Beaver Stadium
Encyclopedia
Beaver Stadium is an outdoor college football
stadium
in University Park
, Pennsylvania
, United States
, on the campus of The Pennsylvania State University. It is home to the Penn State Nittany Lions
of the Big Ten Conference
. The stadium is named for James A. Beaver
, a former governor
of Pennsylvania
(1887–91) and president of the university's board of trustees.
Beaver Stadium has an official seating capacity
of 106,572, making it currently the second largest stadium in the Western Hemisphere
and the fourth largest in the world.
Beaver Stadium is widely known as one of the toughest venues for opposing teams in collegiate athletics
. In 2008, Beaver Stadium was recognized as having the best student section in the country for the second consecutive year.
The stadium is the first to have its interior included in Google Street View
.
Until 1893, Penn State teams participated in sporting events on Old Main
lawn, a large grassy area in front of the primary classroom building of the time. Beaver Field, a 500-seat structure located behind the current site of the Osmond Building, was the first permanent home for Penn State's football team, and the first game played there was a Penn State victory over Western University of Pennsylvania (now the University of Pittsburgh
) on November 6, 1893. In 1909, New Beaver Field opened just northeast of Rec Hall
, roughly in the current location of the Nittany Parking deck. It served as Penn State's stadium until 1960, when the entire 30,000 seat stadium was dismantled and moved to the east end of campus, reassembled and expanded to 46,284 seats--the lower half of the current facility--and dubbed Beaver Stadium.
The stadium has been expanded six times, reflecting Penn State's rise to national prominence under Joe Paterno
--more than doubling in size in the process. Expansions in 1969
, 1974
and 1976
increased capacity to 60,203. In 1978
, 16,000 seats were added when the stadium was cut into sections and raised on hydraulic lifts, allowing the insertion of seating along the inner ring of the stadium where the track had previously been located. In 1980
, maximum capacity increased to 83,770. An expansion was completed for the 1991
football season, placing an upper deck addition over the north end zone
and raising capacity to over 90,000.
A major and somewhat controversial construction project took place in 2001
, raising the stadium's total capacity to 107,282. An upper deck was added to the south end of the stadium, blocking the view of neighboring Nittany Mountain (which had sentimental value for some fans), but making Beaver Stadium the second largest stadium in nation, behind Michigan Stadium
in Ann Arbor, MI.
In 2006, the stadium underwent major structural and aesthetic upgrades. Old steel beams supporting the upper seats in the east, north and west were replaced and strengthened, and new railing was installed, stronger than the old railing which collapsed following the 2005 Ohio State
game.
In 2007, over 22,000 student tickets sold out in 59 minutes. In 2008, when tickets were sold by grade, tickets allotted for junior students sold out in 90 seconds, and those for sophomores and freshmen sold out in under three minutes each.
The appearance of the stadium has been enhanced with the addition of large blue letters spelling out "The Pennsylvania State University" on the west-facing suites, and a list of Penn State's undefeated, national championship, and Big Ten championship years underneath. On the opposite side of the stadium, letters spelling, "Penn State Nittany Lions" have been added to the press box, with "Beaver Stadium" running below. Nine markers depicting the various traditions of Beaver Stadium, including the Blue Band, the student section, and the blue buses which bring the team to the stadium, have been placed around the stadium as well. In late October, the walls surrounding the field were refaced with Pennsylvania limestone
. An iron gate has replaced the old chain-link face at the players' entrance into the stadium. On the new gate the words "PENN STATE" appear in blue.
Currently, the Penn State OPP and Athletic Department are working to upgrade the North and South Video Boards. The Renovation would include expanding the size of the video board by eliminating the current game clock and lamp matrix display. The two current options proposed include a screen size of either 109 feet by 29 feet or a larger option of 158 feet by 29 feet. Another option being considered by the university includes a completely new scoreboard designed by Anthony James Partners (AJP). This design includes an even larger screen than either of the two renovation options. Additionally the design would include a Light-Up Penn State Logo Sign atop both boards. On the reverse side of the South Board, sponsor banners could also be displayed. The project is scheduled to be completed prior to the first home game of the 2012 season.
