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Rec Hall vs Carver: Discuss...

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Psubiomed

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Jul 25, 2021
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What are the differences, the nuances, the difference in dynamics, noise level, etc...

In my mind Carver is the place where referees are intimidated, but Rec Hall is the place where OPPONENTS are intimidated. Agreed?

Other thoughts? Personally the popcorn at Carver sucks, but the damn lines at Rec Hall make getting a coke into a relative easter egg hunt 😂😂😂
 
Psubiomed said:
What are the differences, the nuances, the difference in dynamics, noise level, etc...

In my mind Carver is the place where referees are intimidated, but Rec Hall is the place where OPPONENTS are intimidated. Agreed?

Other thoughts? Personally the popcorn at Carver sucks, but the damn lines at Rec Hall make getting a coke into a relative easter egg hunt 😂😂😂
Click to expand...
Rec Hall does not have fans hurling beers at Carter or slurs at RBY and Gomez.
 
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matter7172 said:
I might go with the Palestra rather than MSG, but the days of Big 5 doubleheaders there seem to be no longer.
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Actually you are correct..the Palestra is a better comparison. The Typical Penn State wrestling fan is someone who has grown up with the sport and understands the cache of wrestlers in the state of Pennsylvania. The fan understands that this dynasty is not an accident and didn't come about by anything but organic destiny from the greatest wrestler and coach ever, coming to the greatest geographic part of the nation for the sport. Sorry hawk fans but this sport is ours: Wade Schalles over John Chapman, Henry Green over Olympic medalist Jimmy Carr in the REGIONAL, Bill Kolls son Rob with a pin in the finals, the great Cary Kolat, and 1000 other epic, iconic moments of the sport that unless you grew up around here, you won't understand.
 
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matter7172 said:
I might go with the Palestra rather than MSG, but the days of Big 5 doubleheaders there seem to be no longer.
Click to expand...
I like the Palestra comparison. The golden era, 1956 to 1985.

Hopefully, we've got 17 more years in our golden era.
 
dicemen99 said:
I just referenced this match in the Farrell thread. Probably the greatest moment in PA state tournament history.

I wonder if Chapman got his panties in a wad with the crowd because of the standing ovation Schalles got??
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Chapman from Trinity and the WPIAL while Schalles from Holidaysburg, which is slightly closer to State College, but certainly not like a State College high, or Bellefonte, Bald Eagle area, Clearfield, Philipsburg etc ..

Those fans were witnessing greatness and they knew exactly what they were watching...so did the announcers, notice the comments "this match is far from over", "still a minute left" etc, they also knew what Schalles could do
 
Psubiomed said:
Actually you are correct..the Palestra is a better comparison. The Typical Penn State wrestling fan is someone who has grown up with the sport and understands the cache of wrestlers in the state of Pennsylvania. The fan understands that this dynasty is not an accident and didn't come about by anything but organic destiny from the greatest wrestler and coach ever, coming to the greatest geographic part of the nation for the sport. Sorry hawk fans but this sport is ours: Wade Schalles over John Chapman, Henry Green over Olympic medalist Jimmy Carr in the REGIONAL, Bill Kolls son Rob with a pin in the finals, the great Cary Kolat, and 1000 other epic, iconic moments of the sport that unless you grew up around here, you won't understand.
Click to expand...

dicemen99 said:
I like the Palestra comparison. The golden era, 1956 to 1985.

Hopefully, we've got 17 more years in our golden era.
Click to expand...
When I was a kid growing up in PA Dutch country, we could get very few television channels. Our local 15 and Lancaster's 8 were the only reliable ones, along with 33 out of Hershey. Harrisburg stations 21 and 27 came in pretty well. Depending on the day, you could get 3, 6 and 10 out of Phildelphia.

On the day of the first Super Bowl, our tv antenna got blown off our roof and, rather than dealing with another antenna, my parents were among the early subscribers to cable television. It was nothing like today, but you got the network Philly stations (VHF) and Philly UHF stations 17, 29 and 48.

