Grapplers, fans generate busy weekend downtown

By OBI EZEKOYE
Collegian Staff Writer

A different type of March Madness was in State College over the weekend. Nobody was talking about foul shots and 3-pointers, but rather takedowns and riding time.

The weekend's NCAA Wrestling Championships brought an interesting mix of wrestlers and fans to the downtown State College area, and many were impressed by the organization of the event, The Bryce Jordan Center and the friendly college-town atmosphere.

A wide variety of accommodations had to be made for such a large crowd. The Centre Area Transportation Authority, Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics and Penn State Transportation Services collaborated to provide free shuttle service between rounds from the center to the downtown shopping areas and Hills Plaza.

"Nobody knew what to expect. Everybody has chipped in a little to make this thing work," said Eric Bernier, director of service development for CATA. The shuttle was created to prevent traffic congestion between sessions of the tournament.

"Everything was great. State College is a well-organized, great town. I really can't complain," said Doug Cieleski, a freshman 157-pound wrestler from Slippery Rock University.

Cieleski's teammate Chris Elliot said he has been to three NCAA Div. I championships and this weekend's event at Penn State had the best facilities.

The visitors benefited many local businesses such as clothing stores, restaurants and bars. Greg Musser, a bartender at Sports Café and Grille, 244 W. College Ave., said business was "double a normal weekend." He compared it to a football weekend or a weekend during the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts.

Every year fans make the trip to the university hosting the event, regardless of what team they support.

Both Ed Towle from Lexington, Ky., and Marty Decourcy of Kansas City, Kan., have been to the past six championships. They agreed the Penn State-hosted event has been the best tournament by far, adding the Jordan Center and the convenience of the transportation services impressed them.

"People here really know how to have a good time," said Matt Hand, who was at Hi-way Pizza, 340 E. College Ave. Hand, a sophomore wrestler from the University of Iowa who came to cheer on his teammates, added, "There's no such thing as a 75-cent pizza in Iowa."

The wrestling championships seem to have a ritualistic following, particularly in Pennsylvania, which binds competitors and life-long fans of the sport.

Jim Makovsky, a former wrestler who has remained a fan, made the annual trip to the championships.

"It's a great sport and once you get it in your blood, it's there forever," Makovsky said.