Over the past several months, rumors have circulated about potential closures of several Penn State Commonwealth campuses.

Those rumors were confirmed on May 22, as the Penn State Board of Trustees voted to close seven Commonwealth campuses at the end of the spring 2027 semester.

Along with those seven schools across the Commonwealth, 58 sports teams will be discontinued following the end of the 2026-27 academic year.

“It’s almost like our legacy is going to die,” LeShawn Hammett, the Wilkes-Barre men’s basketball coach, said. “As the campuses close, we’ll have the memories, the banners will always hang in the rafters and the trophies will always be in the trophy case, but the Penn State program won’t live on.”

Some teams have experienced great success in the last few years, between national championships, athletes going on to play professionally and much more. Others have less to celebrate.

Regardless, the decision to close the seven campuses ended the athletic careers of some, caused many to transfer and closed the books on several historic chapters.

A team no more

Hammett came to Penn State Wilkes-Barre in 2016 to build an everlasting legacy.

“I dreamed of building my own Duke, my own Kansas, my own North Carolina,” Hammett said. “Where the tradition was rich, the players come back and they support the program. That is why we’re one of a kind, and we had that special product that we created.”

When he arrived at Wilkes-Barre, the Nittany Lions were a mediocre team with a record of 63-66 all-time. Over the last nine years, however, he’s brought the team to new heights with a record of 201-77 under Hammett and three national championships — the only school in the PSUAC with a national championship.

While Wilkes-Barre experienced success as a team, Hammett helped several players reach individual laurels as well. Fourteen players graduated from Hammett’s program and embarked on professional careers.

“I think the tradition and culture that I had at Penn State (allowed this to happen),” Hammett said. “We made professional athletes out of guys who probably would’ve never thought to be professional athletes.”

However, Hammett’s tenure as a coach at Wilkes-Barre was soon coming to an end.

When the university announced its plans to close Commonwealth campuses in February, Hammett figured he wouldn’t have his job at Wilkes-Barre much longer. Hammett left Penn State and accepted a coaching job at Paul Quinn College, giving the Penn State job to his assistant Mike Riddle.

“My first thought was trying to figure out how to resolve this,” Riddle said. “No one ever contacted Coach or I to ask how we felt, what we could do, for any insight.”

As Riddle began taking over for the team, talking to his players and understanding the effects of the campus closure, he realized Penn State wasn’t allowing him to recruit for the final season.

With a roster of five incoming seniors, two juniors and one sophomore, Riddle knew he’d be looking at a very small and maybe not even full team in 2026.

“I made a decision early to resign from that position to give those five seniors a chance to go look for somewhere else,” Riddle said. “I helped them with (transferring) and I helped the five who committed to get somewhere else.”

While Riddle ultimately gave his returning players a chance to finish their eligibility playing basketball elsewhere, the decision stunned many athletes who were leaving a career behind at Wilkes-Barre.

“It kind of was a curveball,” Dashon Lewis, a junior on the men’s basketball team, said. “(It) threw me off guard because I was planning on coming back.

Penn State’s decision to close Wilkes-Barre didn’t just close a university of around 350 students, but ended a legacy in the Penn State Wilkes-Barre men’s basketball program.

“I won a national championship with my father (coaching) in 2019 and got to win a championship with my son in 2024,” Hammett said. “It’s very heartbreaking to see it all fold now because it was the house that LeShawn Hammett built, and now it’s no one’s house.”

More than just family

Sisters Miakoda and Aiyana Young committed to Penn State Mont Alto to play their final years of softball together.

“Going to college with my sister is like such a big deal to me,” Miakoda said. “She’s my best friend, my role model, and us going to different colleges never felt right to me.”

After hearing of Mont Alto’s closure while at the USCAA Small College World Series tournament, Miakoda had a decision to make — take additional classes and graduate a year early with her sister or transfer away from Mont Alto and finish her softball career without her.