The real prize of the new cable was frequent Big 5 basketball doubleheaders when the Big 5 was excellent. I watched many of them in my pre-teen and teen years. The first time I went to the Palestra for wrestling was quite an experience for me. That place was almost mystical to me. And to see the photos of the Big 5 basketball players from my youth was so great.
 
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matter7172 said:
When I was a kid growing up in PA Dutch country, we could get very few television channels. Our local 15 and Lancaster's 8 were the only reliable ones, along with 33 out of Hershey. Harrisburg stations 21 and 27 came in pretty well. Depending on the day, you could get 3, 6 and 10 out of Phildelphia.

On the day of the first Super Bowl, our tv antenna got blown off our roof and, rather than dealing with another antenna, my parents were among the early subscribers to cable television. It was nothing like today, but you got the network Philly stations (VHF) and Philly UHF stations 17, 29 and 48.

The real prize of the new cable was frequent Big 5 basketball doubleheaders when the Big 5 was excellent. I watched many of them in my pre-teen and teen years. The first time I went to the Palestra for wrestling was quite an experience for me. That place was almost mystical to me. And to see the photos of the Big 5 basketball players from my youth was so great.
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I listened to all the Clearfield HS wrestling matches on the radio as a kid... doubt there on any more.. the dual meet set up's have changed quite a bit. It was like Friday night lights for me in the late 70's, 1980...
 
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matter7172 said:
I might go with the Palestra rather than MSG, but the days of Big 5 doubleheaders there seem to be no longer.
Click to expand...
Used to catch the A-10 tourney at the Spectrum every year. Semifinals were a doubleheader. Some good Temple, Xavier and UMass teams back then.
 
Psubiomed said:
What are the differences, the nuances, the difference in dynamics, noise level, etc...

In my mind Carver is the place where referees are intimidated, but Rec Hall is the place where OPPONENTS are intimidated. Agreed?

Other thoughts? Personally the popcorn at Carver sucks, but the damn lines at Rec Hall make getting a coke into a relative easter egg hunt 😂😂😂
Click to expand...
Hey, you can get a Pepsi for $2 at the soda machine down at floor level. No lines.
 
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a_mshaffer said:
I listened to all the Clearfield HS wrestling matches on the radio as a kid... doubt there on any more.. the dual meet set up's have changed quite a bit. It was like Friday night lights for me in the late 70's, 1980...
Click to expand...
AM - did you know Fred Diehl? He and I went to the same prep school together.

He told me about a really wild dual that took place between Clearfield and Lock Haven in the 66-67 season. ( a little before your time, I assume). The big match of the night was between Larry Rippey from LH and a guy named Bender from Clearfield. Rippey won but evidently Bender pulled some of the wild elevator funk like you would see from Schalles. Fred said he flipped Rippey to his back at the end of the match and would have gotten the pin if the clock hadn’t run out. I imagine the crowds at Clearfield HS were pretty rabid in those days.

BTW, I know that Fred died a few years ago from leukemia, and I understand that Blaise Alexander acquired Fred Diehl Motors. Every time I see the Blaise Alexander ad in the Rec Hall matches, I think of Fred. 🥲
 
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Hope to one day go to Carver so I can make a fair comparison. Rec can be special though, there's no doubt about it. I was hooked when my dad took me to see Iowa and these new twin lightweights Gable brought in. I don't think we won that dual--but I'll never forget a few years later when Cary made his debut and stuck Zadick. Several other legendary single matches, and the 2018 "dual of the century" was pure, unfiltered madness. I hope one day there is again a team as good as that Ohio State squad and we get to dual that team at home. Seems less and less likely with each year that passes of late.
 
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nerfstate said:
Hope to one day go to Carver so I can make a fair comparison. Rec can be special though, there's no doubt about it. I was hooked when my dad took me to see Iowa and these new twin lightweights Gable brought in. I don't think we won that dual--but I'll never forget a few years later when Cary made his debut and stuck Zadick. Several other legendary single matches, and the 2018 "dual of the century" was pure, unfiltered madness. I hope one day there is again a team as good as that Ohio State squad and we get to dual that team at home. Seems less and less likely with each year that passes of late.
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Don't forget that PSU was Nolfless for that dual. Maybe Cael will deliberately give the PSU fans a thrill the next time Iowa is at Penn State by pulling out a few guys from the starting lineup to make the dual more competitive.
 
