"The support of our fans has always been a vital part in our success and this year they've come out and proven that again," Sunderland said. "I'd like to congratulate every person who came to a match this year for making Rec Hall such a special place to wrestle. The fan interest, combined with the great efforts of our administration and marketing and promotions staff, have allowed us to experience this kind of growth. I know I speak for everyone within the Penn State wrestling family when I say ‘thank you'."
Penn State hosted six dual matches this year. Three saw attendance top 3,000 and two had attendance over 2,900. Sunday's home finale against Iowa saw 5,841 fans pack Rec Hall for the highest single-season attendance figure since over 6,400 witnessed Penn State and Iowa battle during the 1998-99 season.
The growth in attendance over the last two years, a stunning increase of 57 percent from the 2004-05 figure, mirrors the growth and excitement within the program itself. Penn State averaged 2,757 fans last season which was, at the time, an eight year high. The Nittany Lions unveiled the new multi-million dollar Lorenzo Wrestling Complex this fall, a project made possible by donations from friends, family and former wrestlers given solely for the project. Sunderland has put together consecutive recruiting classes that have been ranked among the nation's elite. Penn State has defeated rival Iowa two years in a row and the Lions are coming off a top ten finish at last year's NCAA Championships.
"We are fortunate to have what I believe is the nation's best coaching staff and we are proud of the progress that has been made at Penn State in every area of our wrestling program," Sunderland said. "We have outstanding support from the administration, the faculty, the Penn State Wrestling Booster Club, the students and the local community. This support is helping us to work towards our goals on the mat. We are continuing to attract the best the sport has to offer and the entire wrestling experience at Penn State is enhanced by everyone that supports us. From donations to the Lorenzo Wrestling Complex to jamming Rec Hall on match night, every person plays a part in what we are doing here."
Penn State, currently ranked No. 12 nationally, is 12-5 overall and 3-3 in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions could return to the top ten after a weekend that saw them defeat the tenth- and sixth-ranked teams by a combined score of 49-21. Sunderland's Lions are off this coming week and then close out the dual match season with a road trip to Michigan and Michigan State on Friday and Sunday, Feb. 16 and 18.
The following lists attendance figures since 1998-99:
2006-07: 3,475
2005-06: 2,757
2004-05: 2,209
2003-04: 2,552
2002-03: 2,464
2001-02: 1,610
2000-01: 2,166
1999-00: 2,093
1998-99: 2,699
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