June 6, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA - They never had an opportunity to play football at Penn State, but a group of Nittany Lions diehard fans - male and female - will live out all their football dreams when the sixth annual Penn State Football Fantasy Camp takes place Monday and Tuesday, June 6-7 for ladies, and from Wednesday, June 8 to Sunday, June 12, 2011 for the men.
The popular series of college football fantasy camps created by Global Football offers Nittany Lions fans a chance to play football where legends have gone before them - on the practice fields of Penn State and ultimately on the hallowed football field at Beaver Stadium.
The members of the 2011 Penn State Football Fantasy Camp will experience football practices based upon the Nittany Lion traditions, directed by coaches and former star players. The football at the camp is non-contact, with an emphasis on skill development and learning the offensive and defensive schemes used by Penn State, as well as the kicking game. It is fantasy, but many real aspects of football are taught on and off the field.
The Penn State Football Fantasy Camp Ladies X's and O's Camp that debuted last year has doubled in popularity with twice as many attendees, now numbering more than 80, signed up for Monday and Tuesday.
Legendary Penn State head coach Joe Paterno will meet all the participants either one of the practice days to provide some inspiration for the Nittany Lions devotees in camp this year.
"The moment when Joe-Pa walks onto the practice field or into the locker room is something special," explained organizer Patrick Steenberge, President of Global Football. "The fantasy campers might be confident and successful in their everyday life, but once they are in the presence of a coach they have admired from afar for so long and when they step out onto that field, they are like wide-eyed kids again. Their reactions and the enjoyment they get from this camp are priceless."
Among the coaches who will instruct the Fantasy Campers are quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno, offensive tackles and tight ends coach Bill Kenney, defensive line coach Larry Johnson and safeties coach Kermit Buggs. Wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Mike McQueary will give a recruiting presentation and offensive coordinator Galen Hall will talk to the group about offensive football.
" The Fantasy Campers come to enjoy the camaraderie of others who share their love of Penn State football," said Jay Paterno. "They get to do fun things like practicing football, attending meetings, looking at game film, and learning some of the playbook. They get an up close and inside look at Penn State football."
Among the highlights of the camp is the Blue-White flag football game played in Beaver Stadium with complete game day action. To add to the authentic Penn State Football experience the players enjoy Varsity locker room dressing, training room use, video message board, game officials, a public address announcer, audio clips soundtrack with music and cheers, and blue bus transport to the game.
Each participant will be provided with a duffel bag full of official Fantasy Camp and Penn State Football items including blue and white game uniforms, Nike cleats, practice jersey with camper's name, game video, team photo, and other items to remember the trip by.
Practices and the game are open to invited guests and each night a special function will be held in a prestigious setting on campus, including the Letterman's Club, Mount Nittany Club, and the President's Box in Beaver Stadium.
And when the 2011 college football season comes around in September, some of the camp class of 2011 will join forces with fantasy camp alumni to take on their Notre Dame counterparts in `Fantasy Bowl II' the night before Penn State takes on Alabama.
The two groups faced each other in a flag football game in Fantasy Bowl I in 2007 and the Penn State faithful will be out for revenge this year, having suffered a narrow 16-15 defeat. Organizer Global Football announced that the second Penn State vs. Notre Dame fantasy camp clash will be played at Bigler Field on the evening of Friday, September 9.
"There is always a competitive edge to the camps and the opportunity to face another team on the football field realizes another dream for many of the fantasy campers," said Global Football President Patrick Steenberge. "The first Fantasy Bowl was a great success and those who took part have been eager to set up a rematch."
About Global Football: Headed by President Patrick Steenberge, a former Notre Dame quarterback and high school All-American at Erie Cathedral Prep. During the past 14 years, Global Football has produced football games in 19 nations in North and Central American, Europe, Asia, Oceania and most recently in Africa. Working partners include NFL, NFL Super Bowl Host Committees, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Notre Dame, Penn State, Pop Warner, USA Football, and numerous Division III colleges as well as National Football Federations worldwide.