Beaver Stadium

[CC_BU]

I just read an article about all the fancy pants upgrades coming to Beaver Stadium. There was no mention what the capacity will be, and almost sounded like it would less with all the planned suites. Anybody know?

[Fightingscot82]

My understanding (and its been a while since I read about the detailed plans) is that this project is to make Beaver Stadium more of a permanent, cohesive structure. If you look closely at it, its an erector set of connected structures. Its astonishing that it can withstand the student section jumping up and down to Sandstorm or whatever the techno song is they play.

But given the overall Penn State financial situation, some rational brains are starting to question exactly if they can afford to do $700M in work to a football stadium that is used maybe two dozen times a year. A lot of Penn State's trustees are alumni-elected, so naturally you get a lot of Joebots and Penn State romantics, but some cool heads do peek out on occasion. There is an alumni trustee who has an eye-opening report on Penn State athletics finances: https://barryfenchak.com/why-we-cant...ee-leadership/

[nova2wv]

I just read an article about all the fancy pants upgrades coming to Beaver Stadium. There was no mention what the capacity will be, and almost sounded like it would less with all the planned suites. Anybody know?

I had seen this info in one article -

Will capacity at Penn State home games be impacted? Will ticket prices go up?
This question continues to be left open-ended. It is logical to expect that ongoing construction from the end of the 2024 season through the start of the 2027 slate will ensure that some seats will be slashed due to the work that is being done. But, a final number of possibly or definitely impacted seats has not yet been released. The school did say, “These improvements are anticipated to result in a small reduction in seating that will occur during the 2025 season.”

[CC_BU]

I don't understand why they don't just build a whole new stadium instead of spending $700 million on the old one. I don't feel like doing the research, so someone enlighten me.

I'm mean, a new stadium would mean no disruptions for the old one during construction and so on.....

[Fightingscot82]

I don't understand why they don't just build a whole new stadium instead of spending $700 million on the old one. I don't feel like doing the research, so someone enlighten me.

I'm mean, a new stadium would mean no disruptions for the old one during construction and so on.....

Pretty sure they've developed so much of the remaining land in that area (baseball stadium, hockey arena, new dorms, etc.) that they may not have space. And it would undoubtedly cost more.

[Ship69]

I don't understand why they don't just build a whole new stadium instead of spending $700 million on the old one. I don't feel like doing the research, so someone enlighten me.

I'm mean, a new stadium would mean no disruptions for the old one during construction and so on.....

Depends on if you have the land. Northwestern is without a permanent home for two years while they tear down and rebuild Ryan Field on the same site. It would cost a fortune to find a piece of land big enough for a stadium in the Evanston area. Apparently Penn State doesn't have the appetite to look for another site. Whatever you think of the Paterno legacy, that place is the house that Paterno built. When I attended a game there in 1966, Paterno's first year as a coach, the place seated about 47,000 and it was open at both ends beyond the end zones.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

My understanding (and its been a while since I read about the detailed plans) is that this project is to make Beaver Stadium more of a permanent, cohesive structure. If you look closely at it, its an erector set of connected structures. Its astonishing that it can withstand the student section jumping up and down to Sandstorm or whatever the techno song is they play.

But given the overall Penn State financial situation, some rational brains are starting to question exactly if they can afford to do $700M in work to a football stadium that is used maybe two dozen times a year. A lot of Penn State's trustees are alumni-elected, so naturally you get a lot of Joebots and Penn State romantics, but some cool heads do peek out on occasion. There is an alumni trustee who has an eye-opening report on Penn State athletics finances: https://barryfenchak.com/why-we-cant...ee-leadership/

Does it even get used anywhere close to two dozen times per year?

At most they probably have 7-8 home games. What else do they use it for?

A demo and start-over would cost a fortune. The demo alone would be a massive ($) undertaking.

Grand scheme of things it could certainly use some major upgrades. In context compared to other 'mega' programs ... Beaver Stadium is kind of like the old PSAC Field House gym. It's big and seats a lot (in those 13" per behind they give you). But, other than that, it's a total dump.

[IUPNation]

They could have built a new stadium next to it. They would have just relocated other sports fields.

[iupgroundhog]

Does it even get used anywhere close to two dozen times per year?

At most they probably have 7-8 home games. What else do they use it for?

A demo and start-over would cost a fortune. The demo alone would be a massive ($) undertaking.

Grand scheme of things it could certainly use some major upgrades. In context compared to other 'mega' programs ... Beaver Stadium is kind of like the old PSAC Field House gym. It's big and seats a lot (in those 13" per behind they give you). But, other than that, it's a total dump.

I don't think it matters how many times it's used. The football program generates over $110 million a year. They can do whatever they want with Beaver Stadium and it would be ok.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I don't think it matters how many times it's used. The football program generates over $110 million a year. They can do whatever they want with Beaver Stadium and it would be ok.

Not questioning the financial power of the program. I was just curious when FS82 said it was used two dozen times a year. I was interested if they use it for concerts or anything aside from football.

[Fightingscot82]

Not questioning the financial power of the program. I was just curious when FS82 said it was used two dozen times a year. I was interested if they use it for concerts or anything aside from football.

They just had a beer festival in it a week or two ago.

They use it for the ag show, the turfgrass program, and if they still do it, a big end of year auction of gently used things students leave behind.

[TDBoi8136]

There was no mention what the capacity will be, and almost sounded like it would less with all the planned suites. Anybody know?

As far as I have seen, the plan is to still be in the 100k. I think when the renos are all said and done, you will no longer see the record 110k sellout games. The current seating capacity is 106k so I believe the new capacity will probably be between 102k to 104k.

[CC_BU]

Beaver stadium currently ranks #2 in capacity behind Michigan. A decrease would move them down the list. I don't know how much it matters but I imagine it's a point of pride for Penn State fans. The attendance is always mentioned during broadcasts and I'm sure James Franklin brings it up to recruits

[Ship69]

Beaver stadium currently ranks #2 in capacity behind Michigan. A decrease would move them down the list. I don't know how much it matters but I imagine it's a point of pride for Penn State fans. The attendance is always mentioned during broadcasts and I'm sure James Franklin brings it up to recruits

With pay for players on the way, the pressure on Franklin and any other coach of a major P5 program is only going to mount. People paying the increasingly staggering cost of big-school season tickets are not going to be a patient bunch.

[iupgroundhog]

With pay for players on the way, the pressure on Franklin and any other coach of a major P5 program is only going to mount. People paying the increasingly staggering cost of big-school season tickets are not going to be a patient bunch.

Yep. What they've unleashed is going to be very destructive. Pretty sure the lawyers and agents do not care.