Football student section sold out again

University Park, Pa. -- The nation's largest full-season student section in college sports again will be filled to capacity in 2009.

More than 21,000 Penn State students purchased season football tickets last week, ensuring that the loyal, enthusiastic and vibrant section again will be filled to capacity in Beaver Stadium. The sale for each class took place on its own designated day, with 90 percent of the tickets for each class sold within the first 15 minutes of each sale.

"Not only should Penn State students be recognized for the tremendous advantage they provide our team at Beaver Stadium on Saturdays, but they have also played an important, active role in the improvements we've been able to make to our student ticket sales process over the past few years," said Greg Myford, associate athletic director for business relations and communications. "We'll keep that going to make sure that Penn State students continue to set the standard."

ESPN The Magazine named the Nittany Lion's student body the nation's No. 1 overall football student section in 2008. Penn State's student section also has been called the nation's best on several occasions since 2005 by the commentators on ESPN's College Gameday Built by the Home Depot.

Every student who pre-registered and participated in the posted sale hours for their class was able to purchase a ticket, according to Myford. He added that the elimination of paper game tickets and implementation of new ticketing system that will use student ID cards for game entry is believed to have kept students who wanted to resell tickets from participating in the sale.

Students are reminded that they will not be receiving game tickets in the mail.

Information and instruction on use of new ticketing system will be posted at Student Central section of http://www.GoPSUsports.com on Monday, Aug. 4.

Students also ordered more than 10,000 Official Penn State White Out T-Shirts last week.

Penn State has sold more than 93,500 season football tickets the past two years and with a 98 percent renewal rate for 2009 will again approach that figure. The Nittany Lions have finished in the top four in the nation in attendance every year since 1991.

Beaver Stadium has a capacity of 107,282 and is the nation's largest facility. The Nittany Lions have won 27 of their last 29 home games.

Penn State has earned one of the nation's Top 10 records since the start of the 2005 season, posting a 40-11 (78.4) mark, good for No. 9 nationally. Entering his 44th season as head coach and 60th on the Penn State coaching staff, Coach Joe Paterno leds a squad that is returning 37 letterwinners and 10 starters for the 2009 campaign. The Nittany Lions host Akron on Sept. 5 (noon, Big Ten Network) in their season opener.