Can you recall your greatest memory of event(s) at Rec Hall?

[Jerademan74]

For me, it was watching Marshall Avener competing against several visiting teams in route to eventually winning the all-around gymnastics National Championship. I also remember watching a Randy Meister / Ron Brown led PSU men's basketball team beating #4 Virginia. I believe these were both in 1974, the year I graduated.

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

For me, it was watching Marshall Avener competing against several visiting teams in route to eventually winning the all-around gymnastics National Championship. I also remember watching a Randy Meister / Ron Brown led PSU men's basketball team beating #4 Virginia. I believe these were both in 1974, the year I graduated.

Beating Pitt in (I think double) overtime on a very cold night the year we had beat Pitt 48-14 in football.

 

[Keyser Soze 16801]

The infamous game against Indiana where Bobby Knight said the refs screwed us. Rec Hall was so loud during that game

 

[SandyM]

Watching Mark Dumars and Jerry West put on a scoring exhibition in the late 50's or early 60's.
Also sitting on the floor holding scoring signs for the 1956 gymnastic Olympic trials.

 

[Class of 67]

For me, it was watching Marshall Avener competing against several visiting teams in route to eventually winning the all-around gymnastics National Championship. I also remember watching a Randy Meister / Ron Brown led PSU men's basketball team beating #4 Virginia. I believe these were both in 1974, the year I graduated.

Gene Whetstone era gymnastics competitions. Fans were completely silent until the conclusion of each performance. Beating Syracuse in Basketball with Carver Clinton and Bob Weiss. I had recently turned 21 and went to a bar and got a buzz on for the first time to celebrate what was a big win.

 

[cavic]

MBB almost taking down then #1 ranked Indiana. Greg Bartrum had the dunk that should have capped our huge upset, but we all know the ending

 

[Achowalogan]

Many women's gymnastics meets led by Ann Carr...and Co....National Champs

 

[fairgambit]

When I think of Rec Hall a flood of joyful memories sweeps over me. I was there for the Temptations Concert in 67'; gym meets under the legendary Gene Whettstone; wrestling meets; basketball games; and on and on. I don't think I ever had an unhappy moment in that building, even when we lost a sporting event, and so I cannot list a favorite. They were all unique in their own way, but they collectively form an indelible image in my mind of those happy, carefree, college years.

 

[PA_JOE]

For me, it was watching Marshall Avener competing against several visiting teams in route to eventually winning the all-around gymnastics National Championship. I also remember watching a Randy Meister / Ron Brown led PSU men's basketball team beating #4 Virginia. I believe these were both in 1974, the year I graduated.

 

[demlion]

When I think of Rec Hall a flood of joyful memories sweeps over me. I was there for the Temptations Concert in 67'; gym meets under the legendary Gene Whettstone; wrestling meets; basketball games; and on and on. I don't think I ever had an unhappy moment in that building, even when we lost a sporting event, and so I cannot list a favorite. They were all unique in their own way, but they collectively form an indelible image in my mind of those happy, carefree, college years.

Dead concert, late 70's or 1980. I really do not have an actual memory of this, just a series of flashbacks, alternately fabulous and horrifying. A shattering exploration of my own imagination, as various things I had consumed in the hours before the concert jerked me around like a puppet on a string. I remember that when I woke up the next day I thought I was deaf. I can't remember it, but I will never forget it.

Ok, I made that up.

 

[PA_JOE]

For me, it was watching Marshall Avener competing against several visiting teams in route to eventually winning the all-around gymnastics National Championship. I also remember watching a Randy Meister / Ron Brown led PSU men's basketball team beating #4 Virginia. I believe these were both in 1974, the year I graduated.

 

[LemonEars]

In 1966 Mike Reid walked onto the wrestling team. He immediately faced the #1 rated heavyweight -- a kid from Lehigh. Mike kicked his butt. The kid never had a chance. Reid had so much strength and power that his lack of wrestling experience meant nothing. A spectacular performance!

