Penn State Football 101

Buying Tickets:

Hopefully you were all able to successfully get season football tickets for your freshman year! If not, don’t worry, it can be nearly impossible. Tickets sold out in five minutes when I was purchasing them for my freshman year. If you didn’t get tickets this year, you can always buy single game tickets off of the student ticket exchange. One of my friends was able to get a ticket for every game using this site. When the season starts, tickets will become available on this website: https://teamexchange.ticketmaster.com/html/eventlist.htmI?l=EN&team=psustud

What to Bring:

Security at Beaver Stadium doesn’t like you to bring bags into the game unless you need them for a medical reason. With that being said, the only two items that you really need are your student ID and cellphone. The best way to carry your things is in either your pants pocket or one of those phone cases that also functions as a wallet or has a sleeve to place a few cards. If the weather looks threatening when you begin your walk to Beaver Stadium, grab a small plastic Ziploc bag and a rain jacket to protect you and your phone from getting wet. State College weather can be very unpredictable, but football games are still an amazing experience rain or shine!

Tailgating:

Tailgating around Beaver Stadium is the pinnacle of pre-game activities! I guarantee you will meet friends during the first couple of weeks (and at WEPO!) who will have tailgating connections. I recommend that you take advantage of the free food and drinks so that you don’t have to use your meal points to purchase food in the stadium. Make sure you are familiar with Corn Hole and Kan Jam as they are extremely popular!

At the Game:

Try to contain your excitement when you first walk in because this is the second largest stadium in the United States.You will be surrounded by thousands of passionate fans and it will be a LOUD environment.  Also, you will quickly catch on to the traditions of the “best student section in the country” ~ Kirk Herbstreit.  Not only will you master the craft of walking (a lot) while at Penn State, but you will learn how to stand for a long time at the games.

After the Game:

Once you are finished swaying with your buds, and singing the Alma Mater, it is sadly time to leave.  Oftentimes, tailgates will start back up after the game, so you can go back to grab your last bit of free food before heading back to your dorm for a hot shower and a long nap.

WARNING: Don’t plan on accomplishing homework on football Saturdays!

Emily Strohm is a junior majoring in Chemical Engineering and is a Mentor for WEPO'16!