In 1954, when Penn State first offered grants-in-aid to football players, the head football coach (Rip Engle) assigned the duties of academic advising to an assistant coach (Frank Patrick). His responsibilities were to increase retention and to assist players in adjusting to the transition from high school to college. Coach Patrick provided support services such as assistance in time management, test preparation, scheduling, and organizing for term papers. All freshmen attended an evening study hall monitored by assistant coaches.
In 1973, upon his retirement from coaching, Coach Patrick assumed full-time responsibility for athletic academic advising for the football team. He reported directly to the Dean of the College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation/ Athletic Director (Dr. Robert Scannell). With the support of the dean, academic advising services were expanded to other teams. A college faculty member and assistant track coach (Dr. Warren Coleman) assumed responsibility for monitoring the academic progress of student-athletes on teams other than football.
In 1977, the Penn State Athletic Department hired a full-time athletic academic advisor (Dr. Frank Downing) to establish support services for all student-athletes. As a member of the athletic staff, he reported to the Athletic Director and Dean of the College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. In order to expand the services, Dr. Downing added one half-time advisor/counselor (Barbara Brugel) and two graduate assistants. Dr. Downing had responsibility for the football team, and the other three staff members shared responsibility for the remaining teams.
Dr. Downing implemented training for the new staff and developed formal policies and procedures for the implementation of expanded academic support services. In addition to academic advising, the services were expanded to include academic counseling, assistance in study skills, monitoring and tracking of academic progress, tutoring, grade checks, and scheduling. Remedial intervention was provided for marginal students.
In 1981, the HPER Undergraduate Advising Center was established jointly by Intercollegiate Athletics and the College of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER). The Director of the Center reported directly to the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies (Martha Adams). The mission of the Center was to provide academic advising to all pre-major students enrolled in the College of HPER and academic information and assistance to prospective students. Secondly, the Center provided academic support services for student-athletes and unofficially monitored academic progress and athletic eligibility in compliance with the University Faculty Senate and NCAA policies and regulations.
By 1982, the HPER Undergraduate Advising Center was comprised of a director (Barbara Brugel), four full-time academic advisors, three clerical personnel, graduate interns, and additional part-time staff. Administratively, the Director was responsible to the Dean of the College of HPER (Dr. Diana Dunn) and reported directly to the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies (Martha Adams). Because of the complexity of and need to comply with NCAA and University Faculty Senate rules and regulations, a close working relationship and informational reporting line was established with the Office of the Director of Athletics (James I. Tarman) and his administrative staff and coaches. Services were expanded to cover academic workshops, additional academic counseling, study halls, monitoring of the book loan program, and assistance with recruiting.
During the 1986-87 academic year, a major administrative restructuring of the College of HPER occurred. The responsibility for monitoring the academic progress of student-athletes was reassigned to Undergraduate Programs under the administrative supervision of the Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Programs (Dr. Carol Cartwright). The Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes (ASCSA) was created in December of 1986 with an Interim Director (Donald Sheffield), who reported to the Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Programs. By July of 1987, the staff was comprised of four full-time Academic Advisors/ Counselors (Donald Ferrell, Dr. Bruce Hale, Diana Kenepp, and Sally Hattig) and a Freshman Academic Coordinator (Sandy Meyer). Three graduate assistants, four full-time clerical staff (Tammy Leathers, Margaret Zimmerman, Barbara Smitley, and Janet Shank), and a part-time receptionist (Florence Dunlop) provided additional support to the programs and services provided for all student-athletes. In January 1988, a full-time Sports Psychologist (Dr. David Yukelson) was hired, and a Management Information Specialist (Karen Reed) was added in June 1988 to complete the complement of professional staff.
From 1988 through July 1, 1990, several changes occurred in the central administration that affected the structure of the Center. Dr. C. Gregory Knight was appointed as Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education, the unit responsible for administering the ASCSA. On July 1, 1990, Diana Kenepp assumed the directorship of the Center. As the Center became more proactive in it’s programming, the responsibilities of the counselors were expanded and the staff job descriptions were revised. The Freshman Academic Coordinator (Sandy Meyer) was assigned several teams to counsel in addition to her freshman program responsibilities; one counselor was assigned to coordinate career development activities (Sally Hattig); one counselor was assigned to coordinate research (Bruce Hale); and, in 1991, another counselor was added to the staff to coordinate tutoring services and study sessions in addition to his team counseling responsibilities (Mark Hinish). Changes in the clerical positions occurred with the hiring of a new receptionist (Deloris Benner) when Ms. Smitley and Ms. Dunlop left. A full-time systems analyst was hired (Randy Carraghan) to replace the management information specialist.
In 1990, a drug education grant was obtained from the NCAA to fund the development of a Life Skills/Drug Prevention Program, and a project coordinator (Deanna Waalkes) was selected. Her appointment was in the Department of Health Education, but the position was funded by the ASCSA and the NCAA grant. During the next four years, the Life Skills Program was developed more fully and the Center began to participate in the NCAA C.H.A.M.P.S. Program as a consultant school.
In 1993, Dr. John Cahir assumed the post of Vice Provost/Dean for Undergraduate Education. By the summer of 1993, an additional position was created to work with football (Mark Sherburne); and, with the departure of the research coordinator, a new staff member (James Weaver) was hired as his replacement. Responsibility for research was assumed by the director, and the responsibility for tutor coordination was assumed by James Weaver. The Life Skills Program expanded to include community outreach, a peer education program (S.P.A.N.), a pen pal program with elementary schools, a Speaker’s Bureau, numerous life skills and career development programs, and continuing alcohol and drug education programs. A half-time life skills specialist was added to the staff.
By the fall of 1996, the staffing pattern included the director, six full-time academic counselors, a sports psychologist, a life skills coordinator, a systems analyst, four staff assistants, a half-time life skills specialist, and a half-time administrative assistant. A new counselor, Darryl Key, joined the staff and assumed the role of tutor coordinator. Responsibility for the career development program was transferred to Jim Weaver. Pam Murray was hired as a new staff assistant.
In 1998, the Center formally changed its name to the Morgan Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes (MASCSA)—after Milton and Lois Morgan, whose generous gift endowed the Center. As the fall semester began, a new study facility, tutoring rooms, and computer lab was opened in Recreation Building. In addition to the Morgan endowment, the Center received funding from Art and Paige Nagle to endow the CHAMPS/Life Skills Program and from Honora and William Jaffee for an endowed Senior Seminar. A partnership with the Department of Kinesiology allowed the Jaffe Seminar to be offered as a structured course.
The 1999-2000 academic year brought more exciting changes. Shawna Bowyer joined the staff as an academic counselor/tutor coordinator. The new football academic building was completed, creating offices, a study facility, tutoring rooms, and a computer lab. For Spring Semester 2000, plans include dividing the teams for study assignment between the vacated East Area Locker Room study.
