Penn State Hockey Moves To Division 1 Thanks To Terry Pegula.

Buffalo Sabres owner and Penn State Alumnus Terry Pegula make headlines two years ago when he announced he would donate 102 million dollars to Penn State to finance the construction of a new arena. Penn State had to make the move to division 1 to receive the money. Somehow, when 102 million dollars is out there waiting for a college sports program, they can get the paperwork completed to move to D1.

When you think of college hockey, whom do you think of? The Ivy league, Denver, M’s (Minnesota, Michigan), Dakotas, Boston area schools. Pennsylvania schools are not in the conversation. However, you get a new arena and the push to be the only D1 power in the area, you now increase your zone of influence to include New York State, Ohio, all of Pennsylvania, and the New England states. And Canada. If you are a top elite player coming out of a AAA travel program, would you want to skate at a Division 1 school against other top players? Or would you play a division 3 like SUNY Brockport or

Next year, you will have a new arena and be part of the Big Ten Hockey  conference. Your games will be on the Big Ten network. You will have a chance to be in the NCAA tournament at the end of the season. Who know, maybe a spot in the Frozen Four?

Playing in front of a sold out arena of 1,300 that including a standing room only crowd, Penn State lost it’s season opener to American International 3-2 in overtime. What amazed the players was the energy in the building. And the crowds. Standing the entire game. A sold out Greenberg Ice Pavilion. Hopefully the first of many. Thanks to Terry Pegula and his massive donation. And we should be trying this at Arizona State.