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Neil Rudel

NBA buzz should help PSU efforts

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com Catching up with Penn State related news: Penn State’s NBA profile was raised considerably Thursday night. For the first time in program history, two Nittany Lions were drafted as Jalen Pickett went to newly-crowned NBA champion Denver with the 32nd pick and Seth Lundy followed, going to Atlanta at No. 46. After transferring from Siena, Pickett carried the Lions to this past NCAA Tournament while Lundy spent his entire career in Happy Valley. Pickett showed versatility both in facing the basket and with his back to it while Lundy did ...

Krimmel forced to ‘hit reset button’ at Saint Francis

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com Rob Krimmel’s parents dropped him off at Saint Francis in 1996 — 27 years ago — and he never left. He’s respected as an ideal fit who has provided stability to what anyone in the college basketball world knows is a difficult job. Krimmel ...

Derby day toast to (my) dear old dad

Today is the Kentucky Derby, the greatest two minutes in sports. If you’ve been reading this column for a few years — actually a few decades now — first, thank you, and second, you’re aware that I make an annual derby pick. Since I know almost nothing about horse racing, I would consult the older and wiser. Years ago, I met Glenn Stevens through friends at Sinking Valley and learned he was an expert in racing. Glenn attended big races, performed blood testing for horses at West Virginia tracks and studied pedigrees. If he didn’t pick the derby winner, he could at least ...

By Neil Rudel nrudel@altoonamirror.com As longtime readers of this column know, there are special occasions or situations that call for the Mirror helicopter to fly in for a closer inspection. And surely anyone following Bishop Guilfoyle’s sudden dismissal of boys basketball coach Chris Drenning and its ensuing search for his successor would agree, this is definitely one of them. So after some preliminary paperwork and Mirror air-space clearances, we plotted a trip. It helps that BG is practically located right next to the Mirror and looks even closer from above. First ...

First glimpse of ’23 Lions on display

UNIVERSITY PARK — Due to Covid and some personnel challenges the last couple of years, Penn State scaled back its Blue-White Game, but with the roster restored and sensing the anticipation of the upcoming season, James Franklin wanted to get back to a “traditional” spring game. Which means more real action and less of a controlled scrimmage. He wants to see how his young players react in front of a crowd in addition to rewarding the fans who make the trip as the game typically draws about 70,000. Kickoff/TV: The game kicks off at 2 p.m. today, and the Big Ten Network will ...

In the clutch, leadership at BG failed

Bishop Guilfoyle has brought new meaning to March Madness. The school relieved boys basketball coach Chris Drenning of his duties last Thursday, touching off a firestorm of criticism in print (see today’s mailbag, Page B2) and online. Drenning was both successful and respected. He ...