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AgSurfer said:
AM - did you know Fred Diehl? He and I went to the same prep school together.

He told me about a really wild dual that took place between Clearfield and Lock Haven in the 66-67 season. ( a little before your time, I assume). The big match of the night was between Larry Rippey from LH and a guy named Bender from Clearfield. Rippey won but evidently Bender pulled some of the wild elevator funk like you would see from Schalles. Fred said he flipped Rippey to his back at the end of the match and would have gotten the pin if the clock hadn’t run out. I imagine the crowds at Clearfield HS were pretty rabid in those days.

BTW, I know that Fred died a few years ago from leukemia, and I understand that Blaise Alexander acquired Fred Diehl Motors. Every time I see the Blaise Alexander ad in the Rec Hall matches, I think of Fred. 🥲
Click to expand...
West Branch vs Clearfield in 1973: My uncle made a 300 dollar bet on Jerry White(PSU all American in 1977) vs Dave Gallagher(western Kentucky all American in 1977) on White. White beat Gallagher 6-4 and went in to win the piaa championship. Clearfield beat WB 30-24.
 
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Penn state fan formerly from Iowa. My experience with Carver… all the seats have excellent view. Fans are loud and always call “stalling”. I was there, one section over when the beer was thrown. I couldn’t believe NOBODY pointed out the individual who threw the beer. No class. Definitely a home field advantage with the crowd behind them. GREAT SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM.

I’ll comment on REC HALL…. When I make my first visit. 😊
 
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pointingdogsrule said:
Penn state fan formerly from Iowa. My experience with Carver… all the seats have excellent view. Fans are loud and always call “stalling”. I was there, one section over when the beer was thrown. I couldn’t believe NOBODY pointed out the individual who threw the beer. No class. Definitely a home field advantage with the crowd behind them. GREAT SOFT SERVE ICE CREAM.

I’ll comment on REC HALL…. When I make my first visit. 😊
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Were you there when Cael cornered Spencer in the tunnel between bouts and tried to get him to transfer?
 
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Remember that match in Carver when RBY stalled his way to tapping DeSanto out? How about 2 years later when he was Carvered and STILL best DeSanto? How about when Bo Nickal stalled his way to a first period spladle pin? Our history of stalling our way to victory at Carver is just so beautiful and lovely 😍
 
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Haven't been to Rec Hall in about 20 years, so can't say much about the atmosphere with today's coaches/team.

I do know a few things about Carver, though:

The atmosphere is so unique that it has it's own saying- Carvered. Don't think anywhere else in the college wrestling world has that. Although, have to point out that if you did get your own, getting Reck'd(spelling?) would be a pretty badass one.

There's not many venues in college wrestling that can come close to matching the energy of a highly anticipated dual/match in Carver. Not trying to take a jab, but I will point to the crowd reaction to Kemerer beating Hall as a prime example of what Carver offers that other college venues do not. Nearly 15,000 fans collectively losing their voices is something that just doesn't happens at college dual meets pretty much anywhere else. Truly wish every college wrestler could experience that type of reaction to a win at least once during their career.

On the flip side, opponents coming in and silencing the crowd with a win of their own appears to bring great joy as well. Have seen numerous wrestlers celebrate just a bit more after a win in Carver(think Bo's hand to ear) than they do any other time. Not upset with it at all, it's part of the Carver experience. Have heard numerous interviews where wrestlers cite Carver as their favorite place to wrestle outside their own facilities.

@Psubiomed brought up modern history(PSU is 6-5 vs Iowa in duals under Cael btw). Part of what makes a venue so special IS all of the things that have taken place under the rafters. All of the previous duals, past wrestling greats, epic matches, etc. It's all part of what makes Carver special. Discounting them because it's in the past is silly when talking about a venue.


