Golden Bears again the pick in Pennsylvania Conference’s Eastern Division

Head coaches around the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s East Division expect another big year from Kutztown University and have ranked the Golden Bears No. 1 in their annual preseason poll.

It is the first time since 2012 that Kutztown enters a season ranked on top of the East Division.
The Golden Bears won a program-record 12 games last season and made their first NCAA Division II semifinal appearance.

The Golden Bears finished 12-3, won their second PSAC title in three seasons, and recorded a program-record five victories against nationally-ranked teams.
The PSAC East and Super Region I Coach of the Year in 2023, Jim Clements, has guided the Golden Bears to nine straight winning seasons.
Kutztown returns East Freshman of the Year quarterback Judd Novak (Manheim Central), along with All-PSAC performers Kurtis Ravenel Jr. (Carlisle), Adam Kase (Conrad Weiser), Nate Millard (Daniel Boone) and Billy Everitt (Abington).

The Maroon and Gold received six of the possible eight first place votes. Shepherd and East Stroudsburg, voted second and third, respectively, each garnered one first place vote.

West Chester and Lock Haven round out the top-five at fourth and fifth, respectively. The division finishes off with Millersville, Shippensburg and Bloomsburg.
Kutztown opens the season Thursday, Sept. 5, against Assumption in a non-conference game at 7:30 p.m.