“I will probably just continue to take summer courses to graduate early with my sister and just finish at Penn State Mont Alto,” Miakoda said. “It’s still upsetting though to know that I still had another year to play.”

However, the emotions started way before the USCAA tournament and the official announcement of Mont Alto’s closure. When the university sent a mass email regarding potential campus closures, the sisters had a feeling Mont Alto might be on the list.

“It blew my mind hearing the news right before we left for our opening tournament during spring break,” Aiyana said. “ It was truly gut wrenching for the president to release this information and throw us into a confused state of mind throughout the entirety of our season.”

For both of the sisters, playing at Mont Alto has been a dream come true between the campus, the athletics and the experience. Aiyana said playing for Mont Alto has “truly been a blessing” and has fallen in love with the atmosphere of the athletic program.

While the Young sisters were impacted by the school’s closure, several other athletes on the team have also faced struggles as a result of the campus closing.

Freshman Kassidy Nester committed to Mont Alto from Whitehall, Pennsylvania, a town over two hours away from campus.

Nester chose the Commonwealth campus over some of her other top schools, including James Madison. Like Miakoda, Nester will now graduate a year early and miss out on a year of softball because of the closure.

“I want to graduate where I started,” Nester said. “I want to play where I started.”

For the three athletes, Mont Alto’s campus has given them a softball experience in a more relaxing setting than Division I while still being competitive.

“We’re all very much a family and know what we’re fighting for,” Nester said. “It’s great fighting against these other (Commonwealth) campuses because we’re all Penn State.”

While Miakoda and Aiyana are actually sisters, the rest of the team has provided a similar feeling to Aiyana as she hopes to cherish that bond for the last two years.

“They’ve all been sisters to me on and off the field since I stepped foot onto this campus,” Aiyana said. “We’re gonna continue to make the best of these last two seasons together, and we’re gonna continue to work hard and work for one last championship in the PSUAC together.”

From the beginning to the end

Pat Lewis was working as a guidance counselor at Cameron County High School when he was asked to be the first head coach for Penn State Dubois women’s basketball in 2007.

When Lewis agreed to the position, he did so with the guarantee he could recruit locally. Since his arrival to Dubois, he has recruited only District 9 and 10 athletes — regions that are often too small to get much scouting — including his most recent recruit from Austin Area School District, the smallest district in Pennsylvania.

For many of the athletes on Lewis’ team, Dubois was the one school where they could continue their basketball career. According to Lewis, eight of the ten athletes were only recruited by him.

“As far as impacting kids from this area, we’re very rural,” Lewis said. “(The closure) has negative connotations for the rural students of north central Pennsylvania.”

While on his 110-mile round trip to campus for practice, Lewis never considered Dubois as one of the possible campuses to close due to its increase in enrollment and recent $17.3 million project to the gymnasium.

“I guess I might have been a bit naive, but I thought Dubois would be safe,” Lewis said. “I thought we had some unique things going on where we might have had a chance to remain open.”

Even Lewis’ athletes couldn’t believe the campus was closing after the success of the university and its athletics programs over the years.

“(We were saying) we did really good and we put our name on the map,” Hailey Theuret said. “It’s not like we were terrible and nobody knew who we were. We were the one team this year that people were like, ‘Look out for.’”

Basketball is the primary reason many of the athletes went to Dubois or even college at all.

“There’s a high possibility that I never would have continued my education into college if it wasn’t for that opportunity to play basketball,” Frances Milliron said.

For others, that situation is reversed, with Lewis giving many athletes an opportunity they wouldn’t otherwise have.

“When I was in high school, I never thought that I would get the chance to play college basketball,” Theuret said. “It’s pretty disheartening, especially for the coaches who’ve built up this tiny program into something that has history.”

Over the 18 years Lewis has coached the team, he’s secured 10 PSUAC playoff appearances and helped the team to a No. 4 USCAA National Coach’s Poll ranking.

However, Lewis’ coaching abilities or success isn’t what stands out most to his athletes. It’s his love and passion for the game and for his team.

