March 22, 2017
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.-- The Penn State Coaches Caravan is returning to the roads of Pennsylvania in May with seven stops across the Commonwealth. James Franklin, the 2016 Big Ten Football Coach of the Year, Director of Athletics Sandy Barbour and several head coaches will embark on the four-day, seven-stop tour from May 8-11.
Penn State Coaches Caravan general public registration is underway today at www.alumni.psu.edu/coachescaravan. As a benefit of membership, Penn State Alumni Association and Nittany Lion Club members began signing up for Coaches Caravan events at a reduced rate on March 15, with more than 1,000 sign-ups during the first week.
Advance registration is required for all events on the Penn State Coaches Caravan, which is jointly sponsored by the Penn State Alumni Association and the Nittany Lion Club.
Franklin is scheduled to participate in all seven Coaches Caravan stops and will be joined by other Penn State head coaches on the tour. At each event, alumni, friends and fans will hear updates on the Nittany Lions' nationally recognized 31-sport athletic program, learn about the 2017 football season, and get to know more about the academic and athletic achievements of 800 student-athletes --all while connecting with fellow Penn Staters.
Each of the Coaches Caravan events will feature a meet and greet with Franklin and the other Nittany Lion head coaches during the lunch or evening receptions prior to the programs. Franklin will meet with alumni and fans and talk about Penn State's 2016 Big Ten Championship run and Rose Bowl berth, as well as preparations for the 2017 season and how all Penn State alumni and fans can help build on Penn State football's tradition of excellence. Members of the Penn State football coaching staff may also attend selected events.
The Coaches Caravan will roll out of Happy Valley on May 8, with stops in York (lunch) and Philadelphia/King of Prussia (evening reception), followed by stops in Hazleton (lunch) and Harrisburg (evening reception) on May 9, Pittsburgh for an evening reception on May 10 and Altoona (lunch) and Williamsport (evening reception) on May 11.
Complete details on the other coaches participating on the tour will be available in April.
Jointly sponsored by the Penn State Alumni Association and the Nittany Lion Club, this will be the fifth edition of the Penn State Coaches Caravan.
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club, visit NittanyLionClub.com or call 1-800-NITTANY. To join the Penn State Alumni Association, visit alumni.psu.edu/membership.
More than 5,000 new season tickets have been sold for the 2017 campaign. For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing new 2017 season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m.
The 2017 Penn State Coaches Caravan schedule of events and locations (subject to change):
May 8-
York/Penn State York campus (Lunch)
Philadelphia-King of Prussia/Valley Forge Casino (Evening Reception)
May 9
Hazleton/Penn State Hazleton campus (Lunch)
Harrisburg/Penn State Harrisburg campus (Evening reception)
May 10
Pittsburgh/Omni William Penn (Evening reception)
May 11
Altoona/Altoona Heritage Discovery Center Casino (Lunch)
Williamsport/Genetti Hotel (Evening reception)
Fans can follow the Penn State Alumni Association (@PennStateAlums or @PSUFBLetter), Penn State Athletics (@GoPSUsports) and the Nittany Lion Club (@NittanyLionClub) on Twitter.