Beaver Stadium reconstruction thread

[Chumboshifko1]

We all know tosu is a cheat. What's next?

 

[Alphalion75]

Are there any recent photos of the progress on the stadium? BWI should send someone down to the stadium to take some photos to share on here.

 

[NittPicker]

Are there any recent photos of the progress on the stadium? BWI should send someone down to the stadium to take some photos to share on here.

I found these on Facebook. Good photos. I didn't want to copy and share the photos and not give the guy credit.

 

[Alphalion75]

I found these on Facebook. Good photos. I didn't want to copy and share the photos and not give the guy credit.

Thanks!! I'm sure the amenities of the stadium will be a welcome upgrade, however Beaver Stadium's all 4 sections will be asymmetrical......hence the giant erector set.

 

[BCS PSU]

Thanks!! I'm sure the amenities of the stadium will be a welcome upgrade, however Beaver Stadium's all 4 sections will be asymmetrical......hence the giant erector set.

Texas' stadium is not the same on the sides, and neither is Camp Randall, Byrd Stadium, or Ben Hill Griffin, and many others. That's because when these stadia first were built, it never was dreamed that over a 100,000 people would fill them. Therefore, expansions were done on a piecemail basis, which caused a lot of the expansions to look asymmetrical.

If PSU knew back in the early 90s when the North upper deck was built as what it knows now, I'm sure that they would have made at least both end zone upper decks the same. My guess is that PSU was thinking that the North end zone might have completed the Beaver Stadium expansion. However, interest just kept growing, as well as the need to incorporate corporate suites. Also, unless you wanted to totally rebuild the stadium and have PSU play home games in Pittsburgh and Philly for several seasons, they did the best that that they could.

As it stands now, the West side and the South end zone are modern and look very good.

 

[Alphalion75]

Texas' stadium is not the same on the sides.

If PSU knew back in the early 90s when the North upper deck was built as what it knows now, I'm sure that they would have made at least both end zone upper decks the same. However, unless you wanted to totally rebuild the stadium and have PSU play home games in Pittsburgh and Philly for several seasons, they did the best that that they could.

As it stands now, the West side and the South end zone are modern and look very good.

I wonder what work is planned for the East side. Do you know if they will be installing similar lighting to the West side?

 

[BCS PSU]

I wonder what work is planned for the East side. Do you know if they will be installing similar lighting to the West side?

I don't know anything about the lighting, and suspect that there will be no major changes to Beaver Stadium after this current phase is completed for a long, long time just because of financial reasons. Also, considering that a lot of the East side is made up of student sections, PSU might just want to let that side remain as it is.

 

[Alphalion75]

I don't know anything about the lighting, and suspect that there will be no major changes to Beaver Stadium after this current phase is completed for a long, long time just because of financial reasons. Also, considering that a lot of the East side is made up of student sections, PSU might just want to let that side remain as it is.

I just read that the only work to be done on the east side is taking down the light poles and installing new lighting. The exterior of the east side will remain the same with all the steel beams etc. So it will look nothing like the exterior of the new west side.

 

[BCS PSU]

I just read that the only work to be done on the east side is taking down the light poles and installing new lighting. The exterior of the east side will remain the same with all the steel beams etc. So it will look nothing like the exterior of the new west side.

I'm not an architect or structural engineer, so I don't know if it would be possible at least to put some kind of facade on the exterior of the East side to cover up the beams. At this point, I guess that it is what it is. IMO, most of the exterior of Beaver Stadium now looks as good as it ever has.

Like I said, when Beaver Stadium first was moved to where it is now and gradually expanded in the late 70s, it probably wasn't contemplated that college football stadia would have to be the same quality as a NFL stadium. A lot of college football stadia, because they were used so infrequently, were just utilitarian structures with no luxury boxes and very small press boxes. Just look at photos of Bryant-Denny Stadium before Bama turned that place into a Taj Mahal; it basically was an erector set just like Beaver Stadium, as well as Doak Campbell Stadium.

 

[MtNittany]

I'm curious what the attendance numbers will be. I haven't seen a capacity announcement, unless I've missed it. It seems bigger to me.

I wonder if SCum could be digging their big hole deeper in the coming years - bringing them even closer to their creator.

 

[CDM2PSU]

Are there any recent photos of the progress on the stadium? BWI should send someone down to the stadium to take some photos to share on here.

View attachment IMG_4165.jpeg

 

[CDM2PSU]

View attachment 1384650

 

[CDM2PSU]

View attachment 1384654

Looks like benches are going in.

 

[CDM2PSU]

Looks like benches are going in. View attachment 1384658

Also, I was at the Valentine center all day for a conference and they were either practicing in the stadium or testing the new sound system. You could hear music/noise all day long at varying noise levels. Sounded good to me.

