One of the highlights of the Penn State sports calendar, Blue-White Weekend, gets underway Friday with the Blue-White football game as the centerpiece for numerous activities.
Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday in Beaver Stadium. As in previous years, there will be no admission or parking fee for the Blue-White game. Stadium parking lots will open at 8:00 a.m. and stadium Gates A, B and C will open for fans at 12:00 p.m.
The Blue-White Game is one of the nation's most popular spring football contests. Last year, a record crowd estimated at 71,000 was in attendance. More than 40,000 loyal and enthusiastic Penn State fans have attended the game in nine of the past 12 years, with rainy conditions during the other three contests.
Numerous events will be held during Blue-White Weekend to celebrate Penn State Football, including the popular pre-game autograph session with the players Saturday at 12:30 p.m. A carnival, children's games, food vendors and the student entertainment stage will be open Friday from 6:00-10:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
The Blue-White Game can be heard on nearly 25 Penn State Sports Network radio affiliates across the Commonwealth and metropolitan New York City, with Steve Jones and Joe Paterno calling the action. The contest also can be heard at GoPSUsports.com, the official website of Penn State Athletics. Go to GoPSUsports for a complete listing of the Penn State Sports Network affiliates.
The Big Ten Network will webcast the game live and televise on Monday, April 21 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Among the myriad of activities this weekend:
- On Friday, the Third Annual Penn's Civilians Educational Organization Fundraising Dinner will be held at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. Former Nittany Lion player and long-time defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky will be honored for his efforts with his charitable organization, The Second Mile. Former Penn State standouts Shane Conlan, Troy Drayton and Dennis Onkotz are expected to attend.
For more information about the dinner, call Curtis Johnson at 814-880-6069.
- The finals of a University-wide rap contest will be held Friday at 6:00 p.m. at the student stage. On Saturday, various student acts (10 a.m.), the Lionettes Dance Team (12:45 p.m.), Blue Band and cheerleaders (1:00 p.m.) and local musical group, "J.R. & Natalie" (4:00 p.m.) are among the performances scheduled for the student stage.
- During the game, the spring football award winners and recipients of the PNC Bank "Player of the Game" from the 2007 season will be announced.
- The annual Nittany Lion Club Lunch on Saturday is sold out, but arena seats to watch the program in the Bryce Jordan Center are on sale at the Jordan Ticket Center through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. Seating will be available in the lower bowl of the Bryce Jordan Center. Arena seats are for $15.00.
Joe Paterno will speak and the 2008 Nittany Lion football seniors will attend the Nittany Lion Club event. Tim Curley, Director of Athletics, Joe Battista, Executive Director of the Nittany Lion Club, and former All-America linebacker Paul Posluszny also will speak. Former Nittany Lion standouts Michael Robinson, Matthew Rice, Alan Zemaitis and current Penn State student-athletes also are expected to attend.
Doors to the Jordan Center will open at 9:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10:30 a.m.
- The Penn State baseball team will be hosting Indiana during Blue-White Weekend and fireworks are planned following Friday's 6:35 p.m. single game and Saturday's 4:35 p.m. doubleheader. The series concludes with a single game at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday, April 20. The Nittany Lions are playing their second season in the magnificent Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, located across the street from Beaver Stadium.
- The Penn State All-Sports Museum will have extended hours of operation during Blue-White Weekend. The Museum will be open on Friday, April 18 from 10 a.m-8 p.m. and Sunday, April 20 from 10 a.m-4 p.m. The museum will be closed on Saturday as it is during the season.
- On Friday and Saturday, the Penn State Ice Pavilion will be hosting "Skating Under The Big Top," Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. both nights.
In his 43rd season as head coach, Paterno's squad returns 16 starters (8 offense, 6 defense, 2 specialists) from last year's 9-4 squad that defeated Texas A&M in the Valero Alamo Bowl. The Nittany Lions were ranked No. 25 in the final USA Today Coaches poll, earning their 33rd Top 25 finish under Paterno.
A limited number of season tickets are available for the 2008 season, which will feature seven home games, including five contests against bowl teams from last season. For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing season tickets in Beaver Stadium, fans can call 1-800-648-8269 (1-800-NITTANY). For additional information on club seats, which are sold out for 2008, call 814-863-3143 and ask for Bob White.
In addition to the Blue-White Game, several other Penn State teams are competing at home during this weekend:
Friday, April 18 Women's tennis vs. Indiana, 3:00 p.m.
Women's lacrosse vs. Cincinnati, 4:00 p.m.
Baseball vs. Indiana, 6:35 p.m. (Fireworks after game)
Saturday, April 19 Men's golf - Rutherford Intercollegiate, 8:00 a.m.
Football - Blue-White Game, 2:00 p.m. (autograph session at 12:30)
Baseball vs. Indiana, 4:35 p.m. (DH - Fireworks after second game)
Sunday, April 20 Men's golf - Rutherford Intercollegiate, 8:30 a.m.
Women's tennis vs. Ohio State, 11:00 a.m.
Men's lacrosse vs. Rutgers, 1:00 p.m.
Baseball vs. Indiana, 1:05 p.m.
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