Corbett nominates Benson, Rucci to Penn State board

Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett turned to a National Hockey League executive and a former director of the Pennsylvania Lottery on Friday to be the next two members of the Penn State Board of Trustees.

The governor nominated Buffalo Sabres chief development officer Cliff Benson — who also is a former member of the board and finance chairman of The Second Mile, the Jerry Sandusky-founded charity for children — and the lottery’s former executive director, Todd Rucci.

The nominees must be approved by a majority in the Pennsylvania Senate. Benson and Rucci would take the board seats currently held by Ira Lubert and Alvin Clemens.

The governor’s office called Benson “instrumental in facilitating” an $88 million donation by Sabres owner Terry Pegula that funded the university’s hockey program three years ago.

Sewickley resident Benson is a Penn State graduate who spent nearly four decades with Deloitte Tax LLP before retiring in 2010.

Rucci, who lives in Lititz, was executive director of the lottery from September 2011 until he resigned in November. He spent eight seasons with the New England Patriots after playing right tackle for the Nittany Lions. Previously a bank vice president, Rucci currently works as a government and community relations specialist with PAP Technologies.

A Corbett spokesman said the governor was aware of Benson’s involvement in The Second Mile.