Nashville Penn Staters Chapter News & Info

ESPN's College GameDay to Originate from Penn State-Alabama Clash

Teresa — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 22:51:03 GMT

Sept. 5, 2010

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - ESPN's popular College GameDay Built by the Home Depot program, with host Chris Fowler and analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard, will originate from the Penn State-Alabama clash on Saturday, Sept. 11 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The No. 19/14 Nittany Lions and No. 1 Crimson Tide are meeting for the first time since 1990. The contest between the national powers and old rivals will kick at 7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT in Bryant-Denny Stadium and air on ESPN, the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com.

College GameDay begins every Saturday at 9 a.m. on ESPNU and moves to ESPN from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET. The GameDay crew will be on ESPN and ABC with other live segments throughout the day. The public is invited to attend.

College GameDay on ESPN Radio also will originate from the Penn State-Alabama game, with coverage from 12:00-7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN Radio affiliates across the nation. Ryen Russillo is the host, with analysts Trevor Matich and Brad Edwards. This year marks the 17th consecutive season College GameDay Built by the Home Depot is originating from the site of the day's biggest game. Fowler, Corso and Herbstreit are in their 15th season together on College GameDay.

Saturday's broadcast marks the sixth time College GameDay has originated from a Penn State game in the past six seasons. The program was in Happy Valley for the 2005 and 2007 Ohio State contests and the 2009 Iowa game. College GameDay also originated from Penn State's games at Michigan State (2005) and Ohio State (2008) since 2005, with the Nittany Lions winning the Big Ten Championship and a BCS berth both years.

In addition, College GameDay originated from Penn State for the 1999 Pigskin Classic against Arizona and the 1997 game against Michigan.

Coach Joe Paterno's squad opened the season with a 44-14 win over Youngstown State on Saturday. Quarterback Rob Bolden (Orchard Lake, Mich.) delivered the best passing game by a Nittany Lion starting freshman with his 20 of 29, 239-yard effort, including two scoring strikes to senior wideout Brett Brackett (Lawrenceville, N.J). A senior co-captain, Brackett set career-highs with eight catches for 98 yards, including 20 and 22-yard touchdown catches.

The 2009 BCS national champion, Alabama opened the season with a 48-3 win over San Jose State on Saturday.

Penn State and Alabama will be meeting for the 14th time, but the first time since the Nittany Lions earned a 9-0 win in Tuscaloosa in 1990. The Crimson Tide lead the series, 8-5. The teams played every year from 1981-90, preceded by three bowl game meetings all decided by seven points (1959 Liberty, 1975 Sugar, 1979 Sugar).

2010/2011 Chapter Membership Gift

Teresa — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:20:55 GMT

Our 2010/2011 Chapter Membership Gift are these gray T-Shirts with blue "Nashville Penn Staters" printed on the front and the Nashville skyline, Nashville Penn Staters, and Nittany Lion on the back. Every person who joins or renews their membership will receive 1 t-shirt as a gift. Joint members will receive 2 t-shirts.

Thirty-nine former Nittany Lions in 2010 NFL training camps

Teresa — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:12:21 GMT

University Park, Pa. — A total of 39 Penn State football alumni are populating the rosters of 22 NFL teams as training camps begin league-wide.

The Buffalo Bills once again feature a league-high four former Nittany Lions on its roster, including veterans Bryan Scott and Paul Posluszny and second-year players Aaron Maybin and Lydell Sargeant. Three NFL teams, the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, and New York Giants, each have three Penn Staters on their rosters.

Eight players from Penn State's 2009 Capital One Bowl champion team are vying to make NFL squads as rookies: Navorro Bowman (San Francisco 49ers), Josh Hull (St. Louis Rams), Dennis Landolt (New York Giants), Sean Lee (Dallas Cowboys), Jared Odrick (Miami Dolphins), Andrew Quarless (Green Bay Packers), Mickey Shuler (Minnesota Vikings), and A.J. Wallace (Miami Dolphins).

Tennessee quarterback Kerry Collins, who is entering his 16th season, tops the former Lions in NFL seniority. He ranks third among active signal callers in yards (38,618) and completions (3,279). Receiver Bobby Engram, who signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns in the offseason, is in his 15th season. He has registered 650 career receptions, good enough for 13th among active players, for 7,751 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns. Collins and Engram were first team All-Americans on Penn State's 12-0 Big Ten Championship squad in 1994.

