University Park, Pa. — Turns out that Penn State football fans who purchase a ticket to attend the Nittany Lions’ Big Ten conference clash with the Indiana Hoosiers at FedExField in Landover, Md., on November 20 will be contributing a whole lot more than team spirit and support.
Beginning Friday, Oct. 1, the NFL’s Washington Redskins will generously donate five percent of ticket sales generated for the Penn State vs. Indiana game, up to a maximum of $150,000, to Penn State’s Dance Marathon — THON, the nation’s largest student-run philanthropic event, benefiting The Four Diamonds Fund and pediatric cancer research.
"Penn Staters are second to none when it comes to support of our Nittany Lion teams and support of THON," said Greg Myford, Associate Athletic Director. "Our hosts at FedExField recognize that and have chosen to support THON and what it represents in a very significant way."
The donation will be made on all ticket sales to the game, a clear indication that the Penn State faithful are expected to have a major impact on attendance at the game, which ironically is a conference road contest for Coach Paterno’s team. That’s exactly what makes this "Road Trip For The Kids" so meaningful, says Kirsten Kelly, a Penn State senior and the 2011 THON Overall Chairperson.
"Year after year, the entire Penn State campus and community — students, alums, faculty and staff — find new ways to step up and make a difference For The Kids." We’re so excited and grateful that the Redskins have joined us this year and provided an opportunity for Nittany Lion fans to not only come and enjoy our game at FedExField, but also support THON while doing so. The more blue and white in the stadium on November 20, the more good we’re all doing."
While the financial benefit to THON from game ticket sales begins October 1, a specific Penn State student sale, which will offer the chance to sit in a designated student section, as well as the option to package a game ticket with round-trip bus transportation, will occur Monday, Oct. 18, at the Bryce Jordan Center. Further details on the student ticket options and student ticket sale can be found at www.GoPSUsports.com/studentcentral.
Public tickets for the game are available online now at www.GoPSUsports.com/tickets or www.ticketmaster.com. By phone, tickets can be purchased Monday – Friday by calling 814.865.5555.
Penn State (3-1, 0-0) travels to Iowa (3-1, 0-0) this weekend for the Big Ten opener for both teams. Now in his 45th year, Coach Paterno sits at 397-130-3 (75.1) for his career and is 11-10 all-time vs. the Hawkeyes. Saturday’s game will be televised on ESPN with kick-off set for 8 p.m. ET. Fans can also follow the action by listening to one of the 60 stations in the Penn State Sports Network or on the web at GoPSUsports.com. A full list of stations in the Penn State Sports Network can also be found at the online home of Penn State Athletics, GoPSUsports.com