LaVar Arrington and Saquon Barkley Announce Multi-Million Dollar Endowment for Penn State Football
University Park, PA — In a historic move that underscores their enduring commitment to their alma mater, Penn State legends LaVar Arrington and Saquon Barkley have announced a multi-million dollar endowment to support the Nittany Lions football program. The joint initiative, totaling $15 million, marks one of the largest athlete-led donations in the university’s history.
The endowment, titled The Arrington-Barkley Legacy Fund, is designed to provide long-term resources for player development, mental health services, and academic support for student-athletes. With this gift, the two football icons aim to bolster Penn State’s standing as a national powerhouse while enriching the holistic experience of its players.
“This university shaped me into the man I am today,” said LaVar Arrington, a College Football Hall of Fame inductee and former consensus All-American linebacker. “Penn State gave me the platform to dream big, to lead, and to succeed. It’s only right that we give back in a way that helps future generations thrive on and off the field.”
Saquon Barkley, a Super Bowl MVP and current NFL superstar, echoed that sentiment at the announcement ceremony held at Beaver Stadium. “This isn’t just about football,” Barkley stated. “This is about legacy, about giving kids the chance to become great in all aspects of life—athletics, academics, and character. LaVar and I share that vision, and this endowment is our commitment to it.”
The fund will initially target three core areas:
1. Player Wellness and Mental Health: With a dedicated budget for licensed counselors, wellness programs, and educational workshops, the fund aims to provide comprehensive mental health support tailored specifically for student-athletes.
2. Academic Excellence: A portion of the endowment will bolster the Morgan Academic Center, enhancing tutoring, mentoring, and internship opportunities for football players.
3. Leadership and Life Skills Training: The program will include annual retreats, workshops with alumni leaders, and a mentorship network connecting current players with successful former Nittany Lions across industries.
University President Neeli Bendapudi praised the initiative, calling it “a transformational moment for our football program and our community.” Head Coach James Franklin was visibly emotional during the ceremony. “I’ve always told our guys: leave the place better than you found it. LaVar and Saquon just set the bar.”
Both athletes rose to prominence at Penn State—Arrington as a defensive powerhouse in the late ’90s and Barkley as a dynamic, record-setting running back in the 2010s. Their on-field excellence and leadership laid the groundwork for NFL success, and now their philanthropic leadership cements their legacy.
Construction of the newly renamed Arrington-Barkley Leadership Lounge inside Lasch Football Building will begin this summer, serving as a symbolic and functional hub of the fund’s mission.
As the crowd of students, alumni, and fans stood applauding the announcement, it became clear: the legacies of LaVar Arrington and Saquon Barkley are no longer defined solely by touchdowns and tackles—but by their unwavering dedication to the future of Penn State Football.
