UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Athletics has received a $25 million Founders’ Gift from the Misitano family and PAM Health for the Beaver Stadium revitalization project. The gift, the second largest in Penn State Athletics history, is a key foundation for transformative renovations that will enhance the fan experience, spur economic growth in the region and increase revenue to support all 31 teams.
“We are very grateful to the Misitano family and PAM Health for their generous donation to the Beaver Stadium revitalization project,” said Dr. Patrick Kraft, vice president of collegiate athletics. “The Misitano family has a long history of involvement with Penn State athletics and has been an incredible supporter of a number of athletic programs. This tremendous founder’s gift is another example of their dedication to Penn State. Words cannot express how grateful we are to the Misitano family and PAM Health for their commitment to taking the lead on this important project to make Beaver Stadium even more iconic than it already is.”
The Misitano family, a Penn State football season ticket holder since 1978 and also holds season tickets for men’s basketball and men’s hockey, has made significant donations to the Football Excellence Fund in the past and has sponsored scholarships for field hockey, women’s hockey and women’s basketball.
Upon completion of the Beaver Stadium revitalization project, the naming of the newly constructed West Tower will honor their generous donation. The West Tower will house a university welcome center, expanded concourses with unobstructed field views and modern amenities, private luxury suites, loge boxes and two distinct club seating experiences with lounge access. It will also feature more than 5,500 square feet of publicly accessible 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 have had the privilege of building relationships with many coaches, student-athletes and university leaders. As this project took shape, we recognized how important the revitalization of Penn State’s iconic landmark is to these people, the university, this Happy Valley community and the state of Pennsylvania. This initiative is critical to maintaining Penn State’s status as one of the nation’s elite institutions, and we are proud to support it.”
The Beaver Stadium Founders are the leaders of the Beaver Stadium revitalization project and donors who make transformative gifts of eight figures or more. As founders, these benefactors play a vital role in ensuring Penn State Athletics can implement a renovation plan that not only preserves Beaver Stadium’s rich history, but also modernizes the facility and makes it a year-round venue. The Beaver Stadium Founders’ generous donations will be recognized on a plaza outside Beaver Stadium upon completion of the renovation.
“The Misitano family and PAM Health have put us in an extraordinary position with this generous donation to the revitalization of Beaver Stadium,” said Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi. “The Misitano family’s understanding of the importance of Beaver Stadium to our campus and community, as well as the broader importance of football and college sports as a gateway 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 revitalization of Beaver Stadium, 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 lifelong fans of Penn State football and have a suite. Anthony is the founder and CEO of PAM Health. Based in Enola, Pennsylvania, PAM Health provides high-quality post-acute care services that promote meaningful improvement and recovery for people with injuries, illnesses and disabilities.
Anthony earned his bachelor’s degree in health administration from Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development in 1977. He also earned his master’s degree in public administration with a concentration 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. In addition, Anthony currently serves on the board of directors of Central PA Elite Basketball, the board of directors of Bishop Guilfoyle High School, the Penn State Altoona Advisory Board, and the Board of Surgical Management Professionals. Anthony previously served on the Penn State Advisory Committee of 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 company dedicated to educating individuals how to save lives through immediate 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 as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of Central PA Elite Basketball.
Continuing the Penn State legacy, Brittany graduated from the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications in 2015 with a degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in health policy administration. After graduating from Penn State, Brittany attended Widener University Commonwealth Law School. She also interned 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 an individual or individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Special Olympics and its athletes in many ways.
“On a personal level, I am very grateful to Tony, Cathy and Brittany for their friendship since my wife Betsy, the children and I arrived on campus,” Kraft added.
About the revitalization of Beaver Stadium
In May 2024, Penn State’s Board of Trustees approved an investment in a $700 million renovation of Beaver Stadium that will increase revenue opportunities, enhance the fan and community experience, and secure future funding for all 31 Penn State athletic programs. The approved renovations will enable year-round use of Beaver Stadium, promoting economic growth and development in the surrounding region.
For more information on the Beaver Stadium revitalization, visit gopsusports.com/beaverstadiumrenovation.
About Philanthropy at Penn State
Supporting the Beaver Stadium revitalization project furthers the university’s historic mission to serve and lead. Through their philanthropy, alumni and friends help students join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; they advance research, outreach and economic development that build our collective strength and readiness for the future; and they increase the university’s impact on families, patients and communities across the Commonwealth and around the world. For more information, visit raise.psu.edu.