Beaver Stadium's record crowd of 110,753 witnessed Penn State's 40–7 victory over Nebraska on September 14, 2002.
Due to the problems at the school that happened the week prior to the Nebraska Cornhuskers
coming to Penn State involving the Penn State sex abuse scandal
and the firing of Head Football Coach Joe Paterno
; it was thought by many that their game to be played on November 12, 2011, the last home game of the season, would have the most game attendance ever. There were 107,903 paid attendance announced, which was the largest for the 2011 season. It was also the second-largest crowd ever for a Nebraska football game hosted by Penn State played at Beaver Stadium. But, this does not include everyone in the stadium or what would be considered the largest crowd. The paid attendance is always lower than the total crowd. So, it is unclear at this time if a new total attendance record has been set for Beaver Stadium. Penn State fell to Nebraska, 17-14.
In 2002
, Penn State also set an NCAA
record for largest season attendance, with 1,257,707 watching Penn State games over the course of the season.
It is boasted by the Penn State community that during home games at State College
the stadium is the 4th largest city by "population" in the state. It follows Philadelphia
(1,517,550), Pittsburgh
(334,563), and Allentown
(118,032) and precedes Erie
(101,786).
is very popular outside Beaver Stadium. Alcohol is permitted in all areas around Beaver Stadium on home football games, except inside Beaver Stadium and the Bryce Jordan Center
(Alcohol is permitted inside Medlar Field at Lubrano Park
, but only alcohol purchased inside the ballpark). Both the Bryce Jordan Center and Medlar Field at Lubrano Park are open for special events before kickoff during home football games.
that took place on April 16, 2007 at Virginia Tech
.
is a tradition carried out by the Nittany Lions usually after a big play. Zombie Nation is when the entire Penn State crowd jumps around, waves their rally towels or shakers wildly and shouts "WE ARE PENN STATE" during the playing of "Kernkraft 400
" by Zombie Nation.
, in which he led the team from the locker room under the South side of the stadium to the tunnel, to a closed metal gate reading "PENN STATE" in bold Arial font. When the team arrived at the gate, the Nittany Lion would open the gate and motion for the team to walk through it, as if welcoming the team to the field. The team would then linger until four minutes were left on the pregame clock, and then Paterno led the team through the tunnel created by the Blue Band.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in University Park
University Park, Pennsylvania
University Park, Pennsylvania is an unincorporated community in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States, and is the location of the flagship campus of the Pennsylvania State University....
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, on the campus of The Pennsylvania State University. It is home to the Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State Nittany Lions football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
of the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
. The stadium is named for James A. Beaver
James A. Beaver
James Addams Beaver was an American politician who served as the 20th Governor of Pennsylvania from 1887 to 1891...
, a former governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
(1887–91) and president of the university's board of trustees.
Beaver Stadium has an official seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 106,572, making it currently the second largest stadium in the Western Hemisphere
Western Hemisphere
The Western Hemisphere or western hemisphere is mainly used as a geographical term for the half of the Earth that lies west of the Prime Meridian and east of the Antimeridian , the other half being called the Eastern Hemisphere.In this sense, the western hemisphere consists of the western portions...
and the fourth largest in the world.
Beaver Stadium is widely known as one of the toughest venues for opposing teams in collegiate athletics
College athletics
College athletics refers primarily to sports and athletic competition organized and funded by institutions of tertiary education . In the United States, college athletics is a two-tiered system. The first tier includes the sports that are sanctioned by one of the collegiate sport governing bodies...
. In 2008, Beaver Stadium was recognized as having the best student section in the country for the second consecutive year.
The stadium is the first to have its interior included in Google Street View
Google Street View
Google Street View is a technology featured in Google Maps and Google Earth that provides panoramic views from various positions along many streets in the world...
.
