Nittany Lions good for the sports world

It's easy not to be too enthralled with the world of sports these days, especially when "SportsCenter" shows Chicago Bull rebounding fool Dennis Rodman booting a camera man in the groin, and Rodman seems to only scoff at his actions.

For every Rodman, Albert Belle and Steve Howe, there are 10 athletes who don't do stupid things, making their sports look bad. All one has to do is turn right here to Penn State and its winter athletic teams to find athletes who make you happy to be a sports fan again.

They don't talk trash or push or spit at referees or throw towels at coaches or drive while intoxicated or celebrate after a routine play or throw objects at reporters.

They play the game and play it with pride.

First of all, men's basketball player Dana Fritz is an example of dedication and hard work. He came to Penn State with no scholarship then tried to walk on the team.

He was cut.

But instead of pouting or giving up, Fritz persevered. He still wanted to be a part of Penn State basketball. He worked and worked and eventually made the squad as a walk-on the following year, and even at that, he was the final walk-on chosen.

He hasn't played all that much during his college career, but he has always done his job on the scout team. And then this season, when playing time was a reality, bad luck hit.

He got hurt.

Finally, Fritz is healthy again, and though he isn't playing all that much, he is the kind of success story that should be told time and time again. Seeing him drill a 3-pointer at the end of Penn State's 70-55 loss against Indiana was what sports is about.

Another Penn State athlete who hasn't always had things go smoothly is Lady Lion basketball start Angie Potthoff. She has battled injury after injury during her college career, but now in her senior season, she is averaging just over 18 points and 10 rebounds per game.

In fact, a shoulder injury kept Potthoff out of action during the 1993-94 season. The shoulder problem, not to mention knee difficulties and bouts with fatigue, have not been enough to keep her from playing with reckless abandon. She's been a star for the last two and a half seasons and a pleasure to watch.

Without question, Potthoff is another positive in sports, as is Penn State wrestler Kerry McCoy.

The current fifth-year senior hasn't always been the dominant heavyweight he is today. He struggled through a 19-17 freshman campaign while wrestling at 190 pounds and losing 10 pounds, sometimes even more, each week just to make weight.

The following season, McCoy moved up to the heavyweight class and won the 1994 NCAA title. While he may be quicker than most in his weight class, McCoy often is outweighed by 30 to 40 pounds. Simply put, McCoy outworks his opponents and never gives up.

Though he lost one match and finished third in the NCAAs as a junior, McCoy came back strong in the Olympic trials and nearly earned a berth on the U.S. Olympic team last summer.

Now McCoy is better than ever. He's 24-0, the No. 1-ranked heavyweight and dominant, but what sets this wrestler apart from others isn't his athletic ability. He's a quality person, one who spends time teaching children how to wrestle and how to live a clean, drug-free life.

When McCoy is asked for an autograph by a youngster, he always obliges. As an amateur, McCoy could teach athletes how to be professional.