With only 19 days until Penn State kicks off against Syracuse, the athletic department is still scrambling to fill up Beaver Stadium. After all, Big Ten players voted Beaver Stadium the toughest place to play in the conference, and we certainly have a reputation to uphold. To help get more fans in the seats, current season ticket holders were emailed a special offer to purchase more season tickets at face value without any further base donation.

“Penn Staters have always had a deep-seated loyalty when it comes to the University. Our alumni and friends have been equally passionate in their support of our faculty, students and coaches by ensuring a strong foundation for them to succeed. It is this fundamental approach that has made our blue and white spirit so legendary,” the email, addressed from AD David Joyner, reads.

“Because of your current support and status as a football season ticket holder, Penn State Athletics is pleased to offer you the opportunity to purchase additional 2013 season tickets without any further donation. That means, you can secure additional season tickets purchased at face value ($385) for you to share with family, friends, co-workers, charities and others without having to provide the additional donation associated with those seat locations.”

The email offered the following disclaimers for the deal:

1) All additional ticket orders will be done via phone by calling 1-800-NITTANY.
2) All additional tickets will be offered on a first-come, first served basis, beginning immediately.
3) You can purchase additional tickets up to the number that matches the quantity that your 2013 gift level provides for;
4) The location of your additional tickets will be the same for each home game, based on availability;
5) Additional ticket locations will be offered in the Red, Yellow and Blue zones;
6) Tickets purchased will be accompanied with the same Ticket Exchange privileges you currently have access to in managing your season tickets; and
7) You will certainly have the option to add tickets with the accompanying donation during the 2014 renewal process, but the purchase of additional seats for this season does not in any way obligate you or impact your NLC standing or priority point total.

Penn State’s average attendance peaked at 108,917 in 2007 and has decreased ever since. Unrest after the Sandusky revelations and the enormously unpopular STEP program led to the lowest attendance last year since the stadium renovations in 2001, despite an inspiring performance on the field. Through all of this, Penn State still had the fifth highest attendance in the nation last season.

Here’s hoping the university can push some more season tickets so we can continue to show our student athletes the huge support they so rightfully deserve.