Rain, rain go away...or not?

Muddy uniforms can add additional interest to sports images.

As a sports photographer I have been cold, baked, drenched, and even cold and drenched while on assignment at an event.  Yet, while being wet on a late fall, or winter, evening is no ones opinion of fun, I have captured some rather unique moments in--to quote a former high school assistant marching band director of mine--passing moisture moments.

2020 (and in to 2021): Photography During a Pandemic...Continued

Swimming action taken from the stands due to Covid restrictions.

The winter and spring sports seasons brought much of the same challenges as the fall season did.  While there were a few exceptions, there was still a lot of photography from the stands, or from outside the courts, or playing fields, flexibility required, and mask wearing was still a must.  So, while not a whole lot changed one sport stuck out.

2020: Photography During a Pandemic

Army vs. Georgia Southern game action taken from the upper deck
 of Michie Stadium due to Covid-19 restrictions.

2020 certainly has been an interesting year.  

As a sports photographer, 2020, and the Covid-19 pandemic, has provided unique challenges, but also unique opportunities.  As the year nears it's end, I'd like to take a minute to reflect on some of the experiences, challenges, and unique learning opportunities that 2020 provided for me.

PSU vs. USC 2017: A Rose Bowl for the Ages

Chris Godwin and DeAndre Thompkins celebrate a touchdown.

On January 2, 2017 the Penn State battled USC in the "Granddaddy of them All"--the Rose Bowl Game.

The Nittany Lions and Trojans duked it out in an instant classic with the Men of Troy ultimately prevailing over PSU by a 52-49 score.

Upset Valley

Penn State's Devin Foster celebrates Penn State's upset of Indiana.

Happy Valley turned into "Upset Valley" for two Penn State men's basketball games this past season.  On February 6, the Nittany Lions upset then No. 22 Indiana 68-63.  Then, a week and a half later, Penn State pulled off another upset, this time upending then No. 4 Iowa 79-75.  The Nittany Lions finished their 2015-2016 campaign at .500 with a 16-16 record.

2015-2016 BJC Wrestling Duals

Penn State's Zain Retherford works to pin his Ohio State opponent during the seocnd BJC Dual on February 5.

The Penn State wrestling team hosted two duals inside the Bryce Jordan Center during the 2015-2016 season as part of their annual BJC Duals matches.

On December 13, the Nittany Lions hosted Wisconsin in the first BJC Dual of the season.  Penn State took down the Badgers in that match 36-7.

Pink Weekend at Penn State

The Penn State women's gymnastics team celebrates after a teammate's uneven bars routine during their Flip for the Cure meet gainst Nebraska.

Saturday and Sunday, January 16 and 17, was "Pink Weekend" at Penn State.  Both the women's gymnastics and Lady Lions basketball teams held their annual breast cancer awareness events.

First up, on Saturday, the Nittany Lion women's gymnastics team held their Flip for the Cure meet.  The Lions wore pink leotards and took on Big Ten foe Nebraska in Rec Hall.  Then, on Sunday, the Lady Lions broke out their pink jersies, and hosted Michigan, for their annual Pink Zone game in the Bryce Jordan Center.

Return To Rec 2015

Penn State's Devin Foster drives to the basket during the Nittany Lions' Return to Rec game against ULM.

On December 10 and 12 the Penn State men's basketball team played two games in historic Rec Hall as part of their Return to Rec series of games in 2015.  On the 10th the Nittany Lions played host to Canisius defeating the Golden Griffins 81-67.  The game against Canisius was also Penn State's Pink and Black game where the Nittany lions wear pink and black jerseys in omage to Penn State's original school colors, pink and black.  Two days later, on the 12th, the Lions hosted Louisiana-Monroe in a hard fought 54-50 win.

PSU Women's Soccer: 2015 National Champions

Penn State players celebrate a goal during their NCAA tournament second round game against Boston University.

The Penn State women's soccer team won the national championship this past weekend.  The Nittany Lions, who finished the season 22-3-2, and who also won the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles, dominated their opponents through most of the NCAA tournament.  Penn State kept a clean sheet in each of their six NCAA tournament games, outscoring their oppents by a combined 20-0 margin.

Some Catch Up: The 2015 State College Spikes Season

Danny Marting slides home for an inside-the-park homerun against Connecticut on July 10, 2015.

The State College Spikes (Short Season-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals) closed out their 10th season in September.  Although the Spikes finished short of the playoffs, State College finished the year third in the the New York-Penn League Pickney Division with a respectable 41-35 record.

PIAA District 6 Softball Championships

Central’s Olivia Smith and Marissa Snyder celebrate a Smith’s game tying run during the Lady Dragon’s District 6 AA championship victory.

On May 27, the PIAA District 6 softball championships were held at Penn State's Beard Field.  After an hour and a half rain delay to start the day, eight teams played in four games to decide the district champions for the four classifications.  The championship winners were West Branch (A), Central (AA), Bellwood-Antis (AAA), and Mifflin County (AAAA).

PIAA District VI Track and Field Championships

Bellefonte’s Bryce Steiner, and Central Mountain’s Bryce Mansfield, compete in the 300-meter hurdles during the PIAA District 6 AAA Track and Field Championships in Altoona on May 14.

On May 12 and 14, Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics Association's (PIAA) District 6 held their track and field championships at Altoona's Mansion Park Stadium.

It's Been a While, So Here's What I've Been Up To

The Penn State basketball pep band plays a tune duing the Lady Lions' Pink Zone game.

Just like the title of this post would indicate, it's been a while since a last posted anything, so here's a quick rundown on some things I've been up to recently...

A Top-5 Wrestling Matchup: PSU vs. Iowa

The scene inside the Bryce Jordan center for the PSU/Iowa wrestling match.

On Feb. 8, the Penn State wrestling team took on Iowa in a top-5 showdown inside the Bryce Jordan Center.  15,967 fans packed the BJC to watch what promised to be an entertaining dual match, and the two teams did not disappoint.  The Nittany Lions stayed with the Hawkeyes through the final match, but PSU eventually fell to Iowa 18-12.

PSU Lady Lions at Rutgers

Penn State's Tori Waldner fights for rebound.

While on a trip to the New York City area a few weeks ago, I attended the Penn State Lady Lions' women's basketball game at Rutgers.  PSU was unable to to pull off the upset, but the Lady Lions held a five point lead midway through the second period, and gave the Scarlet Knights all they could handle, falling to Rutgers 76-65 at The RAC.  The following post includes a few photos from the game.