Pat Kraft Finalist for Sports Business Journal Award

Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft has been recognized as a finalist for the Sports Business Journal's Athletic Director of the Year award, which will be presented on May 21 in New York. Under his leadership, the Nittany Lions have achieved significant success, including a third-place ranking in the Directors' Cup Division I standings and two national championships in women's volleyball and wrestling during the 2024 academic year. Kraft has also overseen a $700 million renovation of Beaver Stadium, which has received over $130 million in donations, including a $50 million naming rights deal. Additionally, Kraft's tenure has seen Penn State football reach the College Football Playoff semifinals and multiple spring sports teams ranked nationally. He is the only representative from the Big Ten among the five finalists for the award, which highlights his impact on the athletic department. Kraft emphasized the importance of resource allocation to support the pursuit of national championships.