Feb. 24, 2015
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Seeking to continue building on the success of "Dominate The State," Penn State football coach James Franklin and several head coaches will embark on the Penn State Coaches Caravan tour this spring, with stops in 12 locales. Eight of the events will take place in Pennsylvania, with additional stops in Baltimore, New York City, Washington, D.C. and New Jersey.
Franklin is scheduled to participate in all 12 Coaches Caravan stops and will be joined by other Penn State head coaches on the tour. At each event, Penn Staters will be treated to a message from the Nittany Lions' head coach and at least one other head coach and have the opportunity to ask questions about the Nittany Lions' nationally recognized 31-sport athletic department.
Jointly sponsored by the Penn State Alumni Association and the Nittany Lion Club, this will be the fourth edition of the Penn State Coaches Caravan, which will make stops at Nittany Nation strongholds across Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic from May 5-7 and 19-21.
"I really enjoyed meeting so many Penn Staters during the Coaches Caravan last year and am looking forward to traveling around Pennsylvania and surrounding states again this spring," Franklin said. "The pride and passion for Penn State, the football program and all our teams is one of the reasons why Penn State is so special. It's going to be great spending time with the other coaches and visiting with our loyal alumni and fans throughout the region."
Each of the Coaches Caravan events will feature a meet and greet with Franklin and the other Nittany Lion head coaches during the lunch or evening receptions prior to the programs. Franklin will meet with alumni and fans and talk about his first season as head coach, preparations for the 2015 campaign and vision for Penn State football and, as well as how all Penn State alumni and fans can help build on Penn State football's tradition of excellence. Members of the Penn State football coaching staff may also attend selected events.
Penn State football's recent class of 25 signees was rated No. 2 in the Big Ten Conference and among the Top 15 nationally by the primary recruiting services.
In 2014, Franklin became just the third Penn State coach to lead the team to at least seven wins in his first season, joining Dick Harlow (1915) and Bill O'Brien (2012). Penn State capped the season by rallying from a 14-point deficit to earn a 31-30 overtime win over Boston College in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Franklin is entering his fifth year as collegiate head coach, leading his first four squads to a bowl game, with post-season victories the past three years. He owns a 31-21 career record, with three consecutive winning seasons. In his 21st year of coaching, Franklin was a two-time All-PSAC quarterback at East Stroudsburg University.
The Coaches Caravan customized coach will roll out of Happy Valley on May 5, with stops in Harrisburg (lunch) and Lancaster (evening reception), followed by stops in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore (May 6) and Altoona and Pittsburgh (May 7) during the first week. The second week begins May 19 with lunch in Philadelphia and an evening reception in Bucks County, near Franklin's hometown of Langhorne. The Coaches Caravan will then visit New York City and Northern New Jersey (May 20) and conclude in the Lehigh Valley and Wilkes-Barre on May 21.
Franklin will be joined by head coaches who have helped champion Penn State's "One Team" philosophy, with the 31 varsity teams, athletics, 24 campuses, communities and constituencies all playing a role in the Nittany Lions' academic and athletic success. Penn State has captured 17 Big Ten Championships and five NCAA titles since Sept. 2012, while earning an NCAA Graduation Rate of 89 percent.
Complete details on the other coaches participating, locations and registration information for each Coaches Caravan stop on the tour will be available soon. As a benefit of membership, Penn State Alumni Association and Nittany Lion Club members will have the opportunity to register in advance, before Caravan registration is open to the general public. Member registration is scheduled to begin in March, with general public registration to follow.
The 2015 Coaches Caravan schedule of events (exact locations to be announced in March):
May 5 Harrisburg (Lunch) Lancaster (Evening reception)
May 6 Washington, D.C. (Lunch) Baltimore (Evening reception)
May 7 Altoona (Lunch) Pittsburgh/Cranberry Township (Evening reception)
May 19 Philadelphia/Center City (Lunch) Philadelphia/Bucks County (Evening reception)
May 20 New York City (Lunch) Northern New Jersey/Morris County (Evening reception)
May 21 Lehigh Valley (Lunch) Wilkes-Barre (Evening reception)
For the fourth consecutive year, Fullington Tours will provide a customized coach to transport all the Coaches Caravan participants throughout the 12-stop tour.
Fans can follow the Penn State Alumni Association (@PennStateAlums or @PSUFBLetter), Penn State Athletics (@GoPSUsports) and the Nittany Lion Club (@NittanyLionClub) on Twitter.