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UNIVERSITY PARK - Penn State Athletics and the Penn State All-Sports Museum have announced the opening of the Paterno Family Football Experience Room, a permanent museum experience celebrating more than a century of Penn State Football history.
Located within West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium and the Penn State All-Sports Museum, the newly renovated room brings together historic artifacts, interactive displays and multimedia storytelling to recognize the student-athletes, coaches, staff, teams and traditions that have shaped the program.
The project was made possible through the generosity of several supporters of Penn State Football. Penn State Athletics received a lead gift from an anonymous donor supporting the creation and naming of the Paterno Family Football Experience Room. Penn State alumnus Sean Mummert contributed state-of-the-art technology, while Michael and Patty Kirschner supported the development of the Coach Paterno desk exhibit and historical display.
"Penn State Football's history belongs to generations of student-athletes, coaches, staff and supporters who helped build this program," said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Pat Kraft. "This room gives us an opportunity to preserve that history, present it thoughtfully and create an experience that connects the proud tradition of Penn State Football with its future."
Experience Room Highlights
Coach Joe Paterno Exhibit: Coach Paterno's original office desk and workspace, personal artifacts and a curated timeline documenting significant moments from his more than six decades at Penn State.
Interactive Football History: Digital displays featuring program milestones, championship seasons, landmark victories, interviews and historic footage.
Trophies and Honors: Penn State bowl trophies, the Heisman Trophy, national awards, All-America recognition and other individual honors.
Players, Coaches and Captains: Recognition of the program's lettermen, team captains, head coaches, assistant coaches and College and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees.
Beaver Stadium and Fan Traditions: The evolution of Beaver Stadium and video features exploring Nittanyville, the White Out and other traditions of the Penn State Football community.
Penn State Football Today: A presentation of head coach Matt Campbell and the current direction of the program.
In addition to serving as a historical destination, the room will provide a multi-purpose engagement space for donor and alumni gatherings, Letterman events and special program celebrations.
The Paterno Family Football Experience Room opens to the public Thursday, Sept. 3, at 10 a.m. and will remain open that evening as part of Night at the Museums from 4-8 p.m. Public hours continue Friday, Sept. 4, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Additional hours aligned with the Penn State All-Sports Museum's regular schedule will be announced at a later date.
Opened in 2002, the Penn State All-Sports Museum is located at the southwest corner of Beaver Stadium and honors the achievements of the men and women who have built the tradition of Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays from noon-4 p.m. On football game weekends, Sunday hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is by suggested donation of $8 for adults and $5 for children, seniors and students.