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Penn Athletics: 33 Sports, 1000 Athletes, and a New 51,200 Square Foot Pavilion

It was a summer barbeque to mark a very important occasion: the June 18 groundbreaking for the George A. Weiss Pavilion, a weight training and fitness center that will be built inside the northern arcade of Franklin Field stadium.

Why the buzz?

As Steve Bilsky, Director of Athletics (W'71) puts it: "It's the opening to a whole new part of campus which, fortunately, athletics is going to play a major role in."

It's also a key first step for Penn Connects, Penn's long-term campus development plan. By design, Weiss Pavilion will -- physically, programmatically, and symbolically -- connect Penn's revered stadium westward to the core of campus and eastward to Penn Park.

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It Takes a Team: Adams Field Named in Honor of Former Penn Lacrosse Coach

Back in the 70s, Penn Lacrosse was put on the national map by a legendary coach: James "Ace" Adams.

Between 1970-77, he reinvigorated men's lacrosse, bringing the team to a number four national ranking and 17 of its men to All-American honors. Now, some 30 years later, Penn Lacrosse is putting Coach Adams “on the map.”

Thanks to the generosity of a team of donors — former Penn Lacrosse players and longtime lacrosse supporters — Adams Field was dedicated in James Adams’ honor at a ceremonial groundbreaking in March. Located on the easternmost portion of Penn Park — the 24-acre parcel of land that the University added to its eastern edge in 2007 — the field is the first at Penn to be named after a coach.

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Riepe by the Dozen: How Penn Scholarships Make (Family) History

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Penn Park: A Greener Future for Penn's Campus

Artist's rendering of Penn Park. Courtesy Jennifer Rizzi.

Penn trustees met last Thursday and got their first look at Penn Park, a $40 million, 24-acre project that will integrate athletic fields in a park-like setting -- Penn's new athletic hub.

"Historically, this is one of the greatest needs," athletic director Steve Bilsky said.

And one of the greenest. Not only does a former industrial wasteland get replaced with the trees and turf of playing fields and picnic areas, Penn Park is also being designed for sustainability.

Because it's situated on land that's susceptible to floods, Penn Park will include smart measures to divert excess water, and will make use of a variety of native trees (like honey locusts and sycamores) that can live in wet soil without rotting. Additionally, engineered soil with good nutrients will be imported, and grasses that require less irrigation and maintenance will cover the back side of the fields.

The park is the centerpiece of the university's 30-year master plan, called Penn Connects, which aims to build stronger connections between Penn, the city, and the region. And by providing open, usable space adjacent to campus, the new Penn Park not only keeps the whole Penn campus connected, but allows existing parts of the campus core to make more -- and greener -- choices about its own growth.

[article] [article] [renderings] [Vice President Biden's tour of plans] 

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"The Gym Guy": David Pottruck, Penn Alum and Benefactor

David Pottruck, C'70, is an amazing guy.

Self-made son of a factory worker, Penn football and wrestling star, former CEO of Charles Schwab, leadership lecturer, Penn trustee -- but here at Penn today, he's known affectionately as 'the gym guy.'

"I'll always be known for giving the fitness center at Penn, and it probably doesn't matter what else I do," said Pottruck good-humoredly in a recent interview. "My family has donated a bunch of scholarships, but I think we'll forever be known as the people who gave the gym. It is what it is." read entire interview >

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