Stadium revival brings outdoor hockey
History
will be made on Penn State’s biggest stage – Beaver Stadium – as Penn State is bringing its ice hockey programs to the gridiron at the iconic venue.
For the frst time, Hockey Valley is invading Beaver Stadium to make history on ice. Both the Nittany Lion men’s and women’s hockey teams will play a game at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31.
The men will take on Big Ten powerhouse Michigan State, while the women will face instate foe Robert Morris in the doubleheader.
The outdoor hockey games have long been a goal for athletic director Patrick Kraft, who wants to bring more non-football events to Beaver Stadium. The ongoing $700 million revitalization project to the facility has an eye toward improving luxury seating and other improvements for such events.
Beaver Stadium, which opened in 1960, seats 106,572. It is the second largest stadium in the United States; Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., seats 107,601. Michigan blanked rival Michigan State, 5-0, in the “Big Chill at the Big House” in 2010 in front of 113,411 fans. That easily bested the previous record set by Michigan State when the Spartans tied Michigan 3-3 in the “Cold War” held at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich., in 2001.
This frst-of-its-kind hockey showcase at Penn State follows a 2024 concert from country megastar Luke Combs, who drew more than 80,000 fans to the iconic University Park facility.
“This is a historic moment for Penn State Hockey, our fans and the entire Penn State community,” Kraft said. “To bring the excitement of college hockey to Beaver Stadium is truly special.
“Having our men’s program face a premier Big Ten opponent in Michigan State and our women’s program face Robert Morris on this stage refects the incredible growth and national profle of Penn State Hockey and provides an unforgettable experience for our student-athletes, alumni and fans,” Kraft added. “We can’t wait to see Hockey Valley come alive in Beaver Stadium.”
Penn State hockey has built plenty of excitement over the past fve months.
The Nittany Lion men overcame a winless ninegame start in Big Ten play to reach the NCAA Tournament and eventually the frst Frozen Four in program history.
Then, Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky hit the recruiting trail harder than anyone else in the country, landing superstars Jackson Smith, the frst frst-round NHL Draft pick in program history, and Gavin McKenna, the consensus top overall pick in the 2026 draft. Several other Canadian talents joined the Nittany Lions thanks to an NCAA rule change this year.
The Penn State men begin their highly anticipated season — with national title hopes — on Oct. 3 at Arizona State.
“Our team and so many Penn Staters are extremely excited about this game in Beaver Stadium,” said Gadowsky, the only head coach the Division I program has ever had. “It has been consistently asked of me since I arrived at Penn State, and I want to send thanks to Coach (James) Franklin for sharing his home with us, as well as Dr. Pat Kraft, Vinnie James, and the entire Penn State Athletics Department for making it happen. We can’t wait to take the feld.”
The Nittany Lion women’s team set a program record with 31 wins last season, which saw a thirdstraight conference championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Led by star Tessa Janecke, Penn State gets its season rolling on Sept. 25 against St. Lawrence University.
Submitted photo
Penn State goaltender Arsenii Sergeev (center) looks to make a save during practice at the NCAA Frozen Four in St. Louis, Mo., last season.
Submitted photo
Penn State’s Dylan Lugris (16) celebrates after a goal against Michigan State last season as teammates Carson Dyck (7) watches.
Submitted photo
Beaver Stadium will host the historic outdoor ice hockey game at Penn State on Jan. 31.
CENTRE COUNTY PROGRESS
Medical Center constructs new patient tower
BY BROOKE CROUSE
City Editor
bcrouse@lewistownsentinel.com
STATE COLLEGE — Ac-
cording to a Mount Nittany Health press release, the Mount Nittany Medical Center broke ground on a new patient tower in May 2023 with an estimated occupancy date in December 2026. The tower includes: 10 foors, 300,000 square feet
168 private patient rooms
Enhanced healing environment with indoor and outdoor refection
Respite and amenity spaces for patients and staff
Advanced communications technology for patients and staff
Convenient access to outpatient services like lab, imaging, medical and speech therapy
Enhanced dining and food service preparation
Convenient parking deck
Mount Nittany Health
Marketing and Communications Manager Jessica Kinney said the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company oversees the construction of the $350 million project.
