UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn Staters in northern New Jersey and New York City will play host to the Coaches Caravan on Wednesday (May 9) with stops in Woodbridge, N.J. and dinner in the heart of Manhattan.

Women's volleyball coach Russ Rose will join Bill O'Brien, Lady Lion head coach Coquese Washington and men's golf coach Greg Nye during the evening stop in the Big Apple.  Make plans to spend an evening with Penn State in NYC.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Week two of the 18-stop Penn State Coaches Caravan kicks off on Tuesday with a lunch stop in Hazleton and a dinner stop in the Lehigh Valley.

Lady Lion head coach Coquese Washington will join Bill O'Brien and men's golf coach Greg Nye during the first stop of the week.  Coach Washington wants to see you there.

Photo Gallery - Coaches Caravan in Richmond

Photo Gallery - Coaches Caravan in Camp Hill

Coaches Caravan Registration

RICHMOND, Va. and CAMP HILL, Pa. - The Penn State Coaches Caravan rolled into the Marriott Richmond West shortly after midnight on Wednesday morning in preparation for stop No. 5 during the nine-day event co-hosted by the Nittany Lion Club and the Penn State Alumni Association.

Day three included an early breakfast in Richmond, a four-hour drive to Harrisburg and a dinner event in Camp Hill.  Take a look through highlights from the final day of week one on the caravan.

Stop V - Richmond
For the first time on the Coaches Caravan, head coaches Bill O'Brien and Beth Alford-Sullivan addressed a Penn State crowd during a breakfast event.  With the Richmond event slated to begin at 8 a.m., you wondered how enthusiastic the crowd would be at an early hour.

That was quickly answered with a boisterous We Are... chant from the crowd in the room at 7:55 a.m. before the program began.  The Penn State fans in Richmond were terrific.  Eagerly anticipating Penn State's trip to Virginia on Sept. 8, the crowd gave both head coaches a warm welcome, which included a standing ovation for Coach O'Brien when he finished speaking.

Coach Alford-Sullivan spoke first at breakfast, telling the crowd that the Caravan is a great opportunity to spend time together as an athletic department.  She and Coach O'Brien have shared ideas and coaching tips with one another on the bus during the past two days.

Coach O'Brien kicked off his speech with stories from each stop on the caravan thus far.  All five speeches have been genuine representations of his personality and vision for the football program.  The fan reception towards Coach O'Brien, and all of the coaches on the Caravan, has been outstanding.

"There have been so many things that have impressed me in the first four months, and this has to be right near the top," Coach O'Brien said.

Being under six hours from State College, Richmond is well within that range.  Former Nittany Lion great Michael Robinson hails from Richmond, and Coach O'Brien used the 2005 First Team All-Big Ten quarterback as a prime example of the type of student-athlete the coaching staff is looking for in recruiting.  Robinson earned two degrees from Penn State (Advertising/Public Relations and Journalism) and a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection before being drafted in the NFL.

With breakfast complete, the Coaches Caravan bus loaded up and headed north on I-95 en route to I-81 and Harrisburg for the final dinner session of week one.

VIDEO: Media Interviews in Richmond
Watch Coach O'Brien address the Richmond media.  He talks about the importance of recruiting in Virginia and how the caravan has gone so far.

Stop VI: Camp Hill
The Coaches Caravan returned to the Keystone State after driving through four states and the District of Columbia since the bus pulled out of Philadelphia on Monday night.  For the third stop on the tour, field hockey head coach Char Morett joined Coach Alford-Sullivan and Coach O'Brien inside the Camp Hill Radisson for the sixth and final event of week one.

The first leg of the Coaches Caravan wrapped up with a great crowd in the Harrisburg on Wednesday evening.  Coach Morett kicked off the speaker panel with another pride-filled speech, like she did on Monday in Philadelphia.  She and Coach Alford-Sullivan spoke at great length about what makes Penn State such a special place.

"It's the people," Coach Morett said.  "The people make Penn State a great place."

"I just want to let everyone know how proud I am of being at Penn State and coaching my teams," Coach Alford-Sullivan.

Coach O'Brien's message again featured a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the vision of the football program.  He told the crowd that nothing will be accomplished in the football program without hard work.  Coach O'Brien assured the room with more than 400 that he and the team will work incredibly hard at achieving in the classroom and on the football field.

All six stops this week have all had a unique Penn State feel to them.  The constant is the unrivaled support and enthusiasm for the coaches and student-athletes on the University Park campus.  With 761 miles down, we look forward to seeing you next week on leg two of the Coaches Caravan next week.

"This has been a fantastic trip. It's proven to me why I took the job," Coach O'Brien said.

