State College
Today
Friday, December 19th, 2025
Good morning, State College. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 19th of December.
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ On Dec. 17, the College of Information Sciences and Technology honored its faculty and staff for excellence in research, teaching and community service at the Hintz Family Alumni Center. Award recipients included new faculty, dedicated staff and the fall student marshal. Penn State
- ➤ Jingyi Hu has been selected to serve as the student marshal for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences’ fall commencement on Sunday, Dec. 21 at the Bryce Jordan Center. Hu, a Schreyer Honors Scholar (with a 4.0 GPA), will earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. Penn State
- ➤ Professor Stephanie Wissel of Penn State leads an international research team that was awarded a 14 million-euro ERC Synergy Grant (16.3 million dollars) to develop phased array neutrino detectors for a planned observatory in Argentina. The project will combine new technologies to enhance detection of ultra-high-energy particles. Penn State
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Penn State researchers found that older adults who stayed awake longer during sleep performed slower on memory and problem solving tests the next day & showed signs of reduced cognitive quality. The study, published Dec. 17 in Sleep Health, tracked 261 participants using wearable devices to record sleep habits. Penn State
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Former Penn State lacrosse teammates, TJ Malone and Jack Posey, are set to reunite on the Maryland Whipsnakes as Posey signed a free agency contract on Dec. 18. The duo, who played together from 2019 to 2024 and appeared in three NCAA Tournaments, will now join the state's lacrosse scene. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Rob Dow held his introductory Zoom press conference on Thursday as Penn State's new men's soccer coach, sharing plans to improve the struggling team by recruiting top talent from around Pennsylvania + building lasting team connections. Onward State
- ➤ PJ Duke was named Big Ten Wrestling Freshman of the Week after his win against Wyoming on Thursday; he pinned No. 23 Jared Hill at 4:09 as Penn State went to 6+0 this season and will face North Dakota State and Stanford in duals in Nashville on Saturday, Dec. 20. Onward State
- ➤ Penn State men's basketball will play Pittsburgh on Sunday, Dec. 21 at the GIANT Center in Hershey at 12 p.m. The storied rivalry (dating to 1906) will mark their 149th meeting as both teams aim to reverse recent trends. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Penn State men's hockey will host its fourth annual sled hockey classic when it faces the State College Coyotes on Sunday, Jan. 18 at Pegula Ice Arena. Doors open at 11 a.m. and fans can attend free, with donations encouraged to support Happy Valley Special Hockey. Onward State
- ➤ Penn State’s Lady Lions will play VCU at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and face Richmond at 2:30 p.m. Sunday during the 4 Tha Culture Holiday Classic in Henrico — the team aims to reverse recent losses after a 6–4 start. Daily Collegian
- ➤ Former Penn State football quarterback Beau Pribula is entering the transfer portal after limited play at Missouri, where he played eight weeks before dislocating his left ankle on Oct. 25, marking his third transfer. Onward State
- ➤ Penn State interim coach Terry Smith said four key players (defensive tackle Zane Durant, safety Zakee Wheatley, left tackle Vega Ioane, and running back Nick Singleton) will miss the Pinstripe Bowl to focus on the NFL draft. He said Trace McSorley will serve as quarterbacks coach as staff changes continue. StateCollege.com
- ➤ Penn State men’s basketball will face in-state rival Pitt in Hershey on Sunday. The game at the Giant Center is the first collegiate contest at the venue between two Pennsylvania teams as part of their winter break non-conference slate. Onward State
- ➤ After nearly three weeks off the ice and with key players returning in early January, Penn State men's hockey relies on its top class led by projected No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna to spark a Big Ten turnaround. The team anticipates improved production to boost performance. Onward State
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Nittany Lions vs. Eagles Basketball Game
1-2:30 p.m. — Bryce Jordan Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience a new era of Penn State basketball with a fresh, talented roster.
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First Night State College
3 PM – 12 AM — Downtown State College Improvement District — Button required for some activities — Celebrate the New Year with family-friendly fun including ice sculptures and performances.
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Penn State Wrestling vs. Rutgers
4:00 – 5:30 PM — Rec Hall — Ticket prices may vary — Catch the excitement as Penn State takes on Rutgers in a thrilling wrestling match.
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UCLA Bruins vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Men's Basketball
8:30-10:30 p.m. — Bryce Jordan Center — Ticket prices vary — Catch the exciting clash of two powerhouse college basketball teams.
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Skorts Live Performance
7-10 p.m. — Manny's Live Performance Space — Ticket prices available — Enjoy live music featuring SKORTS and their catchy tunes.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.
~ Louisa May Alcott
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