Christopher Hester, MD, the chief medical offcer of the Mount Nittany Phy-
sician Group, said, “The board and the senior leadership at Mount Nittany and all involved are really committed to trying to provide the best patient experience for the patients of Centre County and improve the access for their care in Centre County and the surrounding regions that the hospital serves.”
Hester added that expanding facilities and attracting new talent to the area make it possible for Mount Nittany Health to provide the best patient experience and care.
According to a Mount Nittany Health press release, design development for the project began in August 2022. Stantec is the architecture frm on record
for the project. A November 2024 press release announced the placement of the fnal structural beam for the project, with an estimated construction completion date of summer 2026.
Hester stated that, “the board as well as the executive leadership team and then other key persons within the organization, wherever that may be,” decide what projects to take on.
Hester added that the decision-making process is “largely dependent on the community needs and where it’s felt that expansion and/or growth is needed to continue to provide the services.”
Photos courtesy of Mount Nittany Health
Pictured is a rendering of the Mount Nittany Medical Center patient tower, estimated to be completed in summer 2026.
Pictured is a rendering of the lobby in the new patient tower.
Connector project work continues
BY BROOKE CROUSE City editor
bcrouse@lewistownsentinel.com
STATE COLLEGE —
Field survey work to collect additional feld information and data for the recommended preferred alternative of the State College Area Connector project began on Aug. 25, according to PennDOT.
PennDOT announced in a news release that it will use data collected during the surveys to refne alignment, complete permit applications, and develop fnal construction plans.
Survey crews will continue to work through the fall with most of the work taking place off the existing roadway.
PennDOT stated that there may be periods of intermittent fagging along Route 322, Route 45, and other roadways in the project area as crews complete surveys. According to the PennDOT State College Area Connector website, the project area is about 3,905 acres which extends through the southern portion of Centre County and crosses Potter and Harris Townships; this area is centered on Route 322.
The project’s estimated cost is $600 million to $900
million, according to a PennDOT spokesman in a Centre Daily Times interview. This project previously changed course after a public meeting in May, as stated in a PennDOT release. The changes were made to the North Alternative and the Central (Recommended Preferred) Alternatives to reduce potential environmental impacts.
According to the release, the design team shifted
a small segment of the Recommended Preferred Alternative south to minimize impacts on the Potter Township Athletic Complex and avoid directly impacting its baseball felds. The shift also reduces effects on a farming operation.
A minor adjustment to the North Alternative near Wagner Road relocated a proposed stormwater management facility to avoid
impacting a historic property that contributes to the Penn/Brush Valley Rural Historic District, as stated by PennDOT. There were no changes to the South Alternative. Additional information on the State College Area Connector Project is available online at www.PennDOT.pa.gov/SCAC.
Submitted graphics
Pictured is the revised project area for the State College Area Connector project.
Pictured is a map with refnements made to the alternatives for the project.
CENTRE COUNTY PROGRESS
Regenerative medicine helps dad avoid surgery
STORMSTOWN – Every kid thinks of their dad like a superhero of sorts. Rob Campbell isn’t faster than a speeding bullet, doesn’t pretend to be more powerful than a locomotive – although he can bench press 315 pounds –and can’t leap tall buildings in a single bound.
The 49-year-old Stormstown man works as a mechanical engineer at Penn State and stays physically ft by volunteering as a junior high wrestling and youth football coach, as well as weightlifting and participating in a local men’s ice hockey league.
Campbell also has a leg up on other dads – at least in the minds of his sons Kenton, 16; Gavin, 14; and Clark, 12 – after undergoing a regenerative medical procedure to avoid surgery on a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament and a partially torn medial fexor tendon in his right arm.
With his three boys, Campbell maintains an active lifestyle and is involved in various sports.
“Whatever the kids are doing, that’s where I need to help out,” said Campbell, who grew up in Tyrone and is a former football and wrestling standout.
