Penn State AD Sandy Barbour said that she has "agreed to a new contract," and while she did not disclose the details, she "hinted that it would be a multi-year deal," according to John McGonigal of the CENTRE DAILY TIMES. Barbour said Penn State is her "last stop.” The new contract "isn’t official yet," as the Penn State BOT has "final say in approving the extension." Barbour said she expects to hear from the board "early in 2019." She added that there was "no urgency on her end or from Penn State President Eric Barron to get new contract completed." She "signed a five-year deal" when she was hired in July '14 (CENTRE DAILY TIMES, 1/1). In Pennsylvania, Greg Pickel noted Barbour during her tenure has overseen an athletic department that has "earned a Big Ten title in football, multiple national wrestling championships, and other marquee honors and/or crowns." Barbour said that fundraising "continues to be a priority as the school looks to upgrade its facilities, including Beaver Stadium at some point down the road." She said, “We’ve raised more in half a year this year for football than we have in any previous year in our history. We feel good about that momentum." She added, "Penn State’s strength has always been in scholarship endowment. We’re shifting that focus a little bit to facilities, and that’s taken some time, but we’re approaching $70 million from a facilities standpoint.” Parts of the Lasch Football Building have "already been renovated, and work has been done for the basketball team at the Bryce Jordan Center" (PENNLIVE.com, 12/31).
NEW OPPORTUNITIES: Barbour also said Penn State officials "continue to explore the possibility of staging special events like an NHL Winter Classic, international soccer games and concerts at Beaver Stadium." Penn State continues to "refuse to play Friday night home games but would consider an afternoon game at Beaver Stadium on the day after Thanksgiving" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 1/1).
