Terry and Kim Pegula finally got to see the “centerpiece” of their transformational gift on Friday October 11.
After a conscious decision to stay away from the construction site for the building that bears their name for almost a year, I had the honor of escorting Terry and Kim on their first “official” tour of the Pegula Ice Arena (PIA).
The tour began at 9:00 a.m. on the morning of the building dedication and “Grand Opening” that included the home opener for the Men’s hockey team that evening against Army. The game was televised nationally on the Big Ten Network.
A quick walk through the offices led us to a brief chat with Head Coach Guy Gadowsky. Guy’s charm and energy had a lot to do with him impressing our search committee and the Pegulas and led to his being named head coach. Penn State Men’s Hockey is in great hands going forward!
Next, we saw the first of the arena’s signature features; the strength and conditioning room. As I described the layout I realized I had lost Terry. When I looked back I saw him staring in amazement and he said, “Joe, are you kidding me? This is nicer than the Sabres weight room!”
After a short demo of the “Rapid Hands” synthetic ice training area, we toured the player lounge, video suite, study lounge and then came to another signature feature, the main locker room. The looks on Terry and Kim’s faces said it all. They were amazed at what the room offered the players and the staff. The logo in the floor, the carpet that looks like an ice surface with skate marks, the video smart board, and even the locker dedicated to our THON child.
Next was the athletic training area and the hydrotherapy room. Again, the Pegula’s marveled at the sophistication of the area and Terry noted that many NHL teams would love to have what they saw in that room. As we walked out onto the home team bench and saw the main arena bowl for the first time, Kim stopped me and said, “This building is amazing! This is better than I ever imagined.”
I introduced an old friend, Army Head Coach Brian Riley, to Terry and Kim and they had a great chat. Terry then addressed the cadets who hung on his every word. He got a little choked up as he described the couple’s commitment to the Wounded Warrior Project. Terry told them how important their service is to the country and how proud he is of them. It was a moment none of those young men will ever forget.
We quickly toured the main concourse level and the Pegula’s were very impressed with the legacy wall that tells the story of East Resources Oil and Gas exploration company which was founded by Terry Pegula. The wall also explains why the Pegula’s felt compelled to make their transformational gift.
Their passion for family, Penn State and hockey is fully encapsulated in the interactive touch screen monitor within the stone wall that represents the Marcellus Shale. Terry is a true champion of energy independence for our nation and a staunch supporter of Pennsylvania’s resurgence as a force in the natural gas industry. He can rattle off facts to dispel the myths and misinformation about the industry and he will tout the jobs created and the tax income derived from the Marcellus gas deposits.
A tour of the club level seating and the Pegula Club was next. This is where club seat holders can order the Pegula Puck sandwich — a hot sausage patty in the shape of a hockey puck with a special sauce that only Hospitality Services Director Jim Purdum and his chef’s really know how to make. We took a walk over to the Pegula suite (suite No. 1 of course), to show off the quality of the premium suites.
Next we went down a level to the next signature feature; the incredible student section which would later fulfill all our expectations and earn its name “the Roar Zone”! Around the corner we walked to the Subway Cafe which is a high-end Subway concept that features 3 fireplaces and TV’s, seats that look into the community rink, an Auntie Anne’s Pretzel station, two Subway sandwich stations and a “cafe” that serves hot and cold coffee drinks and breakfast foods.
As we wound down the tour and landed in the community rink lobby Terry and Kim were as pleased with the building as we all had hoped.
After a few hours to rest and change Terry and Kim returned to the arena with their 3 kids (Jessie, Kelly and Matthew) for the dedication ceremony. The kids had followed the progress of the arena online but being there is person to walk the building just impressed them all.
As we walked onto the ice for the ceremony with other members of “Team Pegula”, the senior administration of Penn State, and former and current players and coaches, I tried my best to take it all in and enjoy the moment.
