RELEASE: Offense vs. Defense at 10th Annual Lift

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State strength coach Craig Fitzgerald wants to see the Nittany Lions having fun while they engage in a fierce competition pitting the offense against the defense at the 10th Annual Lift For Life on the Penn State Lacrosse Field from 5-7 p.m. on Friday.

The grueling workout is a staple in the summer training for the Nittany Lion football program.  All of the proceeds for the event are raised for kidney cancer awareness and assistance.

"Penn State has a proud tradition of always doing a great job with Lift For Life," Fitzgerald said.  "It is a great event, and it is a great cause.  I'm really proud of our players.  They have really taken the forefront on this.  They are pushing the whole thing, and they are trying to raise as much money as they can.  We are all behind them."

This year's new format will pit the offensive line against the defensive line, the tight ends against the linebackers and the quarterbacks and wide receivers against the defensive backs.  The teams will participate in seven different events.  Points will be awarded for each event with the winner decided by the highest cumulative total between the offense and defense.

As the points come in from each event, fans will see updates throughout the evening.  Coach Fitzgerald is encouraging the fans to rally behind groups and individual players to help push for more competition while the squads battle to determine a winner.

"The fans can expect to see intensity from our players; the guys getting after it and competing," Fitzgerald said.  "We are going to do some neat drills where they are flipping tires, tug of war, obstacle courses, to name a few drills.  We are going to make it really fun and exciting for our players, and it will be fun and exciting for the fans."

We caught up with Fitzgerald and Uplifting Athletes President Mike Farrell, who is leading the staff of student-athletes organizing Friday's Lift For Life event.  Take a look.

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