AWAY GAME PEP RALLIES
Nittany Lion faithful can get pumped up and primed three hours before kickoff at each away game pep rally, organized by the Penn State Alumni Association.
The first Penn State Pep Rally will be in Champaign, Ill., on Oct. 3 prior to the Illinois game. The Penn State Pep Rally tent will be located in the group tent area on the east side of Assembly Hall, off of Fourth Street. Like all Penn State Alumni Association pep rallies, the Illinois pep rally will feature the Pep Band, the Nittany Lion, cheerleaders and some rallying words from Penn State President Graham Spanier and the Alumni Association. The pep rally tent will open at 11:30 a.m. local time, and the program will begin at 12:30 p.m.
The other three rallies also will be in tents close to the football stadiums. The rallies, their start times and locations are:
Oct. 24, Time TBA, Michigan
Location: University of Michigan Golf Course, between holes one and nine, Ann Arbor, Mich.;
Oct. 31, 12:30 p.m. Central Time, Northwestern
Location: Frank Govern Memorial Golf Course, 1031 Central St., Evanston, Ill.;
Nov. 21, Time TBA, Michigan State
Location: Demonstration Hall Field behind the Sparty Statue, located 150 yards northwest of the stadium, East Lansing, Mich.
All tents open three hours prior to kickoff, and the pep rally program begins two hours before kickoff. Pep rallies are free for all Penn State alumni and Nittany Lion fans. For more information on pep rallies, visit the Alumni Association’s Web site at www.alumni.psu.edu/events/pep/ or call 800-546-LION (5488).
PARENTS & FAMILIES WEEKEND
The Penn State Alumni Association and the Division of Student Affairs are co-sponsoring Parents & Families Weekend, Oct. 2–4, to provide parents with an opportunity to learn about the University, while giving them the freedom to choose how to spend their weekend. A variety of campus-wide programs, activities, and events are scheduled throughout the weekend, including the Melissa Heydenreich 5K/10K Moxie-Thon Race, hosted by the Lion Ambassadors. The 5K/10K walk-jog-run benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Avid runners and joggers, as well as families and students who would like to run or walk and enjoy the Penn State campus, are welcome to participate. For more information, visit http://alumni.psu.edu/ambassadors and click on the Moxie-Thon link.
HUDDLE WITH THE FACULTY
Football Saturday mornings at Penn State are more than just tailgating. Before heading over to Beaver Stadium, alumni and friends can go to The Nittany Lion Inn to catch a quick breakfast and some food for thought at “Huddle with the Faculty,” the popular free lecture series.
The next presentations in the 17th annual Huddle series are:
Oct. 10 “Urban Poverty in the U.S.: Old Problems and New Solutions” with Lakshman Yapa, professor of geography. (9 a.m. start)
Oct. 17 “The Mystery of Sports Mastery” with Denise St. Pierre, Penn State women’s golf coach. (10 a.m. start)
Huddles are sponsored and organized by the Penn State Alumni Association, and co-sponsored by The Nittany Lion Inn, Penn State Bookstore and Penn State Press. Each Huddle features a complimentary continental breakfast one-half hour before the lecture start time and free parking at the Nittany Parking Deck, adjacent to The Nittany Lion Inn.
HOMECOMING 2009
Numerous activities are planned for Homecoming Oct. 16-17 in conjunction with the Penn State–Minnesota football game, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 17: Student-Alumni Ice Cream Social on the lawn of the Hintz Family Alumni Center 1:30–4:30 p.m., with appearances by the cheerleaders, Nittany Lion and the Alumni Blue Band.
The nation’s biggest Homecoming Parade will step off about 6 p.m., winding its way across campus and downtown; followed by a pep rally and the King and Queen coronation at Old Main; then the Lion Ambassadors will guard the Lion Shrine until the wee hours with food, prizes and music.
Saturday, Oct. 18: Huddle with the Faculty presentation at The Nittany Lion Inn at 10 a.m. (breakfast at 9:30 a.m.); alumni tailgate competition before game; Alumni Association Homecoming Tent opens at 12:30 p.m. on Curtin Road, in front of the Bryce Jordan Center; Tailgreat show by the Blue Band, cheerleaders, Lionettes, Silks, Touch of Blue and Blue Sapphire at 1:30 p.m. inside the BJC.
A Young Alumni Celebration will take place at the Porter Gardens at Lubrano Park (the baseball stadium just southeast of the football stadium). Enjoy a tailgate buffet, beer and wine, the music of Velveeta, and Alumni Blue Band. Visit alumni.psu.edu/events for details and registration information.
