Why Penn State Basketball is Playing at New Haven
Mike Rhoades’ team will face the New Haven Chargers on Saturday at 1 p.m. This kind of matchup is rare — a Big Ten team playing a road game against a Northeast Conference opponent. The game will take place in West Haven, Connecticut, at the Hazell Center, which seats just around 1,000 people. In contrast, Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center holds over 15,000 spectators.
The Reason Behind the Unusual Road Game
When asked why Penn State agreed to play at a smaller venue, Coach Mike Rhoades explained that the decision was part of a mutually beneficial deal. In exchange for this game, New Haven committed to several future nonconference matchups in Happy Valley.
“Some people told me I’m crazy to do it. You gotta put yourself out there. Ted (Hotaling) runs a great program up there. He’s a very good coach, and they made a transition to Division I. They were looking for home games with an opportunity to get them to return the game multiple times.”
Financial and Strategic Benefits
Beyond the experience for the players, the move also makes sense financially. Rhoades pointed out that it’s a cost-saving strategy, as it ensures multiple nonconference matchups without paying the large appearance fees usually required by smaller programs.
“I’m not just a coach, but I oversee the program, and part of overseeing that program is overseeing the budget, too. If there are opportunities, even in scheduling, where we could save money, make money, go out there and have opportunities for our guys and for our program — you’ve gotta look at it.”
Summary
Penn State’s trip to New Haven is a calculated move balancing competition, partnership, and financial efficiency for future program growth.