STATE COLLEGE, Pa., February 18, 2003 - More than 45,000 visitors have toured the Penn State All-Sports Museum during its first year of operation.
The museum celebrated its first anniversary on Monday, Feb. 17. There have been 45,888 visitors to the magnificent facility since it opened, according to Lou Prato, museum director.
The museum honors the student-athletes and coaches down through history who have helped make Penn State's intercollegiate athletic program one of the best in the nation. Exhibits highlight the success of 32 varsity men's and women's sports, including three that no longer have varsity status-boxing, bowling and rifle.
The museum is located in the southwest corner of Beaver Stadium adjacent to the museum gift shop operated by the Penn State Book Store. A canopy leading from Curtin Road marks the museum entrance.
There are two floors of exhibition space in the 10,000 square foot facility, with indoor sports occupying the second floor and outdoor sports on the first floor.
The lobby features a new sculpture of the Nittany Lion Mascot and a large display case holding the 57 National Championship trophies and plaques won by Penn State's athletic teams since 1921. Through March 16, the All-Sports Museum will have the following schedule:
Monday and Tuesday Closed Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 12-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The museum will resume regular hours on Tuesday, March 18. The regular weekday and Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday hours are 12 to 4 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays.
Admission to the museum is free but visitors need to obtain a souvenir ticket at the museum reception desk for entry into the exhibits. Visitors can park at the parking meters in the lot directly across Curtin Road from the Museum entrance and the parking meters located in the Founder's Lot on the East side of the Bryce Jordan Center.