 

[PA_JOE]

J Geils Band and the Pretenders (with Chrissie Hynde) both right when they were taking off. Sports was the NIT basketball game against Miami where we came from behind by 20+ to win - loudest I have heard any single venue ever - there was no place for the noise to go.

 

[FHSPSU67]

Gene Whetstone era gymnastics competitions. Fans were completely silent until the conclusion of each performance. Beating Syracuse in Basketball with Carver Clinton and Bob Weiss. I had recently turned 21 and went to a bar and got a buzz on for the first time to celebrate what was a big win.

I was there for there for most (if not all) gymnastic meets and the Syracuse basketball game. Also saw Simon & Garfunkel in Rec Hall.

 

[fairgambit]

Dead concert, late 70's or 1980. I really do not have an actual memory of this, just a series of flashbacks, alternately fabulous and horrifying. A shattering exploration of my own imagination, as various things I had consumed in the hours before the concert jerked me around like a puppet on a string. I remember that when I woke up the next day I thought I was deaf. I can't remember it, but I will never forget it.
Ok, I made that up.

Sounds like me as I get older.

 

[Fayette_LION]

For me, it was watching Marshall Avener competing against several visiting teams in route to eventually winning the all-around gymnastics National Championship. I also remember watching a Randy Meister / Ron Brown led PSU men's basketball team beating #4 Virginia. I believe these were both in 1974, the year I graduated.

Money Brown beating a number of good teams at Rec Hall

 

[LemonEars]

When I think of Rec Hall a flood of joyful memories sweeps over me. I was there for the Temptations Concert in 67'; gym meets under the legendary Gene Whettstone; wrestling meets; basketball games; and on and on. I don't think I ever had an unhappy moment in that building, even when we lost a sporting event, and so I cannot list a favorite. They were all unique in their own way, but they collectively form an indelible image in my mind of those happy, carefree, college years.

I was at the Temptations concert in '67. Great time!

 

[nits74]

For me, it was watching Marshall Avener competing against several visiting teams in route to eventually winning the all-around gymnastics National Championship. I also remember watching a Randy Meister / Ron Brown led PSU men's basketball team beating #4 Virginia. I believe these were both in 1974, the year I graduated.

I remember that Virginia game well. Barry Parkhill (Bruce's brother) was Virgina's captain and star player. He was a very good friend of a fraternity brother of mine (State High guys). Very nice guy, but it was still fun winning that game. Was it '73 or '74 when we beat Pitt, who had won something like 25 games in a row and were ranked in the top five also. I think Brown had 30+ in that game.

 

[Steve G]

Dead concert, late 70's or 1980. I really do not have an actual memory of this, just a series of flashbacks, alternately fabulous and horrifying. A shattering exploration of my own imagination, as various things I had consumed in the hours before the concert jerked me around like a puppet on a string. I remember that when I woke up the next day I thought I was deaf. I can't remember it, but I will never forget it.

Ok, I made that up.

ain't often right but I never been wrong
seldom turns out the way it does in the song.........

 

[GregInPitt]

For me, it was watching Marshall Avener competing against several visiting teams in route to eventually winning the all-around gymnastics National Championship. I also remember watching a Randy Meister / Ron Brown led PSU men's basketball team beating #4 Virginia. I believe these were both in 1974, the year I graduated.

Two events come to mind. The first was the Fall of 1973, my freshman year, when during the half time of a basketball game the day the Heisman trophy was announced, the winner, John Cappelletti, came out at halftime and and addressed the crowd.
The second was the Bruce Springsteen concert, I believe during the Winter of1976??

I also saw the women's NCAA BB tournament there, back when I believe there were only 8 teams invited and the whole tournament was held at one venue.

I believe I also saw Ron Brown lead PSU in beating Pitt on the hard court breaking Pitt's long winning streak.

