Beaver Stadium, home of the
Penn State Nittany Lions, is the second largest stadium in college
football after its latest renovation. Throughout the past century the Nittany Lions have played at several facilities including a previous
Beaver Stadium. Prior to playing at the current location, the original
Beaver Stadium was located on the west side of campus and seated
30,000 fans. Named for James Beaver, President of the Board of
Trustees, the Nittany Lions played at the original Beaver Stadium from
1909 until 1959. The university decided to disassemble the stadium and
move it to its current location after the 1959 season. The team played
its first game in the rebuilt stadium on September 17, 1960 against
Boston University. Beaver Stadium had a new capacity of 46,284 in a
horseshoe configuration.
The first of many expansions to Beaver
Stadium came in 1969 when the capacity was increased by 2,000. Several
additions came in the 1970s including increasing the capacity to
57,000. In 1976, the bleachers in the south end zone were expanded. By
1978 the capacity was at 76,000 after the track was removed from the
stadium and the stadium was cut into sections and raised, adding new
seats where the track was. Two years later the capacity was raised to
83,770 and lights were installed in 1984. An upper deck was added in
1991 increasing the capacity by 10,000. Because of continued fan
support PSU has continued to improve and expand Beaver Stadium. The
latest renovations were completed before the start of the
2001 season. These renovations included the addition of a 10,000 seat
upper deck, a new video/scoreboard, 60 luxury suites, 4,000 club
seats, and new restrooms and concessions. Today, Beaver Stadium is the
second largest stadium in college football with a capacity of 107,282.
With its size, Beaver Stadium was named the 5th scariest place for
opposing teams to play.
FACTS & FIGURES
-Tenant:
Penn State Nittany Lions -Conference: Big Ten -Capacity: 107,282 -Surface:
Grass -Opened:
September 17, 1960 -Cost:
Unknown
-Seating Chart
-Penn
State Beavers Website
NITTANY LIONS
TIDBITS
NEXT GAME
2009 SCHEDULE
Famous Players:
LaVar Arrington, Kerry
Collins, Rob Holmberg, Matt Suhey School Traditions: Nittany Lion Legend,
Nittany Lion Shrine, Blue and White team colors
Akron
Zipsvs. Penn State Nittany Lions Beaver Stadium
September 5, 2009
TBA
Beaver
Stadium
