Aug. 29, 2007
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State will kick off the 2007 campaign with one of the most highly anticipated events of the year, "Penn State Football Eve, presented by Sheetz" on Friday, August 31. The fourth year event starts the new season with a festival-like atmosphere surrounding Beaver Stadium followed by a celebration inside the stadium with the team and Coach Joe Paterno.
The "night before" activities outside the stadium include a barbeque, festival food and fun along Curtain Road which will become a fan promenade at 6 p.m. Stadium gates open at 7:00 p.m. for fans who wish to be seated early with a showing of 2006 football highlights. The program inside the stadium starts at 7:45 p.m. featuring the Blue Band, cheerleaders, dance team and videos. The seniors will be introduced and after Coach Paterno's address to the crowd a new stadium video will be unveiled.
The evening will culminate with fireworks over Beaver Stadium. Admission and parking are free for "Penn State Football Eve, presented by Sheetz."
"Penn State Football Eve," which launches the first weekend of the football season, attracted approximately 25,000 fans in each of its first two events. Last year's event was cancelled due to heavy rain. The Nittany Lions' 121st season opener is against Florida International on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. and will air on the Big Ten Network, the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com, the official website of Penn State Athletics.
WHVL-TV, Ch. 29 in State College, will make its debut by airing "Penn State Football Eve, presented by Sheetz" live from 7:30-9:00 p.m. on Friday. WHVL will air "Penn State Tailgate" live from outside Medlar Field at Lubrano Park prior to and immediately after all Nittany Lion home football games. The program will air starting two hours before kickoff, with the post-game show slated to run two hours after the final whistle. Jed Donahue is the host and he will be joined by a pair of former Nittany Lion All-Americans, Kenny Jackson and Blair Thomas, on the telecasts. WHVL will air throughout the State College-Altoona-Johnstown-Lewistown market.
Anticipation is running at an all time high for the new season among Penn State fans, with a record 99 percent renewal rate for 2007 season tickets. A record total of 93,500-plus season tickets have been sold, including more than 21,000 student season tickets that sold out in 59 minutes. The seven-game home schedule is sold out. Membership in the Nittany Lion Club has grown by 20 percent over the past two years to nearly 23,000.
Freshman "Welcome Week" orientation that is being held this week will continue in the stadium, where the freshman will gain an understanding of student traditions during the football games. FSN Pittsburgh will have a "Who Wants to be an Announcer?" station outside the All-Sports Museum for aspiring sports broadcasters. Kids games, a barbeque, festival food, surprises and an oldies band will all be part of the promenade along Curtain Road.
Paterno's 42nd Penn State team returns 32 letterwinners and 15 starters for the 2007 season. The Nittany Lions have a blockbuster 2007 home schedule that includes five bowl teams from 2006: Notre Dame, (Sept. 8, 6:00 p.m., ESPN), Iowa (Oct. 6), Wisconsin (Oct. 13- Homecoming, 3:30 p.m., ABC), Ohio State (Oct. 27, 8:00 p.m., ABC/ESPN/ESPN2) and Purdue for Senior Day on Nov. 3.