High school sports fans residing in Penn Hills might not have a long commute to the next big event.

Penn Hills High School's gymnasium is quickly becoming a go-to location for both the WPIAL and PIAA.

The most recent affair was the WPIAL Class AAA individual wrestling tournament held from Feb. 26 to 28.

Schools from eight counties made the trek to Penn Hills.

In recent years, Canon-McMillan hosted the WPIAL wrestling tournament, but Penn Hills Athletic Director John Peterman, a member of the WPIAL steering committee, expressed interest in hosting.

Over the summer, a WPIAL group visited the school and decided Penn Hills would host the wrestling tournament for the next two years.

“Penn Hills passed with flying colors,” said Jim Collins, the Assistant to the Executive Director of the WPIAL. “They did an outstanding job.”

Penn Hills opened its new high school, which cost an estimated $58 million, in January of 2013.

The new gymnasium features a state-of-the-art sound system, an abundance of electrical outlets, excellent lighting and high-speed wireless internet throughout.

“Maybe in 25-30 years from now there will be a school with more technology,” said Peterman.

The amenities and location of the school got a thumbs-up from other athletics directors.

Peterman said several ADs said they were happy to not have to travel to Washington County for the three-day tournament.

The high point of the tournament for Peterman was when the Indians' Te'Shan Campbell claimed the 170-pound title.

In 1984, Peterman claimed a WPIAL 145-pound title for the Indians, but he did it at Chartiers Valley.

“It can never compare to what Te'Shan just did, winning it at his own school,” said Peterman, who is also the coach of the Indians football squad that featured Campbell in its backfield this past fall.

There is more luck involved in hosting basketball games.

The WPIAL and PIAA selects locations based on the proximity to the two teams involved.

That, as well as an already-scheduled weekend ROTC event, kept Penn Hills from hosting any basketball games yet, although there is still time for PIAA contests.

Penn Hills had better luck last season. Peterman said his school hosted a combined 12 WPIAL and PIAA basketball playoffs games in 2014.

Schools selected to host games get an allowance from the WPIAL to cover the costs involved, such as having workers come in on a day they are normally off.

Profits from raffles and concessions stands go toward booster programs.

“The school district isn't going to get rich off it, but the workers are getting paid and the boosters are getting money,” Peterman said.

“I just love showcasing Penn Hills. We get positive PR, they get to see what kind of outstanding school and outstanding community we have.”

Other parts of the community experience a trickle-down effect.

Local hotels and restaurants cater to the crowds these athletic events bring in.

The new gymnasium is so popular it has even garnered a nickname of “Peterman Events Center,” a play on the University of Pittsburgh's Petersen Events Center, which recently hosted the WPIAL and City League basketball championships.

Other WPIAL schools should remember the route to Penn Hills, because it looks like it will be a destination for years to come.

“Penn Hills will always be considered a site as long as they want us,” Collins said.

Ed Phillipps is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.

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