VIDEO: Coach O'Brien Meets With the Media on the Caravan Bus
Prior to Wednesday night's program at the Radisson in Camp Hill, Coach O'Brien met with some of the local beat writers on the Coaches Caravan bus.  Take a look at some of his thoughts on the Caravan and more here.

For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can call 1-800-648-8269 (1-800-NITTANY) weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or visit the Bryce Jordan Ticket Center.


Follow GoPSUsports.com Media Specialist Tony Mancuso on Twitter @GoPSUTony

Photo Gallery - Coaches Caravan Visits Baltimore

Photo Gallery - Coaches Caravan Visits Washington, D.C.

Coaches Caravan Registration

BALTIMORE, Md. and WASHINGTON, D.C. - Shortly after the evening program ended in Drexelbrook on Monday night, the Penn State Coaches Caravan bus loaded up and trekked south on I-95 for day two of the nine-day, 18-stop trip.

The travel party arrived at the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor hotel in preparation for Tuesday's lunch stop with the Nittany Lion fans and alums.  The caravan continued south for a dinner stop in Washington at the Washington Hilton.  Take a look through highlights from day two.

Stop III - Baltimore
Into his second day on stage, Coach O'Brien thoroughly enjoyed his time interacting with the Penn State fans and alums in Baltimore.  Saying he came into his own on stage Tuesday would not be a fair assessment because his first two speeches on the caravan were great, but he took things to another level on Tuesday morning in the Marriott Inner Harbor.

Through much of his speech and Q&A session Coach O'Brien had the room filled with more than 225 people laughing.  The humor ranged from ribbing the Ravens fans in the room about the result of the AFC Championship game (Patriots victory) in January to asking women's golf coach Denise St. Pierre if she could help his slice on the golf course.

He told the crowd before the Q&A session began and said there is one question off limits.

"Don't ask me about the starting quarterback," Coach O'Brien said.  "When we take the field on Sept. 1, we will have a starting quarterback!" (Laughter throughout the room).

Coach O'Brien said that one of the things that has really impressed him since he started at Penn State is the tremendous school spirit from the student body.

"How many other places do you see the students decked out from head-to-toe in gear like you do at Penn State?" Coach O'Brien said.

He enjoys seeing all of the Penn State students covered in gear on College Ave., in the Dunkin' Donuts he visits or on campus every day.

For the third-straight stop, Coach Chambers joined the leader of Penn State football on stage.  Coach Chambers told the crowd of his history recruiting in Baltimore for several years during his coaching career.  He also told the room that Tuesday exactly marks 11 months on the job as head coach of Penn State men's hoops.  Coach Chambers fielded a great question about Tim Frazier during the Q&A session to which he responded with how the senior point guard is a special talent Nittany Lion fans are able to watch.

Penn State track and cross country coach Beth Alford-Sullivan and women's golf coach Denise St. Pierre drove from State College to Baltimore on Tuesday morning to join the Coaches Caravan.  Alford-Sullivan told the room about her track team's tremendous performance at the Penn Relays over the weekend.  St. Pierre explained how important it is for the entire athletic department to work together as one unit.

VIDEO: Media Interviews in Baltimore
Watch Beth Alford-Sullivan, Denise St. Pierre and Bill O'Brien talk to the media in Baltimore on Tuesday morning.

Stop IV: Washington, D.C.
Just three days removed from the White House Correspondents' Dinner, the Washington Hilton's International Ballroom played host to the fourth stop on the Penn State Coaches Caravan tour.

A crowd of more than 375 Penn State fans enjoyed the second dinner program of the Caravan inside the immaculate ballroom on the bottom floor of the Washington Hilton.  All four coaches - St. Pierre, Chambers, Alford-Sullivan and O'Brien - again addressed the crowd before an informal Q&A session.

For the first time on the tour, Coach O'Brien spoke to the crowd without a suit jacket on and his cuffs flipped up.  He joked with the crowd about his sideline exchange with Tom Brady at FedEx Field against the Redskins.  Coach O'Brien again delivered his PowerPoint presentation - "A Championship Program On and Off the Field" - to the audience again on Tuesday night.  He will speak with a presentation during each night session during the Caravan.

Coach Chambers wrapped up his involvement on the Coaches Caravan with another energetic speech.  He told the crowd that everyone in the program will be working relentlessly to take Nittany Lion basketball to new heights.

"People now are a little bit afraid on the recruiting trail of Penn State basketball," Coach Chambers said of the progress he and the hoops staff are making.

Coach Alford-Sullivan finished her speech with a great quote for the Penn State crowd to take home.

"You put the 'We' in We are...Penn State," Coach Alford-Sullivan.


