Athletics

Player autograph session among numerous events set for Blue-White Weekend

Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg signs a shirt during the autograph session held prior to the start of the 2014 Blue-White game Credit: Annemarie Mountz / Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- One of the highlights of the Penn State sports calendar, the Blue-White Game presented by AAA, is set for Saturday, April 18 at 4 p.m. as the centerpiece for numerous activities, including one new family event, throughout the weekend on the University Park campus.

As in previous years, there will be no admission or gameday parking fee for the Blue-White Game presented by AAA. The overnight RV lot opens Friday, April 17 at 8 a.m. and is $60, cash only. Beaver Stadium parking lots will open on gameday at 8 a.m. Beaver Stadium gates A and B will open at 1 p.m. and all remaining stadium gates will open at 2:30 p.m.

The team blue bus arrival for Coach James Franklin's Nittany Lions will be at 12:45 p.m. at the corner of Curtin and Porter Roads. The popular autograph session with the Nittany Lions will be held from 1:15-2 p.m. in Beaver Stadium. The players will be permitted to sign one item per person to give as many fans as possible an opportunity to meet the squad.

The Totino's Fan Festival, the official Penn State football game day fan festival, includes numerous displays, vendors and interactive events for kids, and will run from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. The Totino's Fan Festival will be located on Curtin Road near Beaver Stadium, as it is during the season.

The Blue-White Family Fun Zone will be held from 9 a.m-1 p.m. in Holuba Hall, is open to the public and has free admission. The Family Fun Zone features game stations run by Penn State teams, live entertainment, appearances by the regional mascots, inflatables, free face painting, food and beverages, merchandise, interactive games and novelty stations, giveaways and fun for the entire family.

The 6th Annual Paterno Family Beaver Stadium Run/Family Fun Walk to benefit Special Olympics Pennsylvania is set for 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 19. Participants will finish at the 50-yard line in Beaver Stadium for the three mile run or one mile walk. For more information, go to: specialolympicspa.org.

The Nittany Lions are in the midst of spring practice, with the 15 spring sessions culminating in the Blue-White Game presented by AAA. The contest will air on BTN, the Penn State Sports Network and GoPSUsports.com.

The Blue-White Game presented by AAA is the university's unofficial annual spring reunion. Last year, an estimated 72,000 fans were in attendance. The Blue-White Game has drawn more than 50,000 fans in six of the past eight years, which included three consecutive crowds above 70,000.

Penn State returns 15 starters and 14 additional players who have started, for the 2015 season. The season opener is Sept. 5 against Temple at Lincoln Financial Field.

Season tickets for the 2015 campaign are on sale, with more than 2,000 new season tickets having been sold. For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing new 2015 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.

Fans will have an opportunity to purchase season tickets at the Blue-White Game and select their seats on April 18. Members of the Athletic Ticket office will be stationed at various locations in Beaver Stadium before and during the Blue-White Game to answer questions and show fans specific seat locations that are available for the upcoming season.

Penn State Football is on Twitter (@PennStateFball) and Facebook.

Blue-White Weekend Presented by AAA Schedule of Events, April 17-19:

Friday, April 17Women's Tennis vs. Michigan State, 4 p.m.Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra performance of Aaron Copland's LincolnPortrait; Old Main Lawn, 6:30 p.m.Penn State School of Theatre performance of Julius Caesar; Old Main Lawn, 7:45 p.m.

Saturday, April 18Beaver Stadium parking lots open, 8 a.m.Men's Golf hosts Rutherford Invitational, 8 a.m.Blue-White Family Fun Zone; Holuba Hall, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.Totino's Fan Festival; Curtin Road, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.Team Bus Arrival; Curtin Road & Porter Road, 12:45 p.m.Beaver Stadium Gates A&B open, 1:00 p.m.Player Autograph Session, 1:15-2:00 p.m.All Beaver Stadium Gates open, 2:30 p.m.Blue-White Game presented by AAA, 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 19Men's Golf hosts Rutherford Invitational, 8 a.m.Ellen Perry Speaker Series: Women In Sport-The Modern Years; Nittany Lion Inn, 11 a.m.Women's Tennis vs. Michigan, 11 a.m.Paterno Family Beaver Stadium Run, 11 a.m.Men's Lacrosse vs. Rutgers, 6 p.m.

Last Updated March 26, 2015