“He has so much passion for a program,” Milliron said. “He treats us like his daughters.”

While the campus closure is causing many athletes at Dubois to transfer to new schools or graduate early, its effect on Lewis is much more profound.

“I’ll be 71 or 72 when it’s all done, so it might be time for me to say I’m not going to be coaching anymore,” Lewis said. “Not by choice, but by necessity.”

MORE SPORTS CONTENT

West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez waves before speaking during the Big 12 NCAA college football media day in Frisco, Texas, Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

FRISCO, Texas — West Virginia’s Rich Rodriguez hasn’t spoken in front of the media in three months, and the rapid space of college athletics has seen massive changes in the time away from the podium.

At the start of June, revenue sharing was announced, and more guardrails were applied, with a new College Sports Commissioner picked, in charge of regulating NIL.

With over a decade of experience, Rodriguez’s witnessed the change of college athletics over the years and was vocal about how there needed to be a change. Now, there have been changes made, and Rodriguez gave his opinion at Big 12 Media Days.

“A lot better guardrails than a month ago,” Rodriguez said. “I mean, it was a cluster for the last three or four years. All coaches are complaining about it, but it was just a mess, and nobody knew how to really solve it right away. And I still think we got it a lot better now with the cap and the rev share. But there’s still a lot of work to do.”

The new ruling isn’t perfect, like Rodriguez said. Paying players directly is a step forward. The College Sports Commission could be too, but there’s no telling how much jurisdiction it’ll have over passing and denying NIL deals without lawsuits. Rodriguez still doesn’t have his one transfer portal window, either, arguably his biggest issue.

There’s still work to do. Rodriguez wants athletic directors and Congress to lead the charge on shaping the future of collegiate athletics.

“Hopefully, smarter minds than myself will get that together,” Rodriguez said. “I said this earlier today, I think they need to get the college athletic directors more input and more say in how college athletics is going to be run because these are the guys and the ladies that know what’s best for the schools and what’s best for the for the country in college athletics.”

West Virginia’s representative is athletic director Wren Baker. Baker and WVU athletics moved quickly on the new ruling, creating a revenue-sharing company, Gold & Blue Enterprise, to generate money. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yomark said WVU was the first school to integrate Venmo and PayPal to distribute revenue-sharing money. Baker is fully committed and determined that WVU athletics has everything necessary to compete at the highest level.

Rodriguez appreciates the work Baker’s done, and is glad he’s the AD of WVU.

“I’ve worked for a lot of really good ADs,” Rodriguez said. “One or two, I wasn’t sure about, but most of the ones I’ve worked with have been great. Wren has as good a grasp as anyone. I’m very fortunate. We’re in good shape with Wren Baker.”

The new court ruling isn’t the only news that’s emerged since Rodriguez’s last press conference after the Gold-Blue Game. There’ve been talks about moving to a 5-plus-11 and 16-team College Football Playoff model in the future, meaning the Power Four conference champions get a bid, the highest rated conference champion, and then 11 at-large bids. Some SEC coaches wanted a 4-4-2-2 system, where the SEC and Big Ten would get four bids each, and the Big 12 and ACC would get two each. The consensus, though, is the 5-plus-11.

Rodriguez cares a lot less about the College Football Playoff than NIL, revenue sharing, and the transfer portal.

“I don’t give a sh*t,” Rodriguez said. “I mean, my give a sh*t meter is a lot less than a lot of stuff. If you win the league, you’re going to be in. Just win the league, like 5-11, all that stuff, whatever. I’m worried about just winning. Let’s win the league. I ain’t worried about, well, this team’s going to vote here, what’s this team going to vote there? If you’re good enough to people will know you’re in the top 12, whatever, it’s good. We win all of our games. I guarantee we’re in the playoffs.”

Rodriguez still has his issues with college athletics, but he’s not alone. There are a lot of coaches in just the Big 12 that have problems. Rodriguez made it clear where he stands and what he wants: more guardrails and one transfer portal. Those changes are looking like they’re coming in the future.