VIDEO: Coach O'Brien Meets the Media in Washington, D.C.
Head coach Bill O'Brien addressed the media in Washington, D.C. outdoors at the Hilton prior to the evening event.  Take a look as he talks about the advancements of football video editing and gameplanning.

Coaches Caravan Stop I Photo Gallery

Coaches Caravan Stop II Photo Gallery

Coaches Caravan Registration

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The 18-stop Penn State Coaches Caravan kicked off on Monday morning in downtown Philadelphia before a crowd of more than 250 Nittany Lion fans and alums.

The Penn State themed bus pulled out of the Bryce Jordan Center at 6:33 a.m. en route to the Hilton Doubletree on Broad Street downtown Philly.  Take a look through some highlights on day one of the nine-day caravan that will cover seven states and Washington, D.C.

Coach O'Brien and Coach Chambers sharing ideas on the bus ride to Philadelphia.

Stop I - Philadelphia
Head coaches Bill O'Brien, Patrick Chambers and Char Morett made the trek to Philly for the first leg of the caravan.  All three head coaches participated in a media session before speaking at the formal lunch program, which began at noon.

Chambers and Morett both hail from Delaware County in the Philadelphia area.  Coach O'Brien is a Boston guy.  As he took the microphone during the lunch event, Coach O'Brien joked with the crowd that the last time he was driving down Broad Street he was in a New England Patriots team bus, and it was not the same reception he received in the ballroom on Monday.

During his speech, Coach O'Brien shared some of his visions for the program, including the four pillars of Penn State Football - Academics, Football, Respect and Integrity.  He also revealed to the room that the team would start a new tradition of singing the alma mater with the Penn State band on the field following each home game.

Coach Chambers said on Monday that he is thrilled to have the opportunity to connect with loyal fan base.  Since taking the head coaching position 11 months from Tuesday, Coach Chambers said he has wanted to get out into the Penn State community, shake hands and meet people.

Coach Chambers told the room of more than 250 fans that the hoops team just finished a superb spring season of workouts.  He is looking forward to beginning his second season in the fall, which will feature a stop at The Palestra in Philly for a game against La Salle.  He asked the room to pack The Palestra when the Lions return to Philadelphia in the fall.

Prior to Chambers and O'Brien taking the microphone, Coach Morett gave here younger counterparts a bit of a roast at the microphone.  She joked with the crowd that no matter where they go, Coach Chambers and Coach O'Brien have entourages with them.  The room erupted into laughter.

The coaches then fielded questions from the crowd during a Q&A session.  The very first question from the crowd went directly to Coach O'Brien.

"What do you predict for our record this year?"

Coach O'Brien laughed and responded with the same message he tells his team.

"We play 12, one-game seasons," Coach O'Brien said.

A fan from New York, who holds men's basketball season tickets behind the bench in the Bryce Jordan Center told Coach Chambers to turn around and ask him for advice any time he needs it during a game.  Coach Chambers laughed and said that he would expect nothing less from a New Yorker.

With the first lunch complete, the caravan travel party boarded the bus in the shadows of the William Penn statue atop Philadelphia City Hall en route to Drexelbrook.


- Former Nittany Lion Adam Taliaferro was in the crowd at lunch in Philadelphia.

VIDEO: Stop I Media Interviews

With the longer nature of the evening program, all three coaches spoke at great length about their visions of their programs and the athletic department.  Coach Morett delivered an energetic speech on what it means to be a true Penn Stater.  A veteran leader for 25 seasons, Coach Morett demonstrates passion for Penn State University every time she speaks.

Coach Chambers followed with another energetic, attitude-filled presentation.  Back in his hometown, the leader of Nittany Lion basketball talked about laying the foundation for future success in 2011-12.  Coach Chambers said that change is not going to happen overnight, but the energy level and work ethic the team and staff will bring to the court every night will change the perception of Penn State Basketball.

Following Coach Morett and Coach Chambers, Coach O'Brien delivered a detailed PowerPoint presentation of his visions for Penn State Football.  The speech included slides with the foundations for the program, the staff, the signs mounted on the doors for the players to read as the enter and leave the Lasch Building and the type of football team fans can expect on the field.

All three coaches did a tremendous job engaging the audience with energetic speaking presentations.  Fans who do not have plans to attend one of the evening sessions on the Coaches Caravan, register today.  You will not be disappointed with what you hear and see.  The Caravan rolls into Baltimore for lunch and Washington, D.C. for dinner on Tuesday and Richmond for breakfast and Harrisburg for dinner on Wednesday.

- Former Penn State greats Massimo Manca and Blair Thomas were in attendance on Monday night.


