UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.,
July 19, 2007 -- Penn
State will kick off the
2007 campaign with "Penn State Football Eve presented by Sheetz" on Friday,
August 31. The fourth year event starts the new season with a festival-like
atmosphere surrounding Beaver Stadium followed by a celebration inside the
stadium with the team and Coach Joe Paterno.
The “night before” activities outside the stadium include a barbeque, festival
food and fun along Curtain Road
which will become a fan promenade at 6 p.m. Stadium gates open at 7:00 p.m. for
fans who wish to be seated early with a showing of 2006 football highlights.
The program inside the stadium starts at 7:45 p.m. featuring the Blue Band,
cheerleaders, dance team and videos. The seniors will be introduced and after
Coach Paterno’s address to the crowd a new stadium video will be unveiled.
"Penn
State Football Eve presented by Sheetz.," which launches the first weekend
of the football season, attracted approximately 25,000 fans in each of its
first two events. Last year’s event was cancelled due to heavy rain. The
Nittany Lions' 121st season opener is against
Florida International on Sept. 1 at 12:00 p.m. Admission and parking are
free for "Penn State Football Eve presented by Sheetz."
“We’re proud to help continue this tradition at Penn State
through our support of Football Eve. We see this event getting bigger and
better each year,” said Louie Sheetz, Vice President-Marketing for Sheetz.
Anticipation is running at an all time high for the new season among Penn State
fans, with a record 99 percent renewal rate for 2007 season tickets. A record
total of 93,500-plus season tickets have been sold, including more than 21,000
student season tickets that sold out in 59 minutes. Membership in the Nittany
Lion Club has grown by 20 percent over the past two years to nearly 23,000.
Four games are sold out, with a limited number of tickets remaining only
for Florida International, Buffalo
(Sept. 15, 12:00) and possibly the Senior Day clash with Purdue (Nov. 3). Any
remaining single game tickets will go on sale at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 27
exclusively at gopsusports.com the official
website of Penn State Athletics.
Freshman
“Welcome Week” orientation that is being held in the Bryce Jordan
Center the same evening
as “Football Eve” will continue in the stadium where the freshman will gain an
understanding of student traditions during the football games. FSN
Pittsburgh will have a "Who Wants to be an Announcer?" station
outside the All-Sports
Museum for aspiring
sports broadcasters. Kids games, a barbeque, festival food, surprises and an
oldies band will all be part of the promenade along Curtain Road.