More than 360 Nittany Lions have signed NFL contracts since Joe Paterno became head coach in 1966. The Hall of Fame coach has seen 275 of his players drafted by NFL squads.

Thirty-six Nittany Lions have been NFL first round draft choices since 1966, including defensive tackle Jared Odrick, whom the Miami Dolphins selected with the No. 28 overall pick in 2009. A school record four Nittany Lions were selected in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft.

Penn State has had at least one alumnus on a Super Bowl team in 39 of 44 title games. Thirty-two former Nittany Lions have earned a total of 48 Super Bowl rings.

Nine former Nittany Lions will also be patrolling the sidelines as part of NFL coaching staffs when training camps kickoff. They include Gary Brown (Cleveland Browns), Sam Gash (Detroit Lions), Ron Heller (Miami Dolphins), Mike Munchak (Tennessee Titans), John McNulty (Arizona Cardinals), Jeff Nixon (Philadelphia Eagles), Paul Pasqualoni (Dallas Cowboys), Darren Perry (Green Bay Packers), and Michael Zordich (Philadelphia Eagles). Former six-year Penn State assistant Jim Caldwell is entering his second season as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts after leading the franchise to Super Bowl XLIV in his first year.

Former Nittany Lions in 2010 NFL training camps (pro season in parentheses):
Arizona Cardinals - Levi Brown (4)
Buffalo Bills - Aaron Maybin (2), Paul Posluszny (4), Lydell Sargeant (2), Bryan Scott (8)
Carolina Panthers - Dan Connor (3), Ed Johnson (3)
Chicago Bears - Anthony Adams (8), Robbie Gould (6), Tim Shaw (4)
Cleveland Browns - Bobby Engram (14)
Dallas Cowboys - Sean Lee (1)
Detroit Lions - Bryant Johnson (8), Derrick Williams (2)
Green Bay Packers - Andrew Quarless (1)
Indianapolis Colts - Gerald Cadogan (1)
Kansas City Chiefs - Tamba Hali (5)
Miami Dolphins - Jared Odrick (1), Cameron Wake (2), A.J. Wallace (1)
Minnesota Vikings - Jimmy Kennedy (8), Mickey Shuler (1)
New England Patriots - Rich Ohrnberger (2)
New York Giants - Jay Alford (4), Dennis Landolt (1), Kareem McKenzie (10)
Oakland Raiders - Tony Stewart (10)
Philadelphia Eagles - Jordan Norwood (1), A.Q. Shipley (2)
Pittsburgh Steelers - Sean McHugh (6), Scott Paxson (3)
San Francisco 49ers - Navorro Bowman (1), Michael Robinson (5)
Seattle Seahawks - Deon Butler (2)
St. Louis Rams - Josh Hull (1), Justin King (3)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - John Gilmore (10)
Tennessee Titans - Kerry Collins (16)
Washington Redskins - Larry Johnson (8)

Flood Information

Teresa — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:09:20 GMT

Nashville Penn Staters would like to acknowledge the recent flooding in Middle Tennessee and extend our sympathies to those who have lost so much. To support communities across Middle Tennessee, our charitable focus this year will be Second Harvest Food Bank, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Our group will be participating in an event at the Second Harvest location in Nashville in September, and continuing our food drive at the annual holiday party in December.

We will post more information about the upcoming Second Harvest event as it becomes available. In the meantime, if you would like to help:

Hands on Nashville (www.hon.org)
American Red Cross (www.nashvilleredcross.org)

If you would like to make a contribution to assist Nashville in this time of need & tragedy.... you can donate money easily by texting "redcross" to 90999 to make $10 donation... it will be added to your cell phone bill! It is that easy!

The Community Foundation
To make a donation, please call 1-888-540-5200 or donate online www.cfmt.org/floodrelief

Penn State's Audible Assault

Teresa — Thu, 27 May 2010 03:49:25 GMT

How the Nittany Lions are using the science of acoustics to help crank up home field crowd noise.

Apr 26, 2010
By Devin Powell
Inside Science News Service

BALTIMORE (ISNS) -- Loud stadiums help win games, and Penn State's Beaver Stadium is one of the loudest in college football. When its crowd roars at a visiting quarterback, his calls can only be heard from a foot and a half away.

