UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Athletics announced the Virtual Valley Experience as a way to virtually bring Nittany Lion fans to football game days, including having a presence in Beaver Stadium. Virtual Valley will also give fans behind-the-scenes access to the Penn State football program all season long. The 2020 Penn State football season is presented by PSECU.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, tailgating or gathering on campus and/or in University parking lots is not permitted and will be monitored closely. If fans choose to gather at their home, Penn State recommends following local health and safety guidelines as Nittany Nation virtually comes together on football Saturdays.
The Virtual Valley Experience website will be updated weekly. You can visit the site at GoPSUsports.com/virtualvalley to find out more information on any the initiatives.
Athletics is encouraging fans to participate in any of the three options to have a presence in Beaver Stadium, by purchasing a fan cutout or participating in the Raise the Song virtual campaign or posting their photos on social using #PSUPride.
Fans can purchase cutouts of themselves to be placed inside Beaver Stadium for the entire 2020 football season. Cutouts are $85 for the first cutout, $75 for each additional cutout (up to three additional cutouts) and $65 for Penn State students for the season. Portions of the net proceeds from this initiative will be donated to THON, as well as Penn State equity and inclusion programs: Bunton-Waller scholarship program and Multicultural Faculty Development Support Funds. The Bunton-Waller scholarship is named in honor of Mildred Settle Bunton (1932), recognized as the first African American woman to graduate from Penn State, and Calvin Hoffman Waller (1904), believed to be Penn State's first African American graduate. The scholarship is given to students who enhance the broad and diverse student population at Penn State. The cutouts will be placed inside Beaver Stadium and visible to the student-athletes. Traditionally for the biggest games of the season, fans are asked to Penn State White Out gear to create the greatest atmosphere in college football. While this season will be different, we are still asking fans to wear their Penn State White Out gear in their submitted image. For more information and to purchase your fan cutouts, visit www.gopsusports.com/cutouts.
The Raise the Song virtual campaign asks Penn State fans to submit videos of themselves cheering on the Nittany Lions. Those videos will be used in-stadium on game day to support our student-athletes. Videos may also be featured during virtual programming or on Penn State Athletics social media accounts. Fans can submit their videos at: www.gopsusports.com/raisethesong.
The long-running Penn State Coaches Show featuring James Franklin presented by Pepsi airs Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. and is available on Penn State Sports Network affiliates (click here for list of affiliates) and LionVision. On game days, the Penn State Sports Network pregame and postgame shows will air on network affiliates, as well as LionVision, and features Steve Jones and Jack Ham. The postgame show is presented by the PA Propane Foundation.
The Unrivaled Pregame Show airs at 8 a.m. each week. This new show will bring the game day experience into fans' homes by highlighting the traditions and fan experiences which make Penn State the best game experience in the country. The Unrivaled Postgame Show, returning for its second season, recaps the game with coach and student-athlete interviews. Both programs are available to fans for free on LionVision, Facebook LIVE and Twitter.
Additional virtual initiatives for the 2020 football season include:
- Fan Photos on Beaver Stadium Videoboard – Fans can show their support of Penn State football student-athletes by posting photos on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #PSUPride. Photos will be featured on the videoboards in Beaver Stadium during home games and on the Virtual Valley Experience website.
- Unrivaled Podcast – Unrivaled: The Official Podcast of Penn State Football, returns for its second season with new episodes each Thursday.
- Virtual Tailgate of the Game Contest – Each game day, fans will be asked to share photos of their socially distant or virtual tailgates on social media, using #PSUTailgate. The fans showing the most Penn State spirit will be selected as the Tailgate of the Game and claim a prize from the Nittany Lion Club.
- Behind the Mic – The Penn State Sports Network brings fans into the radio booth with Steve Jones and Jack Ham. Watch and listen to Steve and Jack as they broadcast the game. Please note, this video feed does not show the game.
- Halftime Trivia Contest – Each week at halftime of the game, fans will have the opportunity to participate in the Penn State Football-themed trivia contest.
- Nittany Lion Club Tailgate Cookbook Recipe of the Week – The Nittany Lion Club will feature its Recipe of the Week each Wednesday.
- Zoom Backgrounds – Penn State Athletics has a variety of virtual Zoom backgrounds, including tailgate lot views, available by clicking here.
More initiatives may be announced as the season begins.
Virtual Valley Experience Game Week Schedule
| Tuesday | ||
| 12:30 p.m. | Head Coach James Franklin's Weekly Press Conference | LionVision/Facebook LIVE |
| Wednesday | ||
| - | Nittany Lion Club Tailgate Cookbook Recipe of the Week | @NittanyLionClub social channels |
| Thursday | ||
| - | PSECU Game Preview | @PennStateFBall social channels |
| - | Unrivaled: The Official Podcast of Penn State Football | @PennStateFBall social channels |
| 6 p.m. | Penn State Coaches Show featuring James Franklin presented by Pepsi | LionVision/PSSN Affiliates |
| Friday | ||
| Game Preview with Head Coach James Franklin | @PennStateFBall social channels | |
| Saturday | ||
| 8 a.m. | Unrivaled Pregame Show | LionVision/Facebook LIVE/Twitter |
| 1.5 hours prior to kickoff |
Penn State Sports Network Pregame Show | LionVision/PSSN Affiliates |
| Nittany Lion Club's Virtual Tailgate of the Game Contest | @GoPSUsports social channels | |
| Kickoff | Penn State Sports Network Radio Broadcast | LionVision/PSSN Affiliates |
| Kickoff | Behind the Mic Stream with Steve Jones & Jack Ham | LionVision/GoPSUsports Facebook LIVE |
| Halftime | Halftime Trivia Contest | @GoPSUsports social channels |
| Postgame | Unrivaled Postgame Show | Facebook LIVE/Twitter |
| Postgame | Penn State Sports Network Postgame Show presented by PA Propane Foundation |
LionVision/PSSN Affiliates |