General 12/3/2025 12:00:00 AM

Hall of Fame Inductee: Dr. Wesley A. Olsen, Sr.

On Oct. 11, Penn State Abington (formerly Penn State Ogontz) announced the inaugural class of its new Athletics Hall of Fame in conjunction with the 75^th anniversary of the university honoring 10 legendary inductees. The announcement was made at halftime of the men's soccer game at Memorial Field with Abington Chancellor Dr. Gary Liguori and Director of Athletics, Intramurals & Recreation Erin Foley. Click here for official announcement.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Philmont Country Club. Registration and cocktail hour begins at 2 p.m. with the ceremony beginning at 3 p.m. The event is open to the public. Ticket sales will end on Jan. 1, 2026. To purchase tickets, click here.

We'll be featuring each inductee leading up to the induction ceremony in January. Today, we highlight the career of Dr. Wesley A. Olsen, Sr. who served as the university's first-ever Director of Athletics.

Our first Hall of Fame feature highlights Dr. Wesley A. Olsen, Sr. who was Penn State Abington's (formerly Ogontz) first-ever Director of Athletics serving in that role from 1964 to 1986. Olsen was responsible for launching 11 varsity sports at the university as he oversaw the growth of the department early in his career. During his 23-year tenure, Olsen was well-known for his supportive and collaborative leadership style.

"Every day was a memorable moment for him because he loved his job helping, advising and mentoring students toward their career goals," said Olsen's wife, Betsy. "I never knew anybody who loved his job the way [Wesley] did. It was all for the students."

Olsen was also the university's first-ever men's basketball head coach. He coached the team from 1965-1972 compiling a .640 winning percentage (64-36). In addition, Olsen was the original men's golf coach from 1967-1970 and again from 1987-1998. Olsen led the golf program to three Commonwealth Campus titles and three runner-up showings in the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (EPCC) championships. He was named the EPCC Coach of the Year in 1997-98.

In 1990, Olsen was the recipient of the Robert J. Scannel Roll-of-Honor award established by the Pennsylvania State University Commonwealth Campuses (PSUCC) recognizing an administrator, faculty, staff member or coach who has served campus athletic, intramurals and recreational programs with distinction.

The following year, Olsen received the 1991 Evelyn R. Saubel Faculty Award from Penn State recognizing his outstanding achievements in the College of Health and Human Development while being committed to human service and to serving students. Olsen was an associate professor of kinesiology. In 1993 he helped co-found Project Power, an academic enrichment program that helped ninth graders at Olney High School.

Olsen was a graduate of Upper Darby High School (1957) and went on to earn his bachelor's degree in health and physical education in 1964 at Penn State. While serving as athletic director, he earned his graduate degrees in education from nearby Temple University in 1969 as well as a doctorate degree in 1977.

Olsen passed away in 1999 and has been honored by the University through several scholarships and awards established in his name, including the Wes Olsen Senior Scholar Athlete Award. Initiated in 1980 by Olsen, the award honors the male and female in intercollegiate athletics with the highest cumulative grade point average.

Tickets for the inaugural Penn State Abington/Ogontz Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony are currently on sale. The Hall of Fame event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Philmont Country Club. The ceremony will celebrate the achievements of 10 individuals who laid the foundation of Penn State Abington/Ogontz athletics. Registration and cocktail hour begins at 2 p.m. with the ceremony beginning at 3 p.m. The event is open to the public. Ticket sales will end on Jan. 1, 2026. To purchase tickets, click here.

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