Penn State news by
Penn State's student blog

Topics

More

Students Deserve First Dibs On Penn State Football Attendance

As Penn State gears up to bring students back to campus this fall, one question has been left on everyone’s mind: What’s up with football?

Unfortunately, that million-dollar question has no definitive answer. The return of student-athletes to campus and approval of a college football preseason plan works in the sport’s favor, but much remains uncertain. After all, Penn State President Eric Barron feels bringing fans to Beaver Stadium could create a “super-spreader event” for the coronavirus.

With case numbers rising across the country (but remaining rather stable in Pennsylvania), it doesn’t seem feasible to have Beaver Stadium #107KStrong anytime soon. However, if fans are able to return to the stadium this fall, students should get first dibs on attending games.

Alumni have already had the privilege of watching Penn State football for years as students and witnessed the highs and lows of a typical season. Some students (read: most) haven’t. Some students in the Class of 2024 haven’t even entered Beaver Stadium before! It’s rather tough to justify denying freshmen the right of passage for the sake of alumni-student ticket holders.

I feel for alumni, though. Now more than ever, we’re craving to watch live sports in any way possible. But now isn’t the time to take that experience away from students. Gamedays won’t be the same as long as restrictions remain in place, but nothing about this year has been or will be, for that matter. If we are somehow lucky enough to have football this fall, however, the Penn State football experience should be given to students who are currently enrolled at the university.

The university is also working to reduce as much travel in-and-out of State College as possible. After all, it’s why Penn State won’t take off for Labor Day and will transition to remote learning after Thanksgiving. If alumni are driving into town for games, they could put more people by potentially spreading the coronavirus. It’s a risk that the university shouldn’t — and more than likely won’t — take.

Still, if only students were attending football games, they’d still risk their health in one way or another. But if Beaver Stadium remained less crowded with fewer folks inside, students could spread out along the bleachers and maintain a healthy distance from each other (or at least try to).

Imagine expanding the student section from merely an end zone to the entire bowl. Although it’d be tough to enforce, I’m confident students would mask up and spread out if it meant they could watch Penn State football games this fall.

While this plan is by no means perfect, it could help put butts in seats this fall while still following safety measures laid out by administrators. Additionally, anyone who doesn’t follow guidelines gets denied entry. Some people may not like it, but it’s important to keep everyone as safe as possible.

While we twiddle our proverbial thumbs and wait to see if college football becomes a reality this fall, it’s important to remember there aren’t any guarantees. However, if Penn State fields a football team and limits attendance, students should be the first in line.

We’ve all made sacrifices since the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States this spring. If college football can come to fruition following yet another, so be it.

Let students get their college experience while they can. After all, alumni can always come back next year.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Owen Abbey

Owen Abbey was a Secondary Education major before he graduated from the wonderful institution known as Penn State. When he was not writing for the blog, he enjoyed rooting for the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens, supporting Penn State basketball and softball, dreaming of all of the ways he would win the TV show "Survivor," and yes mom, actually doing school work. All of this work prepared him to teach his own class of students, which was always his true passion. He still can be found on Twitter @theowenabbey and can be reached for questions and comments at [email protected]

[Photo Story] Elevated Views From Happy Valley

Our photographers looked down and saw the world below from a handful of elevated vantage points.

Penn State’s Restorative Justice Initiative Offering Bachelor’s Degrees To Incarcerated Individuals

The program will allow incarcerated persons to work toward a degree while in prison.

WBIT Creating Newfound Attention For Women’s College Basketball

The Lady Lions are headed to the semifinals after an energetic win in the last home game of the season.

Follow on Another Platform
113kFollowers
164kFollowers
59.4kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Other posts by Owen

The Oldest Story In The World: Owen Abbey’s Senior Column

“My time at Penn State has been more than I could ever expect. I am in awe of everything I got to do and experience. It is bittersweet, but I am grateful for everything just the same.”

Myles Dread Joins Penn State Alumni ‘The Basketball Tournament’ Team

A Guide To Penn State Hoops’ Transfer Portal Targets