 

[Alphalion75]

View attachment 1384650

Thank you! Did you take that photo?

 

[CDM2PSU]

Thank you! Did you take that photo?

Yep, about an hour ago.

 

[Alphalion75]

Yep, about an hour ago.

Did you take one of the east exterior?

 

[NedFromYork]

I'm curious what the attendance numbers will be. I haven't seen a capacity announcement, unless I've missed it. It seems bigger to me.

I wonder if SCum could be digging their big hole deeper in the coming years - bringing them even closer to their creator.

That's funny.

 

[CDM2PSU]

Did you take one of the east exterior?

 

[CDM2PSU]

Did you take one of the east exterior?

And the new video board where the beer garden is/was.

 

[Efejle]

So I am wondering if the television cameras will set up in the press box level? Or on top of the West side upper deck? I'm thinking here about Ohio State, and the game cameras are set up VERY HIGH and that's why the games are always from a birds eye view. At press box level the actual game view will be much closer now than before, think Purdue or Michigan State level

 

[Colt2169]

I found these on Facebook. Good photos. I didn't want to copy and share the photos and not give the guy credit.

Holy crap — it’s done !

 

[SleepyLion]

I'm not an architect or structural engineer, so I don't know if it would be possible at least to put some kind of facade on the exterior of the East side to cover up the beams. At this point, I guess that it is what it is. IMO, most of the exterior of Beaver Stadium now looks as good as it ever has.

Like I said, when Beaver Stadium first was moved to where it is now and gradually expanded in the late 70s, it probably wasn't contemplated that college football stadia would have to be the same quality as a NFL stadium. A lot of college football stadia, because they were used so infrequently, were just utilitarian structures with no luxury boxes and very small press boxes. Just look at photos of Bryant-Denny Stadium before Bama turned that place into a Taj Mahal; it basically was an erector set just like Beaver Stadium, as well as Doak Campbell Stadium.

A facade could be put on the east side for sure. As I tell my wife when she wants a house project done, "there is nothing need to accomplish this other than time and money."

 

[BobPSU92]

A facade could be put on the east side for sure. As I tell my wife when she wants a house project done, "there is nothing need to accomplish this other than time and money."

Fortunately, Penn State has both in spades.

 

[Marshall2323]

Nothing screams community like the guy in the center of the trough who gets to experience a river of urine travelling at him from both directions.

Islands in the stream...that is what "we are."

 

[Marshall2323]

I believe they called it Rolling Rock.

Old Bavarian

 

[MtNittany]

This nice young Japanese girl - with an odd voice - has some insight on stadium capacity.

 

[ChiTownLionPSU]

 

[PSU Mike]

Now we know you’re married.

View attachment 1384654

 

[NittPicker]

46K views · 694 reactions | The west side bleachers are coming together and game day is getting closer 👀 #WeAre | Penn State Nittany Lions

The west side bleachers are coming together and game day is getting closer 👀 #WeAre

www.facebook.com

 

[ChiTownLionPSU]

 

[PSU4U]

I'm not a fan of that change but what do we do. It is what it is, Mo Money.

 

[bdgan]

46K views · 694 reactions | The west side bleachers are coming together and game day is getting closer 👀 #WeAre | Penn State Nittany Lions

The west side bleachers are coming together and game day is getting closer 👀 #WeAre

www.facebook.com

Are those bleachers permanent or temporary? I thought there were going to be more chairbacks.

 

[Wilbury]

That's what I heard too.

I've heard the opposite. I think they'll be ready for this season, but I'm not so sure about next season.

 

[Wilbury]

Remember when Hot Rod Erickson promised transparency at Penn State? That lasted all of five minutes.

Penn State's deal with West Shore was the largest at the time only because politics got in the way of USC's deal with United Airlines.

"only because politics got in the way of USC's deal...".

Right - that's what we're saying. It was the largest at the time because to that point, no one had been able to sign a larger one. Other than the USC deal, it was also the largest because 100+ other schools hadn't been able to find someone to give them that much money. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been the largest.

 

[Wilbury]

I assume they have the start-up $$ Wilbury,

Penn State currently doesn't have the money; they are relying on following:

"The university has structured the renovation funding through:
a mix of state and federal resources, loans, fundraising, naming rights, sponsorships, premium seating, and a major philanthropic campaign."

If the school can cough-up $100,000,000 in fundraising donations (strictly for the stadium) per year for the next 20 years, PSU will have paid around
$1.5 billion+/- for the $700 million price tag.

View attachment 1378371

View attachment 1378418
Historic investment from nearly 20,000 annual supporters is helping position Penn State Athletics to lead in the next era of college sports

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. —With the closure of the 2025-26 fiscal year, the extraordinary commitment of nearly 20,000 annual supporters has helped Penn State Athletics complete one of the most successful four-year periods in department history. More importantly, it has helped position Penn State to become one of the premier athletics programs in America for generations to come.