TL;DR version - Carver is awesome and everyone should go at least once!
 
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jrod65 said:
Haven't been to Rec Hall in about 20 years, so can't say much about the atmosphere with today's coaches/team.

I do know a few things about Carver, though:

The atmosphere is so unique that it has it's own saying- Carvered. Don't think anywhere else in the college wrestling world has that. Although, have to point out that if you did get your own, getting Reck'd(spelling?) would be a pretty badass one.

There's not many venues in college wrestling that can come close to matching the energy of a highly anticipated dual/match in Carver. Not trying to take a jab, but I will point to the crowd reaction to Kemerer beating Hall as a prime example of what Carver offers that other college venues do not. Nearly 15,000 fans collectively losing their voices is something that just doesn't happens at college dual meets pretty much anywhere else. Truly wish every college wrestler could experience that type of reaction to a win at least once during their career.

On the flip side, opponents coming in and silencing the crowd with a win of their own appears to bring great joy as well. Have seen numerous wrestlers celebrate just a bit more after a win in Carver(think Bo's hand to ear) than they do any other time. Not upset with it at all, it's part of the Carver experience. Have heard numerous interviews where wrestlers cite Carver as their favorite place to wrestle outside their own facilities.

@Psubiomed brought up modern history(PSU is 6-5 vs Iowa in duals under Cael btw). Part of what makes a venue so special IS all of the things that have taken place under the rafters. All of the previous duals, past wrestling greats, epic matches, etc. It's all part of what makes Carver special. Discounting them because it's in the past is silly when talking about a venue.


TL;DR version - Carver is awesome and everyone should go at least once!
Click to expand...
EXCELLENT POST. WELL DONE
 
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I got to see the exhibition with the Soviet Olympic team (1984), one of the guys on my floor was a Lion Ambassador and was dispatched to get the late Talmadge Layne "Tab" Thacker, who was the U.S. representative as the reigning NCAA heavyweight.

One of the last true heavyweights, my dorm buddy had an early 80's Ford Escort (cheap, not inexpensive and like all other econoboxes of that time, grossly underpowered). The story was Tab managed to get in the stupid box but his weight made the car squeak and have a pronounced rightward lean. The story was he said "sorry man" and they proceeded to where he was dropped off.

Having heard Til' Tuesday's Voices Carry in the Giant tonight, getting nostalgic for the 80's, my youth and blissful ignorance. Oh well.
 
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jrod65 said:
Haven't been to Rec Hall in about 20 years, so can't say much about the atmosphere with today's coaches/team.

I do know a few things about Carver, though:

The atmosphere is so unique that it has it's own saying- Carvered. Don't think anywhere else in the college wrestling world has that. Although, have to point out that if you did get your own, getting Reck'd(spelling?) would be a pretty badass one.

There's not many venues in college wrestling that can come close to matching the energy of a highly anticipated dual/match in Carver. Not trying to take a jab, but I will point to the crowd reaction to Kemerer beating Hall as a prime example of what Carver offers that other college venues do not. Nearly 15,000 fans collectively losing their voices is something that just doesn't happens at college dual meets pretty much anywhere else. Truly wish every college wrestler could experience that type of reaction to a win at least once during their career.

On the flip side, opponents coming in and silencing the crowd with a win of their own appears to bring great joy as well. Have seen numerous wrestlers celebrate just a bit more after a win in Carver(think Bo's hand to ear) than they do any other time. Not upset with it at all, it's part of the Carver experience. Have heard numerous interviews where wrestlers cite Carver as their favorite place to wrestle outside their own facilities.

@Psubiomed brought up modern history(PSU is 6-5 vs Iowa in duals under Cael btw). Part of what makes a venue so special IS all of the things that have taken place under the rafters. All of the previous duals, past wrestling greats, epic matches, etc. It's all part of what makes Carver special. Discounting them because it's in the past is silly when talking about a venue.