Predecessors
Old Main (Pennsylvania State University)
Old Main, originally called "Main Building" is The Pennsylvania State University’s first building of major significance. It was completed in 1863 after a six-year period of construction. Hugh McAllister designed the structure to contain classrooms, laboratories, offices, a chapel, and residential...
lawn, a large grassy area in front of the primary classroom building of the time. Beaver Field, a 500-seat structure located behind the current site of the Osmond Building, was the first permanent home for Penn State's football team, and the first game played there was a Penn State victory over Western University of Pennsylvania (now the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
) on November 6, 1893. In 1909, New Beaver Field opened just northeast of Rec Hall
Rec Hall
Recreation Building, or Rec Hall as it is more commonly known, is a field house located on the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University. It was opened on January 15, 1929 and is still in use. Previously, Penn State's indoor sports teams played in a building known as the Armory,...
, roughly in the current location of the Nittany Parking deck. It served as Penn State's stadium until 1960, when the entire 30,000 seat stadium was dismantled and moved to the east end of campus, reassembled and expanded to 46,284 seats--the lower half of the current facility--and dubbed Beaver Stadium.
Expansions
Joe Paterno
Joseph Vincent "Joe" Paterno is a former college football coach who was the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions for 46 years from 1966 through 2011. Paterno, nicknamed "JoePa," holds the record for the most victories by an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision football coach with...
--more than doubling in size in the process. Expansions in 1969
1969 in sports
1969 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup:** Men's overall champion: Karl Schranz, Austria** Women's overall champion: Gertrud Gabl, Austria-American football:...
, 1974
1974 in sports
1974 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Piero Gros, Italy** Women's overall season champion: Annemarie Pröll, Austria-American football:...
and 1976
1976 in sports
1976 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Ingemar Stenmark, Sweden** Women's overall season champion: Rosi Mittermaier, West Germany-American football:...
increased capacity to 60,203. In 1978
1978 in sports
1978 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Ingemar Stenmark, Sweden** Women's overall season champion: Hanni Wenzel, Liechtenstein-American football:...
, 16,000 seats were added when the stadium was cut into sections and raised on hydraulic lifts, allowing the insertion of seating along the inner ring of the stadium where the track had previously been located. In 1980
1980 in sports
1980 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup:** Men's overall season champion: Andreas Wenzel, Liechtenstein** Women's overall season champion: Hanni Wenzel, Liechtenstein...
, maximum capacity increased to 83,770. An expansion was completed for the 1991
1991 in sports
1991 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Petra Kronberger, Austria-American football:...
football season, placing an upper deck addition over the north end zone
End zone
In gridiron-based codes of football, the end zone refers to the scoring area on the field. It is the area between the end line and goal line bounded by the sidelines. There are two end zones, each being on an opposite side of the field...
and raising capacity to over 90,000.
A major and somewhat controversial construction project took place in 2001
2001 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2001 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the University of Miami winning the national title for the fifth time.The Hurricanes were led by Larry Coker, who was in his first year as head coach after five years as Miami's offensive coordinator under Butch Davis...
, raising the stadium's total capacity to 107,282. An upper deck was added to the south end of the stadium, blocking the view of neighboring Nittany Mountain (which had sentimental value for some fans), but making Beaver Stadium the second largest stadium in nation, behind Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium, nicknamed "The Big House," is the football stadium for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan Stadium was built in 1927 at a cost of $950,000 and had an original capacity of 72,000. Before playing football at the stadium, the Wolverines played on Ferry Field...
in Ann Arbor, MI.
In 2006, the stadium underwent major structural and aesthetic upgrades. Old steel beams supporting the upper seats in the east, north and west were replaced and strengthened, and new railing was installed, stronger than the old railing which collapsed following the 2005 Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
game.
In 2007, over 22,000 student tickets sold out in 59 minutes. In 2008, when tickets were sold by grade, tickets allotted for junior students sold out in 90 seconds, and those for sophomores and freshmen sold out in under three minutes each.
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
. An iron gate has replaced the old chain-link face at the players' entrance into the stadium. On the new gate the words "PENN STATE" appear in blue.
Currently, the Penn State OPP and Athletic Department are working to upgrade the North and South Video Boards. The Renovation would include expanding the size of the video board by eliminating the current game clock and lamp matrix display. The two current options proposed include a screen size of either 109 feet by 29 feet or a larger option of 158 feet by 29 feet. Another option being considered by the university includes a completely new scoreboard designed by Anthony James Partners (AJP). This design includes an even larger screen than either of the two renovation options. Additionally the design would include a Light-Up Penn State Logo Sign atop both boards. On the reverse side of the South Board, sponsor banners could also be displayed. The project is scheduled to be completed prior to the first home game of the 2012 season.