Last winter, while working out with his youngest son Clark, he injured his arm. After several months of pain and showing no improvement, Campbell sought help from Dr. Brian Jacobs, a sports medicine physician at Geisinger Healthplex State College.
“I was doing curls with barbells, and I felt something in my elbow,” Campbell recalled. “I just kept going through it. I didn’t know it would be a lasting thing. It never healed on its own.
“They were not completely torn, but very close to requiring surgery,” Campbell added.
At an ice hockey tournament, Cambell ran into Jacobs, who almost immediately diagnosed the
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It’s been nearly 10 months since Penn State kicked off its renovation of Beaver Stadium — one of the most iconic venues in any sport — shortly after the Nittany Lions defeated SMU in a College Football Playoff game.
On Jan. 4 – a chilly Saturday morning – the stadium’s press box on the west side was demolished, and the heavy lifting began. Here we are, a little less than 10 months later, and the temporary seats are in place on the west side.
Kraft, speaking of the process to get to this point, said: “You can see it on paper when you design, you can do all those things, (but) until you walk it, you don’t get an appreciation for what the construction crew did in a very, very quick time.
“It is going to be awesome when it’s done,” Kraft added.
Here are a few other important takeaways from Kraft’s news conference:
UCL issue. Campbell called Jacobs’ offce to set up an appointment just to make certain.
“I’ve had small tears before, but they’ve always healed,” Campbell said. “This was not getting better at all. I was miserable.
“I couldn’t shake peoples’ hands, I had trouble opening doors,” Campbell added. “I had to do everything with my left hand. Sleeping at night was not fun.”
Instead of surgery, Jacobs recommended a platelet-rich plasma injection to help heal the injury. Platelet-rich plasma is a form of regenerative medicine that uses
the body’s own blood cells to help heal damaged tissue.
The procedure involves drawing the patient’s blood and spinning it in a centrifuge to separate the blood’s platelets from the other blood components. The PRP is then injected into the injured area to stimulate healing.
“PRP has been well-studied over the last 20-plus years,” Jacobs explained. “It is a way to use our body’s natural growth factors to help heal injuries and reduce infammation. PRP is ideal for tendon injuries such as rotator cuff, elbow tendons, gluteal tendons, patella and Achilles ten-
dons. Additionally, joints such as shoulders, hips and knees do very well with PRP.”
“It seems so very natural to take something from your own body to help promote healing. I am grateful in both instances that this treatment was effective and I was able to avoid surgery.”
my arms, thanks to the PRP treatment. Prior to the PRP with my right arm, I could not throw a ball and even shaking hands with someone was a challenge.”
For Campbell, the best part of the procedure was that surgery wasn’t needed. “They extracted some blood, put it in the centrifuge and injected it right back into the injury,” he said.
Geisinger’s orthopedics team in State College recently purchased a second PRP machine with even better capabilities of concentrating platelets, Jacobs said.
For Campbell, the results were nothing short of miraculous. He needed a half-dozen physical therapy visits in 2024 and was able to resume normal activity in two months’ time.
“By the middle of June my arm was feeling much better, and by July I was nearly pain-free and returned to regular activity,” he said. “It was truly amazing.”
In August 2024, only a few months after healing his right arm, Campbell injured his left elbow while playing ice hockey. After the pain persisted for two months, he again visited Dr. Jacobs.
“I examined and diagnosed a distal biceps injury but not a complete tear,” Jacobs said. “He elected once again to try a PRP injection for treatment.”
The results were the same. After a couple days in a sling to keep the injection from migrating from the injured area and a handful of physical therapy treatments, Campbell was back to performing normal activities in a few months.
With both injuries now fully healed, Campbell is back to his pre-injury routines with lifting and wrestling.
“My arms feel great, and no surgery was involved,” he said.
“My youngest son is a very active baseball and football player. I play catch with him almost every day without any pain in
New seating capacity
Beaver Stadium was listed at 106,572 seating capacity before the construction began, and the record crowd is 111,030 — a mark set in Penn State’s loss to Ohio State last season.
“What’s capacity?” Kraft said. “Our offcial capacity this season is going to be 106,304. We’re a little below our normal numbers, but we are ready
to go.”
