UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State fans flocking to events last fall have again boosted the Nittany Lions into the nation's premier program in top 10 home attendance averages.
Through the completion of the fall sports' regular season and the first three months of the hockey campaign, fans have responded by boosting Penn State into the top 10 in average home attendance in five sports, the most in the nation, according to NCAA and USCHO attendance data.
The Penn State field hockey, football, men's ice hockey, women's soccer and women's volleyball teams all ranked in the top 10 in attendance at the end of the fall semester. The Nittany Lion field hockey team, the 2016 Big Ten Tournament champions, led the nation in average home attendance, according to the NCAA.
Louisville, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin are tied for second nationally with three teams in the top 10 in average home attendance in the seven sports in the survey.
All seven Penn State fall/winter squads in the survey ranked in the top 5 in average home attendance among Big Ten institutions, with field hockey and women's soccer leading the conference. Football, men's hockey and women's hockey were No. 3.
In addition, Penn State is No. 1 nationally in wrestling home attendance with an average of 9,429 after three home dual meets. The No. 2 Nittany Lions drew a crowd of 15,424 at the Bryce Jordan Center for their Dec. 4 win over Lehigh and have sold out 31 consecutive duals in Rec Hall.
"Penn State has a student, alumni and fan base that is second to none, and it shows every week with the type of support all 31 of our programs receive," said Brad Keen, assistant athletic director for marketing. "Our student-athletes and coaches are all very appreciative of our fans' passionate support and feel fortunate to be a part of such a loyal and enthusiastic Penn State family."