TL;DR version - Carver is awesome and everyone should go at least once!
Click to expand...
Well written. I agree.
 
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AgSurfer said:
AM - did you know Fred Diehl? He and I went to the same prep school together.

He told me about a really wild dual that took place between Clearfield and Lock Haven in the 66-67 season. ( a little before your time, I assume). The big match of the night was between Larry Rippey from LH and a guy named Bender from Clearfield. Rippey won but evidently Bender pulled some of the wild elevator funk like you would see from Schalles. Fred said he flipped Rippey to his back at the end of the match and would have gotten the pin if the clock hadn’t run out. I imagine the crowds at Clearfield HS were pretty rabid in those days.

BTW, I know that Fred died a few years ago from leukemia, and I understand that Blaise Alexander acquired Fred Diehl Motors. Every time I see the Blaise Alexander ad in the Rec Hall matches, I think of Fred. 🥲
Click to expand...
didn't know him personally but some of his extended family. My Grandfather worked at Stratton Motors.. Yes, '67 was before my time.. I got into it when the Fricke's, Gallagher's, and Kassab's started showing up - old enough to run the halls and actually 'listen' on the radio
 
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When I watch PSU duals on line in RH , there seem to be a bunch of stuffed shirts mat side that look as though they are bored and wouldn't say $h!t if they had a mouth full
 
LorenzoFan said:
When I watch PSU duals on line in RH , there seem to be a bunch of stuffed shirts mat side that look as though they are bored and wouldn't say $h!t if they had a mouth full
Click to expand...
Those must be some of our knowledgeable fans.
 
a_mshaffer said:
didn't know him personally but some of his extended family. My Grandfather worked at Stratton Motors.. Yes, '67 was before my time.. I got into it when the Fricke's, Gallagher's, and Kassab's started showing up - old enough to run the halls and actually 'listen' on the radio
Click to expand...
My Dad was good friends with Mr. Stratton and Mr Kavelak also. Al Fricke, what a character 😂
 
LorenzoFan said:
When I watch PSU duals on line in RH , there seem to be a bunch of stuffed shirts mat side that look as though they are bored and wouldn't say $h!t if they had a mouth full
Click to expand...
I have met a lot of mat side people and a bunch of top row people at Rec Hall. They are all pretty cool in each individual way.

My buddy Paul and I walked around Carver and had a great time too!

The 2 venues are just different experiences. They are both wonderful in their own ways.
 
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jrod65 said:
Haven't been to Rec Hall in about 20 years, so can't say much about the atmosphere with today's coaches/team.

I do know a few things about Carver, though:

The atmosphere is so unique that it has it's own saying- Carvered. Don't think anywhere else in the college wrestling world has that. Although, have to point out that if you did get your own, getting Reck'd(spelling?) would be a pretty badass one.

There's not many venues in college wrestling that can come close to matching the energy of a highly anticipated dual/match in Carver. Not trying to take a jab, but I will point to the crowd reaction to Kemerer beating Hall as a prime example of what Carver offers that other college venues do not. Nearly 15,000 fans collectively losing their voices is something that just doesn't happens at college dual meets pretty much anywhere else. Truly wish every college wrestler could experience that type of reaction to a win at least once during their career.

On the flip side, opponents coming in and silencing the crowd with a win of their own appears to bring great joy as well. Have seen numerous wrestlers celebrate just a bit more after a win in Carver(think Bo's hand to ear) than they do any other time. Not upset with it at all, it's part of the Carver experience. Have heard numerous interviews where wrestlers cite Carver as their favorite place to wrestle outside their own facilities.

@Psubiomed brought up modern history(PSU is 6-5 vs Iowa in duals under Cael btw). Part of what makes a venue so special IS all of the things that have taken place under the rafters. All of the previous duals, past wrestling greats, epic matches, etc. It's all part of what makes Carver special. Discounting them because it's in the past is silly when talking about a venue.


TL;DR version - Carver is awesome and everyone should go at least once!
Click to expand...
Great post! I'm like you, cant feel qualified to compare the two without having step foot in Carver.
 
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