Penn State’s athletic director, Pat Kraft, is nominated for a renowned award. Kraft, now in his third year managing the Nittany Lions’ athletic department, has been named one of five nominees for Sports Business Journal’s Athletic Director of the Year award.
Kraft stands out as the only Big Ten athletic director within a lineup of nominees featuring Boise State’s Jeramiah Dickey, Vanderbilt’s Candice Storey Lee, Iowa State’s Jamie Pollard, and Tennessee’s Danny White.
Penn State topped the Big Ten and was No. 3 nationwide in the fall Learfield Directors’ Cup standings, marking the best achievement of Kraft’s time in charge.
The women’s volleyball team of the Nittany Lions triumphed over Louisville in December to secure their first national championship in ten years. The football team from Penn State, on the other hand, made its debut in the College Football Playoff and achieved victory in two postseason games leading to the semifinals.
Kraft has also overseen the $700 million renovation of Beaver Stadium, which is anticipated to finish before the 2027 football season.
Kraft mentioned two weeks ago that the project has garnered more than $130 million in contributions. They encompass a number of significant donations that will lead to the naming of a west sideline club, a field club, a welcome center, and the west tower to honor their respective benefactors.
In a forward-thinking step, Kraft facilitated the sale of the naming rights for Beaver Stadium’s field to West Shore Home in a groundbreaking $50 million deal last week. The contribution will rank as the second-largest monetary donation in Penn State’s history and is poised to play a major role in the $700 million renovation initiative for Beaver Stadium.
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