Renovation on schedule
“I think we’re in the second quarter (of the renovation),” Kraft said, noting construction will continue through the year, stopping Thursday night to get ready for a Beaver Stadium game day.
“We’re really in a good spot. We’re moving, we’re on time,” Kraft added.
Seating checked, dou-
“Our sports medicine team continues to push the boundaries of its applications,” Jacobs added. “When we frst brought PRP treatment here six years ago, we were averaging one to two a month. We are now doing more than 20 treatments a month.”
Campbell is very happy with the results of his treatment.
“I am so thankful for this treatment,” he says. “It seems so very natural to take something from your own body to help promote healing. I am grateful in both instances that this treatment was effective, and I was able to avoid surgery.
“With the PRP injections and a little physical therapy, I am back to doing the things I love,” Campbell added.
He wanted to share his story because he believes other individuals could beneft. “For athletes or even construction (workers), could see there are alternatives to surgery,” Campbell said.
Jacobs said there are limits to the injury that stunt the treatment’s effectiveness, including the tear can’t be more than 70 percent. Campbell feels fortunate that his injuries were just under that mark. It made his recovery much easier and timely, especially with his active sons. “One of them is outside – my youngest – waiting for me to fnish this interview to throw the (base)ball,” Campbell joked.
ble-checked for stability
After all, he is their superhero.
Kraft said Penn State brought in an independent third party to put the stadium through a rigorous safety inspection. “The structure is safe. It is safe, it’s been looked at, it’s been inspected,” he said.
“We’ve got the keys to the castle, we are in that building, we are off and running.”
Kraft added that Penn State will continue to inspect the stadium before
See Stadium/ Page D6
Submitted photo
Rob Campbell, of Stormstown, avoided surgery by undergoing a regenerative medical procedure.
Submitted photo
Another view of the main concourse inside Beaver Stadium.
CENTRE COUNTY PROGRESS
County continues growth through economic plan
BY MINA PHILLIPS Correspondent
STATE COLLEGE — In October of 2024, the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County and the Economic Development Council launched an economic development plan in hopes of strengthening community engagement.
Since the launch of the plan, Centre County has worked with various companies to see how they could better support them and their companies growth.
The economic plan consists of four main areas of focus: business retention and expansion, targeted and emerging industries, workforce and education, and built and natural environment.
Within these four main areas, there are plenty of sub categories and goals in order to put each main focus into effect.
Within the business retention and expansion topic, some specifc focuses include streamlining and expanding resources for early stage businesses, and fnding businesses with
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and after every game.
substantial growth and communicating with them to fnd out what they need in order to grow to the next level and ensure that they can do that while also staying in Centre County. In order to do this the CBICC and Economic Development Council plan to work to “formalize a multi-organizational concierge service to help entrepreneurs and small business owners navigate the pathway to start and sustain a business in Centre County.” Implementing this plan would include creating a resource guide for all new businesses to view.
In order to follow through with the plan, the county will “increase access to capital by building tighter connections between entrepreneurs and Penn State, particularly aligned with Pa.’s targeted industries.”
To evaluate how the plan was working for each business, the CBICC would conduct an annual survey of all employers to learn what is keeping them in Centre County and what they would need in order to grow and evolve. The second category
Legendary feld gets new name
The Nittany Lions will be playing on West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, thanks to a $50 million donation by B.J. Werzyn, owner of West Shore Home, a home improvement company based in Mechanicsburg.
Werzyn had to tread respectfully with one of the nation’s most recognizable largest stadiums, a venue that had the name Beaver — in honor of former Pennsylvania Gov. James A. Beaver ― associated with it since 1893.
“It was important for them to keep the Beaver Stadium name,” he said in a release. “When there was a chance to partner with the school again, to be a part of that iconic venue, it was a real no-brainer for me.”
Penn State announced the naming rights deal in March, saying Werzyn’s gift would “ensure a future foundation for Penn State football and for all of Penn State’s 31 athletics programs.”
“As an alumnus of our great University and a business owner in central Pennsylvania, B.J. understands the critical role that Beaver Stadium plays in our community,” Kraft said at the time.
