UNIVERSITY PARK – The annual spring game kicked off a little after 3 p.m. at Beaver Stadium -- with more than 60,000 people confirmed in attendance.
The blue team featured mostly returners who will be major contributors this upcoming season, while the white team featured mostly second and third teamers looking to show coach James Franklin something in the first organized football game since the Nittany Lions win over Washington in the 2018 Fiesta Bowl.
The blue white game is more than just the action that happens within the white lines of the football field, it. It’s an event that takes University Park by storm.
For starters, the university’s band had a special guest.
"Forward March" is the name of the program that allows high school students to come in, practice and perform with the university’s blue band.
A few of the more than 300 students involved that 6 News talked to were emotional about this experience.
“I’m so excited to be a part of this, this is like my life goal,” high school senior Lauren Brown said.
“It’s a recruiting event to engage with the high school students and it’s also my hope to continue to inspire them to continue playing their instruments throughout their college career,” said Gregory Drane, band director.
“We’ve never been out with a college band as big as this, so it’s a real nice experience,” participant Otis Tucker said.
The first time event - brought out more than 330 high school students.
“We get to learn new things, because before we didn’t learn stuff like this,” participant Chelsea Johnson said.
Chelsea and Otis both traveled in from Baltimore, Maryland.
The university’s band trained students teaching them new songs, and dance moves.
“Since I am going here next year, I thought it was a great opportunity for me," Brown said.
High school students then joined Penn State students for a performance during the Penn State Blue and White Game.
“I think it’s a good experience for us to learn and grow from,” Johnson said.
“I’m very excited, I love performing,” Tucker said.
Students aren’t the only ones excited about this opportunity.
“I’m very proud, it makes me teary eyed,” parent Hope Baker said.
One parent said she’s happy to see her daughter one step closer to her dream.
“I know this is something she dreamed about, to be in the blue band,” Baker said.
“I hope this can become an annual event,” Drane said. “We received an overwhelming amount of responses as soon as well publicized it.”
Drane says he saw a lot of talent Saturday.
The blue band has tryouts in August; many of the high school students who participated today say - they plan on applying to Penn State and trying out in the fall.
ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7y6iamqRfpcC2ecGlrJ5lkpa7pXnHqKqtZaCnvKi%2BwKZksKCVp7JutMign2ark528sLiMrKuunJWjwbR506uYoqZdlrulec%2BeqZ%2BnoqI%3D