Penn State men's gymnast Chad Buczek always knew he wanted to attend Penn State. He just never thought it would be via the route by which he ended up coming here. After taking recruiting trips all over the country last year, Buczek made one of the toughest decisions of his life. He chose to commit to the University of Massachusetts on a full athletic scholarship because it was the only school that offered him one. At the time, Penn State had one men's gymnastics scholarship available, but it was already offered to someone else.

"Penn State was always my number one choice," Buczek said, "but I didn't want to put a financial burden on my parents and myself paying off loans and everything so I chose to go to UMass."

A few months later, Buczek read that the University of Massachusetts men's gymnastics program would be eliminated because of budget restrictions. Buczek, along with his father, Ed, were worried because they didn't know where to go after hearing the news.

"We didn't receive one official word from the university about the elimination or on what the rules were or where we could go," Ed Buczek said.

Instead of waiting to hear from UMass officials, Buczek contacted Penn State men's gymnastics coach Randy Jepson because Penn State was always Buczek's first choice. Jepson told Buczek to send his application in and, after a few calls to the Penn State Admissions office, Buczek was finally going to Penn State.

When Buczek arrived to join the men's gymnastics team as a walk-on, he had only one priority: to make the team.

"I was praying not to get cut because then it would be a waste of money," Buczek said. "I would be here with no sport to help me get through school and I wouldn't know what to do."

Buczek made the team and has since worked his way into the lineup on three events. In Saturday night's victory over Ohio State, Buczek had career highs on floor (9.000), rings (9.450) and vault (9.250).

Buczek has been consistently competing in these three events during the season, but is looking to eventually break into the all-around.

"We are so strong on pommel horse and high bar," he said, "but I just keep working hard everyday and I eventually will get into the all-around."

In addition, Buczek looks to train this summer for the U.S. Championships, where he hopes to earn a spot on the U.S. National team. But right now he is focused on helping the Lions earn an NCAA championship spot.

With the success Buczek has earned early in his collegiate gymnastics career, the recruiting process and the actions of UMass continue to have an effect on him and his family. While going to Penn State with no athletic scholarship and paying an out-of-state college tuition, it has created a financial burden for the Buczeks in which they are looking for possible solutions.

"We are looking into Alumni scholarships to help with tuition," Ed Buczek said, "but it is a definite concern for us and Chad's future at Penn State."

Buczek has also used the rejections from the recruiting process as motivation for this season. He was overlooked by several coaches that didn't think he could make it or be good enough for their teams. His Somersault Center club team coach and Secretary of U.S. Gymnastics Tom Fontecchio talked to many collegiate gymnastic coaches about Buczek, but they just blew him off.

"I like competing against a school that I know overlooked me," Buczek said. "It makes me do so much and say, 'Ha, you picked the wrong person.' "

Although Buczek has missed out going to a school closer to home and seeing friends, he said Penn State has given him so many friends that make him feel like he is at home. His father agrees.

"I think Chad has finally found a home."