Baseball alum killed in tragic accident

The Penn State Hazleton family lost one of its own on Saturday, May 16 with the tragic passing of baseball alumnus, Aaron Glass of Shippensburg, Pa. Glass was traveling in Franklin County on Saturday afternoon when his motorcycle was struck by another vehicle. Glass was rushed to York Hospital but succumbed to his injuries at the young age of 25.

Aaron attended Penn State Hazleton from the fall of 2013 until graduating in the spring of 2017 when he earned his degree in Administration of Justice. During that time, Glass played four seasons in a Nittany Lion uniform for the Hazleton baseball program and was consistently one of the top players as well as a leader in the dugout.

Aaron joined the program for the 2014 season and stood out in the Lions' lineup. Glass hit a team high .422 that season, adding 16 RBI and two home runs which earned him a selection to the PSUAC All-Conference team. Aaron's sophomore campaign would be cut short due to injury but after extensive rehab from shoulder surgery, Glass returned to his place behind the plate for the 2016 season, playing in all 27 games that year. Aaron totaled 23 hits during his junior year and topped out with a .471 on base percentage, both career highs. He led the team with 15 RBI and a .343 batting average resulting in his second bid to the All-Conference squad.

Aaron finished his collegiate career in 2017 with 11 runs driven in and two home runs which led the team but his mark on the program went well beyond his performance on the field. As a team captain, Aaron led the team while transitioning to a new coaching staff and his infectious passion to play the game was a powerful influence on his teammates. "Aaron loved the game and lived life to the fullest," said Assistant Coach Jeff Nietz. "He was a fine young man who respected the game and loved his family and friends. We truly enjoyed catching up with Aaron year after year and his presence with the program is sorely missed."

Glass was well known around campus as a great student-athlete in addition to being one of the most lively characters you could find at Penn State Hazleton. Following graduation, Glass returned home to the Shippensburg area where he pursued his career and continued to work on the family farm. 

"We were truly shocked and saddened when we heard of Aaron's untimely passing," said Director of Athletics Patrice Lombard. "I can recall many interactions with Aaron and how he always had a way of bringing a smile to my face. As I read the Facebook posts from his friends and acquaintances, and talked with colleagues who knew him, the same themes kept coming up. His generosity, his caring, his ability to make people laugh, and his love for his family, the farm, and baseball. Whether he crossed paths with you for one year, four years, or a lifetime, you knew when you met Aaron that you were better for having known him. We will always be grateful for the time he spent with us and he will always be a part of the Penn State Hazleton Athletics family."