Stadium may expand to meet ticket demand

On Oct. 12, thousands of people watched as the Penn State football team defeated Ohio State in the last few minutes of the game.

Some fans were not in the crowd: those who could not get tickets at all.

After years of sold-out home football games and record crowds, the Athletic Department is researching the possibility of adding 6,000 to 12,000 seats to Beaver Stadium and expanding its facilities, according to a University news release.

"The fact is that at this point last year, we could not accommodate everyone who wanted season tickets," said Tim Curley, director of athletics.

The stadium was renovated in 1991 when 10,033 seats were added, according to the release. But even that expansion could not meet the demand for tickets from Nittany Lion fans.

"The Nittany Lion Club demands increases each year because it grows each year," Meredith said. "(The number of people turned away) will continue growing unless additional seats are added."

A significant expansion in student seating is not a focus of the study, Curley said.

"We've been able to accommodate most students each year," he explained.

Last year, only a few hundred students were turned away, Meredith said, although he would like to meet all student requests.

Although the study will seek to increase the number of regular seats sold at lower prices, the feasibility of adding club and private boxes will also be explored, according to the release.

Some concern has been raised about the necessity and image of private boxes, Curley said. Private boxes have become a trend in football seating and he has received both positive and negative feedback about adding them.

"I'm not overly in favor (of private boxes)," said University Trustee Emeritus Helen Wise. "I think it adds a touch of elitism that we don't need at a land-grant university."

The athletic department is using a survey to gauge the interest of ticketholders, Curley said. The results of the survey will not be available until later in the semester, he said.

In addition to seating, Curley said the study will research possible improvements in facilities, sewage, parking and roads around the stadium. These last two concerns are areas Wise hopes the study will address.

"If we were to add 20,000 seats, we're going to add (that number) of cars," she said. "And I don't think it's just adding parking spaces."

Wise, who has priority parking, said she waited for three hours to leave Happy Valley after the Ohio State game. The possibility of another access road near the stadium is one consideration the study could look into, she said.

If the expansion does occur, construction will not begin until after next football season, Curley said.