A nicely done video by former Icer and award winning producer/director Mike Messner, played to the delight of the crowd of close to 600 people on hand to celebrate. Athletic Director Dave Joyner introduced current team captain Tom Olczyk, me, and of course, Terry. We proceeded to “christen” the ice by pouring three vials of melted snow onto the center ice face-off dot, The melted snow came from three sources — Mount Nittany, the Nittany Lion, and the Greenberg Ice rink. The snow had been collected back in February of 2011 and kept in storage especially for this occasion.
These types of public activities are not high on Terry’s list. But after he was introduced and received a lengthy standing ovation, he delivered a message from the heart that perfectly captured his feelings about his family, Penn State and Hockey. Terry and Kim are deeply spiritual people and Terry quoted scripture from Matthew 7:7. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” His speech was perfect.
As we walked off the ice I was treated to a surprise ceremony where a plaque was presented to me by Terry Pegula, Cliff Benson (Smeal Alum & Sabres Sr. VP of Development), Joe Corvaia and David Murphy of Crawford Architects, and the Mortenson Construction Management team.
The plaque shows a “19” representing my 19 years as coach, a “10” which I wore as a player, and a “6” indicating the # of ACHA National titles won by Icer teams when I was the Head Coach. When you look close you also see it says “Joe”. On the floor leading to the ice there are “19” total stripes, “10” are blue, and the entry is “6” feet wide. The plaque is displayed on the wall just before the benches as the teams walk onto the ice.
It was very humbling. I embraced all my fellow “Team Pegula” colleagues before I came to Terry and Cliff. At that moment I hugged them both, broke down in tears and told them how much their friendship means to me. It was one of those rare moments that make all the sacrifices all worth it.
Prior to the game they did it to me again. Our Marketing manager Mike Wierzbicki and his assistant Dana Crouse would not let me preview the pre-game video. Mike went so far as to tell me people were going to love it but that I probably wouldn’t be happy with a portion of it. I almost insisted I get to see the video as I did not want to embarrass the Pegula’s.
So as those of us who would participate on the ceremonial puck drop stood on the bench watching the video, my old player turned TV Director Mike Messner played an incredible six minute video that told the story of this impossible dream come true. And of course, I got snookered as the piece talked about my role with PSU hockey. It brought me to tears for the second time that day.
I was incredibly humbled once again. I looked into the crowd and found my wife Heidi, who has been a part of this journey since 1981, and my parents who allowed me to pursue the sport I loved both as an athlete and a coach. I gave them a wave and hope they understand how indebted I am to them.
So many people were involved in the 66 year journey that spanned the last varsity season in 1947 to the dedication of the new arena on October11, 2013. Seeing all the hockey alumni, from 1940’s star player John Dufford, to former Icer teammates to players I coached and to all the recent grads with huge smiles of pride on their faces gave me a feeling of tremendous fulfillment. We had arrived at the promised land!
When the first goal in the new arena was scored by Nate Jensen, we realized that our goal of making Pegula Ice Arena one of the “rockingest” Arenas in North America had come true. A 4-1 win over Army capped off one of the most amazing days of my life.
The next Friday, our women’s team drew 1,424 to its home opener, and got the first win in the new arena that Saturday, 2-1 over Union.
While much of the credit and focus of this project has been directed my way (especially recent), I am fully aware of the bigger role played by all who were involved in making this dream come true. I have never taken for granted any of the efforts of the people involved in this endeavor.
I am constantly reminded of the final line in the Movie “Patton” that brings you back to earth.
“All Glory is Fleeting.”
My congratulations and thanks to all the coaches and the players, to the members of “Team Pegula” who made this project so successful and so fun, to the university employees who assisted and most importantly to Terry and Kim Pegula for their vision, passion and generosity.
After the successful launch of the new arena on that Friday and the football team’s “Michigan Miracle” 4 overtime thriller on Saturday, Terry emphatically pronounced that this had been “One of the most memorable weekends of my life.”
I second that sentiment!
