About 400 spectators, one of the men's lacrosse team's largest home crowds, watched the game against Villanova on Saturday in Holuba Hall. The usual contingent of parents were there, but the other people on the sidelines were mostly there because of the team's own promotions.

"If people don't know what it is, they don't come to see it," Coach Glenn Thiel said. "If they wanted to push it, it could be big time."

Tri-captain Paul Gilhool said the team had publicized the game by posting flyers, talking to friends and painting windows in the HUB.

"The crowd was fantastic," he said. "It feels really good to have an intense crowd who cheer loud. The fans make the game a lot more fun for us to play."

Marie Albrecht, mother of Villanova's captain, said she has noticed attendance and interest in lacrosse increasing, both at Penn State and throughout the country.

"Four years ago up here there was hardly anybody," said Camille White, another Villanova parent. "These guys love, thrive and live for lacrosse. They're happy we're here but they are out there cause they love the game. It's part of them."

Since 75 percent of the lacrosse team are fraternity members, a large percentage of the crowd was Greek. Also, many parents made long trips to see their sons play.

"Sometimes the crowd was so loud you couldn't even hear the whistle blow," Thiel said. "We were praying for rain all week so people would want to come. Most parents come to this tournament because they know it'll be indoors and they won't have to be outside."

Gilhool's family had two reasons to come to the game. Paul was playing head-to-head against their hometown neighbor, John McEvoy of Villanova.

"We live next door to each other and have been playing games since we've been 2 years old," Gilhool said. "But it's great having my family here. My mom is my No. 1 fan."

"We go to every game we can," Barbara Gilhool said. "This weekend was nice because we get to see two games in a row. I love it and I'll miss it when it's over."

Tri-captain Ted Peddy's parents made the three-hour trip from Phoenix, Md., to watch their son play. They also attend Penn State's fall and spring tournaments, and any games in the Baltimore area. Ted's girlfriend Stacie Bershak, a Bucknell student, also cheered him on from the sidelines.

"I think for this tournament the crowds have always been a lot smaller than what I've seen here today," Tom Peddy said.

Peddy's parents have also traveled to the University of Denver to watch another son play. Their intense interest in the game comes from Tom, who captained the 1966 Cornell team.

"We're really sorry that Ted's so far from home because on a nice day, there is nothing more fun that watching a lacrosse game," Katie Peddy said. "I think most parents of lacrosse players feel that way."

Senior Dave Waynick's parents flew from southern Florida to see his last tournament.

"It's a long journey to make it up here so we don't get to come very often," Tom Waynick said. "It's difficult with the distance."

Penn State parents weren't the only ones represented at the game.

Don and Marie Albrecht made the five-hour trip from Long Island, N.Y., to watch their son, Geoff, a captain and four-year starter for the Wildcats. While Don photographed the game, Marie stood with other Villanova parents.

Geoff's games have taken his parents to places such as Colorado, North Carolina and West Point.

"We're lacrosse fans without a doubt," Don said, laughing. "I don't think we missed a game in four years."

Camille White, mother of Villanova defenseman Glenn White, said she and her husband Jim missed the best game of the season (Villanova eliminated top-ranked Hofstra from a tournament) last year to go to a family wedding.

The Wildcats attract big crowds in New York since two-thirds of their roster is from that state. Last year when they played Dartmouth in Long Island, Camille White said the stands were full of supporters, parents or graduates of Villanova.