Next season, the university's athletic department will put into play a new strategy to make its field even louder thanks to a team of acoustic scientists. The goal is to send a deafening wall of sound at the opposing team's offensive line.

Click here to read rest of article.

Annual Big 10 Golf Challenge

Teresa — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:06:08 GMT

WHEN:
The date is Saturday, May 22 at 1:30 pm

WHERE:
Pine Creek Country Club - Mt. Juliet

COST:
Cost is $75 per person ($260 for a foursome if you register by May 1).

This is a best ball scramble, so golfers of all skill levels are welcome.

Checks can be made out to:
Purdue Club of Nashville
302 Devonshire Drive
Franklin, TN 37064

We also have a paypal option on our club website
(click here)

You can get the latest updates about the outing by joining the Middle Tennessee Big Ten Golf Challenge facebook group or our club website (www.purduealum.org/nashville).

If you have any questions, feel free to give me a call or send me an email.

Thanks,
Richard Cloyes
Purdue Club of Nashville
P: 794.7267
E: rcboiler@aol.com

Women's Lacrosse Comes to Nashville!

Teresa — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:12:43 GMT

The Penn State Lady Lions will take on Vanderbilt at the Vanderbilt Soccer/Lacrosse Complex on Sunday, March 21st. The game starts at 1:00 pm and there is no admission charge!

This is a great opportunity to show Tennessee how strong the Nittany Nation is... please plan to come out and support the Lady Lions Lacrosse team! Let's Go State!

ESPN2 To Air Blue-White Game Presented by AAA

Teresa — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:53:44 GMT

National Telecast Set for 2:00 p.m. on April 24 from Beaver Stadium

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., - One of the nation's premier spring football events, Penn State's Blue-White Game presented by AAA, will be televised live by ESPN2 on Saturday, April 24. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. in Beaver Stadium.
As in previous years, there will be no admission or parking fee for the Blue-White game, which culminates spring practice for the Nittany Lions. The Blue-White Game also will air on the Penn State Sports Network and www.GoPSUsports.com.

The Blue-White Game presented by AAA will be the first spring football game ESPN has televised among Big Ten Conference institutions. Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Oklahoma are among the schools that have hosted ESPN for their spring football game over the past five years, with LSU and North Carolina also joining the list this spring.
One of the highlights of the Penn State sports calendar, Blue-White Weekend presented by AAA is set for April 23-24 with numerous free, fan-friendly events adjacent to Beaver Stadium. The celebration of Penn State football will include the popular pre-game autograph session with the players, the announcement of the spring football award winners as well as the recipients of the PNC Bank "Player of the Game" from last season.
During the weekend, the University will also announce the official dollar goal of For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students, the most ambitious fundraising effort in its history.
The Blue-White Game presented by AAA is one of the nation's most popular spring football contests. The attendance record has fallen each of the past three years, with an estimated crowd of 76,500 flocking to the 2009 contest. An estimated 73,000 fans attended in 2008 and 71,000 in 2007. More than 40,000 fans have attended the game in 11 of the past 14 years, with rainy conditions during the other three contests.
Other events held in conjunction with Blue-White Weekend presented by AAA will be announced at a later date.

Coach Joe Paterno's squad will begin spring practice the last week of March.
ESPN2 is available in nearly 99 million homes. Penn State has made numerous appearances on ESPN and ESPN2, including recent games with Northwestern (2009), Michigan, Wisconsin and Purdue (2007 and `08), Notre Dame, Texas A&M and Indiana (2007), in addition to ABC outer market appearances.
ESPN's popular "College GameDay presented by the Home Depot" has originated from Penn State three times in the past five years.
The Nittany Lions earned their second consecutive 11-2 record last season, capped by a win over LSU in the Capital One Bowl, Penn State's fourth bowl victory in the past five seasons. The Nittany Lions were No. 8 in the final USA Today Coaches poll and No. 9 in the Associated Press survey, earning their 23rd final Top 10 ranking under the Hall of Fame coach.
Penn State is 51-13 (79.7) since the start of the 2005 season, tied for the nation's No. 7 winning percentage over that span.
The Nittany Lions return 37 letterwinners for the 2010 season, including 13 starters (7 offense, 5 defense, 1 specialist), as well as 11 players that have starting experience. Penn State opens the season Sept. 4 vs. Youngstown State in Beaver Stadium and visits 2009 national champion Alabama on Sept. 11.

