Going to a game; need advice

1. can’t help you, i’m spoiled and my dad has had season tickets since the 70’s
2. go to the student section of the stadium (I think South East-ish Endzone?) anyway, thats where the Blue Band and then the team arrive before the game. That’s a good spot, and it’s a lot of fun to watch them come in on the buses.
3. tailgating starts on Thur night for most games, so you’ll find people fired up by 8-9am before a noon game. Also tailgating after noon games is when I have the most fun (no rush, wait for the traffic to die down, etc.)
4. not sure
5. yes, avoid the packs of students (young people) that congregate in huge clusters around the stadium. you’ll know them b/c they’ll be loud, messy, and usually be dressed funny. The further out in the fields you go the more isolated and family-friendly. I always found the north part of the whole tailgating region to be the most students, that’s north of park Ave. And also you’ll find clusters all over, just avoid them and you’ll be fine. It’s not like you’re going to get robbed, but you’ll see and hear what normal college students do, and it might not be good for kids or a wife who’s not experienced that. Personally I don’t mind but it’s a matter of taste.
6. I would drive by the lion shrine if you want, it’s on the north west end of campus off atherton and curtin (correct me if I’m wrong). other than that, maybe go visit the JoePa statue on the east end of the stadium.

If you can, bring a grill. A grill may be the most important aspect of a tailgate, nothing makes me feel like I"m actually finally tailgating more then the smell of burgers and hotdogs on a grill.

1. The sun should be brutal at noon on Labor Day weekend. Try to sit in seats on the west stands, so the sun is at your back. East stands? Prepare to cook.
2. Team buses drop off Joe & the players on the Curtin Rd. side one hour before kickoff. Awesome sight, and probably about as close to the players as you might get. If you wait for them to run out of the tunnel right before kickoff, no way you’ll see any of the pre-game stuff. Might miss kickoff, too.
3. There’s usually something called “Tailgreat” that goes on in the Bryce Jordan Center (right across from stadium), I think that starts 2 or 3 hours before kickoff. The Blue Band plays, cheerleaders are there. No players. I don’t know much about it, as attending would cut into my tailgate time.
Stadium opens 90 minutes before the game, fyi.
4. I think so. Haven’t attended, but they usually have a “carnival” like atmosphere, I think. The kids would get to see the stadium before the game, which is also pretty cool. Joe & the players do attend the pre-game pep rally (I think….)
5. Try to avoid driving in on Park Ave, as that seems to be where most of the college students are. Try parking near the baseball stadium on Porter Rd. If you contact the athletic office, you can buy a parking pass (yellow lots) in advance. You save $10 and park somewhat closer than a person arriving day of game without parking pass. Lots open at 7am, although I doubt you want to be there that early with kids. 99% of the fans are great, but if you’re parked next to 50 college kids and they’re setting up speakers and a beer pong table, you may want to make new friends elsewhere.
6. Just walking around the campus may be a surprise for you, if you haven’t been back recently. Tons of new construction all over the place. Lots to do/see if you walk around downtown before the game, although I’m not sure how much your kids will be in the mood to walk if they’re young.

additional: There’s food there along Curtin Rd. to buy, but you may want to pack some sandwiches or whatever your kids like to eat (and a few beers for yourself) to bring along for the ride. Of course, most tailgates would welcome someone coming in from far away to catch the game, so maybe you prefer to wander and make friends.

Enjoy, and WELCOME BACK!

You’ll be able to get tickets the day of the game, and unless you buy them from the first person you see, you won’t even be paying face value. However, to get six together, you may want to check out ebay. Just don’t think you need to pay any crazy $100 per seat amount or anything like that.

1. Well seeing as last time Akron was in town we all needed an Ark to get home, I wouldn’t worry about the sun :). All kidding aside though, my family’s season tickets have been in the upper deck of the north end zone the last 3 years and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them after having spent the years previous sitting wherever we could find tickets. You’re up high, which, most importantly, allows you to really see the whole game unfold, but you also get to see everything else…the band, the crowd, etc. I’m sure you could find any number of people to say good things about their seats as well, but for my money, I like the the north end zone the best of any place I’ve sat.

