UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - April 17, 2006 - The culmination of Penn State spring football drills, the annual Blue-White Game, is the featured event for Blue-White Weekend Presented by PHEAA, April 21-23.
The game is Saturday, April 22 at 2 p.m. in Beaver Stadium and will be broadcast throughout Pennsylvania and the nation on radio and TV as well as on the official Penn State Athletics website: www.GoPSUsports.com.
As in previous years, there will be no admission or parking fee for the Blue-White game.
Penn State Sports Network affiliates across the Commonwealth will carry the game, with Steve Jones and Coach Joe Paterno describing the action. The broadcast also can be heard on GoPSUsports.com. The following Penn State Sports Network affiliates are scheduled to broadcast the Blue-White game:
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton (WAEB, 790); Altoona (WVAM, 1430); Bedford (WBFD, 1310); Connellsville (WASP, 1130); Erie (WPSE, 1450); Harrisburg (WTKT, 1460); Hazleton (WKZN, 1300); Lancaster (WLPA, 1490); Lansdale (WNPV,1440); Lebanon (WLBR, 1270); Lock Haven (WSNU-FM, 92.1); Philadelphia (WFIL, 560); Pittsburgh (ESPN Radio, 1250); Pottsville (WPPA, 1360); Smethport/Bradford (WQRM-FM, 106.3); Scranton (WBZU, 910); State College (WMAJ, 1450) and WBUS (93.7 FM); Troy/Canton (WHGL, 100.3/102.9 FM); Tyrone (WTRN, 1340); Williamsport (WRAK, 1400/WRKK, 1200), Wilkes-Barre (WILK, 980) and York (WOYK, 1350).
The television broadcast will be produced by Sports Jam Network and will begin with a pre-game show at 1:30 p.m. The game will be televised live by WPSU-TV (Ch. 3 in State College/Altoona/Johnstown), WLYH-TV (Harrisburg/Lancaster/Reading/York), FSN Pittsburgh, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia and WHVL-TV (Lewistown).
The game will air Saturday at 7:00 p.m. on WFMZ-TV (Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton). FSN Pittsburgh will re-air the game on Thursday, April 27 at 12:00 p.m.
In addition, College Sports Television (CSTV) will air the contest at the following dates and times: May 3, 10:00 p.m.; May 4, 1:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and May 5, 2:00 p.m.
Frank Giardina, former Nittany Lion Leo Wisniewski and Pittsburgh sportscaster Paul Alexander will call the action on the telecast, along with sideline reporter Kellie Goodman, the sports director at WTAJ-TV.
Jed Donahue will serve as the pre-game and halftime host for the program, with former Penn State standouts Blair Thomas and Andre Powell, serving as analysts. Stadium gates A and B will open for fans at 12:00 p.m. and the popular autograph session with the players will run from 12:30-1:15 p.m. Halftime will feature the announcement of the annual spring football awards as well as recipients of the Student Book Store's "Player of the Game" from last season.
The winning entry of the Official White Out T-Shirt student design contest also will be revealed as part of the activities.
Stadium parking lots will open at 8 a.m. Some lots may not be available due to construction or surface conditions.
Sections of the west stands in Beaver Stadium may be closed for the Blue-White Game due to on-going work on the seating areas.
There will be numerous fun activities inside and outside of Beaver Stadium during Blue-White Weekend. Festivities outside the stadium are scheduled from 6-11 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday and include:
- Entertainment, musical groups and contests will take place on the student stage west of the stadium, including performances by the Blue Band, the Penn State Cheerleaders and Lionettes Dance Team;
- An area to purchase previously worn Nittany Lion practice and game day gear, such as jerseys and helmets;
- A full carnival with rides, midway games and prizes;
- Clem's and Prospector's BBQ will be available in addition to other carnival fare.
The Blue-White Game is one of the nation's most popular spring football contests. More than 40,000 loyal and enthusiastic Penn State fans have attended the contest in eight of the past 10 years, with rainy conditions during the other two contests.
Last fall, Sports Illustrated on Campus magazine called a Penn State home football weekend, "The Greatest Show in College Sports." Nittany Lion fans have finished in the top four in NCAA football attendance each of the past 15 years, with three crowds above 109.000 during last season's Big Ten and FedEx Orange Bowl title run.
The athletic ticket office in the Bryce Jordan Center will be open Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Season football tickets are available and season ticket holders are reminded that the deadline for renewals is May 1. For information on 2006 football tickets, call 800-833-5533 or 814-863-1000.
The Penn State All-Sports Museum will have extended hours of operation during Blue-White Weekend. The Museum will be open on Friday, April 21 from 10 a.m-8 p.m. and Sunday, April 23 from 10 a.m-4 p.m. The museum will be closed on Saturday as it is on home football Saturdays.
In addition to the Blue-White Game, several other Penn State teams are competing at home this weekend:
Friday, April 21: Men's tennis vs. Michigan, 3:00 p.m., Softball vs. Michigan State, 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 22: Men's golf hosts Rutherford Intercollegiate, 7:30 a.m., Men's & women's track and field host Nittany Lion Relays, 11:00 a.m., Men's lacrosse vs. Rutgers, 12:00 p.m., Softball vs. Michigan State, 12:00 p.m., Football - Blue-White Game, 2:00 p.m. (autograph session at 12:30)
Sunday, April 23:Men's golf hosts Rutherford Intercollegiate, 8:00 a.m., Softball vs. Michigan, 12:00 p.m. (DH), Men's tennis vs. Michigan State, 12:00 p.m.
Blue-White Weekend Presented by PHEAA is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, WTAJ-TV 10 and 3WZ 95.3 FM.