This story originally appeared in the February 2026 issue of Town&Gown magazine.
On Jan. 6, 1996, the first event, winter commencement, was held in the brand-new Bryce Jordan Center on Penn State’s University Park campus. Named for the university’s 14th president, who served from 1983 to 1990, the multi-purpose facility has since become the major entertainment center for Central Pennsylvania over the last three decades, serving a wide range of needs — from academic convocations, cultural events, and conventions to athletics, concerts, alumni functions, and many other types of events.
On Jan. 28, 1991, Pennsylvania Governor Robert Casey announced a state program that included $16.8 million to design and build an events center at Penn State. Penn State President Joab Thomas spoke about the need for a multi-purpose facility, as the current university facilities were inadequate for the number and types of events that Penn Stateheld at the main campus.
At the time of its construction, the Bryce Jordan Center was Penn State’s single largest construction project ever, at a cost of $55 million. The center was built as a partnership between the university and the state, with $22 million coming from Penn State and $33 million from the Commonwealth.
Bryce Jordan Center General Manager Al Karosas has spent his entire career, in some capacity, with the BJC, first starting there in May 1995, a few months before the center opened. During his time at the venue, Karosas has been a marketing assistant, group sales manager, events manager, assistant general manager, associate general manager, and general manager for the past 10 years.
Karosas likes to say that the staff at the Bryce Jordan Center works when people work, and they work when people play, as there are plenty of really long days.
“The great thing about my job is that it is really never the same,” he says. “There are always a lot of meetings, and I mean ‘a lot’ of meetings with other BJC and PSU team members, clients, potential clients, etc.”
Karosas oversees all operations of the Jordan Center, including ticketing, marketing, events, and the food and beverage departments.
“I am also in charge of booking the venue, so I spend a decent amount of time talking with promoters and agents to see what may work, what doesn’t work, and what works with our schedule,” he says.
As far as major highlights in the history of the BJC during his time there, Karosas can name so many that come to mind, whether it be concerts, sporting events, or other types of shows.
“I’ll be honest — I change my answer every time I think about it,” he says. “We have had so many unbelievable events at the BJC since we opened in 1996.”
Over the last 30 years, the Bryce Jordan Center has hosted legendary musicians and bands across many genres — from rock/ pop icons like the Eagles, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, and Phil Collins, to country acts such as Garth Brooks, George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Carrie Underwood heard the BJC.”
Another BJC event Karosas notes was the first major event held post-9/11 at the center – an NBA exhibition game between the Washington Wizards and the Philadelphia 76ers on Oct. 22, 2001. The game was significant for the university and the Bryce Jordan Center, as it was one of Michael Jordan’s earliest games with the Wizards since coming out of retirement.
“I could go on and on — about Garth (Brooks), PSU wrestling, the Backstreet Boys filming a music video in the BJC, and hosting NCAA Championships in wrestling, gymnastics, and fencing,” Karosas adds. Karosas is very proud of the many things they have done at the BJC in its 30-year history but says it’s hard to pinpoint one event as their greatest accomplishment.
“Since we are a part of the university and our mission is our students, I am incredibly proud of all of the students and interns that have worked for us and gone on and done amazing things,” he says. “Many are still in the industry, such as the Jonas Brothers’ manager, managers, and employees of other major venues, agents, and promoters.”
When it first opened, the Bryce Jordan Center featured a wide, circular concourse with concession stands, restrooms, 20 television monitors, and 34 entrances to the main arena — giving fans the ultimate entertainment value and experience. With a 92-foot-high ceiling and 16,000 seats, the Bryce Jordan Center was the fourth-largest arena in the state and the third-largest arena in the Big Ten.
In the past three years, the Bryce Jordan Center has made significant improvements to its facility — some that can be seen and some that are more mechanical or structural. Some of the upgrades they have completed recently include: a full makeover of their meeting rooms (including major LED screens, Zoom technology, and new counters, carpet, etc.); a full renovation of their press and green rooms; a new concourse floor; a newly renovated practice gym; and renovated concession stands.
In addition to renovated concession stands, the BJC has installed automatic billing, with the addition of two walk-in/walk-out stores where guests can walk into the space, pick up whatever food/drink they would like, and then walk out.
“We were the first arena in PA to have this technology,” Karosas notes. “We are looking at other upgrades as well for the near future.”
The Bryce Jordan Center doesn’t have anything in particular planned for the venue’s 30th anniversary, but 2026 is sure to be filled with some new and exciting shows. “I think we just continue to do what we do best — provide a place where people can have fun!” Karosas says. “We have a great list ofupcoming events, and I’m sure we’ll have plenty more as we celebrate the 30th anniversary year.”
Some of the highlights at the Bryce Jordan Center for 2026 include: Dancing with the Stars: Live! — 2026 Tour on Feb. 4; The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour on Feb. 24; Winter Jam 2026 on March 28; Jeff Dunham “Artificial Intelligence Tour” on April 23; Journey — Final Frontier Tour 2026 on May 27; and “Weird Al” Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour on Oct. 11.
Karosas hopes the Bryce Jordan Center will continue to provide the people of Central Pennsylvania with some of the best live entertainment that they can, and provide experiences they will remember for a lifetime.
“When they hear the BJC, I want people to transport themselves back to whatever event was something that they hold dear to them — getting amazing seats to see Garth, walking across the commencement stage, or getting a high five from a PSU basketball player,” he says. “I also hope that we continue to get the amazing support of our guests and continue to have the best arena staff in the country.” T&G
Jason C. Klose is a Central PA Arts & Entertainment writer.
