University Park, Pa. -- Due to a recent NCAA ruling regarding the participation of student-athletes, MSL Sports & Entertainment announced today that the 2008 Gridiron Bash has been postponed at all venues nationally. Penn State was scheduled to host the Gridiron Bash on Friday, April 18, as part of its Blue White Weekend festivities with a concert by pop star Fergie.
The recent ruling by the NCAA prohibits student-athlete participation in the Gridiron Bash, which was an integral and established part of the event for fans, concert performers and sponsors. The Friday evening events -- including the Fergie concert in Beaver Stadium -- were designed to kick off the 2008 football season and revolved around a fan competition (with the winning school receiving $1 million for its general scholarship fund), a pep rally with the football team and coach, and a live music element.
The Gridiron Bash has discontinued ticket sales to the event on all 16 participating campuses, effective immediately. Fans who have already purchased tickets to the Penn State event can receive refund information at GoPSUsports.com beginning Monday, March 31. Anyone who participated in the text voting aspect of the competition, in which people were asked to cast votes for the school of their choice to help determine the winner of the scholarship money, will not be charged. With the exception of three participating schools, all of the Gridiron Bash events were slated to take place on April 18, the evening before spring games.
Blue White Weekend’s carnival, food and entertainment around Beaver Stadium will take place starting at 6 p.m. Friday, as well as before and after the Blue White game on Saturday, April 19. The annual player autograph session remains scheduled for 12:30 p.m. inside Beaver Stadium before the game.