UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State will kick off the 2007 campaign with \”Penn State Football Eve presented by Sheetz\” on Aug. 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 barbecue, festival food and fun along Curtin Road, which will become a fan promenade at 6 p.m. Stadium gates open at 7 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 canceled due to heavy rain. The Nittany Lions\’ 121st season opener is against Florida International on Sept. 1 at noon. 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, Executive VP, Marketing, 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.