UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; November 8, 2018 – The No. 21/20 Penn State football team hosts Wisconsin for the first time since 2012 on Saturday at noon in Beaver Stadium. The THON contest, which also caps STATE of Excellence Week, is presented by EQT and will air on ABC, GoPSUsports.com, the Penn State Sports Radio Network (10:30 a.m. airtime) and SiriusXM Ch. 195.
On Monday, Penn State announced that historic wet conditions on the University Park campus have resulted in significant damage to drive aisles and grass parking lots. For the safety of fans, to prevent further damage to intramural fields and Ag fields, as well as fans' personal vehicles, the majority of the grass parking lots will be unavailable for the Wisconsin game.
The ORV, Pink lots and a portion of the reserved Stadium North (Green) lot are the only grass lots that will be available for the Wisconsin game. Patrons who park in the Stadium North lot who have permits numbered 1-399 will need to utilize one of the alternative parking options.
Six free shuttle routes, in addition to CATA from Lot Red A, will be available from off-campus lots to Beaver Stadium starting at 8 a.m. Saturday until 60 minutes after the conclusion of the game. The shuttles, other than Route 10 from Innovation Park (Purple), will drop off and pick up fans on University Drive. A color and route number have been established for each shuttle route and fans will receive a wristband that corresponds with their shuttle.
Fans who normally park a car or RV in paved lots will be unaffected. Permit holders with a white stripe through their permit have a paved parking space, which are not impacted by this Saturday's lot closures.
Fans who park in the Red lot south of Beaver Stadium are asked to please access the Red lot via Porter Road, off College Avenue/Route 26. University Drive will be utilized for shuttle drop off and pick-up.
No Gameday (Yellow) Parking Available on Campus; Fans should park downtown or at Grange Park
Fans who have a gameday (Yellow) parking permit will not be permitted to park in the lots near Beaver Stadium or in any campus parking lots and are asked to park in one of the alternate lots.
Fans who still need gameday parking should park in a downtown parking lot/deck or park at Grange Park and take a shuttle (see below).
All parking lots, on and off campus, will open Saturday at 7 a.m. Pre-paid parking permits will be honored at all off-site lots. The one-way traffic pattern on streets leading to Beaver Stadium will begin Saturday by 7 a.m.
Penn State is asking patrons for their patience and understanding. Fans are being asked to avoid bringing an RV for the Wisconsin game, unless the RV parking is on pavement or in the ORV lot, and urged to carpool, use the CATA, Fullington and Penn State shuttle services. Those fans who can walk to the stadium - particularly students - should do so.
The remote parking lots not normally operated by Penn State University are drug, alcohol and tobacco free. Fans who park in these lots are guests and Penn State asks that fans respect these guidelines and township regulations.
For more specific information about the parking changes for the Wisconsin game, including alternate parking locations, along with street addresses for GPS navigation, go to:
GoPSUsports.com/news/2018/11/5/penn-state-announces-gameday-parking-changes-for-wisconsin-football-game.aspx
For a complete list of all game day information, including an interactive parking map and the shuttle pick up and drop off locations, for the Wisconsin game, go to: GoPSUsports.com/gameday. Fans with questions can call 1-800-NITTANY, weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and this Saturday from 7 a.m. until one hour after the conclusion of the game.
Before traveling to the State College area, fans are encouraged to check for traffic and parking updates. Fans can check GoPSUsports.com, @GoPSUsports on Twitter and local radio stations (1450 AM, 93.7 FM, 970 AM) for updates prior to kickoff. Fans can follow the Twitter hashtag #PSUparking for further updates.
Devon and Leah Still Honorary Captains for THON Game
Former Nittany Lion first-team All-American Devon Still, and his daughter, Leah, a pediatric cancer survivor, will be the honorary captains for the Wisconsin game. Devon Still will be available for photos Saturday from 8:30-9:15 a.m. near the south tunnel of Beaver Stadium. A THON presentation will occur at halftime.
Championship teams and individuals to be recognized during STATE of Excellence Week
To cap STATE of Excellence Week, Penn State's 2018 NCAA Wrestling Championship team and 2018 NIT Championship squad will be recognized during the game. World champion David Taylor (wrestling) and 2018 NCAA Champions Stephen Nedoroscik (men's gymnastics) and Isaiah Harris and David Lucas (men's track and field) also will be honored.
At halftime, returning student-athletes who earned a 3.0 grade-point average or higher during 2018 spring semester will be honored. A total of 487 Nittany Lion students earned at least a 3.0 GPA last spring to deliver a school record 3.15 GPA for the semester.
Beaver Stadium Gates open at 10 a.m.; Fans can Enter at Gates B, C, D, E, F; Students at Gate A
Penn State Athletics reminds patrons that Beaver Stadium gates will open two hours before kickoff for all games and strongly encourages fans to arrive early to Beaver Stadium. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for every game and reminded they can enter Beaver Stadium at any gate except the student gate - Gate A. Early arriving fans will have an opportunity to receive up to a 20 percent discount at the concession stands (see below).
Fan Fest Begins at 8:30 a.m.; Team Arrival at 9:30 a.m.
Fan Fest on Curtin Road begins at 8:30 a.m. and the Beaver Stadium ticket office, near Gate E, opens at 8 a.m. Team arrival presented by Lion Country Lodging is scheduled for approximately 9:30 a.m. and some THON kids will join the team during the walk into the stadium. All Beaver Stadium gates will open at 10 a.m.
During the team arrival, the Nittany Lions' team captains will hand out footballs signed by the captains and head coach James Franklin to fans lined up on Curtin Road.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early for every game and reminded they can enter Beaver Stadium at any gate except the student gate - Gate A.
Concessions Discounts for Early Arriving Fans; Beaver Stadium Gates Open at 10 a.m.
