Michael T. Mondak speaks about Reviving Penn State basketball with opportunities, challenges and fan power

Penn State basketball has a passionate fan base, bur for too long, the men's and women's programs haven't contributed points to the Learfield Directors' Cup like other sports do.

Programs like wrestling, women's volleyball, men's and women's ice hockey and lacrosse, and football consistently carry the Cup totals.  In contrast, basketball currently contributes zero points, leaving a major gap compared with schools like Duke, UNC and Stanford.

Imagine just one Sweet 16 run adding between approximately 60 to 80 points, an Elite 8 run adding 100 to 120 points, and a Final Four run that could earn 140 to 160 or more points, which would be enough to shift Penn State several spots in the Cup standings.

In the Learfield Directors' Cup, each school must include at least 12 countable men's sports and at least 12 countable women's sports.  At least 4 men's sports and at least 4 women's sports must be team sports.  These are common examples of mandatory team sports:

It is important to note that even if a team doesn't score points (e.g., misses NCAA Tournament, its results are still counted in the total team sports requirement.  That's why basketball's contribution is critical - even one NCAA Tournament win can dramatically boost points.

Individual sports such as wrestling, swimming, track, and gymnastics also contribute, but schools such as Penn State have the flexibility to determine which 12 men's and 12 women's sports count towards the minimum.  They are encouraged to score points in as many sports as possible to maximize Directors' Cup standings.  Deep postseason success in mandatory team sports like basketball often makes the largest difference in points.

These sports are mandatory at Penn State towards their placement in the standings for the Learfield Directors' Cup:

It is important to note that individual/other sports also contribute points.  Penn State wrestling contributed 180-200 points for its national championship.  Gymnastics, swimming, golf, tennis, etc. can score between 20-60 points each if offered.  These are flexible for inclusion in the required 12 countable sports per gender.

Why does basketball matter?  Men's and women's basketball are high leverage sports for Penn State.  Deep tournament runs which Penn State hasn't had since its Sweet 16 run in 2001, create the largest point swings in the Directors' Cup.  Just one Final Four appearance could add as many points as an entire successful smaller sport program contributes.  Consistent basketball success could elevate Penn State into the top ten all-time sports rankings, completing achievements in wrestling, women's volleyball and men's ice hockey.

Here's a chart to explain what I mean:

Gold highlights championship-level contributions, bronze shows deep postseason runs, and red indicates programs that did not score points in the Directors' Cup - emphasizing the untapped potential in basketball.

The key takeaways here are that:

• Basketball is mandatory for both men and women, so lack of NCAA Tournament points leaves a major gap in Penn State's Directors' Cup contribution.
• Other team sports (football, volleyball, lacrosse, hockey) consistently contribute points, which is why Penn State remains competitive despite basketball's shortfall.
• Improving basketball performance could add 60-160 or more points per team, potentially moving Penn State into the top ten in Cup standings.

Fans often compare basketball funding to football's massive budget, but context matters.  Football has over $1 billion invested, largely earmarked for ongoing renovations to Beaver Stadium.  Basketball's NIL (name, image and likeness) budget is $3 million, which is around $5 million below the average program.  And athletic budgets are separate from academic budgets, and seven pending branch campus closures primarily affect academics and not athletics.

Penn State needs to use its basketball resources strategically.  The recent hire of former Nittany Lion Calvin Booth will guide roster management.  There will be targeted NIL opportunities to attract talent.  Fan engagement and loyalty programs at Bryce Jordan Center need to be launched.  Even small, strategic NIL investments can have outsized impact when combined with fan and alumni engagement.

It is heartbreaking to see empty seats in the Bryce Jordan Center even for a rivalry matchup.  Fans have the power to change the program's trajectory by attending games consistently.  Full arenas energize players and attract talent.  They need to support fan loyalty programs which reward attendance and participation.  This will engage alumni and former players.  Former stars like Joe Crispin and Calvin Booth can inspire the current roster of players.  The goal here is to make Bryce Jordan Center "unavoidable" like Southern Methodist Mustangs football's "Mustang Mania" did in the late 1970s.  As David Whitford wrote in his book A Payroll to Meet, a resourceful man named Russ Potts observed that "an empty seat never purchased a program, never purchased a hot dog and worst of all, was likely to return for the next home game."  Penn State basketball faces a similar challenge - empty seats at Bryce Jordan Center aren't just disappointing, they limit revenue, reduce program resources and diminish the gameday atmosphere that recruits notice.  By energizing fans, alumni and former players to attend games and engage initiatives like loyalty programs, the program can reverse this trend, turning every seat into a lever for basketball success.

