Penn State Boxing History
Penn State Boxing has was established in 1928 as a NCAA sanctioned sport. From 1923 to 1954, boxing was the No 1. Varsity sport at Penn State. Boxing is no longer an NCAA sanctioned sport, but the tradition created at Penn State still continues as a club sport with a competitive team option through the National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA). Currently 24 colleges and universities compete in the NCBA.
Over 50 All-Americans and 22 National Champions have passed through Penn State Boxing. |
Historic Moments
1918: The International Boxing Association of America becomes the first formal collegiate boxing organization.
1924, 1927, 1929, 1930, 1932: Penn State proves its strength by winning the national champship
1954: Penn State dropped its boxing program for many reasons, including: public apathy, scheduling difficulties, and the academic disapproval of boxing.
1976: National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) was founded as an extension of the Eastern Collegiate Boxing Association (ECBA). The ECBA held the first intercollegiate boxing bout in West Chester, PA. Six teams entered and Penn State won.
In 1998, Penn State earned the 3rd place team trophy. In 2001, the Penn State team did one better and earned the 2nd place team trophy.
Legendary Coach Leo Houck
Famous Nittany Lion Fighters
1918: The International Boxing Association of America becomes the first formal collegiate boxing organization.
1924, 1927, 1929, 1930, 1932: Penn State proves its strength by winning the national champship
1954: Penn State dropped its boxing program for many reasons, including: public apathy, scheduling difficulties, and the academic disapproval of boxing.
1976: National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) was founded as an extension of the Eastern Collegiate Boxing Association (ECBA). The ECBA held the first intercollegiate boxing bout in West Chester, PA. Six teams entered and Penn State won.
In 1998, Penn State earned the 3rd place team trophy. In 2001, the Penn State team did one better and earned the 2nd place team trophy.
Legendary Coach Leo Houck
- Led the Nittany Lions to an NCAA title in 1932
- Received seven other Intercollegiate Boxing Association titles in 26 years
- Considered one of the greatest Penn State Coaches
- Produced 48 individuals collegiate boxers
Famous Nittany Lion Fighters
- Steve Hamas: The first and possibly the only Nittany Lion athlete ever to win 5 letters in a single year. In addition to winning the IBA Heavyweight title, Hamas competed in track, lacrosse, football and basketball in 1929, his senior year.
- Billy Soose: world midweight champion in 1941, defeating defending champion Ken Overlin.
- Jim Restauri: three-time National Collegiate Boxing Association National Champion (1977, 1978, 1979). He was also a Varsity football letterman and competed in boxing on the professional level.
- Christy Wilcox: only Penn State female to win two National Championships.
2016
Coaches: Os & Marc Hessel
East Regional Champsionship (Lock Haven University, PA)
Qualifiers Jackie Yip (112W) Eva Markosky (119W) Pat Doherty (125M) Qian (River) Goh (125W) Sam Shaffer (147M) Taylor Varner (147W) Jimmy Wang (156M) Jamel Persaud (165M) Eric Behringer (175M) Most Outstanding Boxer Award (Women): Taylor Varner |
National Qualifiers
Jackie Yip (112W) Eva Markosky (119W) Pat Doherty (125M) Qian Goh (125W) Sam Shaffer (147M) Taylor Varner (147W) Eric Behringer (175M) All-Americans Jackie Yip (112W) - Runner-Up Eva Markosky (119W) - Runner-Up Qian (River) Goh (125W) - 3rd Place Taylor Varner (147W) - Runner-Up Sportsmanship Award (Women): Taylor Varner Penn State Women 5th Place Overall |