Alumni Tailgate Competition: Student judges, including cheerleaders, Blue Band members and athletes will visit participating tailgates and determine winners in several categories, including Best Food, Best Pride & Spirit and Official Best Penn State Tailgate. To register for the competition visit http://homecoming.psu.edu. Got questions? Contact alumnihomecoming@psu.edu.
PENN STATERS IN NFL
At the start of the professional football season there were 31 former Nittany Lions on NFL rosters. Following is a list:
Arizona: #75 Levi Brown, OT
Baltimore: Isaac Smolko, TE
Buffalo: #43 Bryan Scott, DB; #51 Paul Posluszny, LB; #58 Aaron Maybin, DE; #40 Lydell Sargeant, DB
Carolina: #55 Dan Connor, LB
Chicago: #95 Anthony Adams, DT; #9 Robbie Gould, PK; #64 Tyler Reed, OG
Detroit: #80 Bryant Johnson, WR; #12 Derrick Williams, WR
Green Bay: #7 Jerry Kapinos, P
Indianapolis: #66 Ed Johnson, DT
Kansas City: #84 Bobby Engram, WR; #27 Larry Johnson, RB; #91 Tamba Hali, DE
Miami: #91 Cameron (Derek) Wake, LB
Minnesota: #73 Jimmy Kennedy, DT
New England: Rich Ohrnberger, OL
New York Giants: #67 Kareem McKenzie, OT; Jay Alford, DT
Oakland: #86 Tony Stewart, TE
Pittsburgh: #49 Sean McHugh, TE; A.Q. Shipley, OL
San Francisco: #24 Michael Robinson, RB
Seattle: #11 Deon Butler, WR
St. Louis: #31 Justin King, DB
Tampa Bay: #88 John Gilmore, TE; #96 Maurice Evans, DE
Tennessee: #5 Kerry Collins, QB
A total of 32 Nittany Lions have earned 48 Super Bowl rings in the NFL.
Compiled by Pete Kiefer ’56
CANCER WALK-A-THON
The Penn State women’s basketball team will participate in the 12th annual Lady Lion/Edie Hall Cancer Walk-a-Thon 1 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 11 at the Multi-Sport Facility.
Walk with the Lady Lions and assist in the fundraising effort by downloading a pledge form on www.GoPSUsports.com or by contacting the Lady Lion basketball office at 814-863-2672.
WE LOVE OUR JOE
Dunkin’ Donuts is honoring Joe & Sue Paterno and raising funds for Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) through a promotion now running until Jan. 31, 2010. The promotion will appear in State College, Clearfield, Johnstown and Chambersburg.
Dunkin’ Donuts customers in those locations will get free coffee with the purchase of a “We Love Our Joe” mug, featuring either a profile or caricature of Joe Paterno. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the mugs support SOPA. The Dunkin’ Donuts franchise also will donate to SOPA a portion of proceeds from every cup of hot or iced coffee sold.
Special Olympics is one of the Paterno family’s favorite charities. Sue has served on the Board of Directors for more than 15 years and heads the Ceremonies Committee for the annual Summer Games hosted by Penn State. Joe and Sue were inducted into the SOPA Hall of Fame in 2008.
“We are privileged to see firsthand and be inspired by the athletes when they come to Penn State for their Summer Games,” says Joe. “Special Olympics reaches so many incredible people throughout the state, touching not only the athletes but a vast network of volunteers as well. Sue has been a tremendous supporter, and we are happy to do everything we can to further the goals of Special Olympics Pennsylvania.”
“We Love Our Joe” eye black stickers—like players wear to prevent sun glare—will also be sold with proceeds benefitting SOPA.
SOLAR DECATHLON TEAM
Penn State’s Solar Decathlon team has spent a year designing and building an 800-square-foot Natural Fusion house, which will be moved to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the Oct. 9-18 competition among colleges and universities to create the best solar-powered home. Anyone can visit the National Mall for the competition.
CHARTER FLIGHTS TO AWAY GAMES
Game day charter flights to Michigan and Michigan State have been scheduled for Nittany Lion fans who don’t want to make the long drive or pay steep hotel bills this fall. The flights will leave University Park Airport in time for fans to attend the Penn State pep rally and the game, then return on the same day.
The price includes the flight, round-trip motorcoach transfers from the airport to the stadium, and open bar and snacks. Game tickets in the Penn State section are available for an additional fee when you book a charter flight. For more information or to make a reservation, visit http://www.pennstatealumnisportstravel.com or call 866-373-7370.