The arena isn't the problem - empty seats are a symptom of a rebuilding program.  Momentum, leadership and fan support are the keys.  Show up, engage, and help make Bryce Jordan Center the place to be.  Basketball success is possible - the foundation is already in place.

Some programs in the past (such as Southern Methodist football and Baylor basketball) have shifted the trajectory of certain sports through questionable or even illegal methods (yes, Henry Lee Parker and Dave Bliss - both men were at SMU during the 1980s football scandal -, I’m looking at both of you).  Penn State, however, has always prioritized integrity, compliance and student-athlete well-being.  The path to basketball success won't rely on shortcuts or rule breaking.  Instead, it will come from strategic NIL investments, smart roster management under Calvin Booth, fan energy, alumni involvement and a culture of excellence.  By leveraging these legal and sustainable levers, Penn State can compete nationally while upholding the values that make Nittany Lions athletic programs respected and admired.

Some extreme fan suggestions like playing in Rec Hall, downgrading conferences, or placing blame on leadership are not realistic solutions.  "No money equals no talent" overlooks strategic NIL allocations.  Football budget comparisons ignore the separate revenue streams.  Fans' energy, alumni support and visibility are levers that amplify every single investment.

While Bryce Jordan Center is the marquee venue, Rec Hall could provide a true, major home court advantage even if it's smaller than the Bryce Jordan Center, as it has unique qualities that can be leveraged.

• Its intimate environment as a smaller venue means fans are closer to the court, creating a louder, more intense atmosphere.  Players feel immediate energy from the crowd, which can boost performance.
• Rec Hall has been a historic home for Penn State basketball, lending pride and identity to the program.  Showcasing games there reinforces fan loyalty and alumni nostalgia.
• Loyalty programs, student promotions and alumni events can maximize attendance in a compact arena.  Even sold-out smaller crowds can feel more electric than half-empty larger arenas.
• Recruits see passionate fans close to the action, which is often more compelling than a large but sparsely filled venue.
• It can become a proving ground for intense atmospheres that excite players, impress recruits and show Nittany Nation that basketball is unavoidable, even before full-scale games at Bryce Jordan Center.

Whenever Penn State basketball struggles, a familiar set of criticisms appears.  Some fans suggest:

• The program will never win
• Basketball should be cut to save money
• College basketball is a professional game now due to NIL
• Penn State can't recruit talent from areas like Philadelphia's Big 5 territory
• Bringing back former coaches like Patrick Chambers
• The program will never reach the level of the Big Ten conference's top teams

While these reactions come from understandable frustration, history shows that college programs can change direction with the right leadership, strategy and support.  Penn State has already demonstrated this in other sports.  Wrestling became a national powerhouse under Cael Sanderson.  Women's volleyball under both Russ Rose and Katie Schumacher-Cawley consistently competes for national championships.  Ice hockey under Guy Gadowsky reached the Frozen Four.  None of these outcomes were inevitable - they were built over time though smart leadership, fan engagement and institutional support.  Basketball has the same potential.  With Mike Rhoades building the program, Calvin Booth advising on roster management, and Pat Kraft supporting strategic improvements, the foundation exists for progress.  Add in stronger NIL organization, alumni engagement and energized crowds at Bryce Jordan Center or Rec Hall, and the narrative will change.  Most importantly, Penn State will pursue success the right way - within the rules and with integrity.  The goal isn't shortcuts; it's sustainable growth that reflects the university's value.

The truth is that basketball remains one of the largest untapped opportunities in Penn State athletics.  Even modest NCAA Tournament success could add significant points to the Learfield Directors' Cup standings and elevate the University's national profile.

In conclusion, while budget size can help, Penn State basketball can achieve national relevance without extreme changes or relying solely on money.  Deep NCAA Tournament runs, smart NIL spending and roster management, plus alumni involvement and fan energy will all combine to close the Learfield Directors' Cup gap, restore respect to Penn State men's and women's basketball and make basketball an unavoidable experience for recruits and fans alike.  Even within the current budget, every single fan, graduate and former player can help create a culture where basketball success is inevitable, which proves that thoughtful strategy and fan energy can multiply every investment.  Bottom line:  Is it worth it to jump ship and cheer for a rival team like Pitt?  No it ain’t.  Attend games, engage with initiatives, and be a part of this journey.