 

[Blueblood4eva]

For a more recent perspective, I asked my daughter '09. She said Rally in the Valley, her freshman year, for the '05 Ohio State game. Joe was amazing, walking like a girl, imitating the O$U QB. He was telling the jam packed Rec we were so excited because there was a great team in town, when somebody yelled out, "They're going down, Joe". He just grinned and shook his head in the affirmative.

 

[Cvilleguy12]

The Dead & Springsteen in late 70's.

 

[CF LION]

J Geils Band aand the Pretenders (with Chrissie Hynde) borh right when they were taking off. Sports was the NIT basketball game against Miami where we came from behind by 20+ to win - loudest I have heard any single venue ever - there was no place for the noise to go.

Same era. I remember those as well. My ears were ringing for a week after that J Geils Band concert. I believe Freeze Frame had just hit it big for them.

 

[We Are . . .]

This is an easy one. Gene Wettstone brought in the Soviet and Japanese national gymnastics teams in back-to-back years (71 & 72?). The Soviets were the women's world champions led by Ludmlila Tourischeva. Cathy Rigby was the American darling in women's gymnastics. Their men were the world silver medalists and a team of past and present PSU gymnasts came very close in scoring. The next year the Japanese came in with the men's world champion team and the three medalists in the all-around. Absolutely awesome to see these great athletes perform in Rec Hall.

 

[UncleLar]

In 1966 Mike Reid walked onto the wrestling team. He immediately faced the #1 rated heavyweight -- a kid from Lehigh. Mike kicked his butt. The kid never had a chance. Reid had so much strength and power that his lack of wrestling experience meant nothing. A spectacular performance!

The Lehigh kid was an above average wrestler but he wasn't anywhere near the #1 rated heavyweight. To be honest, I don't even think he made All-American.

I do agree though that the actual meet was the most exciting thing I've ever watched at Rec Hall.

UPDATE (to include the Lehigh kid's actual stats).

The kid's name was Butch Paquin. The match was in March of 1967. Paquin was a sophomore that year (freshman were not eligible then) and he finished the year with a 8-6 record. His career record at Lehigh was 18-15-1. His only real claim to fame (other than taking the loss to Reid in that match) was that he was the only guy in the 1967 NCAAs to not get pinned by Curley Culp. In his opening match of the tournament, Culp wallopped Paquin 15-5, but couldn't pin him. Culp went on to pin his next 3 opponents, including a 51 second pin in the championship bout.

 

[tgar]

S

Dead concert, late 70's or 1980. I really do not have an actual memory of this, just a series of flashbacks, alternately fabulous and horrifying. A shattering exploration of my own imagination, as various things I had consumed in the hours before the concert jerked me around like a puppet on a string. I remember that when I woke up the next day I thought I was deaf. I can't remember it, but I will never forget it.

Ok, I made that up.

Shit, you must have been the guy standing next to me when we split that little sheet of paper with a picture of Mickey mouse wearing dragon wings. Yeah, we tripped our brains out. It was either may 6, 1979 or May 8, 1980 or both. Fing crazy. We stood on the track at the rail and just witnessed cause that's all there was to do except when you had that epiphany and created a new 4 dimension mathematics field that solved nothing but scared even the soviets into ending the Cold War.

Yeah, crazy night.

 

[demlion]

S


Shit, you must have been the guy standing next to me when we split that little sheet of paper with a picture of Mickey mouse wearing dragon wings. Yeah, we tripped our brains out. It was either may 6, 1979 or May 8, 1980 or both. Fing crazy. We stood on the track at the rail and just witnessed cause that's all there was to do except when you had that epiphany and created a new 4 dimension mathematics field that solved nothing but scared even the soviets into ending the Cold War.

Yeah, crazy night.

I specifically do not recall that.

 

[UncleLar]

I also saw the women's NCAA BB tournament there, back when I believe there were only 8 teams invited and the whole tournament was held at one venue.

.

