Brian Powell

Nice to see PSU get the win vs Purdue today. That said: For over four decades, with VERY few exceptions, I've been to every game at Beaver Stadium. Even on those games scheduled on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (when most of the students are gone) Even in absolutely horrid weather conditions - day long downpours, freezing temperatures Even against absolutely atrocious opponents. I have never seen so many empty seats. Ever Not even close On a beautiful day in perfect conditions - for a Big Ten conference game - at the end of October. Upper levels were MAYBE 25% of capacity - with maybe 2/3 of capacity in lower bowl. No more than 60,000 in the stadium - TOPS - at peak time (well under that as game progressed) The most stunning thing was seeing the student section more than 1/2 empty at its peak time - and most of that meager turnout had already left by the middle of the third quarter (in a close game that PSU was winning 🙄 ). Couldn't have been more than a couple thousand students (out of 20,000+ seat student section?) by the start of fourth quarter. Even going up to the suites (and folks who know can verify): During the hour or so before kickoff, there is usually a "mosh pit" in the lobby waiting for elevators to take folks up to the suites - and you typically have to wait through several cycles of elevators to get a ride to the top. Today? Just walk in and take your choice of elevators with no waiting. Something has DRASTICALLY changed with the ticket holder demographic - from the students, to the "fat cats", to the long-time season ticket holders, and every element of the fan base - and it does not bode well for the future viability of a 100,000+ seat stadium carrying the better part of a Billion $ of debt. Honestly, it was shocking.