UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Athletics has received a $25 million Beaver Stadium Founders Gift from the Misitano family and PAM Health for the Beaver Stadium Revitalization project. The gift, which is the second-largest in Penn State Athletics history, is a keystone gift for transformative renovations that will elevate the fan experience, drive economic growth in the region and increase revenue in support of all 31 teams.
“We are so very grateful to the Misitano family and PAM Health for their generous gift to the Beaver Stadium Revitalization project,” said Dr. Patrick Kraft, vice president for intercollegiate athletics. “The Misitano family has a long history with Penn State Athletics and has been unbelievably supportive of a number of sports programs, and this tremendous Founders Gift is another example of their devotion to Penn State. Words cannot express the appreciation we have for the Misitano family and PAM Health for their commitment to be leaders in this important project to make Beaver Stadium even more iconic than it already is.”
The Misitano family, who have been Penn State Football season ticket holders since 1978 and also have season tickets for men’s basketball and men’s hockey, have previously made significant gifts to the Football Excellence Fund and endowed scholarships for field hockey, women’s hockey and women’s basketball.
Upon the completion of the Beaver Stadium Revitalization project, the newly constructed West Tower naming opportunity will recognize their generous gift. The West Tower will be home to a University Welcome Center, expanded concourses with open views of the field and modern amenities, private luxury suites, loge boxes and two distinct club seat experiences with lounge access. It will also feature more than 59,000 square feet of public-facing event space.
"It is a true honor for our family to contribute to the Beaver Stadium Revitalization project,” said Anthony Misitano. “As lifelong Penn Staters, we’ve had the privilege of building relationships with many coaches, student-athletes and University leaders. As this project began to take shape, we recognized how important the revitalization of Penn State’s iconic landmark is to those people, the University, this Happy Valley community and the state of Pennsylvania. This initiative is essential in maintaining Penn State’s status as one of the nation’s elite institutions, and we are proud to support it."
Leaders in the Beaver Stadium Revitalization project, the Beaver Stadium Founders are donors making transformational gifts of eight figures or more. As Founders, these benefactors play a vital role in allowing Penn State Athletics to execute a renovation plan that will not only allow the rich history of Beaver Stadium to be preserved, but also modernize the facility while making it a year-round venue. The generous gifts of the Beaver Stadium Founders will be recognized in a plaza outside of Beaver Stadium at the completion of the renovation.
“The Misitano family and PAM Health have placed us in an extraordinary position with this generous lead gift for the Beaver Stadium Revitalization,” said Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi. “The Misitano family’s understanding of Beaver Stadium’s significance to our campus and community, as well as the broader importance of football and intercollegiate athletics as the front door to our institution for so many, is truly inspiring. I am deeply grateful to the Misitano family for their remarkable generosity and leadership in supporting the Beaver Stadium Revitalization, which will uphold Penn State’s unwavering commitment to excellence on and off the field and positively impact the local economy for many years to come.”
Anthony and Catherine Misitano, and their daughter, Brittany, are life-long Penn State Football fans and suite holders. Anthony is the founder and CEO of PAM Health. Located in Enola, Pennsylvania, PAM Health provides high-quality, post-acute care services that foster meaningful improvement and recovery for people with injuries, illnesses and disabilities.
Anthony earned his bachelor’s degree in health care administration from the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State in 1977. He also earned his master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in organizational improvement in health care from Penn State in 1981. Anthony is a co-owner of the Pittsburgh Passion Women’s Football team, along with Dana and Dok Harris, the wife and son of the late Penn State legend Franco Harris. Additionally, Anthony currently serves on the Board of Central PA Elite Basketball, Board of Bishop Guilfoyle High School, Penn State Altoona Advisory Board and the Board of Surgical Management Professionals. Anthony previously served on the Penn State Advisory Committee to the Board of Trustees.
Catherine earned her nursing degree from Altoona Hospital School of Nursing in 1977. She is the CEO of Life Saver CPR, Inc., a firm dedicated to training individuals how to save lives through the immediate performance of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and rapid defibrillation using an automated external defibrillator (AED). Since 2003, Catherine has been a CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS) instructor for the American Heart Association. Catherine currently serves on the Board of Directors for Central PA Elite Basketball as the treasurer.
Brittany carried on the Penn State legacy and is a 2015 graduate of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications with a degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in health policy administration. Following her graduation from Penn State, Brittany graduated from Widener University Commonwealth Law School. She was also an intern at the White House in 2017. Brittany currently serves as president of PAM Health.
In 2016, the Misitano family was honored with the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania Community Hero Award, which honors a person/people who has done a wide array of good for the Special Olympics and their athletes.
“On a personal level, I am so appreciative to Tony, Cathy and Brittany for their friendship since my wife, Betsy, the kids and I have arrived on campus,” added Kraft.
About Beaver Stadium Revitalization
In May 2024, the Penn State Board of Trustees approved investing in a $700 million renovation of Beaver Stadium, which will grow revenue-generating opportunities, transform the fan and community experience, and fuel the future funding for all 31 athletics programs at Penn State. The approved renovations will enable year-round use of Beaver Stadium, further driving economic growth and development in the surrounding region.
For more information on the Beaver Stadium Revitalization, please visit gopsusports.com/beaverstadiumrenovation.
About Philanthropy at Penn State
Support for the Beaver Stadium Revitalization project advances the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients, and communities across the Commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.