Some of the incentives Penn State Athletics implemented in 2016 to encourage fans to enter the stadium early remain in effect:
- Fans will receive up to a 20 percent concessions discount ($1 off a $5 purchase, $2 off a $10 purchase etc.) during the first 45 minutes after the gates are open. Cash, credit card and LionCash purchases are accepted at the concourse concession stands.
- Other college football games will be shown on the stadium videoboards and stadium concourse TVs starting two hours before kickoff until approximately 70 minutes before the game. For noon games, highlights of previous Penn State games will be shown on the videoboards.
Fans reminded to Display Parking Permit
Fans are asked to please display their parking permit from their rear-view mirror as they enter the traffic pattern and continue to display the permit once parked. Cars are sorted in traffic by University Police to lanes leading to appropriate lots. Patrons should approach their parking lot as directed on the back of their parking permit.
New Additional Security Measures This Season in and Around Beaver Stadium
Changes for this season were outlined in the 2018 Penn State Football season ticket book. Some of the changes include:
-Fans will see an increase in police visibility on game day. Fans can expect to see police officers outfitted in tactical gear at each Beaver Stadium entry gate. Additionally, members of the Centre County Tactical Response Team, uniformed in full protective gear, will conduct patrols in and around the stadium throughout game days.
-A 300-foot security buffer zone has been established around Beaver Stadium. Vehicles, other than a car, parking within 300 feet of the stadium are subject to search by University Police once the vehicle is parked.
-Knives and razor blades of any size, including folding blades or Swiss army knives, are not permitted inside Beaver Stadium.
Fans reminded of Security Screening and Penn State Athletics Bag Policy
Penn State will provide security screening for all guests at the 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. Fans will be asked to remove items from their pockets upon entering the stadium. Umbrellas are not permitted in Beaver Stadium.
Backpacks, bags, and purses are not permitted in Beaver Stadium. Personal items can be placed in a clear bag that is no larger than 11" x 11" x 0" (one gallon) and wristlets (no larger than 4" x 6" x 1"). Patrons can expedite the entry process by not bringing a bag into Beaver Stadium. For fans with medical or childcare needs, please place those items in an 11" x 11" x 0" clear bag or a one-gallon clear bag prior to arriving at the stadium gates. All items are subject to inspection. Any items left unattended at the gates will be discarded and unrecoverable.
For parking maps, the bag policy (GoPSUsports.com/clearbagpolicy), a listing of restricted vehicles and a complete list of items prohibited from entry into Beaver Stadium, fans should go to Penn State Football Game Day Central: GoPSUsports.com/gameday.
Fans Encouraged to Participate in Game Day Recycling; Bottles and Cans in Blue Bags
Fans are encouraged to be environmentally responsible and participate in Penn State's recycling and sustainability efforts by separating recyclable items before, during and after the game. Blue recycling bags and clear trash bags are located throughout the Beaver Stadium parking lots, including the entrance to most lots.
New for this season, bottles and cans only should be placed in the blue recycling bags. All other items should be placed in the clear trash bags. Bags should be securely closed and left where fans parked and they will be picked up after the lots close.
Highway Projects Could Impact Football Traffic
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is alerting drivers that they could encounter delays as they travel to Beaver Stadium this fall, with restrictions and changes coming from the Harrisburg area via U.S. 322, Altoona, Williamsport, and via I-80 in western Pennsylvania and at the Bellefonte/State College interchange with Route 26/I-99 (Exit 161).
For information about the construction and travel restrictions, visit www.penndot.gov. Motorists can stay up-to-date on the latest travel conditions by visiting www.511PA.com.
Fans Can Ride Uber to and From Beaver Stadium
Earlier this year, Penn State Athletics and Uber announced a rideshare partnership. Penn State and Uber have established pick up and drop off zones with custom signage outside Beaver Stadium. The Uber zones have been integrated into the Uber app, so that riders and drivers will have precise directions on where to meet.
RV Parking Sold Out; RV Spaces and Weekend Shuttle Available at Grange Park
All game day, season RV and Overnight RV is sold out for the 2018 season. Fans who do not have a RV parking permit will need to make other arrangements and Penn State Athletics has identified Grange Park as an economical alternative with hook-ups and shuttle service to campus on Friday and Saturday of home football weekends. Fans interested in parking their RV at Grange Park can reserve a spot by calling 814-364-9212.
Fans who have not already purchased an RV parking permit should not attempt to park in the official lots near Beaver Stadium. Those fans will be asked to turn around by police and traffic personnel, which will disrupt the flow of traffic heading to Beaver Stadium.
Penn State Athletics is working with Grange Park, site of the Grange Fair, to provide an economical alternative with 1,500 RV spaces, hook-ups and shuttle service to campus on Friday and Saturday of home football weekends.
For the Wisconsin game, the Friday shuttle will depart Grange Park for downtown State College at 5 and 6 p.m. The return shuttle Friday from downtown to Grange Park will depart at 7, 7;30, 10 and 10:30 p.m.
Fans can Call 1-800-NITTANY for Assistance Weekdays and Game Day
Before traveling to the State College area, fans are encouraged to check for traffic and parking updates. Fans can check GoPSUsports.com, @GoPSUsports on Twitter and local radio stations (1450 AM, 93.7 FM, 970 AM) for updates prior to kickoff. Fans can follow the Twitter hashtag #PSUparking for further updates.
Penn State Customer Relations representatives are available at 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and this Saturday from 7 a.m. until one hour after the conclusion of the game.
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.
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.
A limited number of single game tickets for the 2018 season presented by PSECU are available for the Nov. 24 Senior Day game vs. Maryland. Verified resale tickets are available for all home games via ticketmaster.com. For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.NittanyLionClub.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.