As far as getting tickets goes, you’ve got two options: buy them in advance, or wait till you get there. Seeing as you’re coming from a million miles away, I’m going to assume you’ll want your tickets in hand before you come. In that case, any of the online middle men sites work (Stubhub, Razorgator, etc.). You could also try the PSU ticket exchange on gopsusports.com. The only problems with this are #1 you’ll probably end up paying close to or above face value and #2 they stick you with the service charges.

If you’re more of a gambling man, you could wait until game day to get your tickets on the street. For games like Akron, the scalpers tend to hand them out like free samples of bacon, so you’re more likely to get an excellent deal on them. Just hold up the corresponding number of fingers for the number of tickets you’re looking for, and several people will probably approach you. If not, say loudly “I guess nobody wants my MONEY”, and that will definitely do the trick.

1. This year, I took a bunch of my friends up for the Indiana game. Most of them had never been to Penn State for a game. At halftime, a couple of them wanted to see if they could visit a friend in the Blue Band, and I said yeah, and gave them a few directions. When they returned, they had pictures of the team going back out for the second half and said they’d gotten real close, so if you want to get close to the team without missing anything pre-game, that’s when I’d advise going down, especially at a game like Akron that will already be over by then.

1. The pre-game activities start Wednesday.

1. I’m not the right person to ask.

1. Going back to my season seats, I’ve found the upper north end zone crowd to be pretty tranquil. Most of them are the older alums, and love to be at the game, but not scream their lungs out. So, if peace is what you’re looking for, again, the north end zone is what I’d advise.

1. The Diner and it’s grilled stickies are great…College Ave. in general on gameday is pretty cool, other than the spiked prices for the football crowd…but if you’re just looking to soak it all in, a stroll down the street is a worthwhile.

And I will go on stubhub and get the closest tickets I can behind the team, I did this last year for temple and it was great, I could hear them talking and watch Joepa up close. It will be hot, and if you want some shade sitting at the endzone that is covered is an option but the seats aren’t great. I don’t think you have to worry about anyone for a noon Akron game being too obnoxious. I would walk the kids around campus, my kids liked the library stacks (for running around like maniacs), but just don’t lose them.

1. West or North side would be idea to avoid the noon sun. As a student, my skin doesn’t actually burn anymore so I’m all good. Try ebay or maybe ticketmaster has a ticket hub.

2. The tunnel would be awesome, I’ve never been there because I’d be in line waiting to get good seats but I’ve heard it’s really fun. I think that’s an hour before game time. Blue band usually comes out with around 30 minutes left but the stuff you really don’t want to miss is just before game time. Plenty of time to catch both.

3.I think around 30 minutes, but at the point where they start I’d have been in my seat for an hour and dying for something to do, it distorts time a little.

4. Football Eve is amazing, I think it would be fun for everyone. The band plays, the team comes out. There’s cheering and Joepa comes out and gives a good speech. If you want to show the kids what Penn State is all about, take’em to Football Eve.

5. We’re college kids so there are going to be a lot of drunk kids using choice words to describe Akron or Ohio St etc. But not a single one of them would be mean or rude to you as long as you’ve got some blue or white on you and can actually be quite funny and nice if you have a run in. We don’t roam in bands trying to swear in front of kids. Family’s can have a good time untainted by having the kids ask what certain four letter words mean.

6. The Creamery, Lion Shrine, the sports museum in Beaver. Maybe take them out to the Diner or Babys, just walking around campus and pointing out where you had classes (I assume you went to PSU) and little things you remember or things you did while in school would be fun, I always enjoyed when my dad told me stories about his youth.

I’d also spend some quality time with the kids in a sound proof room working on your screaming for a few hours each day through the month of August so you’ll all be able to communicate adequately after the game. Unless you’d prefer the raspy voices on the way home!

