Terry Pegula’s dream of watching his team Penn State Icers in NCAA Division I level coming true
It was 7 years ago that a billionaire businessman. Terrence Pegula dreamt about watching his university team in the NCCA Division 1 and now it is going to come true after all the efforts and money spent by him.
Pegula donated a lot of money for his university, The Pennsylvania State University’s ice hockey team Penn State Icers. The team was one of the best at one time but they were not doing too well in mid 2000s. They needed a lift which was provided very well
by Pegula as he donated more than $100 million for the construction of an ice rink at the university.
The long time coach of the side, Joe Battista reveals that it was in 2005 when Pegula came to him and asked what is wrong with the team and why are they not doing so well at the level where they once used to. Battista told him that there is shortage of facilities
which is becoming the main hindrance in the improvement of the team and that is the main thing they need.
Former captain of the team tells that the lack of budget was the main problem and money was needed. The billionaire asked him to meet for a dinner, as Battista told NHL.com,
"I explained to [Pegula] that we don't have a facility, we don't have the budget, there were Title IX issues and it would take a significant amount of money. [Pegula] said, 'Look, I'm in town. I want to meet you for dinner.'"
Joe says that Terrance asked him what they need if they want to make the team better and what would it cost. Battista calculated it and told a rough estimate of $50 million was needed for it. The coach was never expecting his host to agree to help them but
he was shocked when Terry said he pay them the money. Battista narrated the whole story in much more Dramatical manner as he told NHL.com,
"Terry asked me [that night], 'What's it going to cost to make this happen?' I said we have to build a building, finance the scholarships -- minimum $50 million. I figured that would end the conversation. He paused, rubbed his chin and said, 'I think I can
do that.' I just about fell out of my chair."
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