Fans react after the opener:
“They have completely put in new seats on the west side temporarily. And then they built a new soccer turf feld that took away a lot of the parking between Jeffrey Field and the BJC (Bryce Jordan Center).” – Ray Hoppel, of Lewistown
“It was a lot easier to walk around on the west side, but I missed the restrooms. There were a lot of porta potties set up. Despite the construction, I still think it will be a good atmosphere this year. We Are!!!”
– Terra Noerr, of Lewistown
“We went, we didn’t have any issues. They’re working on the opposite side of the stadium from where our seats are. I’ve seen some pics of the artist’s rendering of what it’ll look like when it is fnished … it’ll be a beautiful stadium.” – Brian Rothrock, of Lewistown
“They took out the ramp we used to go up to our seats. We are in (section) WF and behind our section is where the construction started, and there are no bathrooms other than the job Johnnies. And very limited food and beverage items.”
– Ed Stewart, of Lewistown
“I was there for our tailgate but watched the frst quarter in the parking lot. The entire west side of the stadium allowed no entry or exit, so it all had to get funneled into the north end. It seemed like a bit of a cluster but all in all, it seemed like it fowed relatively well considering.”
– Jason Ufema of Lewistown
focuses on targeted and emerging industries. One of the main projects in this category include the development of sensors. The economic development plan reads, “Mount Nittany Health is reinvesting $600 million over seven years into the community with new technology, clinical programming and services, and Penn State is expanding its corporate engagement center to grow and deepen relationships with companies.”
In attempts to do this, some of the specifcs involve developing a regional brand that goes beyond Penn State University and State College and represents both, and establishing an advisory group to embed sensor technology advances in all Pennsylvania targeted industry sectors.
Sensor technology is one of the most talked about topics in this category and within the entire development plan. “The sensor market is expected to increase nearly 10% from 2024-31. Analytic laboratory instrument manufacturing is heavily concentrated in the county,” the plan
states
The plan also describes that sensor technology of all types, including pressure, temperature, image, motion, fngerprint, level, gas, magnetic, position, and light, are concentrated in Centre County.
The plan at hand is to continue to research and develop sensor technology.
“The convergence of sensor and robotics technology propelled by AI offers transformative potential for precision farming. This integration can result in autonomous farming systems that perform routine agricultural tasks and adapt to changing environmental conditions thereby enhancing crop resilience in the face of climate change.” In order to keep this plan afoat and make sure things are running smoothly, the CBICC plans to provide opportunities for quarterly updates from Penn State representatives during Chamber of Economic Development council meetings.
The third category is the workforce and education section, where the hope is to strengthen workforce
ecosystem connections to develop and retain talent.
The frst point of the plan states, “Formalize more networking and professional development events between Penn State students, young professional groups, and local employers to build relationships with entry level talent.” They also hope to launch a talent attraction campaign aligned with the county’s targeted industries. The workforce and education standpoint goes hand in hand, as students of Penn State will help and gain from the growing workforce.
The pathway to the workforce will start even as young as middle school and high school in Centre County, ensuring that children are getting the correct education needed to grow and succeed.
The fnal section, Built and Natural Environment, is the section that highlights State College and Centre County as a whole. It highlights the needs to improve Centre County’s cosmetics.
The frst written point in the plan states, “Amplify Happy Valley as Central Pa’s
tourism, outdoor recreation, and sports destination hub.” In 2024 alone, an estimated fve million people traveled to Penn State for sporting events. The goal is to continue to get bigger and better, bringing more people in each year.The ultimate goal on top of upgrading Centre County’s appearance, is to make it a more pleasurable place to live. The plan is to commit to better and more attainable housing, invest in more spots for social gatherings and events, and expand and “improve entertainment, meeting, arts, and sports venues to strengthen the vitality of Centre County.” By splitting the plan into four different main topics, it provides a clear vision for what and how things will be improved. As society progresses, it’s important that places and ideas progress along with it. By improving businesses, industries, work and schools, and the environment, Centre County is hitting every main issue all within the same plan of action.
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfast in prayer.