Penn State fans won’t have to wait until the spring game to get their first in-person glimpse of new head football coach Matt Campbell. The Nittany Lions are officially ushering in a new era, and it starts this weekend - not on the gridiron, but on the ice.
Campbell will be introduced to the Penn State faithful during the outdoor men’s hockey showdown against Michigan State at Beaver Stadium. He’ll take part in a ceremonial puck drop ahead of the matchup, adding a football twist to what’s already shaping up to be a marquee event in Happy Valley.
This isn’t just a casual appearance - it’s a symbolic moment. Campbell, who was hired to lead Penn State into its next chapter, will step into the stadium where he’ll eventually command the sidelines, months before his team opens the season against Marshall on September 5. It’s a chance for fans to start building that connection with the new face of the program, and for Campbell to feel the energy of Beaver Stadium in a whole new way.
And make no mistake, the hockey game itself is no undercard. Penn State’s men’s hockey team comes into the weekend ranked No. 5 in the country with an 18-6 record, facing off against No.
2 Michigan State, who’s 19-5 and the reigning Big Ten regular-season champs. The puck drops at 1 p.m. in what promises to be a heavyweight battle between two of the nation’s top squads.
The weekend slate is packed with action across Penn State athletics. The Nittany Lions and Spartans will open their back-to-back hockey series Friday night at Pegula Ice Arena, with Game 1 set for 6 p.m. Then it’s back outdoors on Saturday for the headline matchup.
Campbell’s presence won’t be limited to the rink. He’s also expected to attend Penn State wrestling’s Friday night dual against Nebraska at the Bryce Jordan Center - another staple program that continues to draw national attention. The wrestling team has long been a powerhouse, and Campbell’s appearance there is another signal that he’s embracing the full scope of the Penn State athletic culture.
Women’s hockey also joins the spotlight this weekend, facing Robert Morris at 1 p.m. Friday at Beaver Stadium before returning to Pegula for a Saturday night rematch at 6 p.m.
And while the weekend is all about introductions and cross-sport celebration, there’s already an eye toward fall. The 2026 Penn State football schedule dropped earlier this week, with the Big Ten opener set for September 26 at home against Wisconsin. That’s the one Campbell and his staff will be circling as a tone-setter in what will be a pivotal first season.
But for now, the focus is on the ice - and on a new coach stepping into the Penn State spotlight for the very first time.