Aug. 27, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; - Penn State junior Stefen Wisniewski (Bridgeville) is among the nominees for the Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team®, which honors college football players who make outstanding contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement.
One of the team's most active members in community service, Wisniewski has participated in the Student-Athlete Advisory Board Autism Awareness reading program, THON Make-A-Wish program, Pennsylvania Special Olympics State Summer Games, Habitat for Humanity, Athletic Director's Leadership Institute, Athletes in Action, and The Second Mile, in addition to other charitable activities.
Wisniewski, along with senior tackle Dennis Landolt, return as Penn State's most experienced offensive lineman and will anchor the 2009 unit. A physical and versatile player, he has transitioned to center this season after spending his initial two years at guard, including 12 starts in 2008.
Despite not having played a down at center in a Penn State game, Wisniewski has gained national recognition, receiving preseason first team All-Big Ten honors from Phil Steele's 2009 College Football and preseason third team All-America selection by Athlon Sports' 2009 College Football.
One of the University's most accomplished student-athletes, Wisniewski earned second team ESPN The Magazine All-American honors in 2008, one of a program record five Nittany Lions so recognized last season. A student in the Schreyer Honors College, the former Pittsburgh Central Catholic standout owns a superlative 3.89 grade point average in secondary education after having compiled a perfect 4.0 GPA during the 2009 spring and 2007 fall semesters.
Wisniewski is among 52 Football Bowl Subdivision (Div. I-A) student-athletes nationwide nominated for the Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team®. From these nominees, a special voting panel consisting of former Good Works Team® members and prominent college football media members will be responsible for selecting two 11-player Good Works Teams® - one composed of players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, and a combined team representing players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III, and the NAIA. College Football Hall of Fame inductee and ESPN analyst Lou Holtz will return as program spokesperson and a member of the voting panel. Current AFCA president and San Jose State University head coach Dick Tomey and Fisher DeBerry, former head coach at the United States Air Force Academy, also are members of the voting panel.
Coach Joe Paterno's No. 9/8 Nittany Lions open the season Sept. 5, hosting Akron at 12:00 p.m. The game will air on the Big Ten Network, the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com.
Four Penn State home games are sold out, with a limited number of tickets remaining for Akron, Syracuse (Sept. 12, 12:00 p.m.), Temple (Sept. 19, 12:00), and Eastern Illinois (Oct. 10, TBA). Single game tickets are on sale at www.GoPSUsports.com or by calling 800-833-5533.
Penn State Football Eve will launch the season on Friday, Sept. 4, with activities starting at 6:00 p.m. outside Beaver Stadium. The program inside the stadium starts at 7:30 p.m. featuring the Blue Band, cheerleaders, dance team and videos. The seniors and 2009 College Football Hall of Fame inductee Curt Warner will be introduced and after Coach Paterno's address to the crowd, a new stadium video will be unveiled. The event and parking are free.