Feb. 22, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, - Penn State fans continue to prove why they are regarded as the best in the nation as they flocked to Happy Valley in near-record numbers last year.
Sports Illustrated has called Beaver Stadium on football Saturdays "The Great Show" and 856,066 fans played an active part during 2009 season, the second-highest total in school history. Among the most vociferous and passionate fans are more than 21,000 students who were rated No. 1 in the nation by ESPN the Magazine in 2008.
Nittany Lion football fans ranked second in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A) football attendance during the 2009 season, for the seventh time in the past 10 years. Penn State has finished among the top four in FBS attendance for 19 consecutive years.
Penn State's loyal and enthusiastic fans delivered an average of 107,088 for eight home games in 2009, according to figures released today by the NCAA. The school record average of 108,917 was set in 2007.
Nittany Nation delivered Penn State's second-highest overall home total attendance last season, narrowly edged by the 857,911 fans that came for the eight-game home schedule in 2002.
Penn State fans have played an integral role in helping the Nittany Lions win 33 of their last 37 home games (89.2) dating to the Senior Day win over Michigan State in 2004.
An energetic throng of 110,033 for the Nov. 7 showdown with Ohio State was the largest crowd of the season and the fourth-largest crowd in Beaver Stadium history.
Penn State has drawn 15 of its top 20 all-time home crowds during the past five seasons. Beaver Stadium is the nation's largest facility with a capacity of 107,282 and was expanded for the seventh time under Coach Joe Paterno prior to the 2001 season.
Penn State's 107,008 average placed second among the 630 NCAA members surveyed, including 120 in the Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A). Michigan (108,933 avg.) led, followed by Penn State, Ohio State (105,261), Texas (101,175) and Tennessee (99,220). Georgia (92,746) was sixth, followed by LSU (92,489), Alabama (92,012), Florida (90,635), and Auburn (85,888).
The Nittany Lions played three of the top seven schools in the attendance survey (Michigan State, Ohio State, LSU) last season and will play at Alabama on Sept. 11, 2010.
Nearly 1.2 million fans watched the Nittany Lions play in 2009. Penn State's total attendance of 1,196,655 was the third-highest in program history, surpassed only by the then-NCAA record 1,247,707 in 2002 and 1,211,898 in 2008. Penn State's 857,911 fans at home in 2002 were an NCAA record until the 2007 season.
The Nittany Lions have played in front of more than one million spectators in 10 of the past 12 seasons.
Penn State's four away games drew 277,564 and the crowd of 63,025 for the 2010 Capital One Bowl gave the Nittany Lions 340,589 spectators away from Happy Valley.
Since the 1991 season, the Nittany Lions have finished second in NCAA attendance in 1994, 2001, '02, '03 , '06, '07, `08 and `09, third in 1991, '92, '93, '95, `96, `97, `98 and '99 and fourth in 2000, '04 and `05.
Penn State has the nation's largest full season student section at 21,000-plus |
For the third consecutive year, the Big Ten claimed the top three spots in the survey and was second among all conferences with a record total of 5,526,237 fans, posting an average of 71,769 for 77 home dates. Big Ten members Wisconsin (15th, 80,109 avg.), Michigan State (18th, 74,741) and Iowa (21st, 70,214) also made the top 25.
The NCAA's 630 programs drew 48,284,673 fans for the four divisions. The nation's 120 FBS schools led the way, drawing 37,441,060 patrons for an average of 46,281.
The unparalleled interest in Penn State football has triggered seven expansions and renovations of Beaver Stadium since Paterno became head coach in 1966. The most recent expansion added a deck and 4,000 club seats in the South end zone as well as an East side pavilion with 60 enclosed skyboxes, all of which have been leased. All the suites and club seats were leased on a seasonal basis for the 2009 season, providing the amenities of the Mount Nittany Lounge throughout gameday.
Season tickets are available for the 2010 home schedule, which will feature contests with Big Ten foes Michigan (Oct. 30), Illinois (Oct. 9-Homecoming), Northwestern (Nov. 6) and Michigan State (Nov. 27) for the annual Senior Day battle for the Land Grant Trophy. The Sept. 25 contest against 2009 bowl participant Temple also will be All-University/Varsity "S" Day.