It’s going to be a good year I think and the student body is very excited about this season so the atmosphere is going to be electric, especially for the opening game we’ve been waiting for all year. Enjoy your trip!

I believe you can call the ticket office the Monday prior to the game and they release additional tickets that day. I did this 2 years ago and got some good seats for one of the early season games.

Also, check back here closer to the game…people always have extra tix for the non-premier games.

You can also check eBay, Stubhub, etc. for better parking passes for the reserved numbered parking, I got purple there once. I think I paid $35 plus the shipping. It was for a non-com game so you should be able to find one no problem. If you plan on doing more wandering than tailgating it may not be worth it, but its a good option

You should have plenty of time to see the band come in and still get to your seats. Our regular seats our way up by the lion weather vane (please direct your attention to the South end zone…). We often get club seats from people my Mom works with, but we have way more fun up top! It is rowdier, but still mostly families. The club seats can be pretty tame

Also, if you hang out after the game you can see the players come out. We have seen several that way and I have seen them sign autographs, especially for kids. You probably won’t see DC, the highest profile guy we saw was wee Kevin Kelly, but the kids won’t know and it is still cool.

Have fun!

Per the gopsusports.com:

Q. HOW CAN MY PARENTS/FRIENDS ORDER NON-STUDENT TICKETS TO FOOTBALL GAMES?
A. Some single game public tickets may be available online during the July 31st public sale at www.GoPSUsports.com. Please note that number of tickets available will vary by game.

The Womens V-Ball team is hosting a tourney that weekend, playing in Rec Hall at 7 pm Friday and Saturday nights, and 10 am Saturday (that one’s out). You will be amazed. Plus, they’ll kick Pitt’s ass Saturday night.

The Blue Band marches up from the Music Building about 2 1/2 hours before game time, and plays all the standards in the BJC starting 2 hours before kickoff (10 am for the Akron game). The volume inside the building is…impressive.

If you’re arriving early Friday (or before), do wander around downtown (as mentioned) before strolling up for the V-Ball game. The atmosphere is tremendous.

Follow the advice in all the above comments, re cooking in the East stands if it’s sunny (that’s me!), hitting the Creamery (expect long lines), etc.

Seeing at least one of the V-Ball games, though, is a must. 2-Time defending National Champs, with a strong group back this year. 4-5000 fans in Rec Hall, and noisy, with Blue Band Pep Band. Your kids will love it, and you’ll be fans for life.

Would be to try and take it easy, and not do too much. You can’t drive for the most part, so it is generally impossible to see College Ave., the Cremery, Tailgrate, the Blue Band, Volleyball, Pre-Game and the Game. You’ll kill yourself, and your kids will get tired and super cranky.

1] Where are you staying? If your in town, I’d hit campus on Friday early, and eat someplace out on the fringe. Champs usually works. If you are out of town, just go see a movie.

2] Just tailgate on Saturday dude. By a cheap ass grill, get some burgers, load the kids up on hot dogs and let them throw a football around. The stress of dragging the kids all over campus to try and see the sights is totally not worth it in my opinion. If they get super bored, you can always find something to do, but I wouldn’t push it too hard.

3] Don’t miss the pre-game band. That’s the best part of the game, especially for a game lke Akron. Don’t be araid to leave at halftime either. You might find the line at the Cremery to be much shorter at the start of the second half, same deal with all of the other touristy type stuff.

4] The only other thing, and maybe I’m a bad parent, but the ‘Skellar opens at 9:00 for a football games, and if your kids are young enough [ironic, no?] they will let them in. Strangely, it seems that kids have a blast at the Rathskellar. If you’re that kind of guy of course.

They loved: the Creamery, Baby’s (little hamburgers and big milkshakes), College Ave to buy PSU garb, the shrine, women’s volleyball Saturday night, women’s soccer Sunday morning. Oh yeah, tailgating and the football game!