It’s finally official, Beaver Stadium will play host to a high school football game between State College and Cumberland Valley on Saturday, October 26. The university announced the news on Wednesday afternoon.
The Beaver Stadium Classic kick time will be either noon or 5 p.m. and will be determined following the announcement of the kick time for Penn State’s game at Michigan State, which takes place on the same day.
“We’d love to get to the point where maybe we’re able to host the state championship games here,” Penn State coach James Franklin told reporters during media day in August. “I think there’s a lot of reasons why that makes sense. We’re in the center part of the state, and I think it would be exciting for kids to have the opportunity to do that. We see that in other states as well.”
While the state championship games are still slated for Hershey Park stadium for the immediate future, Penn State’s foray into high school football is the first step in proof-of-concept, and State College Area High School the most natural choice, especially with the Little Lions’ longtime home Memorial Field under construction this season.
‘We are extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity that this will provide our community,” State High coach Matt Lintal said. “Most of the players on our team have grown up dreaming about running out of the tunnel at Beaver Stadium. To have this opportunity, especially for our senior class who has sacrificed so much for our program, is truly amazing. We are thankful for all of the efforts that have gone into making this possible.”
Tickets for the State College Area-Cumberland Valley game will be $10 and are available in advance at the schools and in person at the Bryce Jordan Center Ticket Office (Monday thru Friday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.), beginning on Tuesday, October 1.
Fans are asked to park in Stadium West lot (west of the stadium; Penn State football lot 18) or Jordan East lot (south of the stadium; Penn State football lot 41) on game day. Parking lots will open two hours prior to kickoff. Tailgating in university parking lots will not be permitted for this game. Parking cost will be $10 per vehicle. Parking can also be purchased in advance in at the high schools and the Bryce Jordan Center.
The parking fee will be waived at the entrance to the lots for any vehicle displaying a current Penn State University-issued parking permit upon entry to the lot (faculty/staff, commuter, student, evening/weekend, etc.).
As per NCAA regulations, neither school will receive financial compensation, nor be able to collect any revenue. Both will be responsible for their expenses.
State College will be the home team for the game and will be celebrating Senior Day.
