One pair of brothers grew up in the prototypical basketball environment. The other rarely even encountered the sport in their home country. Yet both the Cartwrights and Joks found their callings in basketball, which has carried them to unforeseen heights.

Jerome Allen’s story is one of humility, immense success and the willingness to adopt the best qualities of those around you.

It hasn’t been easy being a fan of Penn men’s basketball over the last few years, considering that Red and Blue supporters used to take NCAA tournament trips for granted. As rough as it has been, though, imagine the last few seasons without Zack Rosen.

College basketball coaches learn of potential recruits from a variety outlets, but the gym custodian isn’t usually one of them.

Forty years ago, Penn took part in one of college soccer’s greatest games when it knocked off two-time defending Ivy champion Harvard, 5-2.

This season, the Quakers aim to pick up where they left off in March, and that quest begins Sunday at the Palestra against St. Francis, which the Red and Blue have never lost to in five matchups.

It may be the penultimate game of the 2011 campaign, but this Saturday’s contest at Harvard is definitely the culmination of the Ivy League season for the Penn football team. LIVEBLOG: Penn football vs. Harvard

Two of the nation’s friendliest-sounding mascots will face off as the Quakers visit the Retrievers of Maryland-Baltimore County. THE BUZZ: Position-by-position breakdownSEASON COUNTDOWN: Fans’ favorite Penn basketball memories VIDEO: This Week on 33rd Street

The Kinn twins, Penn sophomores Austin and Tyler, have always done everything together.

The Nawrocki brothers’ parents “discouraged” them from watching pro wrestling, Penn senior Luke recalls, but the boys always found ways around it. Soon enough, the whole family watched as Chris tried out for the WWE on the “Tough Enough” reality show.

Beauregard-Breton’s cross-country career did not start until two years ago, when she was recruited to run for the Deerfield Academy, a prestigious Massachusetts preparatory school.

After months of hard work, perseverance and a freshmen infusion, the Penn swim teams have put last year’s fatigue behind them, and they’re ready for a season on top.

Though they try to present an honest and fair representation of the action on the court, it can sometimes be hard to repress their undying school spirit.

Following the largest single-season turnaround in program history, the team looks to demonstrate that its Ivy preseason No. 4 ranking is no mistake.

In a short two-month span, the Red and Blue went from a 7-0 opening loss to American to playing powerhouse Princeton to a tie for most of the season’s final game.

Coach Rob Eiter has put together an incredibly challenging schedule, which will feature four of the top-10 finishers from last year’s NCAA Championships.

The 1985 College graduate visited the Penn Bookstore on Saturday to discuss the book’s 10th anniversary, for which a newly updated edition was printed this year.