For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can call 1-800-648-8269 (1-800-NITTANY) weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or visit the Bryce Jordan Ticket Center.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The nine-day, 18-stop Penn State Coaches Caravan kicks off on Monday with a lunch stop in Philadelphia and a dinner stop in Drexel Hill, Pa.

After more than 40 man hours for five Fullington Trailways employees, the specially-designed Coaches Caravan bus is wrapped with Penn State decals and ready to go.  There are 16 seats in the front half of the bus, some with tables, and leather couches and chairs in the back.

Bill O'Brien, Patrick Chambers and Char Morett will head on the road Monday morning at 6:30 a.m. en route to Philly to begin the first leg of the Penn State Coaches Caravan.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Never before have Penn State coaches participated in a traveling caravan of the magnitude at least 12 coaches are set to embark on during the next three weeks.

The Coaches Caravan, a nine-day, 18-stop excursion through seven states (Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Ohio) and the District of Columbia kicks off on Monday with visits to downtown Philadelphia at lunch and Drexel Hill, Pa., for dinner.

Penn State football coach Bill O'Brien will headline the Coaches Caravan roster at all 18 stops on the tour.  Coach O'Brien and the traveling coaches will ride in the modified Fullington Trailways, Penn State-themed bus for the duration of the caravan.

"I am really looking forward to getting out on the road to meet the alums and fans," Coach O'Brien said.  "I really want to share my vision for the football program.  And then getting the opportunity to travel with a lot of the other coaches will be fun."

The list coaches includes men's basketball's Patrick Chambers (four stops), women's basketball's Coquese Washington (six stops), field hockey's Char Morett (three stops), men's volleyball's Russ Rose (one stop), men's and women's track and field/cross country's Beth Alford-Sullivan (four stops), women's golf's Denise St. Pierre (two stops), men's soccer's Bob Warming (six stops), men's golf's Greg Nye (six stops), men's hockey's Guy Gadowsky (six stops), women's hockey's Josh Brandwene (two stops) and Mark Pavlik (six stops).

"We need to get out there and meet people," Coach Chambers said.  "They need to feel a connection with me and our team.  And when you do that, it may entice the fans to get to campus, come to some games, and maybe even get to some road games if they are in the area where we are playing."

"So many people support Penn State and the women's basketball program," said Coach Washington.  "It is always exciting to get out and see some of the fans.  Having face-to-face interaction with them helps us learn what more we can do to make their experience with our program better.  It also gives us a chance to let them know how much we appreciate what they do for us."

Coach O'Brien will deliver a presentation on the road, highlighting some of his coaching philosophies, visions, core values and more.  It is also a great opportunity for the new leader of Penn State football to meet some of the loyal fans and alums in cities across seven states and Washington, D.C.

"Again, one of the things that is very important for me is for people to hear my vision for the program - the things we talk about with the players, like honesty, integrity, knowing your role, being involved in the community and keeping that balance between academics and football," Coach O'Brien said.

I will be joining Coach O'Brien and the traveling coaches on the bus during all nine days of the Coaches Caravan.  From the time the bus pulls out of the Bryce Jordan Center parking lot on Monday at 6:30 a.m. until it pulls back into town from Buffalo on May 17, GoPSUsports.com will have written and video coverage from every step of the way during a three-week trek.

"They (coaches and staff) are going to get a full dose of me.  I don't know whether that is good or bad (laughter)," Coach O'Brien said.  "I am looking forward to it.  It will be somewhat of a bonding trip with some of the other coaches, and I am looking forward to getting to know some of those people."

In previous years, Hall of Fame head coach Joe Paterno and a few select coaches hit the road for a limited number dinner events, but never before has there been a caravan with 18 stops featuring at least 12 coaches.

Coach O'Brien and the Penn State Coaches Caravan are coming to a city near you.  Register today by clicking the link listed below.  We look forward to seeing you on the road.


Penn State Coaches Caravan Registration


Follow GoPSUsports.com Media Specialist Tony Mancuso on Twitter @GoPSUTony

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - With spring practice in the books, Coach O'Brien is packing his backs for a nine-day, 18-stop road trip.

The leader of Penn State football, along with a minimum of 12 other coaches who are scheduled to participate along the way, will hit the road beginning on Monday, April 30, for a seven state Coaches Caravan.  Coach O'Brien is eager to meet Penn State fans and alums during the next three weeks, and he wants to see you during his travels.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The nine-day, 18-stop Penn State Coaches Caravan kicks off on Monday with a lunch stop in Philadelphia and a dinner stop in Drexel Hill, Pa.

Men's hoops coach Patrick Chambers is excited to bring the attitude to his hometown of Philly, and he wants to see you there.