STATE COLLEGE — Penn State’s landmark philosophy that student-athletes can excel both on the field and in the classroom will be honored at the second annual Rise Above fundraiser on Saturday, July 26, at the Nittany Lion Inn.
The program, themed “Foundations: Building a Penn State Sports Legacy,” will celebrate the university’s athletic heritage while supporting the future of Adaptive Athletics at Penn State.
Initiated in 1966 by Penn State Athletics, The Grand Experiment challenged the prevailing model of college sports. It emphasized personal integrity, academic achievement and competitive success, all principles that have since become foundational to the university’s athletic identity.
The July 26 event will highlight both the origins and future of this legacy. Among the evening’s featured guests are members of Joe Paterno’s first recruiting class, including Chuck Burkhart, Moose Koegel, Lydell Mitchell, Mike Reid and Steve Smear. These former athletes helped establish the ideals that shaped generations of Penn State sports.
That tradition is carried forward by Penn State’s Adaptive Athletics program, which supports student-athletes in sled hockey, wheelchair basketball and track and field.
The initiative is part of a broader national movement to expand access and opportunity in collegiate sports for athletes with physical disabilities. Often described as the “Title IX of its era,” adaptive athletics continues to gain momentum and institutional support.
The program will include a keynote address by Penn State men’s hockey head coach Guy Gadowsky, who was recently named Coach of the Year. Gadowsky is expected to discuss the growth of adaptive sled hockey and the importance of inclusive sports programs within the university setting.
Adding to the evening’s atmosphere, Grammy-winning composer and former NFL player Mike Reid will perform live. A Penn State All-American, Reid represents the multidimensional legacy of student-athletes who achieved success in athletics and beyond.
The event is being co-hosted by Sue Paterno and Dana Harris, both of whom have been active supporters of student-athletes and the Adaptive Athletics initiative. The goal of the fundraiser is to generate support for scholarships, travel expenses, equipment, and recruitment for adaptive athletes at Penn State.
As the program continues to grow, Penn State aims to position itself as a national leader in collegiate adaptive sports. The July 26 celebration is designed not only to honor the pioneers of Penn State athletics but also to invest in the next generation of student-athletes who are redefining excellence and access in sports.
All proceeds from the evening will go directly to Penn State’s Adaptive Athletics program. Tickets are currently available and seating is limited. For more information, visit riseaboveability.com/2025-fund-raiser.
