We need your help.
Initially, we planned on reaching an agreement with who our Penn State Sportsperson Of The Year is on this week’s podcast. And then we did the podcast and we can’t decide.
So we are letting you decide.
Last year, Pat Kraft took home Penn State Sportsperson Of The Year and this year we have four people for you to choose from. Below are the reasons why we considered the person.
The Candidates
Alyssa Naeher
The former Penn State women’s soccer goalie led the United States women’s national team to the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In the knockout round, Naeher did not allow a single goal, including several key saves late against Germany in the semifinals and Brazil in the gold medal match. The performance gave her the most shutouts by any U.S. Olympic goalie. Additionally, Naeher was named the 28th best women’s soccer player in the world before announcing her retirement from international play.
James Franklin
The Penn State football head coach led Penn State to its first 11-win season in more than 15 years and to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history. Franklin made key hires to propel Penn State’s season, including offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and defensive coordinator Tom Allen. Away from the field, Franklin has taken a more prominent role in the college football world, lobbying for more players rights and regulation.
Katie Schumacher-Cawley
The Penn State women’s volleyball head coach led Penn State to a 29-2 regular season, its best since she took over. In October, Schumacher-Cawley announced she’d been diagnosed with breast cancer and has remained the coach while undergoing treatment, leading Penn State to its best record since 2017. The record earned Penn State a top seed in the NCAA Tournament where it has already advanced to the round of 16, looking to win its first national title since 2014.
Tyler Warren
The Penn State tight end was pivotal in helping propel the Nittany Lions to its best regular season since 2008. Warren has set several Penn State single-season records as a tight end, including most catches in a season and most touchdown receptions. Warren’s performance against USC included a program record 17 catches and ranks second in single game receiving yards with 224. He has rushed for an additional four touchdowns and thrown for one. He also famously snapped the ball and caught a touchdown on the same play in that victory over the Trojans. He won Big Ten Tight End of The Year and is a finalist for the John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s best tight end.
Voting will end on Monday, Dec. 16 with results being revealed on the podcast and here on the blog.
Honorable Mention included: Mike Gambino, Penn State Baseball Coach; Stephen Nedoroscik, US Olympic Gymnast; Mike Rhoades, Penn State Men’s Basketball Coach; Ace Baldwin, Penn State Men’s Basketball Player
