UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State football is set to make its 49th bowl appearance on Jan. 1, when the Nittany Lions will meet Kentucky in the VRBO Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
With Penn Staters from across the country planning to travel to the game, the Alumni Association and its chapters will host and participate in a number of events that will showcase the blue-and-white pageantry surrounding the bowl.
Penn State alumni, students and fans traveling to the Citrus Bowl can cheer on their Nittany Lions at the Penn State Pep Rally at Pointe Orlando on Dec. 31, and participate in volunteer opportunities and pregame events leading up to game day.
The Penn State Pep Rally opens at 3 p.m. at Pointe Orlando. The pep rally program, scheduled for 4 p.m., will feature the Penn State Blue Band, Penn State cheerleaders, Lionettes, the Nittany Lion, and a number of special guests. The pep rally is free and open to all Penn Staters.
The official hashtag for the event is #PSUPepRally.
Penn State Bowl Tour Pregame Tailgate
Space is still available for the Penn State Pregame Tailgate from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 1 at Tinker Field at Camping World Stadium. The event features a tailgate-style barbecue, beverages, and special appearances by the Penn State Pep Band, Penn State cheerleaders, and more. For details, visit PrimeSport’s website.
Team arrival
Fans attending the Citrus Bowl can welcome Penn State to Camping World Stadium, with the Nittany Lions set to arrive at approximately 10:15 a.m. Penn State’s team arrival is set for the southwest corner of the stadium, and will feature the Penn State Pep Band, Penn State cheerleaders, and Nittany Lion.
Service project
Last year, the Penn State Alumni Association partnered with the University of Washington Alumni Association during the week of the Fiesta Bowl for a day of community service, organizing food donations and packing emergency food boxes that were distributed in the Phoenix area.
This year, Penn State and the University of Kentucky alumni associations also are teaming up to give back to the Orlando community during game week. Volunteers through both alumni associations will come together at Clean the World in Orlando on Dec. 31 for a morning of community service.
“It gives us a great opportunity to use something that brings all Penn Staters together to do good in another community while we’re together,” Alumni Association CEO Paul Clifford said.
Clean the World is a cause to improve global health through water sanitation and hygiene programs worldwide. This year’s service project will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. at 2544 E. Landstreet Road, Suite 660. Pre-registration is required for a limited-number of volunteer spots. Register now.
Central Florida Chapter tailgate
The Alumni Association’s Central Florida Chapter will host a tailgate the day of the game, beginning at 8 a.m. The event will include buffet-style food, drinks, raffles, and more. Visit the chapter’s website for complete details.
Citrus Bowl watch parties
Game day represents an opportunity for alumni and fans to get together, and that’s certainly true for the Citrus Bowl. Dozens of chapters are organizing watch parties, and you can visit the Alumni Association’s Facebook event to learn more about where Penn Staters are gathering for the Citrus Bowl. And if you have details on your watch party, share them in the event.
Affiliate group luncheon
At noon on Dec. 31, Penn State Alumni Association affiliate group presidents in Orlando for the Citrus Bowl will meet for a special luncheon. The Alumni Association supports 300-plus alumni groups across the country and around the world, including 14 alumni chapters in Florida, the most of any state outside of Pennsylvania. Visit alumni.psu.edu/groups to connect with Penn Staters in your geographic area or with whom you have a shared interest.