PSU Ice Campaign Receives $1 Million Boost from Paul and Nancy Silvis

The main lobby of Penn State’s planned Pegula Ice Arena will bear the Silvis family name, the university announced Tuesday.

Local leaders Paul and Nancy Silvis recently pledged $1 million to the Penn State Ice Campaign, according to the announcement. It marks the campaign’s first ‘major gift’ since Terrence M. and Kim Pegula last year committed $88 million toward the new arena and the advancement of ice hockey at the university, Penn State reported.

The Sivises, of Patton Township, also will be co-chairs of the Penn State Ice Campaign Committee. The committee is aiming to raise an extra $10 million to help support the ice arena and hockey-program endowments, according to the university.

Paul Silvis, the founder of Restek Corp., became a Penn State trustee last year. Nancy Silvis is co-owner of the Mount Nittany Inn. Both are local volunteer leaders.

‘Nancy and I felt compelled to give to the project because of the important role hockey has played in our lives as well as the opportunities this new facility will bring to the youth of our community,’ Paul Silvis said in a news release. ‘(Associate Athletic Director) Joe Battista and I have been discussing strategies to build a new ice facility for many, many years.

‘While the Pegulas’ initial gift gets us much closer to the goal, it doesn’t quite get the puck in the net,’ he went on. ‘Terry and Kim are looking for assists from the community to show their passion for a new ice arena.’

Also in the news release, Nancy Silvis said she and Paul Silvis ‘met because of hockey.’ Three sons in their family have been involved in the sport, she said.

‘We have been able to enjoy many hours and experiences with our families because of their participation in ice hockey,’ Nancy Silvis said in the release. She said they’re ‘proud to be part of Penn State’s hockey future.’

Earlier coverage

• Penn State Aims to Become National Model with Hockey Program, Spanier Says (Sept. 17, 2010)

• Penn State Ice Arena to Require Zoning Change (Jan. 27, 2011)