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Penn State Coaching Staff to Conduct Football Spring Chalk Talk March 20-21

March 14, 2015

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - Head coach James Franklin and his staff will welcome high school and middle school coaches for the Penn State Football Spring Chalk Talk, set for March 20-21 on the University Park campus.

"The Chalk Talk is a great way for us to help grow the game of football by engaging with coaches from Pennsylvania and the region," Franklin said. "It is an opportunity for us to exchange ideas and strengthen the relationships with these coaches. Our staff is looking forward to it."

Chalk Talk attendees will have an opportunity to observe the Nittany Lions' first two drill-heavy spring practices. Friday evening, March 20, attendees will have dinner, talk football and socialize with the Penn State coaching staff.

Coaches interested in attending the Penn State Spring Chalk Talk can register and/or get more information by visiting the Penn State Sport Camps Website. Event check-in begins at 3:00 p.m. in Holuba Hall with Spring Practice #1 starting at 4:30 p.m. Walk-up registration is also permitted.

The two-day Spring Chalk Talk costs $20 per person and includes instruction, Friday's dinner and social.

In his first season as the Nittany Lions' head coach, 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 2014 season with a 31-30 overtime win over Boston College in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, rallying from a 21-7 deficit late in the third quarter.

From Langhorne, Pa., Franklin is in his fifth year as collegiate head coach, leading his first four squads to a bowl game, with postseason victories the past three years. The East Stroudsburg University graduate owns a 31-21 career record, with three consecutive winning seasons.

Penn State returns 15 starters (7 offense, 7 defense, 1 specialist), and 14 additional players who have started, for the 2015 season. The Blue-White Game presented by AAA is Saturday, April 18 at 4 p.m. in Beaver Stadium and there is no admission or parking fee as in previous years. The Nittany Lions open the season on Sept. 5 vs. Temple at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Season tickets for the 2015 campaign are on sale, with more than 1,500 new season tickets having been sold. For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing new 2015 season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m.

Penn State Football is on Twitter (@PennStateFball) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/PSUFball).