Out with a bang
PS Fayette athletics network looking for strong finish in final year
Joshua Scully grew up a fan of the San Diego Chargers, and when he reflects on the last year for Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, a moment from Super Bowl XXIX comes to mind.
“The Chargers were in Super Bowl XXIX and lost to the San Francisco 49ers,” Scully said. “There is a great photo from that game where San Diego quarterback Stan Humphries is being tackled by two 49er defensive linemen, and as he is being lifted off the ground, he is looking down the field and still planning on throwing the ball. In my mind, that’s Penn State Fayette.
“Penn State Fayette is in my heart, and even though Fayette is getting sacked, we have one last great throw to make.”
Scully, along with Chuck Durso and Don Bell, are the three on-air talents for Fayette Athletics Network (FAN), and would like to have a strong final season for the athletes, coaches, families, fans and anyone who is affiliated with the local branch campus that will close after the spring semester in 2027.
The trio was hired by the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) and have covered events in multiple states, including the USCAA national championships.
“We would really like to have a strong final season for our remaining sports,” Scully said. “We have the strongest streaming service at Penn State Fayette.”
Penn State Fayette will compete in baseball, co-ed soccer, women’s basketball and women’s volleyball in its final year. FAN will broadcast games for those sports, and the network also covered the Penn State Invitational golf tournament on Sept. 13 at Cedarbrook Golf Course in Belle Vernon.
“Our production ran between the greens of nine and 18,” Scully said. “We are not aware of anyone else in the PSUAC (Penn State University Athletic Conference) broadcasting golf previously.”
Penn State wanted to field a men’s basketball team this upcoming season, but it was not viable due to the circumstances regarding the campus closing in the spring.
FAN was launched in December of 2020, but plans were in place two years prior, however, COVID-19 hindered the production.
Former Fayette athletic director Lou Zedecy and assistant athletic director Stephen Oberly, who would become the athletic director at Fayette campus, had the idea of adding an online streaming for the school.
“When Stephen (Oberly) became the AD after Lou and forged the FAN to what it is,” Scully said. “Stephen was the innovator, and took it to places that no one thought was possible. He got the equipment and ensured we had coverage of away games during baseball and softball seasons.
“We were the first school in the Penn State campus system to ever broadcast an away game, and I believe we were the first campus to broadcast an away PSUAC baseball playoff game.”
Oberly, who is now the program director at Carlow University for the department of exercise science while coaching the California Vulcans men’s hockey, wanted the FAN to create an opportunity for family and friends who couldn’t attend live events to watch the athletes at Penn State Fayette compete.
“We relied heavily on our out-of-state and district recruiting,” Oberly said. “It was a way to bring additional support for our athletes into the system. We had to redefine the brand and imagery itself. We really started with nothing. Word out mouth and a grassroots campaign really helped get everything going.”
Oberly lauded the efforts of Samantha Swetz, who served as the women’s volleyball coach for the Roaring Lions before becoming athletic director after Oberly stepped down. Swetz led Penn State Fayette to a USCAA championship in 2019.
“Samantha was instrumental in keeping FAN going during those lean years,” Oberly said. “She does deserve some of those flowers for the success of the FAN.”
Oberly still holds Penn State Fayette close to his heart, and like all who are close to the school, is upset in regard to the fate of the campus.
“It’s very unfortunate the school is closing,” Oberly said. “This is an example of the evolving nature of higher education right now. You may find yourself on the side you don’t want to be on, but I fully feel things happen for a reason and new doors open. It is unfortunate and sad for many.”
The FAN is looking for sponsors for its last year, and those interested can contact Mark Duffield, who is Penn State Fayette’s current athletic director at mjd@psu.edu or Scully at joshua.scully@uasdraiders.org for further information.