The NCAA didn't start holding women's basketball championships until 1982 - and they were never been held at Rec Hall.

What you are thinking of was the 1976 AIAW national championships which were held at Rec Hall. There were 16 not 8 teams. Penn State lost to eventual national champion Delta State 88-46 in the opening round.

 

[Victor E. Bell]

Running laps and playing racquetball were good memories.

 

[Thus Spoke Mainer]

Mariss Jansons and the Leningrad Philharmonic did a pretty good Tchaikovsky 4th in '73.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band also put on a good dancing-in-the-aisles show the same year.

 

[nittnee]

Beating Pitt in (I think double) overtime on a very cold night the year we had beat Pitt 48-14 in football.

I remember being at that game as well. When Penn State had 48 points and a slight lead, the fans started chanting"48-14, 48-14, 48-14..."

 

[Parkland Fan]

In 1966 Mike Reid walked onto the wrestling team. He immediately faced the #1 rated heavyweight -- a kid from Lehigh. Mike kicked his butt. The kid never had a chance. Reid had so much strength and power that his lack of wrestling experience meant nothing. A spectacular performance!

Agree on the event being memorable, especially since I am from the Lehigh Valley. The Lehigh heavyweight was Frank Paquin. He was highly ranked but not #1. Mike Caruso was ranked number 1 and our wrestler gave him a real battle. Lehigh's Peritore was ranked in the top 3 and our guy, I believe it was Wally Clark, upset him. The match came down to the heavy weights and Mike Reid dominated.

 

[BOSCO2]

I remember being at that game as well. When Penn State had 48 points and a slight lead, the fans started chanting"48-14, 48-14, 48-14..."

I like to think that the chant started when ten thousand marbles and I held up our 48-14 sign.

 

[EdH85]

For me, it was watching Marshall Avener competing against several visiting teams in route to eventually winning the all-around gymnastics National Championship. I also remember watching a Randy Meister / Ron Brown led PSU men's basketball team beating #4 Virginia. I believe these were both in 1974, the year I graduated.

Dunking at a 10 foot basket for the first time ever! It was awesome!

 

[PSU Mike]

The NCAA didn't start holding women's basketball championships until 1982 - and they were never been held at Rec Hall.

What you are thinking of was the 1976 AIAW national championships which were held at Rec Hall. There were 16 not 8 teams. Penn State lost to eventual national champion Delta State 88-46 in the opening round.

Rounding error ;-)

 

[massimoManca II]

My graduation ceremony in May 1988... Girl giving the salutatorian speech extolled how at Penn State you're not just a number - minutes later graduates were asked to go over to the annex and claim diplomas - you guessed it - based on the number issued by the college of business administration

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

I like to think that the chant started when ten thousand marbles and I held up our 48-14 sign.

IIRC, that sign got planted with a triumphal flourish on top of a mound of snow outside of Rec Hall postgame. After which, we went to McDonalds, where a coed approached me and called me "Sir."

 

[fairfaxlion2]

The Dead & Springsteen in late 70's.

Didn't Tom Harmon & crew arrest Springsteen's manager after the concert? Glad he was on top of the important stuff

Hard to say any event was more memorable than the "welcome to the Big Ten" call vs. Indiana. To this day I believe it is the worst call in the history of college sports.

 

[novaclassof90]

That Indiana where we got jobbed by the refs. What a gut punch.

Playing sunday morning pickup hoops with fellow grad atudents and faculty from the Econ Dept circa 91-93. Good times. Sweated out a lot of beer from the sat nights before at zenos and the brewery.

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

Didn't Tom Harmon & crew arrest Springsteen's manager after the concert? Glad he was on top of the important stuff

Hard to say any event was more memorable than the "welcome to the Big Ten" call vs. Indiana. To this day I believe it is the worst call in the history of college sports.

The guy was arrested for running off with (literally) a suitcase full of money. The more notable crime was the theft of Clarence's hat, imho. ;-)