Despite his issues, Rodriguez still loves his main job, coaching WVU to win football games.

“I think we’re in a better place now than we were a month ago,” Rodriguez. “There’s still some work to be done. We could complain as coaches, but hell, it’s still a pretty good gig. You know what I mean? These are good jobs. There are a lot tougher jobs than being a college football coach. So like I said, I’m fortunate and blessed to have what I have.”

“We’re excited to announce our 2025 cross-country schedule. We have a great combination of historic competitions along with some new racing opportunities. Our goal is to be at our best during the championship portion of the season. Go Big Green!” Nelson said. 

Dartmouth opens its season on Friday, Sept. 5, at the Friar Invitational in Attleboro, Mass. Two weeks later, the Big Green hosts their sole home meet of the season, the Maribel Sanchez Souther Invitational, on Saturday, Sept. 20. 

On Friday, Oct. 3, Dartmouth travels to Bethlehem, Pa., for the Paul Short Invitational. The following week, the teams take a short road trip to Hopkinton, N.H., for the NEICAAA Championships on Friday, Oct. 10. 

The Big Green kicks off a stretch of conference meets on Friday, Oct. 17, when they travel to Princeton, N.J., for the Princeton Fall Classic. On Friday, Oct. 24, Dartmouth heads to Attleboro, Mass., for the Rothernberg Run, hosted by Brown. 

Dartmouth begins its championship season on Friday, Oct. 31, at the Ivy League Heptagonal Cross Country Championships in Bronx, N.Y. The NCAA Northeast Regional is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 14, in Hopkinton, N.H., while the NCAA Championships are slated for Saturday, Nov. 22, in Columbia, Mo. 

WILKES-BARRE — Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, and Sen. Sharif Street, D-Philadelphia, announced bipartisan legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania.

Senate Bill 120, announced this week, would create a regulated, equitable framework for cannabis use, cultivation and sales, while merging oversight of both medical and adult-use programs under a new independent Pennsylvania Cannabis Control Board.

“Adults should have the freedom to use cannabis responsibly, and Pennsylvania should have a legal system in place that ensures safety, accountability and fairness,” Laughlin said. “This legislation delivers that while keeping marijuana out of the hands of kids.”

Street said the bill also focuses on repairing past harm.

“This plan legalizes cannabis in a way that lifts up communities impacted by prohibition,” he said. “It includes expungement of low-level offenses, creates real opportunities for small and minority-owned businesses and reinvests in neighborhoods most harmed by past enforcement.”

The bill legalizes cannabis for adults 21 and older, with age verification required for all purchases and penalties for underage use or public consumption. It bans marketing to children, requires product testing and labeling and maintains employer rights to enforce drug-free workplace policies.

The new Cannabis Control Board would oversee licensing, enforcement, seed-to-sale tracking and public health education. Current medical marijuana permit holders could apply to expand into the adult-use market. The bill also creates permits for new entrants, particularly small businesses and applicants from disproportionately impacted communities, with access to grants and low-interest loans through the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Tax revenue from adult-use cannabis would be split between public safety, medical cannabis assistance, drug prevention programs, workforce development, equity grants and the state’s general fund. The bill includes Clean Slate provisions to expunge non-violent cannabis offenses and decriminalizes certain cannabis-related activities.

Temporary regulations would be required within six months of enactment, with legal adult-use sales expected within 6 to 12 months.

“This bill is smart, fair and realistic,” Laughlin said. “It’s time Pennsylvania joined the growing number of states that are getting cannabis policy right.”

“This is about justice, jobs and responsible regulation,” Street added.

PA helps veterans locate lost paperwork needed to apply for military benefits

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) encourages veterans who need assistance with locating their lost DD Form 214 (DD-214) and other military documents to contact the DMVA so they can get credit for time served and receive veteran benefits they have earned.

