Sports help build community inside The Village at Penn State

The entrance to Bill France’s home inside The Village at Penn State tells you just about everything you need to know about the man.

Some folks might prefer to a leave a little mystery in their relationships — at least until the introductions are out of the way — but hey, subtlety went out the window when the cardboard cutout of Joe Paterno went up.

France loves football — that or he should fire his interior decorator. He and his wife moved into The Village at Penn State in the fall of 2016 and almost instantly became part of the club.

It’s not an official club, actually — more like a bond that has existed among Penn State football fans since men wearing blue and white started throwing pigskin.

“If you’re Penn State, you’re immediately accepted by a certain group,” France said.

And if you’re not Penn State, well, then you probably should’ve looked closer at the name on the brochure.

The Frances join their neighbors on a Village bus that makes the jaunt over to Beaver Stadium on game day.

They sing the Penn State fight song and trade comments about the fields full of cars and campers that tend to be part and parcel of the college football scene.

The same goes for the social component. France and his wife were avid collegiate sports fans even before their arrival at the Village. Volleyball, softball, field hockey — life in the stands has led to many a friendship.

“We knew some of the people through sporting events before we even got here,” France said.

A native of Philipsburg, France has been regularly attending Penn State football games since 1947. A man can accumulate a lot of memorabilia in that span of time — hence the downsizing.

Some of his collection is on loan to the Village, featured in a glass display case located next to a chair that’s been spruced with some football-themed throw pillows.

Passers-by can see France’s autographed photo of Paterno or a ring from the 1986 Orange Bowl that his son-in-law gave him.

“I guess once you’re a Penn State fan, you’re a Penn State fan,” he said.

Dick Kustin is one of the Frances’ neighbors. He also takes the bus over to Beaver Stadium on game day, but for the past 13 years, the rest of his free time has gone toward managing the Tailback Club.

That group meets on Tuesday mornings, welcoming seniors from in and outside the Village to come and pick the brain of whatever coach happens to be visiting.

Previous guests have included the Nittany Lions’ own James Franklin.

“I don’t think anybody’s every refused me,” Kustin said.

There are no dues — which might go a long way toward explaining the close to 300 members Kustin claims. He sees it as a win for the Village, which gains exposure to potential clientele.

The same goes for his guests.

“Coaches like to talk, and they like to talk about their players,” Kustin said.

This story was originally published October 2, 2017 at 9:16 AM with the headline "Sports help build community inside The Village at Penn State."