleagues met with the media, alumni and fans in the Thompson Professional Development Center and the Field House. Coaches Guy Gadowsky (men's hockey) and Mark Pavlik (men's volleyball) joined Franklin on main campus, as did a recent addition to the week's program: new baseball coach Rob Cooper.  Franklin, who is headlining the bus tour for each of its 17 stops across the mid-Atlantic, met with more than 5,000 of the Nittany Nation faithful during the first two weeks of the caravan.


− Photos by Larry D. Kauffman, digital publishing specialist/photographer




 Franklin meets the press prior to a sold-out lunch across campus.

Franklin meets the press prior to a sold-out lunch across campus.

Penn State football coach James Franklin and Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour get acquainted during the walk from the PDC to the Field House.

Penn State football coach James Franklin and Penn College President Davie Jane Gilmour get acquainted during the walk from the PDC to the Field House.

Coach Franklin readily agrees to fans' photo requests.

Coach Franklin readily agrees to fans' photo requests.

A sold-out crowd enjoys lunch with Penn State coaches.

A sold-out crowd enjoys lunch with Penn State coaches.

Roger L. Williams, executive director of the Penn State Alumni Association (co-sponsor of the

Roger L. Williams, executive director of the Penn State Alumni Association (co-sponsor of the "Caravan")

A presidential welcome for visiting coaches

A presidential welcome for visiting coaches

Men's volleyball coach Mark Pavlik

Men's volleyball coach Mark Pavlik

 Franklin talks about his values and vision for the Penn State football program, and enlists alumni and fans as partners in an ongoing tradition.

Franklin talks about his values and vision for the Penn State football program, and enlists alumni and fans as partners in an ongoing tradition.

Men's hockey coach Guy Gadowsky

Men's hockey coach Guy Gadowsky

Baseball coach Rob Cooper takes to the podium.

Baseball coach Rob Cooper takes to the podium.

The Penn College leg of the coaches' tour attracts a full Field House of participants, many of them clad in blue and white.

The Penn College leg of the coaches' tour attracts a full Field House of participants, many of them clad in blue and white.

Assistant Penn State Athletic Director Mark Wharton represents the Nittany Lion Club, one of the event sponsors.

Assistant Penn State Athletic Director Mark Wharton represents the Nittany Lion Club, one of the event sponsors.