Penn State will kick off the 2010 campaign with “Penn State Football Eve presented by HappyValley.com” on Friday, Sept. 3. The seventh annual 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 festival food and fun along Curtin Road, which will become a fan promenade at 6 p.m. Kids games, food, surprises and music will all be part of the promenade.
Stadium gates open at 7 p.m. for fans who wish to be seated early with a showing of 2009 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 Joe Paterno’s address to the crowd a new stadium video will be unveiled.
Also, former Nittany Lion All-America quarterback Chuck Fusina will speak at Football Eve. Fusina won the 1978 Maxwell Award as the nation’s top player after leading Penn State to consecutive 11-1 seasons in 1977 and ’78.
Admission and parking are free for “Penn State Football Eve presented by HappyValley.com.” The Nittany Lions‘ 124th season opener is against Youngstown State the following day at noon..
“Penn State Football Eve,” which launches the first weekend of the football season, has attracted enthusiastic crowds approaching 25,000 in each of its initial five events.
See the video video for last years event: