University Park, Pa. -- The Nittany Lions have not played in Beaver Stadium since April, but there has been much activity in and around the facility over the past four months.
With the Aug. 30 season opener vs. Coastal Carolina rapidly approaching, work is culminating on a number of improvements to Beaver Stadium that will enhance the gameday experience and safety in the nation's largest stadium.
"Many folks have been very busy in the off season accomplishing a long list of improvements to the stadium," said Mark Bodenschatz, associate athletic director for facilities and operations. "Many thanks go to the Office of Physical Plant, numerous consultants and contractors, feedback from our loyal Nittany Lion Club members and staff from Intercollegiate Athletics and other partner organizations at Penn State."
One of the most significant stadium enhancements is the construction of a new Emergency Medical Services (EMS) facility on the east side, ground level, of the stadium. The new facility features much more space and the ability for more privacy for the patrons. A reception and waiting area, nurses' station, patient bays, ADA accessibility and restrooms are among the features of the EMS facility.
"We realized we needed more space. We needed better access for our patient," said Dave Jones, Penn State EMS manager. "We needed more to be able to do what we needed to do, treatment-wise, for our patients. This is not an emergency room. But it's meant to handle emergencies that would occur in the stadium, and at least try to stabilize the patient for transport. Minor injuries, breathing problems, dehydration, heat, nausea, vomiting, anything like that, we'll see here. A lot of those patients get released and they go back to the game or we'll advise them to go home or follow up at the hospital."
For photos from the work at Beaver Stadium, visit http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/1763.
Among the other Beaver Stadium improvements that have been completed or are nearing completion are:
-- New LED ribbon boards that run the length of the end zones on the north and south deck facings. The ribbon boards will be the brightest message centers in the stadium and include game information and statistics, as well as interactive messaging for the crowd;
-- A new sound system for the concourse and ground levels of the stadium. There should be substantial improvement in the quality of sound to all points under the bowl, including concession areas and restrooms. A new sound system was installed for the stadium bowl prior to the 2007 season;
-- New field lighting is being installed that will improve the brightness on the field and the reliability of the entire lighting system. The new lights will bring the average foot candle to on the field to just over 100, a substantial improvement from the previous level. Penn State will host Illinois at 8 p.m. on Sept. 27 and Michigan at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 18 for Homecoming;
-- A new entry gate for ADA patrons has been established at the site of the old EMS facility on the west side of the stadium, in addition to Gates A, B, C and E;
-- The ongoing power washing and painting project in the seating area included some sections on the west side of the stadium. In addition, structure upgrades and painting have occurred on the underside of the stadium;
-- Penn State's highly successful recycling program in the parking lots is being expanded to inside the stadium;
-- New flat-screen HDTVs are being installed in the Mount Nittany Club for club patrons.
Also, a new Gameday Operations command center is being constructed to assist in the coordination and efficiency of all stadium and gameday operations.
Additional improvements for fans entering the stadium and fans with ticketing and parking questions will be announced soon.
The Nittany Lions, ranked No. 22 in the USA Today Coaches' pre-season poll, will face eight bowl teams from 2007 this fall, including five at home. The Coastal Carolina contest will kick at noon and air on the Big Ten Network, the Penn State Sports Network and GoPSUsports.com. The Big Ten Network will debut on Comcast Cable systems throughout the eight Big Ten states on Aug. 15. A minimum of three Penn State football games will air on the Big Ten Network this season, including the season opener, the Sept. 20 game with Temple (noon) and at least one conference clash.
Penn State Football Eve will launch the season on Friday, Aug. 29, with activities starting at 6 p.m. outside Beaver Stadium. The program inside the stadium starts at 7:45 p.m. featuring the Blue Band, cheerleaders, dance team and videos. The seniors will be introduced and after Coach Joe Paterno's address to the crowd a new stadium video will be unveiled. The event and parking are free.
Also on Aug. 29, the Penn State women's soccer team plays Florida State at 5 p.m. in its home opener.
Paterno's 43rd Penn State team returns 35 letterwinners and 16 starters for the 2008 season. Penn State has won 31 of its last 40 games, tied for eighth-best record in the nation over that span.