Athletics

Alumni Association events part of Goodyear Cotton Bowl festivities

Pep rally set for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 28 next to AT&T Stadium

The Penn State Alumni Association will host a pep rally from 8:30-9 a.m. on Dec. 28 prior to the Nittany Lions kicking off against Memphis in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. The event will feature performances from the Blue Band, Penn State cheerleaders, and the Nittany Lion, along with special guests. Credit: Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics / Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Nittany Lions are heading to Texas for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl this month, and alumni and fans are invited to participate in a variety of events leading up to the game.

Kickoff is set for noon ET/11 a.m. CT on Saturday, Dec. 28, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for the showdown between Penn State and Memphis. The Nittany Lions will be appearing in their 50th bowl game all time.

On the day of the game, the Penn State Alumni Association will host a pep rally from 8:30 to 9 a.m. featuring performances from the Blue Band, Penn State cheerleaders and the Nittany Lion, along with special guests.

The pep rally will be next to AT&T Stadium, within the Goodyear Huddle Up Fan Fest located in the Miller Lite (West) Plaza. Fans traveling with the official Penn State tour package will be bused to the pep rally from their hotel; fans not on the tour can access the pep rally area with a game ticket.  

Happening concurrently with the pep rally, a tailgate is scheduled within A&T Stadium, featuring a tailgate-inspired brunch and festive entertainment. From the tailgate, fans can visit the pep rally and watch team warmups once they begin on the field. The tailgate is included with the official Penn State tour package, and fans not on the tour can purchase a tailgate ticket online. A game ticket also is required to attend the tailgate, since the event is inside AT&T Stadium. 

On Dec. 27, the Penn State and Memphis alumni associations are teaming up for a community service project at I Can Still Shine. This is the third consecutive year that the Penn State Alumni Association has collaborated with the opposing team’s alumni association, and previous community service projects have been held during the Fiesta Bowl and Citrus Bowl. Alumni and fans interested in volunteering can RSVP online.

Later that day, fans are invited to support the Blue Band at Battle of the Bands, set for 3 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 27 in the plaza at Texas Live! The event will be between the Texas Rangers’ new Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium. The family friendly event is free and open to everyone.

Also, a free outdoor concert will be held at the Arlington Backyard at Texas Live! The concert will begin at 7 p.m. More information on events, AT&T Stadium, and the game is available online at CottonBowl.com.

For fans not traveling to the game, visit the Alumni Association’s Facebook event for details on the many watch parties held by the Alumni Association’s alumni chapters across the country. Penn Staters not traveling to Dallas can still gather with fellow alumni and fans to watch the game locally and cheer on the Nittany Lions.

Last Updated January 2, 2020