SPORTS SCHEDULES
SWIMMING & DIVING
October
13 @ St. Bonaventure
24 WEST VIRGINIA (1 p.m.)
30 @ Virginia Tech (6 p.m.)
31 @ Virginia Tech (11 a.m.)
November
20 VIRGINIA (6 p.m.)
21 VIRGINIA (11 a.m.)
December
4-6 @ Ohio State Invitational
January
3-4 @ Georgia Bulldog Shootout
7 vs. Florida State at Naples, Fla.
15 @ Pittsburgh w/Maryland (6 p.m.)
16 @ Pittsburgh w/Maryland (11 a.m.)
29 @ Ohio State w/Mich./NW (5 p.m.)
30 @ Ohio State w/Mich./NW (11 a.m.)
February
5 BUFFALO (men only) (4 p.m.)
6 LEHIGH (1 p.m.)
17-20 Big 10 Chmps. for women @ Purdue
24-27 Big 10 Chmps. for men @ Ohio State
March
18-20 NCAA Chmps. for women @ Purdue
25-27 NCAA Chmps. for men @ Ohio State
STATE COLLEGE EXHIBIT IN LIBRARY
A University Archives exhibit on “State College from Rural Roots to Happy Valley” will be on display until Dec. 31 in the Eberly Family Special Collection Library in 104 Paterno Library.
TAILGREAT IN 2009
Penn State fans looking for a break from traditional tailgating can head to the Bryce Jordan Center three hours before kickoff on home game Saturdays for The Blue Band Tailgreat Show, presented by GoPSUsports.com. It’s free fun for families and fans of all ages.
The Blue Band Tailgreat Show offers fans the chance to see a pre-game performance by the Blue Band, cheerleaders, Lionettes dance team, Nittany Lion, and more. The Blue Band show begins two hours before kickoff and ends one hour before kickoff, so fans have plenty of time to get into the stadium for the football game.
Tailgreat will continue a tradition started last year: the guest drum major. Some of the luminaries scheduled to lead the band from the Jordan Center to the stadium include football greats Curt Warner ’83 and Andre Collins ’91 and University President Graham Spanier. Fans will also have a chance to be a guest drum major through various contests.
Check for Tailgreat details before each home game at http://GoPSUsports.com/tailgreat.
KIDS CLUB ROARS TO LIFE
A program for children up to eighth grade is new this year—the Nittany Lion Kids Club presented by Highmark and sponsored by Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics. Throughout the year, Kids Club VIP events will include post-game autograph sessions and sports clinics with student athletes competing in basketball, soccer, wrestling, volleyball, gymnastics and baseball—in addition to football.
Other benefits of membership include a personalized welcome kit, quarterly newsletters with insider information about Penn State teams and athletes, annual birthday cards from the Nittany Lion, access to online games and activities and free VIP admission to dozens of athletic events each year, including some opportunities to meet Penn State coaches and players.
Adults can download the membership application at www.gopsusports.com/kidsclub or purchase memberships at The Blue Band Tailgreat Show. Cost is $25 per child, with discounts for siblings.
NEW TAILGATE POLICY
A new policy aimed at ensuring a safer experience at Beaver Stadium prohibits glass bottles and containers in any of the grass parking lots. This policy was implemented because broken glass is difficult to clean up in grassy areas and provides a significant safety hazard to tailgaters who play in these lots on game day, students who use the fields for intramural sports and the animals who use some of these areas as pastoral lands.
“Our goal is to maintain a safe, fun atmosphere for the many fans who visit campus on game day,” said Steve Shelow, director of University Police.
VISITORS WELCOME BOOTH
For the 24th consecutive year, the Centre County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association is operating a welcome booth for fans of visiting teams outside Beaver Stadium’s northeast gate. Volunteers provide visitors with a friendly greeting and information about Beaver Stadium, Penn State and State College. Buttons from many past Penn State games are also available.
NEW PENN STATE LICENSE PLATE
A new license plate with the Penn State lion head logo on the left side and “Penn State University” written across the bottom was introduced in early September.
Anyone with a vehicle weighing less than 9,000 pounds and not a motorcycle registered in Pennsylvania can purchase the plate, which will help fund student scholarships and programs offered by the University, the Alumni Association and Intercollegiate Athletics.
There is a one-time fee of $179, including registration fees for PennDOT, for the plate. Each year after the first, only the standard PennDOT registration fees will apply. Of the initial fee, $155 is tax-deductible as a gift to Penn State.
For more information, visit www.pennstateplate.com or call 877-778-7467.
