Aug. 30, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa-- The Penn State football team opens its 130th campaign on Saturday, Sept. 3, hosting Kent State for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff in Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions own a 106-21-2 record all-time in season openers and will be opening the season at home for the first time since 2012, having started the last three seasons in MetLife Stadium (2013 vs. Syracuse), in Dublin, Ireland (2014 vs. UCF) and at Temple last year.
Penn State will provide security screening for all guests this season at entry gates using metal detection wands. With this security measure in place, all public gates, including the ADA and student gates, will open two hours prior to kickoff to provide ample time for all fans to pass through security.
"The safety and well-being of our student-athletes and fans is of utmost importance to us," said Cory Chapman, Penn State Assistant AD and General Manager; Beaver Stadium and Pegula Ice Arena. "Providing security measures at Beaver Stadium is a topic we regularly discuss and review throughout the entire year. The plan we have in place will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests in Beaver Stadium."
Metal detection at entry gates is a more efficient method and has become an industry best practice, Chapman added. An increasing number of collegiate and professional stadiums are using metal detection at entry gates, similar to what airline customers experience at airport security operations. Fans will be asked to remove items from their pockets upon entering Beaver Stadium.
Bathroom Upgrades; New Guests Services Booths Outside Beaver Stadium Join Eight Locations Inside Facility
Some Beaver Stadium bathrooms have been updated with new lighting and stalls and a fresh coat of paint during the off-season.
Penn State has added two new guest services booths outside the stadium, in addition to locations inside the facility, to assist fans prior to and following the game. The first booth is located at the intersections of Park Avenue and University Drive, near the IM fields, and the second booth is at the intersections of Park Avenue and Porter Road near the Ag Arena and the Overnight RV lot.
Inside Beaver Stadium, guest services booths are located at Gates B, C, E and F on the field level. There also is a guest services booth on the North concourse, two on the South concourse and one in the North upper deck.
Similar to previous years, the Penn State Customer Relations Service Center (1-800-NITTANY) will be open on game day from 8 a.m. until one hour after the game. For games that kick at Noon, the staff will be available starting at 7 a.m.
Fan assistance also is provided by the customer relations staff, by texting the word "Nittany" your issue and location to the phone number 69050, or by calling 1-800-NITTANY.
Fans reminded of Penn State Athletics Bag Policy
Backpacks, bags, and purses are not permitted in Beaver Stadium. One clear one-gallon plastic bag per person will be permitted for items required for medical and/or child care needs. All items are subject to inspection. Any items left unattended at the gates will be discarded and unrecoverable. For more information on the bag policy and complete football game day information, fans should visit Penn State Football Gameday Central: GoPSUsports.com/gameday.
Savings For Fans When Buying Single Game Parking In Advance
Fans with single game tickets are encouraged to purchase car and RV parking in advance for by calling 1-800-NITTANY, weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at least 15 days prior to the game, or Friday at the Bryce Jordan Ticket Center. The advance rates are $15 (car) and $60 (RV), while the game day parking rates are $40 (car) and $120 (RV), cash only.
- Fans can purchase up to three advance single game parking passes per account, per game;
- Fans are asked to please display their parking pass from their rear view mirror as you enter the traffic pattern. Cars are sorted in traffic by Stadium Traffic Control to lanes leading to appropriate lots;
- Please approach the lot as directed on the back of your parking pass;
- Please come early and arrive at the stadium gates early;
- The Family Friendly lot (no alcohol permitted) is located the intersection of Park Avenue and University Drive and should be accessed traveling East on Park Avenue;
- Fan assistance is provided by game day staff, by texting the word "Nittany" your issue and location to the phone number 69050, or by calling 1-800-NITTANY after 7 a.m.
- The overnight RV lot opens Thursdays at 6 p.m. and can be accessed via Orchard Road off Park Avenue.
For parking maps, the bag policy and a complete list of items prohibited from entry into Beaver Stadium, fans should review the Beaver Stadium Parking and Information guide at: GoPSUsports.com/gameday.
Inclement Weather Parking Information
For any games where inclement weather may impact parking, information will be communicated via at GoPSUsports.com/gameday and on the Intercollegiate Athletics Twitter (@GoPSUsports) and Facebook accounts (Facebook.com/pennstatenittanylions). Additional information on inclement weather parking can be found at:
- A Google interactive map at GoPSUsports.com/gameday will inform fans on lots, costs and access routes;
- This map will also allow fans to locate foul weather lots in the event they are necessary;
- Determination of any parking changes will be made as soon as possible the week of the game;
- Shuttles routes will be routed to these businesses if the lots are needed.
Beaver Stadium Parking Lots Open at 8 a.m.; Stadium Ticket Office Opens at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday
Gameday parking lots will open this Saturday at 8 a.m. The Nittany Lions, led by Coach James Franklin, will arrive at the intersection of Curtin and Porter Roads at 1:10 p.m. to walk to Beaver Stadium's south tunnel through an aisle of fans and family. Members of the Penn State Blue Band, cheerleaders and the Lionettes will help welcome the team in a pep rally along Curtin Road starting at 12:30 p.m.
The stadium public, student and ADA gates will open at 1:30 p.m. The Beaver Stadium ticket office, located near Gate E, will open at 11:30 a.m. Penn State students from all campuses can buy one or two tickets for $40 apiece, with a valid ID, at the Bryce Jordan Ticket Center (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) or at the stadium box office on Saturday (see below for more information on special student offer). The Penn State Customer Relations Service Center (1-800-NITTANY) will be open on Saturday from 8 a.m. until one hour after the game.
Season, partial season and single game tickets for this year are on sale, with more than 5,500 new season tickets having been sold. To purchase tickets or for information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing new 2016 season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m. Pre-paid single game parking passes for the game day parking lots are also available at www.GoPSUsports.com/tickets..
The Penn State-Kent State game will air on BTN, the Penn State Sports Network (2:00 p.m. airtime) and GoPSUsports.com.
Penn State Athletics is on Twitter and Facebook at: GoPSUsports.com/ot/socialmedia.html..