Penn State running back Saquon Barkley avoids the tackle from Maryland defensive end Melvin Keihn to run into the end zone but the touchdown was called back due to a penalty during the Saturday, October 8, 2016 game at Beaver Stadium. Penn State won, 38-14.
Abby Drey
adrey@centredaily.com
For the past couple of weeks, people have taken to Instagram and other social media sites to share memories of themselves from a decade ago, sometimes posted with the phrase “2026 is the new 2016.”
We decided to get in on the nostalgic fun and opened up the Centre Daily Times archives to pull some local photos from 2016.
To start us off, what says 2016 more than a mustache finger tattoo?
Penn State defensive end Evan Schwan shows of his mustache tattoo during media day on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Some major projects were being built around Centre County, including the Bellefonte Waterfront walkway, the Fraser Centre in downtown State College and the new State College Area High School.
Work continues on the sidewalks for the Bellefonte Waterfront project on March 18, 2016. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Construction of the Fraser Centre is pictured on Wednesday, March 9, 2016, on the corner of Beaver Avenue and Fraser Street. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
The main entrance area and a hallway leading to "Pod B" of the State College Area High School construction project on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
The space at 139 S. Allen St. was being renovated into Downtown Champs, which has become a hot spot for Penn State students.
Renovations in the new Champs on South Allen Street are pictured on Oct. 27, 2016. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
In politics, Sen. Bernie Sanders stopped by Rec Hall before the presidential primary election, and Penn State students took to Old Main lawn to support Donald Trump before the general election.
Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is welcomed with cheers at Rec Hall on Tuesday, April 19, 2016. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Dylan Homenic waves his 39-star flag as he and fellow Donald Trump supporters built a freedom of speech wall around the American flag on Penn State’s Old Main lawn on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Some sport highlights included Bellefonte baseball winning their first state title in front of a packed Medlar Field with a 2-0 win over Susquehanna Township in the PIAA class AAA championship.
Bellefonte baseball celebrates their 2-0 win over Susquehanna Township in the PIAA class AAA State Championship on Friday, June 17, 2016 at Medlar Field. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Fans fill Medlar Field for the PIAA class AAA State Championship game between Susquehanna Township and Bellefonte on Friday, June 17, 2016 at Medlar Field. Bellefonte won their first state title. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
It was also Penn State football’s big season, with great plays by running back Saquon Barkley, a 24-21 win over Ohio State — a win that hasn’t happened since — and a Big Ten Championship title.
Penn State running back Saquon Barkley avoids the tackle from Maryland defensive end Melvin Keihn to run into the end zone, but the touchdown was called back due to a penalty during the Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016 game at Beaver Stadium. Penn State won, 38-14. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Penn State football coach James Franklin celebrates with the Penn State crowd after the 24-21 win over Ohio State on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016 at Beaver Stadium. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
The Nittany Lions were the 2016 Big Ten Champions after the 38-31 win over Wisconsin at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
In entertainment, a cowboy monkey rodeo took over Medlar Field during a State College Spikes game, and Kiss performed at the Bryce Jordan Center.
Team Ghostriders entertains the crowd between innings of a State College Spikes agme on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Paul Stanley and the members of Kiss rock the stage as their Freedom to Rock Tour makes a stop at the Bryce Jordan Center on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
And a personal favorite of mine from that year was working on a story about the State College Spikes’ biggest fan and bench coach, 12-year-old Josiah Viera. After Josiah’s death in 2018, his legacy has lived on through the Spikes, which retired his jersey number and raised money for Children’s Miracle Network Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in Danville, where Josiah was treated during his lifelong battle with progeria.
Josiah Viera laughs with Elier Rodriguez and fellow teammates as they joke around on Spikes media day on June 15, 2016. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Pitching coach Darwin Marrero laughs as Josiah Viera reaches to get his hat back as they hang out in the clubhouse the afternoon before a Spikes game. "He's an angel," Marrero said after the laughter subsided. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Josiah Viera takes batting practice with the team before the July 3, 2016 game. The players cheer him on and challenge him to hit the ball to them. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
Josiah Viera walks down the State College Spikes' clubhouse hallway before the July 3, 2016 game. Progeria didn’t stop the 12-year-old from being the team’s honorary coach. Abby Drey adrey@centredaily.com
