Robert Franek, author of the book, said that although Penn State did not place nationally for its academic programs, it was portrayed as one of the 351 best colleges in the nation, whether for its academic, social or athletic programs.

"Obviously Penn State is a great school academically," Franek said. "But we want students to tell the rest of the story that perspective college kids want to hear. We want these kids to see the highlights of a school about [the college students'] overall quality of life."

Franek said Penn State's No. 1 standings in the categories of "jock school" and "everyone plays intramural sports" were due to the university's school spirit and overall interest in both watching and playing sports.

Janis Atty (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies) said she might consider participation in intramural sports because she wants to show school spirit. She said she thinks this universal feeling of school pride has helped bring Penn State to No. 1.

"Honestly, it's so the school spirit," Atty said. "You can't go to any other school, shout out 'we are' and have a million people yell 'Penn State' right back at you."

Maggie Clark, president of the women's club basketball team, said she thinks the university ranked so high in sports partially because it's such a large school.

"If you get such a big draw of students from high school, your team in college is obviously going to be better because you have a big pool to pick from," she said.

Clark also said that just because the university was elected "top jock school" does not mean all Penn State students are sports-oriented or not concerned with succeeding academically.

"The basis here for all programs is always academics," Clark said. "I think athletics are just another area where people can excel."

University spokesman Bill Mahon said he thinks the Princeton Review does not use "thoughtful research methods," and the fact that Penn State placed so high in athletics was just a coincidence.

He added he doesn't think people make their college decisions based on the quality of the school's athletic programs.

"For instance, I'm not going to set up my life at a school because it has a good program in football," Mahon said.