An Unrivaled Collection
A Chambersburg area native, John Miner found his way into the University community as an avid sports fan—and into Penn State history as a prolific collector.
John Miner never earned a Penn State degree; in fact, he never earned a college degree at all. Thanks to John’s priceless gift made in 2009, Penn State Mont Alto is home to the University’s only comprehensive catalog of iconic football booster buttons, each hiding the game’s final score on a piece of paper taped to its back and displayed in a custom cabinet John commissioned as part of his contribution. John passed away in the fall of 2011 at the age of 84, but his love for the Blue and White lives on—in 960 buttons and an immeasurable feeling of Penn State pride.
Here is a sampling of the Penn State Mont Alto football booster button collection, which is available for in-person visits on the first floor of Conklin Hall on the Penn State Mont Alto campus.
January 2, 1987 National Championship commemorative button. The Nittany Lions roared over Miami in a nail-biting 14-10 win.
From top to bottom, left to right: November 26, 1977, Penn State won over Pitt 15-13; August 31, 2019, Nittany Lions over Idaho 79-7; October 26, 1985, Penn State won over WVU 27-0; October 6, 1979, Nittany Lions over University of Maryland 27-7; November 3, 2007, Penn State won over Purdue 26-19; October 12, 1985, Nittany Lions over Alabama 19-17
November 18, 1989, Penn State lost to Notre Dame 23-34
August 31, 2019, Penn State stormed over Idaho 79-7
January 1, 2009, Penn State was defeated by Iowa 23-24 in the 95th Rose Bowl Game
November 18, 1995, Penn State won over Michigan 27-17
January 1, 1983, Penn State won in close game over Georgia 27-23 in the 49th Sugar Bowl Game
October 9, 1979, Penn State won over Maryland 27-7
October 30, 1993, Penn State lost to Ohio 6-24
From top to bottom, left to right: October 8, 1998, Penn State won over Cincinnati 35-9; September 18, 2021, Penn State took the win over Auburn 28-20; November 13, 1976, Penn State won over Miami 21-7; November 18, 1995, Penn State won over Michigan 27-17
September 29, 1979, Penn State lost to Nebraska 17-42
John was an incredible collector, but what I’ll remember most about him was his generosity and unyielding support of Penn State and the Mont Alto campus.