STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Much like the scenic backdrop last Saturday morning in Virginia on the campus of James Madison, ESPN's College GameDay will broadcast from Old Main Lawn during Saturday's visit to Happy Valley.
In the past when GameDay was in town, the last five backdrops featured Beaver Stadium and were filmed near the Bryce Jordan Center. With this location far away from the tailgaters it'll be a different look for sure, but whenever GameDay is in town it turns into a spectacle regardless.
“We are thrilled to welcome College GameDay back to Penn State,” athletic director Sandy Barbour said in a statement. “We’ve had a small group meeting regularly since before the season, so that we would be ready for the call from GameDay. Over the last two days we have worked with ESPN to finalize a set location and are excited to announce the show will originate on the lawn of our iconic Old Main, which we think will make for a memorable setting for everyone who attends and the ESPN audience."
For those wanting to attend the free pre-game program, fans can line up for access to the pit Saturday at 4 a.m. No overnight camping is allowed.
Rules for attending the pit include:
• No bags, backpacks or purses are permitted
• No offensive, vulgar, inappropriate or solicitation signage will be allowed
• No signs or flags on a stick
• No pens, pencils, markers or dry erase boards
• No food or drinks
• Throwing of objects is prohibited
Students who live on campus are encouraged to walk to the set, where several Friday television hits will also originate. Construction of the set will begin on campus on Wednesday.