According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Penn State will be making an official announcement on Friday regarding the start of a Men’s and Women’s division-1 hockey program.
The school I’m told has received an $88 million dollar donation to jumpstart the programs. The money will be allocated towards a new facility and scholarships.
Inside Pittsburgh Sports has learned, $75 million will go to the new arena and $13 million will go to scholarships for both programs.
The school will also be making a second announcement on Monday regarding “personnel” but there will be no announcement regarding the hiring of coaches.
The Men’s hockey coaching positions have already been coveted with one current D-1 coach inquiring and a former NHL coach has also inquired, source tells Inside Pittsburgh Sports.
Penn State is highly expected to join the CCHA conference and many inside the industry expect the school to have long-term success with both programs.
Notes: Inside Pittsburgh Sports has learned, the new arena is scheduled to open in 2013. The arena will be a stand alone building across from Bryce Jordan center and will have two sheets of ice. A practice/figure skating sheet and the main arena