Wilkes University  Women Fall To Hunter College In Alumni Tip-off Final

Airport Boss Put On Spot Over Losses 
The Wilkes-barre/scranton International Airport's Director Blames High Ticket
Prices For A Recent Decline In Departures.

By JERRY KELLAR jkellar@leader.net
 Saturday, November 18, 2000 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1B 





Rashard Casey has had his fill of learning experiences this year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Everything happens for a reason,'' he said. ``Maybe some day I'll know
why.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Casey is one of 18 Penn State seniors who will be playing their final game
in Beaver Stadium this afternoon, as the Nittany Lions close out their season
against Michigan State (12:10 p.m., WSWB Channel 38). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For Casey, 2000 has been an unforgettable year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It started with the quarterback's arrest on assault charges in his home
town of Hoboken, N.J., in May (a grand jury absolved Casey of any wrongdoing
earlier this month), and it ends with a losing football season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I can't say I feel cheated,'' Casey said with a laugh. ``I know I gave it
my all. In life, obstacles come your way and you have to get around them to
get where you want to go.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Casey had hoped to win some sort of championship with the Lions in his
first year as a starter. But all hopes of Big Ten and national titles went out
the window early in the campaign when Penn State dropped four of its first
five games. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Lions won't be playing in a bowl game for the first time since 1988. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's not all bad news for Casey, though. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``At least I'll get to spend Christmas with my son,'' he said of 3-year-old
Rashard Jr. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Casey and his senior teammates will be honored on the field before today's
contest. The group has helped Penn State earn a 32-16 record during the past
four seasons, including three bowl games. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 However, it will be the disastrous 2000 season for which this class will be
remembered. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 So be it, the Lions said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I don't think you can forget it,'' said senior safety James Boyd. ``This
season will always be in the back of your mind.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Almost to a man, the players said the trials and tribulations of this year
have served to make them stronger people. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We're closer than any team I've ever been on,'' Boyd said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Senior tight end Tony Stewart agreed. ``We stuck together. I don't think
there was ever a time when we gave up or gave in.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That's the approach this group intends to take into today's season finale.
Boyd, easily the best football player of the class and one of the hardest
hitting defensive backs in school history, said the Lions owe it to the
players who came through the program previously to play hard today. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Penn State has a great tradition,'' he said. ``There were hundreds of
players before us and we represent them. But, if you need motivation for any
game, something's wrong.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Casey said he will never forget those who stood by him throughout the worst
of times. At the top of the list is coach Joe Paterno. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I learned people around here are genuine, and they care,'' the
quarterback said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 His teammates, Casey said, have been more like brothers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I consider them family. I'd do anything for them and they'd do anything
for me.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Together, they will try to end their collegiate careers as winners. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I don't think I can go out of here losing my last game,'' Casey said. ``I
want to leave on a good note. I want to leave it all on the field.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Year Of Adversity Toughens Lions 
Penn State's Seniors Reflect On A Season Of Disappointments And Challenges As
They Prepare For Their Final Game Today.

Year Of Adversity Toughens Lions Penn State's Seniors Reflect On A Season Of Disappointments And Challenges As They Prepare For Their Final Game Today.