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing season tickets, fans can call 1-800-648-8269 (1-800-NITTANY).
Penn State is 51-13 (79.7) since the start of the 2005 season, tied for the nation's No. 7 winning percentage over that span. The Nittany Lions were No. 8 in the final USA Today Coaches poll and No. 9 in the Associated Press survey, earning their 23rd final Top 10 ranking under the Hall of Fame coach.
The Nittany Lions return 13 starters for the 2010 season, (7 offense, 5 defense, 1 specialist), as well as 11 players that have starting experience for Paterno's 45th season as head coach. Penn State opens the season Sept. 4 vs. Youngstown State in Beaver Stadium and visits 2009 national champion Alabama on Sept. 11.
| Penn State Home Football Attendance | |||
| SEASON | ATTENDANCE | AVERAGE | NATIONAL RANK |
| 2009 | 856,066 (8 games) | 107,008 | 2 |
| 2008 | 757,775 (7 games) | 108,254 | 2 |
| 2007 | 762,419 (7 games) | 108,917 | 2 |
| 2006 | 752,972 (7 games) | 107,567 | 2 |
| 2006 | 752,972 (7 games) | 107,567 | 2 |
| 2005 | 734,013 (7 games) | 104,859 | 2 |
| 2004 | 618,665 (6 games) | 107,567 | 2 |
| 2009 NCAA Average Home Football Attendance | |||
| RANK | SCHOOL | AVERAGE ATTENDANCE | |
| 1. | Michigan | 108,933 | |
| 2. | PENN STATE | 107,008 | |
| 3. | Ohio State | 105,261 | |
| 4. | Texas | 101,175 | |
| 5. | Tennessee | 99,220 | |
| 6. | Georgia | 92,746 | |
| 7. | LSU | 92,489 | |
| 8. | Alabama | 92,012 | |
| 9. | Florida | 90,635 | |
| 10. | Nebraska | 85,888 |
| Beaver Stadium Top 20 Crowds |
| RANK | AVG. ATTENDANCE | DATE | RESULT/OPPONENT |
| 1. | 110,753 | Sept. 14, 2002 | Penn State 40, Nebraska 7 |
| 2. | 110,134 | Oct. 27, 2007 | Ohio State 37, Penn State 17 |
| 3. | 110,078 | Sept. 8, 2007 | Penn State 31, Notre Dame 10 |
| 4. | 110,033 | Nov. 7, 2009 | Ohio State 24, Penn State 7 |
| 5. | 110,017 | Oct. 18, 2008 | Penn State 46, Michigan 17 |
| 6. | 110,007 | Oct. 14, 2006 | Michigan 17, Penn State 10 |
| 7. | 109,865 | Nov. 5, 2005 | Penn State 35, Wisconsin 14 |
| 8. | 109,845 | Nov. 22, 2008 | Penn State 49, Michigan State 18 |
| 9. | 109,839 | Oct. 8, 2005 | Penn State 17, Ohio State 10 |
| 10. | 109,754 | Oct. 13, 2007 | Penn State 38, Wisconsin 7 |
| 11. | 109,626 | Sept. 27, 2008 | Penn State 38, Illinois 24 |
| 12. | 109,467 | Oct. 29, 2005 | Penn State 33, Purdue 15 |
| 13. | 109,316 | Sept. 26, 2009 | Iowa 21, Penn State 10 |
| 14. | 109,313 | Sept. 1, 2009 | Miami (Fla.) 33, Penn State 7 |
| 15. | 108,951 | Oct. 6, 2007 | Penn State 27, Iowa 7 |
| 16. | 108,853 | Oct. 19, 2002 | Penn State 49, Northwestern 0 |
| 17. | 108,837 | Sept. 30, 2006 | Penn State 33, Northwestern 7 |
| 18. | 108,755 | Nov. 23, 2002 | Penn State 61, Michigan State 7 |
| 19. | 108,698 | Nov. 9, 2002 | Penn State 35, Virginia 14 |
| 20. | 108,607 | Nov. 18, 2006 | Penn State 17, Michigan State 13 |