Oct. 18, 2009

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The 48 hours leading into and including Penn State Homecoming 2009 were extraordinary, to say the least.

Extraordinary weather seemed to be only the root of what soon grew into extraordinary planning, extraordinary effort, extraordinary cooperation, and in the end, extraordinary fans showing an extraordinary understanding for the circumstances we found ourselves in as our community, our campus and our athletic department prepared for another Penn State Nittany Lion home football game. Of course, a full slate of Homecoming activities surrounded this particular game as well.

First, on behalf of Penn State University and Intercollegiate Athletics, thanks to our neighboring communities and businesses that accommodated the tens of thousands of fans that came into town and occupied your parking lots. We realize that some of you in the area did not volunteer to do so, but found your lots gradually filling up with our patrons instead of yours. Whether you volunteered to serve as game-day parking lot or not, we're grateful for your patience and hospitality, especially on top of cancelled school, toppled trees and lost power in surrounding areas. We likely added to a heavy dose of inconvenience.

Our parking and transportation partners also made some big plays for us on Saturday. With less than 24-hours' notice, they provided more than 50 shuttle buses that ran to more than a dozen different pick-up and drop-off points on the outskirts of campus. Thank you to all who coordinated the routes and did the driving. We've heard some terrific feedback from those who reluctantly took the shuttles, but ended up very appreciative that they did.

Additionally, we thank the teams of people off the field that did all in their power to make sure the teams on the field had a world class playing field. Our field and stadium crews went round-the-clock in assuring that Beaver Stadium was as cleaned up and shoveled off as time would allow. We know there still was some snow in the stands, but the players had a tremendous surface to play on, and all of our fans in the stands had a place to sit.

Finally, to our fans -- comprised of alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends and neighbors from all corners of the country -- Thank You. We're grateful that you saw what we were up against, and frankly, you gave to our staff what you typically give to Coach Paterno and the team each week -- your faith that we would do our best for you.

We know that there was inconvenience on Saturday. We apologize for that. We also know that we can do some things differently if and when similar conditions arise again, and we will. But we also know that were it not for an extraordinary batch of weather, we would not have witnessed together the extraordinary depth of passion and pride that brings Penn Staters together, regardless of how extraordinary the circumstances.

For the Glory,
Tim Curley
Director of Athletics