More Than 100 People Will Be Able to Rappel Down Beaver Stadium to Benefit Centre County United Way

Penn State and the Centre County United Way are teaming up to allow a limited number of people to go “Over the Edge” at Beaver Stadium this spring.

The first 107 participants who raise at least $1,500 will be selected to rappel 110 feet down the west side of the nation’s second largest stadium on May 19. All proceeds will benefit the Centre County United Way, which has been the university’s charity of choice for nearly 50 years.

“Penn State is a proud and steadfast supporter of the Centre County United Way, which supports our neighbors in need through responsive, individualized services at the intersections of health, education and financial stability,” Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said in a statement. “This event represents months of collaboration between Penn State and the United Way, and we are excited to see it become a reality. As a land-grant university committed to improving lives in our communities and our commonwealth, we are proud to continue to partner with the United Way to make a positive impact here in Centre County.”

Those interested in participating must register at the event’s fundraising platform, where they can collect donations toward the goal or simply make their own donation to participate. Anyone is eligible to participate.

The university and CCUW are holding the event with Over the Edge, a company that works with nonprofit organizations in the United States and Canada to run urban rappelling fundraising events.

According to a university news release, the lead-up to the event will include challenges between academic and business units at Penn State to reach fundraising goals and send representatives from their groups to participate in Over the Edge.

“Many people worked to make this event a reality and we’re excited to be able to host Over The Edge at Beaver Stadium,” Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Patrick Kraft said. “The United Way has been an important part of Penn State’s philanthropy and a huge part of our Centre County community. This is a special opportunity and going to be a great event.”

Beaver Stadium has played host to a major CCUW fundraiser in the past: the Trash to Treasure sale that was held each spring for 18 years before it was discontinued in 2020.

Penn State’s United Way campaign is regularly a significant contributor to the CCUW’s overall annual fundraising effort, typically accounting for about 40% of the total to support services and resources provided by more than two dozen partner agencies to approximately one in three Centre County residents every year.

“We are thrilled about the exciting Over the Edge event to be held at Beaver Stadium and we are most grateful for Penn State’s continued commitment to support Centre County United Way, our partner agencies, and, most importantly, our neighbors,” CCUW Executive Director Paula Williams said.  

The Beaver Stadium event isn’t the first Over the Edge fundraiser in Centre County. In recent years community members have rappelled down the 155-foot Fraser Centre in downtown State College to benefit Interfaith Human Services and Faith Centre.