The Code Blue program began last fall as a way to generate some more pride for Penn State Athletics. The mission of the program, according to its official website, is “to build awareness and attendance in support of Penn State varsity student-athletes by their fellow classmates, and to reward those students who make that extra effort while demonstrating the traditional Penn State values rooted in team loyalty, spirited competition and respectful sportsmanship.”

The idea is simple: Go to events, swipe your ID, get points, and ultimately earn rewards.

Often times, non-revenue sports get overlooked. This is a way for those teams who don’t usually draw a big crowd to get a cheering section and signs with their names and funny phrases.

To register for the second year of the program, visit www.GoPSUSports.com/codeblue. You have to register before you can swipe your ID at the events to earn points. You only need to register once, and you’re covered for the entire school year.

Once you’ve accomplished this, swipe your ID at every sporting events you choose to attend at the Code Blue table. Most events are worth 1 point, but “Code Blue Blast” events are worth 3. Code Blue representatives will be set up an hour before the event and will stay for 20 minutes after it begins.

The first thing you can earn is a Code Blue t-shirt, which comes when you get 15 points. Other prizes include water bottles, hats, and even football season tickets for extremely dedicated fans.

Throughout the school year, you’ll have to head to the HUB on Fridays from 11-1 to pick up your prizes. You can see how many points you’ve earned through an e-mail sent out every Thursday night. The e-mail will show you which events you’ve attended, how many points you’ve earned, whether those points amount to any prizes, and the athletics schedule for the upcoming week.

The first official Code Blue event of the 2012-2013 school year is this Friday, July 13th, at the 10th Annual Penn State Football Uplifting Athletes “Lift For Life” event at the new lacrosse field from 5 pm-7 pm.