Texas Longhorns Top AP Preseason Poll for First Time in Program History

The **Associated Press (AP)** is the world's largest and one of the oldest news organizations, founded in 1846 by five New York City newspapers to share the cost of covering the Mexican-American War. It operates as a **nonprofit cooperative**, owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members, and is renowned for delivering fast, accurate, and objective news worldwide[1][2][5][6]. Initially formed to pool telegraph costs and avoid competitive bidding for news, AP quickly expanded its scope. By 1848, six newspapers collaborated to finance telegraphic relay of foreign news, laying the foundation for a national newswire service. Over time, regional groups merged, culminating in the incorporation of the modern AP in 1900. Despite early antitrust challenges due to its control over news distribution, AP adapted and grew, becoming a key global news network with nearly 250 bureaus in about 100 countries[1][2][3][5]. AP provides a wide range of services, including the basic newswire, APTN (a television news agency), a 24-hour radio news service, and digital platforms delivering text, images, and sound. Its content reaches over 4 billion people daily, with approximately 400,000 stories, 80,000 videos, and 1.2 million photos produced annually[5][8]. The agency's journalists have won **59 Pulitzer Prizes**, including 36 for photography, underscoring its commitment to high journalistic standards and ethics[1][8]. Notable for its **nonpartisan, fact-based journalism**, AP has historically shaped news agendas in the U.S. and globally. It helped break news monopolies during World War I and has been a fierce advocate for press freedom, journalist safety, and intellectual property protection. Its governance by an executive leadership team and board of directors reflects its cooperative structure and mission focus on advancing the power of facts in journalism[4][8]. Today, AP continues to b

## Overview Pennsylvania State University, commonly known as Penn State, is a major public research university and Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution. It is renowned for its comprehensive mission of teaching, research, and public service, aiming to “improve the lives of the people of Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality programs in teaching, research, and service”[5]. Penn State’s main campus is located in University Park, with 19 branch campuses across the state, a medical school in Hershey, a law school in Dickinson, and additional specialized institutions[5]. The university offers a broad range of degrees—associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional—as well as continuing education programs[5]. ## History Founded in 1855 as the Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania, Penn State’s origins reflect its commitment to practical education[1][2]. The institution was established with a 200-acre land donation from James Irvin and was initially focused on applying scientific principles to farming[1][3]. It was renamed the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania in 1862 and became the state’s land-grant college following the passage of the Morrill Act in 1863[2][3]. Under the leadership of President George W. Atherton in the 1880s, the curriculum expanded to include engineering, the sciences, liberal arts, and more, aligning with the broader mandate of land-grant institutions[1][2]. The university’s name changed to Pennsylvania State College in 1874 and finally to Pennsylvania State University in 1953[2][3]. ## Key Achievements Penn State has a long tradition of innovation in education and research. It was among the first institutions to integrate cooperative extension and outreach programs in the early 1900s, extending its academic influence statewide[1]. The university’s engineering program quickly became one of the ten largest in the nation[

## Overview The **Nittany Lions** are the athletic teams representing Pennsylvania State University, competing primarily in NCAA Division I as a member of the Big Ten Conference[2]. The exception is the women’s basketball team, known as the Lady Lions. The program’s distinctive blue and white colors and the Nittany Lion mascot are instantly recognizable, reflecting a tradition that dates back to the 19th century[2]. ## What the Organization Does Penn State Athletics encompasses 31 varsity sports, fielding teams in nearly every major collegiate sport, including football, basketball, wrestling, hockey, and more[2]. The organization not only competes at the highest level of college sports but also emphasizes academic excellence, producing both professional athletes and successful graduates. The Nittany Lion Club serves as the philanthropic arm, raising funds to support scholarships, medical care, academic support, and state-of-the-art facilities for over 850 student-athletes[3][4]. As of 2025, the club has approximately 20,000 members, whose donations are vital since the athletics program receives no state or university funding for operating expenses[4]. ## History and Key Achievements Penn State’s football program, established in 1887, is one of the most storied in college football history, known for its passionate fanbase and iconic traditions like the “White Out” at Beaver Stadium, which draws over 100,000 fans[1]. The university joined the Big Ten in 1991 and has since won 124 conference championships (92 regular season, 32 tournament)[2]. Penn State has consistently ranked in the top 25 of the NACDA Directors’ Cup, a measure of overall athletic success, finishing as high as third nationally in 1998–99[2]. The wrestling program, supported by the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, has produced numerous Olympic and world champions, further elevating the university’s athletic reputation[5]. ## Current Status

The Alamo Bowl is an annual NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football game held since 1993 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. It was initially established to bring high-profile college football action to San Antonio during the holiday season and to boost local tourism during one of the city’s slowest times of the year[1][2]. The game typically features top teams from the Pac-12 and Big 12 conferences, drawing large crowds and significant television audiences. The bowl began as the Builders Square Alamo Bowl and underwent several name changes reflecting its sponsorships, including partnerships with Sylvania and MasterCard. Since 2007, it has been sponsored by San Antonio-based Valero Energy Corporation, enhancing its brand as the Valero Alamo Bowl, a partnership that extends through 2025[1][2]. The sponsorship has helped the bowl grow into a significant sporting event and economic driver for the region. Over its 30-year history, the Alamo Bowl has attracted nearly 1.9 million spectators and generated over $1.1 billion in economic impact. It has contributed more than $174 million to higher education through team payouts and scholarships, making it one of the most generous bowls in terms of educational funding[3]. The game has become a holiday tradition in San Antonio, celebrated for its exciting matchups, large attendance, and strong television ratings, reaching over 156 million ESPN viewers historically[2][3]. Notable moments include early ties to the Southwest Conference before its dissolution, memorable team performances, and unique events such as the 1996 Iowa Hawkeyes’ tribute to a teammate’s mother[1]. The Alamo Bowl is recognized for combining sports, community engagement, and economic benefits, making it a standout event in college football and a vital asset for San Antonio’s tourism and business sectors[2][3].