Penn’s historic Franklin Field has completed a massive renovation at the horseshoe end of the stadium, one that will serve current and future student-athletes and coaches across the football program. The lead gift to the project was given by Paul and Moya Coulson, Penn Parents Class of 2021.
Beginning in December of 2022, the stadium underwent a significant renovation of the football locker room. The goal was to create top-of-the-line locker rooms, meeting rooms, and connected spaces worthy of the championship traditions of Penn football. Through the support of and transformational gifts from Penn football alumni and Friends of the Program, the University’s project partners have created a space that enhances the experience of Penn’s student-athletes. Additionally, it provides Penn coaches with top-notch facilities that will boost the recruiting profile of Penn Athletics.
“We are so excited to open this world-class facility for our student-athletes,” says Alanna Shanahan, the T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W’69 Director of Athletics and Recreation. “This complex will be a differentiator for our football program, and we are so grateful to the individuals who turned this dream into a reality.”
“This grand opening was an incredible day for Penn football,” says Ray Priore, the George A. Munger Head Coach of Football. “We celebrated the generosity of the Penn community, especially those alumni who stepped forward to provide our players with a facility that is the best in the Ivies. The Coulson Family Training Complex gives Penn football top-of-the-industry locker room and meeting spaces. Our players and staff are so grateful to those who made this happen.”
The renovation nearly tripled the amount of usable space for Penn Athletics, from 7,715 gross square feet to 20,190 gross square feet. The entire facility was unveiled to the public in a grand opening ceremony on April 20 that included a ribbon-cutting, an open house, and the Penn football spring game, which took place that afternoon.
The project would not have been possible without the financial support and the fundraising efforts from University Trustee, Penn Athletics Board of Advisors member, and long-time Penn Football Board member George Weiss, a 1965 graduate of the Wharton School and honorary degree recipient in 2014. Weiss not only supported the project with his own philanthropy, but also successfully engaged countless others to help make the renovation a possibility. He was the unofficial “quarterback” of the project and, in honor of his tireless efforts, the quarterback meeting room in the facility will be named after Weiss going forward.
Football locker room
The new football locker room is named in honor of former longtime assistant and “spirit” coach Dan “Lake” Staffieri. The facility, which opened for the team’s use in August of 2023 for game days only, covers more than 5,000 square feet and houses 120 lockers.
Meeting rooms and spaces
Among the new additions to the East (horseshoe) end of Franklin Field are the football program meeting rooms, nutrition station, and lobby:
*George Weiss W’65, Trustee Quarterback Meeting Room
*Donald Dinan W’71 Offensive Lineman Meeting Room
*Jim Riepe W’65, WG’67, HON’10 Linebackers Meeting Room
*1968 Penn Football Team Tight Ends Meeting Room
*The LeFort Family Defensive Line Meeting Room
*The Li Family Auditorium
*Robert Wolf W’84 Champions Lounge
*The Knorr Family Nutrition Station
*Robert A. Fox, C’52 Lobby
