Without an official Whiteout game this year, sophomore Eric Bodnar is planning to shake things up a bit and organize a Pink Out.  Yep, you read that correctly. An organized student-section Pink Out benefiting breast cancer research.

However, Bodnar has to overcome a major obstacle before his dream can become a reality. He submitted this idea to the Pepsi Refresh Project for the funding, but only the top 2 out of over 1,200 ideas receive the $250,000 grant. Bodnar’s idea currently ranks #27, and will likely be higher by the time anyone reads this post.  That’s not high enough to receive funding however, so vote now! Vote often and let’s pink out Beaver Stadium in 2010!

Bodnar feels this project will shine a positive light on Penn State football while many other college football programs struggle with NCAA sanctions.

“In the college football world, all we are seeing is sanctions and Heismans being revoked.  Penn State has a chance to show how great we really are and re-define what it means to be a top-notch program with top-notch fans.”

Well said, Eric.

I think this could be just as successful as a White Out because the students aren’t wearing pink just to wear pink; there is a meaning behind it that almost everybody in America can relate to.  We are not only trying to do something big, we are trying to something that will have a lasting impression at Penn State where students and alumni alike can be proud to have participated in.

Even better.

Penn State football communications and branding director, Guido D’Elia, has yet to discuss if this would even be possible this season.  However, the university allows the Pink Zone during women’s basketball games, so there is no reason to think this wouldn’t be encouraged.

The Pink Zone is actually part of Bodnar’s inspiration for this project, and he is hoping to receive the support from Mimi Coppersmith, emeritus member of the PSU Board of Trustees. Coppersmith is essential to the Pink Zone’s success in the Bryce Jordan Center.

Already known for THON’s contributions, the Pink Out has the opportunity to put  the entire university at another level in terms of humanitarianism.

This is obviously a large-scale project and would require a lot of time, effort, and a little bit of luck.