Penn State Announces Fan Cutout Plan for Empty Beaver Stadium
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Athletics Tuesday announced the Virtual Valley Experience as a way to virtually bring Nittany Lion fans to football game days, including having a presence in Beaver Stadium. Virtual Valley will also give fans behind-the-scenes access to the Penn State football program all season long.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, tailgating or gathering on campus and/or in University parking lots is not permitted and will be monitored closely. If fans choose to gather at their home, Penn State recommends following local health and safety guidelines as Nittany Nation virtually comes together on football Saturdays.
The Virtual Valley Experience website will be updated weekly. You can visit the site at GoPSUsports.com/virtualvalley to find out more information on any the initiatives.
Athletics is encouraging fans to participate in any of the three options to have a presence in Beaver Stadium, by purchasing a fan cutout or participating in the Raise the Song virtual campaign or posting their photos on social using #PSUPride.
Fans can purchase cutouts of themselves to be placed inside Beaver Stadium for the entire 2020 football season. Cutouts are $85 for the first cutout, $75 for each additional cutout (up to three additional cutouts) and $65 for Penn State students. Portions of the net proceeds from this initiative will be donated to THON, as well as Penn State equity and inclusion programs: Bunton-Waller scholarship program and Multicultural Faculty Development Support Funds. The Bunton-Waller scholarship is named in honor of Mildred Settle Bunton (1932), recognized as the first African American woman to graduate from Penn State, and Calvin Hoffman Waller (1904), believed to be Penn State’s first African American graduate. The scholarship is given to students who enhance the broad and diverse student population at Penn State. The cutouts will be placed inside Beaver Stadium and visible to the student-athletes. Traditionally for the biggest games of the season, fans are asked to Penn State White Out gear to create the greatest atmosphere in college football. While this season will be different, we are still asking fans to wear their Penn State White Out gear in their submitted image. For more information and to purchase your fan cutouts, visit www.gopsusports.com/cutouts.
The Raise the Song virtual campaign asks Penn State fans to submit videos of themselves cheering on the Nittany Lions. Those videos will be used in-stadium on game day to support our student-athletes. Videos may also be featured during virtual programming or on Penn State Athletics social media accounts. Fans can submit their videos at: www.gopsusports.com/raisethesong.
The long-running Penn State Coaches Show featuring James Franklin presented by Pepsi airs Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. and is available on Penn State Sports Network affiliates. On game days, the Penn State Sports Network pregame and postgame shows will air on network affiliates, as well as LionVision, and features Steve Jones and Jack Ham.
The Unrivaled Pregame Show airs at 8 a.m. each week. This new show will bring the game day experience into fans’ homes by highlighting the traditions and fan experiences which make Penn State the best game experience in the country. The Unrivaled Postgame Show, returning for its second season, recaps the game with coach and student-athlete interviews. Both programs are available to fans for free on LionVision, Facebook LIVE and Twitter.