The DD-214 is a Department of Defense document issued upon a service member’s retirement, separation, or discharge from active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. It contains information needed to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment and membership in veterans’ organizations. Without this key document, there could be significant delays when a veteran seeks benefits earned through their military service.

“Helping veterans receive the benefits they earned from serving this nation is a priority for DMVA, and that always starts with having the right paperwork to prove military service,” said Keith Graham, executive director of Veterans Affairs. “We invite veterans to reach out if they need help. Veterans are even welcome to stop by our new Lickdale Veterans’ Outreach Center in Jonestown for walk-in service. Our team of accredited veteran service officers is standing-by ready to assist.”

The DMVA can also assist with locating the DD-215, which is used to correct errors or make additions to a DD-214, helping to ensure that veterans have accurate discharge documentation.

Over the past fiscal year, the DMVA has responded to more than 2,300 requests, including 400 phone calls, for assistance with finding military records.

The easiest way to manage military documents and avoid having to frantically search for them is to make sure they are filed in a safe place immediately upon leaving the military.

Anyone needing assistance from the DMVA to locate their DD-214/215, or other military documentation, can call 1-800-547-2838 or e-mail [email protected].

Another way to stay in touch is for veterans, family members and people who work with veterans to sign up for the DMVA’s Veterans Registry by visiting www.register.dmva.pa.gov.

Rep. Haddock, PA House recognize 100th anniversary of American Legion Baseball

The state House of Representatives approved a resolution this week to recognize the 100th anniversary of American Legion Baseball, according to prime sponsor Rep. Jim Haddock.

“American Legion Baseball is one of the most successful amateur sports leagues in the world,” said Haddock, D-Pittston Township. “In its 100-year history, the league has demonstrated its importance due to the number of former players that have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and the amount of college scholarships it awards each year to players based off of their character, leadership, scholarship, and financial need, encouraging today’s youth to become tomorrow’s leaders both on and off of the field.”

Players are between 13 and 19 years old and compete in all 50 states and Canada.

Haddock said the league has a rich history in Pennsylvania, with Philadelphia hosting the first American Legion Baseball World Series in 1926, with teams competing from 15 states.

In 1982, Boyertown became the first American Legion Baseball World Series Champion from Pennsylvania.

In 2024, there were more than 305 American Legion Baseball teams in Pennsylvania — the state with the second-highest number of teams.

“It’s only fitting that we acknowledge the success of American Legion Baseball and recognize the impact it has had on our nation’s pastime and our youth in Pennsylvania,” Haddock said.

Department of Health alerts Pennsylvanians about recall of children’s bikes

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is alerting parents and caregivers about the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall of SPPTTY kids’ bicycles due to lead levels that exceed federal safety standards.

“Lead is harmful if ingested and poses significant risks to children’s health,” said Secretary of Health Debra Bogen. “This recall serves as an important reminder to parents and caregivers to ensure that young children have routine screening for lead exposure. Early identification of elevated lead levels can reduce the harms from lead exposure, including its harm to children’s behavior and development.”

Parents and caregivers of children who may have used the recalled bikes should contact their child’s health care provider to discuss the need for blood lead testing.

People who purchased the bikes should immediately stop using them and contact Shenzhen Yihuachuang Technology for a full refund. Consumers will be asked to dismantle the bikes, take a photo and send the photo by email to [email protected].

After submitting proof of destruction, consumers should dispose of the recalled bike by contacting the local household hazardous waste collection program. Do not put the bicycle parts into the regular trash collections.

Approximately 200 bikes were sold in the U.S., exclusively online at Walmart.com, from August 2024 through December 2024 for approximately $85. The bikes are pink with brown seat covers, brown handlebars, brown pedals and brown baskets and were sold in 14-inch and 18-inch sizes. The brand “SPPTTY” and “New Sport Bike” are printed on the bike frame.

DOH maintains a toll-free lead information hotline at 1-800-440-LEAD to provide information about lead poisoning prevention, testing, follow-up and local resources.