Records
Due to the problems at the school that happened the week prior to the Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Nebraska Cornhuskers is the name given to several sports teams of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The university is a member of the Big Ten Conference...
coming to Penn State involving the Penn State sex abuse scandal
Penn State sex abuse scandal
The Penn State sex abuse scandal refers to allegations that former Pennsylvania State University football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky sexually assaulted or had inappropriate contact with at least eight underage boys on or near university property...
and the firing of Head Football Coach Joe Paterno
Joe Paterno
Joseph Vincent "Joe" Paterno is a former college football coach who was the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions for 46 years from 1966 through 2011. Paterno, nicknamed "JoePa," holds the record for the most victories by an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision football coach with...
; it was thought by many that their game to be played on November 12, 2011, the last home game of the season, would have the most game attendance ever. There were 107,903 paid attendance announced, which was the largest for the 2011 season. It was also the second-largest crowd ever for a Nebraska football game hosted by Penn State played at Beaver Stadium. But, this does not include everyone in the stadium or what would be considered the largest crowd. The paid attendance is always lower than the total crowd. So, it is unclear at this time if a new total attendance record has been set for Beaver Stadium. Penn State fell to Nebraska, 17-14.
In 2002
2002 in sports
2002 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Stephan Eberharter, Austria** Women's overall season champion: Michaela Dorfmeister, Austria-American football:...
, Penn State also set an NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
record for largest season attendance, with 1,257,707 watching Penn State games over the course of the season.
It is boasted by the Penn State community that during home games at State College
State College, Pennsylvania
State College is the largest borough in Centre County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is the principal city of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Centre County. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 42,034, and roughly double...
the stadium is the 4th largest city by "population" in the state. It follows Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
(1,517,550), Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
(334,563), and Allentown
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
(118,032) and precedes Erie
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
(101,786).
Largest crowds
| Rank | Attendance | Date | Game result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 110,753 | Sept. 14, 2002 | Penn State 40, Nebraska 7 |
| 2 | 110,134 | Oct. 27, 2007 | Ohio State 37, Penn State 17 |
| 3 | 110,078 | Sept. 8, 2007 | Penn State 31, Notre Dame 10 |
| 4 | 110,033 | Nov. 7, 2009 | Ohio State 24, Penn State 7 |
| 5 | 110,017 | Oct. 18, 2008 | Penn State 46, Michigan 17 |
| 6 | 110,007 | Oct. 14, 2006 | Michigan 17, Penn State 10 |
| 7 | 109,987 | Nov. 6, 2010 | Penn State 35, Northwestern 21 |
| 8 | 109,865 | Nov. 5, 2005 | Penn State 35, Wisconsin 14 |
| 9 | 109,845 | Nov. 22, 2008 | Penn State 49, Michigan State 18 |
| 10 | 109,839 | Oct. 8, 2005 | Penn State 17, Ohio State 10 |
Smallest crowds*
| Rank | Attendance | Date | Game result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 95,636 | Sep. 24, 2011 | Penn State 34, EMU 6 |
| 2 | 96,461 | Sept. 3, 2011 | Penn State 41, Indiana State 7 |
- since 2001 expansion
Tailgating
TailgatingTailgate party
In the United States, a tailgate party is a social event held on and around the open tailgate of a vehicle. Tailgating often involves consuming alcoholic beverages and grilling food. Tailgate parties usually occur in the parking lots at stadiums and arenas, before and occasionally after games and...
is very popular outside Beaver Stadium. Alcohol is permitted in all areas around Beaver Stadium on home football games, except inside Beaver Stadium and the Bryce Jordan Center
Bryce Jordan Center
Bryce Jordan Center is a 15,261-seat multi-purpose arena in University Park, Pennsylvania. The arena opened in 1995 and is the largest such venue between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It replaced Rec Hall as the home to the Penn State University Nittany Lions men's and women's basketball team, the...