Big 10 vs. SEC Bowling Tournament

Teresa — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:08:53 GMT

WHAT???? The Big 10 vs. SEC bowling tournament is back!!

WHEN:
The date is Saturday, March 27 from 12:30pm-3pm.
This is NOT a holiday weekend.

WHERE:
Tusculum Lanes (Nolensville Road near Bell Road)
5315 Nolensville Rd.
Nashville, TN 37211
833-2881
http://www.jaymarfec.com/tusculum.html

COST:
Cost is $15 per person. Cost includes 2 games of bowling and shoe/ball rental and also covers the prize money. Payment will be collected at the door. Cash and checks only-our club isn't capable of accepting credit cards.

PRIZES:
MONEY for the 1st place team. Individual prize $$ also to be determined, but will most likely only involve 2 individual prizes.

RULES:
Teams will consist of no more than 4 people. Pairs will be matched up with other pairs to form a team of 4. Singles will also be matched up to form teams of 4, so there's no need to get a buddy (unless you prefer too). You do not have to be a good bowler - all you have to do is 1) let us know if you're in and 2) if you have a buddy!

RSVP'S ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED, BUT NOT REQUIRED. PLEASE SEND RSVP'S TO: roglarock@yahoo.com.

Register Now for 2009 Holiday Party!!

Teresa — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:23:34 GMT

Click here for More Details or to Register!

Join us for our 4th Annual Alumni Holiday Party - December 5th at 7:00 PM

$5 members/$10 non-members

(RSVP by Sat., Nov. 28th)

Football Tickets for Sale!

Teresa — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:26:27 GMT

We have a limited number of tickets available for:

PSU vs. Minnesota
(Homecoming Game)
October 17th
Price: $64
*You must be a member to purchase homecoming tickets,
and there is a limit of 4 tickets per member*

PSU vs. Indiana
November 14th
Price: $65

If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please send an email to:
tickets@nashvillepennstaters.com

The Hatch Show Prints are here!!!

Teresa — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:38:51 GMT

As a special treat, anyone who becomes a member or renews their membership will receive a limited edition print. This print was designed specially for the Nashville Penn Staters by Hatch Show Prints, one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in America. Quantities are limited, so join or renew today!

For more information on Hatch Show Prints, check out http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/site/experience-hatch.aspx.

It's Lookin' Like Roses for Penn State!

Teresa — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:24:11 GMT

The excitement of the 2009 Tournament of Roses and the 2009 Rose Bowl are in the air! Penn State alumni and fans, reserve your Official Penn State Rose Bowl Tour packages today to see your Lions in Pasadena on January 1, 2009!

Alumni and fans experience the pageantry and excitement that being a part of the Official tour brings! Whether at the beach in Santa Monica or walking from your hotel to world famous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, the Official Penn State Bowl Tour will have the right bowl package to suit your needs.

Sign up now at www.Alumni.PSU.edu to ensure your spot on the Official Penn State Bowl Tour. Don't miss your chance to see the Lions return to the 2009 Rose Bowl!

Holiday Discount! 15% off at Broad Bay Cotton

Teresa — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:21:01 GMT

Broad Bay Cotton, an officially licensed manufacturer of Penn State merchandise, is offering our members the special benefit of a 15% off Coupon Code for their website www.broadbaycotton.com. Beyond the discount, they have many items that are reduced by up to 80%. They produce a wide variety of bags, apparel, accessories, and gift items in Nittany Lions designs as well as non-collegiate designs. Enter Coupon Code: NITTANY and the discount will be applied to the entire order including already discounted close-out items and non collegiate designs.

Happy Holidays from Broad Bay Cotton!

Coming Soon! Penn State Football: An Interactive Guide to the World of Sports

Teresa — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:18:08 GMT

My name is Marc Maxwell. I am the co-author of the new Penn State Football: An Interactive Guide to the World of Sports book. I am also a grad student through PSU's World Campus. Another of our co-author's is Penn State graduate Jared Trexler. The book will be available on our website www.SportsByTheNumbers.com (it is currently available on www.amazon.com). We have decided to donate 10% of the book's profits to the THON for every book sold on our website.