University Park, Pa. -- Penn State students at all campuses will receive information at their home addresses within the next month for the opportunity to order season tickets for the Penn State football and basketball teams for the 2006-07 academic year.
The Nittany Lion football team is coming off an 11-1 season that produced a No. 3 ranking nationally and the Big Ten and FedEx Orange Bowl titles. Penn State returns 35 letterwinners for the 2006 season, which will include seven home games, including the first visit by Michigan to Beaver Stadium since 2001. Big Ten rivals Northwestern, Illinois and Michigan State also will visit Happy Valley.
Orders will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and students are encouraged to respond promptly, as record demand is anticipated for student seating at Beaver Stadium this year.
Penn State annually has more than 20,000 student ticket-holders, who are the primary reason Penn State home football weekends have been dubbed "The Greatest Show in College Sports" by SportsIllustrated.com. ESPN's College Gameday crew called the Nittany Lions' lively student throng the "best student section" in the nation.
Entering his 41st season as head coach, Joe Paterno's squad returns many key players from last season, including All-Americans Paul Posluszny and Levi Brown and All-Big Ten performers Jay Alford and Tony Hunt, as well as quarterback Anthony Morelli and 2005 freshman standouts Deon Butler, Justin King, Jordan Norwood and Derrick Williams.
The Nittany Lions open the season with Penn State Football Eve on Friday, Sept. 1, in Beaver Stadium. The following day, Akron, the 2005 Mid-American Conference champion, visits for the opener. Penn State hosts Northwestern (Sept. 30), Michigan (Oct. 14), Illinois (Oct. 21, Homecoming) and Michigan State (Nov. 18) in Big Ten action. Youngstown State (Sept. 16) and Temple (Nov. 11) also visit Happy Valley in non-conference play.
Students also are encouraged to purchase Penn State men's and women's basketball tickets for the 2006-07 season when they purchase football tickets.
The efforts of Nittany Lion basketball coach Ed DeChellis and his staff have resulted in Penn State's first three Big Ten All-Freshman Team selections over the past three seasons, including Geary Claxton (all-conference in 2005-06) and Jamelle Cornley, the 2006 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. The Nittany Lions lost just one senior from last season's 15-15 squad that defeated No. 6 Illinois and more than doubled its victory total from the previous season. A pair of promising freshmen will join the squad in the fall.
Lady Lion basketball coach Rene Portland returns her entire squad, including All-Big Ten selection Amanda Brown and Kam Gissendanner, who was honorable mention all-conference. Brianne O'Rourke led a talented freshman class, earning Big Ten All-Freshman team honors. The Lady Lions, who also signed two highly-acclaimed recruits, have 21 NCAA Tournament appearances in Portland's 26 years at Penn State.
All returning students who were registered for at least 12 credits in the 2006 spring semester and are registered for at least 12 credits for the 2006 fall semester will receive an informational mailing at their home address by mid-May. Students can follow the instructions in the mailing for purchasing tickets.
Students who do not receive an application, but will be registered for a minimum of 12 credits in the fall, will be able to print an application in mid-May by visiting http://www.GoPSUsports.com and clicking on the "Tickets" link.
All incoming freshmen will receive their account number and password in a letter mailed to their home in mid-May, provided that they were a paid accept by May 1.
Student football tickets will be $166 for seven home games. Nittany Lion and Lady Lion basketball pricing will be $59 and $25, respectively. All students purchasing season basketball tickets this season will receive a complimentary T-shirt to be available prior to the season.
For more information about student season football or basketball tickets, visit the FAQ at http://www.psu.edu/sports/tickets/Football_files/FAQ.htm online, e-mail StudentTickets@psu.edu or call the athletic ticket office at (814) 863-1000 or (800) 833-5533.