(Alcohol is permitted inside Medlar Field at Lubrano Park
Medlar Field at Lubrano Park
Medlar Field at Lubrano Park is a 5,406-seat baseball stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania that hosted its first regular season baseball game on June 20, 2006, when the secondary tenant of the facility, the State College Spikes, lost to the Williamsport Crosscutters, 5-3...
, but only alcohol purchased inside the ballpark). Both the Bryce Jordan Center and Medlar Field at Lubrano Park are open for special events before kickoff during home football games.
Student Section "S-Zone"
The student section "s-zone" is another tradition at Beaver Stadium. A small section behind the end zone are all given white and blue shirts by the Pennsylvania State University Lion Ambassadors to create an "S" in the senior student section. The "S-zone" was moved from the 20 yard line to its current location at the beginning of the 2011 football season, as the student section was shifted over to between the 10 yard lines. For the 2008 and 2011 Homecoming Games, the "s-zone" was black and pink, in honor of the original Penn State colors. On April 21 2007, for the Annual Blue and White Game (Senior Scrimmage), the "S" zone was converted to a "VT" zone, in honor of the massacreVirginia Tech massacre
The Virginia Tech massacre was a school shooting that took place on April 16, 2007, on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States. In two separate attacks, approximately two hours apart, the perpetrator, Seung-Hui Cho, killed 32 people...
that took place on April 16, 2007 at Virginia Tech
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, popularly known as Virginia Tech , is a public land-grant university with the main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia with other research and educational centers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and internationally.Founded in...
.
Whiteout Games
After failed experiments with "Code Blue" during the down year of 2004, the "White Out" made national headlines during the famed 2005 game versus Ohio State. In this game, despite 40 degree temperatures and a misty rain, nearly every student, along with many other fans, wore a white shirt to the game, creating a sea of white. This was deemed a success, as the student section was declared "the best in the country" by ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, and the Nittany Lions won the game in an intense defensive battle, by a score of 17-10. The student section was widely credited with aiding the defense, which kept the Buckeyes' future Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, Troy Smith, in check by intercepting a pass and recovering a decisive fumble in the final minutes. Smith was forced to call several timeouts during the game due to inability to communicate with his offense on the field. Former Ohio State Center Nick Mangold has openly admitted that Beaver Stadium was the toughest stadium he had ever played in. In 2007, for the Notre Dame game, a full-stadium "White House" was declared, in which every fan in attendance was asked to wear white. This was also deemed a success, as nearly every Penn State fan in attendance wore white, and the Lions won, 31-10. In 2008, the White House was met with similar success, a 38-24 win over Illinois.Zombie Nation
Zombie NationZombie Nation
Zombie Nation may refer to:*Zombie Nation , a German techno artist*Zombie Nation , a 1990 NES video game*Zombie Nation , a 2004 independent film...
is a tradition carried out by the Nittany Lions usually after a big play. Zombie Nation is when the entire Penn State crowd jumps around, waves their rally towels or shakers wildly and shouts "WE ARE PENN STATE" during the playing of "Kernkraft 400
Kernkraft 400
"Kernkraft 400" is a song performed by German techno and electro artist Zombie Nation and the first single from their album Leichenschmaus. The first Zombie Nation record contained the song "Kernkraft 400", German for "Nuclear Energy 400", which is a remix of a tune from the 1984 Commodore 64 game...
" by Zombie Nation.
Tunnel Entrance
The tunnel entrance is a Nittany Lions tradition that was, until his firing on November 9, 2011, led by former head coach Joe PaternoJoe Paterno
Joseph Vincent "Joe" Paterno is a former college football coach who was the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions for 46 years from 1966 through 2011. Paterno, nicknamed "JoePa," holds the record for the most victories by an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision football coach with...
, in which he led the team from the locker room under the South side of the stadium to the tunnel, to a closed metal gate reading "PENN STATE" in bold Arial font. When the team arrived at the gate, the Nittany Lion would open the gate and motion for the team to walk through it, as if welcoming the team to the field. The team would then linger until four minutes were left on the pregame clock, and then Paterno led the team through the tunnel created by the Blue Band.