Penn State opens Paterno Family Football Experience Room

Penn State Athletics and the Penn State All-Sports Museum have opened the Paterno Family Football Experience Room, a permanent exhibit celebrating over a century of football history. Located within West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, the renovated space utilizes historic artifacts, interactive digital displays, and multimedia storytelling to honor the program’s athletes, coaches, and traditions.

Key features of the exhibit include a dedicated Coach Joe Paterno display, which showcases his original office desk, personal artifacts, and a timeline of his six-decade career. The room also features interactive displays of program milestones, championship seasons, and historic footage, alongside various trophies such as the Heisman Trophy and national awards.

The project was funded through various donations, including a lead gift from an anonymous donor, technology contributions from alumnus Sean Mummert, and support from Michael and Patty Kirschner for the Coach Paterno desk exhibit.