When Penn State announced its move to the Big 10 Conference, the athletic department's future seemed to move from the East to the Midwest. In reality, however, the future of Penn State athletics may be in the hands of Gov. Robert P. Casey.

More specifically, it lies in Casey's right hand, the one he uses to sign his name and approve state funding.

In the past two years, the General Assembly has passed two bills which allot $33.8 million for the University's proposed convocation center and arena. With that approval, those bills are now on Casey's desk awaiting his approval of the necessary bonds.

His consent would allow the University to begin construction on an arena which could seat 15,000 to 18,000 and provide a new home for several varsity athletic teams. The facility would seat more than twice as many people as Rec Hall, where the seating capacity is listed at 7,200.

"Penn State has this image we project, but when you walk into Rec Hall that image dies," women's basketball coach Rene Portland said.

While the arena is important to many at Penn State, getting Casey to agree and approve the money may not be that easy. The Assembly has also approved monies totaling $1.6 billion for other capital projects throughout the state and Casey must consider them as well.

Which projects receive assistance is left to Casey's discretion.

"The agenda of this administration is the same as that of the previous administration and that is that life-safety codes receive first priority," said Paul Meunch, spokesman for the state appropriations office. Such projects are usually public programs, which may include highway improvements and renovations or the re-wiring of hospitals, prisons and libraries, Muench said.

"It's hard to speculate on a individual basis as to what specific projects will be approved," added Vince Carocci, the governor's press secretary. "Every institution of higher learning in the state has major capital projects for which they've requested money that they think should be funded. The difficulty is that you've got to try to take care of those requests within the constraints of the Commonwealth."

Although the University has numerous capital budget requests, Gary Shultz, University assistant vice president for operations and services, would not comment on the importance of the arena as it relates to those other projects. The projects include renovations for the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, a library and classroom building at Capital College and a chemistry building.

"Ultimately that decision would fall to (University President Bryce Jordan); he's the one who would most likely prioritize those things," Schultz said.

Neither Jordan nor Athletic Director Jim Tarman could not be reached for comment.

Even if Casey believes constructing an athletic facility is more important than re-wiring a hospital or prison, the money would still be a long way away. Casey usually allots only $12 to $15 million each month, explained Shultz.

"On the basis of that figure, it may be a while," he said.

Although the idea had been under consideration for quite some time, plans for the arena were officially announced in August 1987. According to plans prepared by the architectural firm of Beckhart, Richland and Associates of New York, N.Y., the facility would be constructed between Beaver Stadium and the outdoor track along University Drive. It would provide surface parking for 750 to 850 vehicles and also house athletic offices, practice gyms, storage areas and offices of the Nittany Lion Club.

Upon completion of the new arena, Rec Hall -- built in 1929 -- would be used solely for intramural and club sports. The new arena would host all winter varsity athletic contests as well as commencement exercises, concerts and conferences. It could also lure NCAA regional qualifiers and championship events.

University coaches believe the new facility is necessary to allow their teams to compete on equal terms with Big 10 teams not only in competition, but in recruiting.

"Well, I do think there have been a few instances where we might have lost a kid because of our facility," men's basketball coach Bruce Parkhill said. "First of all, it's hard enough for us to find kids who have grades and can compete at that level. Then when you do, you know, we have to have some guns.

"Right now the only gun we have is academics and all the schools that recruit that type of student-athlete have academics that are as good or better than Penn State."

Northwestern's Welsh-Ryan Arena, constructed in 1951, is currently the smallest indoor arena in the Big 10. It seats 8,100. If the proposed arena does not become a reality within the next few years, Penn State will be forced to play its Big 10 games in Rec Hall.

Parkhill stressed that Rec Hall is a fine facility and that arena of that size may be advantageous in some ways for the Penn State basketball programs, but he believes the new arena is a must.

"I'd rather have a new arena today," he said. "(Another) of the major reasons we need the convocation center (is) so that we can have adequate parking and easy access to the arena."

Should Casey approve part or all of the $33.8 million, the University would still be almost $20 million short of the money needed to construct the new arena, Schultz said. The project may total almost $50 million, he said.

At the January Board of Trustees meeting, trustee Jesse Arnelle -- Penn State's only All-American basketball player -- suggested the University solicit private funds for construction of the arena. In making the suggestion, he cited the recent success of the Campaign for Penn State.

Along with public donations, another possibility may be support from the private sector. In recent years corporate donations have enabled Syracuse and Villanova to construct the Carrier Dome and duPont Pavilion, respectively.

Schultz is not positive that route of money collection would work, though.

"The project is going to cost more than ($33.8 million), but I doubt we'll be able to count on private donations to make up the difference," Schultz said. "I'm not a development person, but I think that state money is vital to the completion of the of the project."

Even if Casey were to approve the money tomorrow, the new arena would still take almost four years to construct. That includes one year for the architects to finalize the plans and three years for actual construction.

On Jan. 27 Connecticut opened a 8,122-seat arena which houses its basketball, volleyball and swimming teams. The facility cost $28 million and took 2½ years to finish.