It only makes sense that a landscape architecture major would build a solid foundation for his future. For that reason, Nittany Lion infielder Ryan Wheeler has done his best to embody the term "student-athlete" while at Penn State.

As a senior, Wheeler's career as a Penn State "student-athlete" will end shortly. The Nittany Lions played four tough games at Purdue last weekend, which began their Big Ten schedule and Wheeler's last season of conference play. But Wheeler has ensured himself of a bright future, either on or off the diamond.

Wheeler was named to the 1992 and 1993 Academic All-Big Ten teams and narrowly missed being named to the 1993 All-Big Ten team. He is also the only two-time winner of the F. Joseph Bedenk Award, given to the team's MVP at the end of each season.

"Ryan's a player and person who leads by example," Coach Joe Hindelang said. "He has a tremendous work ethic. He is a wonderful person both as a student and athlete and he's a winner."

Even though landscape architecture is a difficult major, Wheeler takes it all in stride. Last season, he packed his required drawings in the bat bag and took them on the road.

"Academics come first, baseball second and my social life suffers in third," the Harleysville native said. "Someday baseball's going to end and I can fall back on my education. My parents have told me that an education is very, very important and I believe that."

But the possibility of not being involved with baseball is something Wheeler doesn't want to think about. Someday playing for the Phillies or alongside Cal Ripken (who Wheeler tries to model himself after) are among Wheeler's major league dreams. Right now, he is anxiously awaiting the major league draft in June.

"I'm not a top five-round pick," he admitted. "I would like to see myself in the middle rounds. I don't care if I'm the last person picked in the last round -- just as long as I get a chance."

Being drafted by a major league team would be the perfect reward for Wheeler's many years of hard work and dedication. His family has pictures of him with a bat and ball in his hand at age two. Growing up, Wheeler spent hours throwing a ball against a garage wall, developing his slick fielding skills.

By his own admission, Wheeler "eats, sleeps and breathes" baseball and loves to talk baseball with anyone who happens to be around him -- teammates, friends or family.

Wheeler is the consummate team player. Though a natural shortstop, he is currently playing second base and says that he'll play second all season if it will help the team win. The team-first attitude is typical for Wheeler.

"Ryan is just the kind of player every team needs," infielder Lance Rathmell said. "He's definitely a leader and helps the younger guys -- he does a great job helping the freshmen and sophomores get along. He's a pure team player."

If playing baseball is not in Wheeler's future, he would like to become a coach at either the high school or collegiate level. He would enjoy the opportunity to help kids become better ballplayers and people as well. Hindelang is confident of Wheeler's potential coaching ability.

"I think Ryan will be successful no matter what he does because of his work ethic, intelligence, and skills," Hindelang said. "He would be an outstanding coach."

The possibility of someday returning to Penn State as a coach is tempting for the career .305 hitter.

"I think the program is on the rise," Wheeler said. "As a player, I won't get to see the benefits. To come back as a coach and get the program to be a powerhouse -- I would like to do that."

As Wheeler enters his last two months as a Nittany Lion baseball player, he thinks of the little things he will miss --just hanging out with his teammates and strange things that happen on road trips. But he knows exactly how he wants people to remember his years at Beaver Field.

"When I'm done here, I don't want people to say 'Hey, Wheeler had great numbers,' " he said. "I want them to respect the hard work and time I put in, not for all the stats and numbers."