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The first thing that impresses you about Beaver Stadium is that it is big... really really
BIG. The most recent renovation and expansion of the facility brought capacity up to
almost 107,000, making it the second largest football stadium in the country.
Getting to State College means driving through one of the most picturesque parts of
the country - the rolling hills of Pennsylvania. Drive east or west along I-80 and signs
will direct you right into State College and Lion country. But don't expect your municipal
college campus and sports facilities side by side here, for the stadium and the
adjoining Bryce Jordan Center are on the outskirts of town, and surrounded by a
highway network and plenty of parking lots. So of course, those parking lots are
packed with rabid tailgaters, and the decorated cars, trucks and RVs can be seen from
miles away when heading towards the venue.
Joe Paterno is the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, but he is really much
much more than that. Paterno has been involved with PSU football for over half a
century, and has been the program's head coach since 1966. During that time, he has
piled up the most wins of any college coach in history, a record that continues to climb.
He has led the team to 20 post season bowl appearances, 7 undefeated seasons
and two national championships (1982 and 1986). His program with his players
stresses academic achievement and success in life, and that has translated into
success on the football field. "JoPa" is the most recognizable citizen around these
parts, and more than anyone else, he has made his mark on Penn State like no one
else has.
The team is struggling this season, uncharacteristic for a team used to winning, and
some sense that an era may draw to a close soon. When it does, college football as a
whole will be less than it was.
The most recent renovation to Beaver Stadium did more than just add seats. Two
huge decks were added to each end zone (picture above) and these decks are
connected to a club seats and concourse configuration. Three levels of suites were
added to one sideline, and the state of the art All Sports Museum was opened in 2002,
a nice two level facility saluting the finest athletes and teams to play at Penn State. The
premium seating options are growing trend in big money Division 1 sports.
Our visit to Penn State University became an extraordinary one thanks to the kindness
and hospitality of Assistant Coach JAY PATERNO, to whom we owe a huge thanks. Jay
emailed us during the past offseason, extending an invitation to come visit Penn State.
Jay set us up with perfect 50 yard line seats, VIP passes to the recruiting lounge,
where we got to enjoy a delicious buffet brunch, lots of *ahem* attention from the
friendly recruiting girls, and then a walk on the field to take pictures and a visit to the
locker room after the game.
Unfortunately the USRT Karma did not come through on a day we so wanted it to.
Penn State missed 2 field goals, an extra point, and special teams gaffes resulted in a
30-23 win by the visiting Wisconsin Badgers, sending most of the crowd home
disappointed.
THANK YOU JAY for a most memorable day and one that we will never forget!
BIG. The most recent renovation and expansion of the facility brought capacity up to
almost 107,000, making it the second largest football stadium in the country.
Getting to State College means driving through one of the most picturesque parts of
the country - the rolling hills of Pennsylvania. Drive east or west along I-80 and signs
will direct you right into State College and Lion country. But don't expect your municipal
college campus and sports facilities side by side here, for the stadium and the
adjoining Bryce Jordan Center are on the outskirts of town, and surrounded by a
highway network and plenty of parking lots. So of course, those parking lots are
packed with rabid tailgaters, and the decorated cars, trucks and RVs can be seen from
miles away when heading towards the venue.
Joe Paterno is the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, but he is really much
much more than that. Paterno has been involved with PSU football for over half a
century, and has been the program's head coach since 1966. During that time, he has
piled up the most wins of any college coach in history, a record that continues to climb.
He has led the team to 20 post season bowl appearances, 7 undefeated seasons
and two national championships (1982 and 1986). His program with his players
stresses academic achievement and success in life, and that has translated into
success on the football field. "JoPa" is the most recognizable citizen around these
parts, and more than anyone else, he has made his mark on Penn State like no one
else has.
The team is struggling this season, uncharacteristic for a team used to winning, and
some sense that an era may draw to a close soon. When it does, college football as a
whole will be less than it was.
The most recent renovation to Beaver Stadium did more than just add seats. Two
huge decks were added to each end zone (picture above) and these decks are
connected to a club seats and concourse configuration. Three levels of suites were
added to one sideline, and the state of the art All Sports Museum was opened in 2002,
a nice two level facility saluting the finest athletes and teams to play at Penn State. The
premium seating options are growing trend in big money Division 1 sports.
Our visit to Penn State University became an extraordinary one thanks to the kindness
and hospitality of Assistant Coach JAY PATERNO, to whom we owe a huge thanks. Jay
emailed us during the past offseason, extending an invitation to come visit Penn State.
Jay set us up with perfect 50 yard line seats, VIP passes to the recruiting lounge,
where we got to enjoy a delicious buffet brunch, lots of *ahem* attention from the
friendly recruiting girls, and then a walk on the field to take pictures and a visit to the
locker room after the game.
Unfortunately the USRT Karma did not come through on a day we so wanted it to.
Penn State missed 2 field goals, an extra point, and special teams gaffes resulted in a
30-23 win by the visiting Wisconsin Badgers, sending most of the crowd home
disappointed.
THANK YOU JAY for a most memorable day and one that we will never forget!
State
College,
Pennsylvania
October 4,
2003
Wisconsin
Badgers
at
Penn State
Nittany
Lions
| State College, Pennsylvania |
Beaver Stadium