Over the past four years, Penn State Athletics generated $353.1 million in philanthropic commitments, nearly doubling the $181.8 million raised during the previous four-year period. The 94.2 percent increase reflects far more than fundraising success. It represents a shared belief that Penn State should continue setting the national standard for competitive excellence, the student-athlete experience and long-term sustainability across all 31 varsity sports.

That commitment has resulted in four of the five largest gifts in department history, eight of the department's 12 largest gifts overall and three of the four strongest fundraising years ever recorded.

Since 2022-23, Penn State has secured 27 commitments of $1 million or more, including a record 13 during the 2024-25 fiscal year. Gifts of $100,000 or more have more than doubled over the past several years, demonstrating remarkable confidence from supporters at every level.

“This isn't simply a fundraising milestone,” said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft. “It's a reflection of what makes Penn State different. Every gift represents someone who believes in our student-athletes, our coaches, our people and our future. Together, our supporters have created the momentum that allows Penn State not only to compete at the highest level today, but to build one of the strongest and most sustainable athletics programs in the country for decades to come.

College athletics is changing rapidly, but our mission remains the same: provide an extraordinary experience for our student-athletes while pursuing championships with integrity. Because of our supporters, Penn State is exceptionally well positioned to lead through this new era. On behalf of everyone in Penn State Athletics, thank you. Your generosity, your passion and your belief in Penn State are the reason our future has never been brighter.”

So again, when does this go belly up?

 

[step.eng69]

Under ground?

Not a good view location.

 

[RolexKong]

"only because politics got in the way of USC's deal...".

Right - that's what we're saying. It was the largest at the time because to that point, no one had been able to sign a larger one. Other than the USC deal, it was also the largest because 100+ other schools hadn't been able to find someone to give them that much money. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been the largest.

Is it the "largest" if Penn State isn't paid the full amount?

 

[RolexKong]

I assume they have the start-up $$ Wilbury,

Penn State currently doesn't have the money; they are relying on following:

"The university has structured the renovation funding through:
a mix of state and federal resources, loans, fundraising, naming rights, sponsorships, premium seating, and a major philanthropic campaign."

If the school can cough-up $100,000,000 in fundraising donations (strictly for the stadium) per year for the next 20 years, PSU will have paid around
$1.5 billion+/- for the $700 million price tag.

View attachment 1378371

View attachment 1378418
Historic investment from nearly 20,000 annual supporters is helping position Penn State Athletics to lead in the next era of college sports

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. —With the closure of the 2025-26 fiscal year, the extraordinary commitment of nearly 20,000 annual supporters has helped Penn State Athletics complete one of the most successful four-year periods in department history. More importantly, it has helped position Penn State to become one of the premier athletics programs in America for generations to come.

Over the past four years, Penn State Athletics generated $353.1 million in philanthropic commitments, nearly doubling the $181.8 million raised during the previous four-year period. The 94.2 percent increase reflects far more than fundraising success. It represents a shared belief that Penn State should continue setting the national standard for competitive excellence, the student-athlete experience and long-term sustainability across all 31 varsity sports.

That commitment has resulted in four of the five largest gifts in department history, eight of the department's 12 largest gifts overall and three of the four strongest fundraising years ever recorded.

Since 2022-23, Penn State has secured 27 commitments of $1 million or more, including a record 13 during the 2024-25 fiscal year. Gifts of $100,000 or more have more than doubled over the past several years, demonstrating remarkable confidence from supporters at every level.

“This isn't simply a fundraising milestone,” said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft. “It's a reflection of what makes Penn State different. Every gift represents someone who believes in our student-athletes, our coaches, our people and our future. Together, our supporters have created the momentum that allows Penn State not only to compete at the highest level today, but to build one of the strongest and most sustainable athletics programs in the country for decades to come.

College athletics is changing rapidly, but our mission remains the same: provide an extraordinary experience for our student-athletes while pursuing championships with integrity. Because of our supporters, Penn State is exceptionally well positioned to lead through this new era. On behalf of everyone in Penn State Athletics, thank you. Your generosity, your passion and your belief in Penn State are the reason our future has never been brighter.”

What is the source of these "state" and "federal" resources, how much are they, and what is the purpose of the monies?

 

[RolexKong]

So again, when does this go belly up?

If by "this" you mean Penn State, sooner than people might think if it continues to exhibit the lack of fiscal discipline it has over the last 5-10 years. That extends beyond borrowing for the stadium renovations.

On the other hand, if you mean what happens if ICA can't generate enough cash to service the inter-company loans from the University, that's another kettle of fish. Penn State will have to get it from somewhere.