Upwards of 50,000 Penn State fans are expected to tailgate around Beaver Stadium, meet some football players during the pre-game autograph session and get their first peek at the new Nittany Lion squad under Coach Bill O’Brien during the Blue-White Game. In addition to football fun, there are dozens of events all over campus Blue-White Weekend, April 20–22.

Some of the weekend’s highlight events are:

“Meet the Candidates” Event
The crowded field of 86 alumni running for three open alumni seats on the Penn State Board of Trustees gives alumni a wide range of choices on the ballot—but also makes voting decision-making difficult. To help alumni in making their voting decision, the Penn State Alumni Association is facilitating a “Meet the Candidates” event the morning of the Blue-White Game—9:30–11:30 a.m., at the IM Building on Curtin Road. The candidates will be there—or have a representative there as stand in—to talk to alumni and hand out information about themselves and their candidacy. The informal meet-and-greet session will allow alumni to ask candidates the questions they deem the most important to them. It’s open to the public and free.

Another Meet-and-Greet
Have breakfast with Coach Bill O’Brien, women’s basketball Coach Coquese Washington and coaches and student-athletes from various other sports at the Nittany Lion Club Blue-White Weekend Event. It’s open to the public, and tickets are now $20. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., and the program begins at 10:30 a.m., with comments from O’Brien and Washington. For tickets, call 814–865–5555 or visit the Bryce Jordan Center Ticket Office.

Sports Beyond the Gridiron
Four other Penn State teams will be in action throughout the weekend. Check the schedules:

• men’s lacrosse
• women’s lacrosse
• women’s tennis
• men’s tennis

Photo by Special Olympics

Run Like the Wind for Special Olympics
On Sunday, the annual 5K Beaver Stadium Run/Family Fun Walk, which benefits the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center and travels through campus before participants finish inside Beaver Stadium. This year, the event is in honor of Coach Joe Paterno. In honor of JoePa’s 62 seasons with Penn State, all participants who raise at least $62 will automatically become members of “Team Paterno.”

Groundbreaking Event
The official groundbreaking ceremony for Pegula Ice Arena, the new state-of-the-art, multi-purpose facility slated for completion in September 2013, will be on Friday, April 20, at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex. The new arena will be located near the corner of University Drive and Curtin Road, across from the Bryce Jordan Center, and will include a 6,000-seat ice sheet. Construction began in early February.

Carnival of Fun
All sorts of family fun can be had at the carnival adjacent to Beaver Stadium. Running from Friday to Sunday, the carnival features rides, food vendors, games and all the usual magic. An entertainment stage will be set up near the stadium, with performances beginning at 6:00 p.m. Friday evening. Fireworks are scheduled for 9:00 p.m. Friday night. The live stage is back in business Saturday morning, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Reunions, Socials and Earth Day—OH MY!
A variety of meetings, ceremonies, reunions and more are taking place during Blue-White Weekend. Reunions will bring together African American alumni, Schreyer Honors College Scholars and Smeal MBA graduates. Several colleges and societies are holding committee meetings, lunches, dinners and galas. Plus, it’s Earth Day Friday, April 20. Celebrate by stopping by the HUB–Robeson Center to learn what the University community is doing to positively impact sustainability and green-ness. The “A Billion Acts of Green Begins with the Power of One” event will be 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Other Blue-White Events
These are just a sampling of other events in the days around Blue-White Weekend. Check Penn State LIVE for more info.