Big news for Penn State football fans—head coach Matt Campbell is making his first appearance at the annual “We Are … at the Shore” fundraiser in New Jersey. This event, a staple for the Penn State football program and its official NIL collective, Happy Valley United, lands on June 22 at the Union League National Golf Course in Cape May Court House.
Expect a star-studded lineup: current players, former legends, and surprise guests. If you’re a Nittany Lions supporter, it’s one of those events you really don’t want to miss.
Matt Campbell’s First Appearance
Matt Campbell, who’s new to the Penn State football scene, will be at “We Are … at the Shore” for the first time. He’s already been out and about, showing up at Happy Valley United events in both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Since joining, Campbell’s made it a point to connect with fans and donors. It’s been high on his list from day one.
Event Details
This is the fundraiser’s fifth year, and it’s set for June 22 at the Union League National Golf Course in Cape May Court House, New Jersey. It’s happening a bit earlier than usual, which has people buzzing a little more than normal.
Tickets start at $100 for a player meet-and-greet, and there’s a $500 package if you want the full player event and party experience. Young professional and VIP options are in the mix too, so there’s something for just about everyone.
Star-Studded Lineup
You’ll see a blend of current players and Penn State legends at this one. Matt Campbell will be there, along with associate head coach Terry Smith and quarterback Rocco Becht.
Other players from the Nittany Lions’ 2026 roster will join, and a handful of former stars are confirmed:
- Saquon Barkley – His Michael Ann & Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation is teaming up with Happy Valley United and State Media as event sponsors.
- Trace McSorley
- Christian Hackenberg
- Michael Mauti
- Jordan Hill
- Brandon Short
- Blair Thomas
- Grant Haley
These guys bring a ton of stories and experience from their Penn State days. It’s a rare chance for fans to get up close with the history of the program.
Building Relationships and Legacy
Campbell’s been pretty proactive about building relationships in the Penn State community. Over the winter, he set up Zoom calls with Penn State lettermen and invited groups to State College for spring practice weekends.
He says these gatherings are important for both the lettermen and the current roster. It’s about bridging that gap between generations of players.
Connecting the Dots
Campbell’s push to connect the program’s history with today’s players hasn’t gone unnoticed. He thinks understanding Penn State’s legacy is key for the new roster.
Hearing straight from the guys who were there? That’s something you can’t really duplicate. It brings a different kind of inspiration.
It goes back to curiosity, Campbell said. Growing up knowing what Penn State football stood for, watching so many of these great players, and then getting here and hearing our guys talk about what it means to play here, and trying to connect the dots, both for our young men that were coming back from Penn State football to the young men that were coming in, is special.
Priceless Experiences
Campbell called the interactions with former players priceless. The stories and advice from lettermen have made a real impact on the current team.
There’s just something about hearing those stories firsthand. It hits different than hearing it secondhand.
Engagement and Support
Support from former players helps keep the community strong. Campbell points out these guys aren’t just watching from the sidelines—they want to help and be a resource for the team.
I thought it was really powerful, and so I just think the nuggets of excellence that got shared with us, the personal experiences and the excellence to be able to hear it, not come from a third party, but hear from these humans that lived it, that want to be around, that want to be engaged, that want to be an asset and a tool to our players. I just thought it was priceless, Campbell said.
Conclusion
The upcoming “We Are … at the Shore” fundraiser is shaping up to be a big deal for Penn State football fans. Matt Campbell’s making his first appearance, which has some folks curious.
There’s a lineup of both current and former players. It’s a rare chance to connect with the program’s history, and honestly, who’d want to miss out?
If you want more details or need tickets, check out the official source.
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