ESPN College GameDay at Penn State FAQs: Pit rules, parking situation, special guests, more

ESPN is bringing its famed ‘College GameDay’ show to State College this week before a top-10 showdown between No. 6 Oregon and No. 3 Penn State at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday. In fact, the massive compound that houses the production trucks, stage, and more is already set up in town, as live shots will originate from campus before the case takes their chairs for the four-hour pregame program. What do you need to go if you want to go? How could traffic and parking be impacted? And who could the guest picker be? We have a full ‘GameDay’ guide below.

Where is the College GameDay set located?

The broadcast will air from the Old Main lawn in the middle of the University Park campus. This, of course, is good news for traffic in and around the area of Beaver Stadium. But, it may clog up some things downtown, of course.

Are any roads or lots closed?

Yes. As you might already know by now, part of Pollock Road is shut down. It actually closed back on Tuesday. Here are some more traffic and parking details from a Penn State news release:

–Pollock Road is closed between Fraser Road and the entrance of the Brown B parking lot through Saturday. The closure will extend from Burrowes Road to Shortlidge Road on Saturday.

–The Old Main parking lot will be closed through Saturday to provide a staging area for ESPN production vehicles. ROO permit holders who normally park at Old Main will be temporarily reassigned to the section of Brown A parking located behind Willard Building.

–The Brown A parking area behind Willard Building will be reserved for ROO permits only, except for ADA spaces, through Saturday. All vehicles, including department vehicles, must be removed from this lot immediately. Overflow parking for Brown A permit holders is available in Red A.

–Due to Saturday’s extended closure of Pollock Road between Burrowes Road and Pollock Road, the Brown B and Brown E parking areas will also be closed to all users on Saturday. Permit holders in need of parking during these hours should park at the Eisenhower or Nittany decks. Any University departments with vehicles parked in these lots that may need to access them during these hours must relocate their vehicles to another parking area prior to midnight Friday night. 

How do I get the GameDay set from downtown? What if I park in my Penn State football lot at Beaver Stadium?

The aforementioned Penn State news release has you covered on this info, too. Here’s what the university recommends:

–On campus – paid parking is available at:

• East and Nittany Deck at $2 for 1 hour, $3 for 2 hours, and $40 for over 2 hours.
• West Deck at $2 for 1 hour, $3 for 2 hours, and $25 for over 2 hours.
• Eisenhower Deck for $40
• Downtown – there are three downtown parking garages that are within three blocks of the Old Main lawn that have hourly rates: the Beaver Avenue Garage, the Fraser Street Garage, and the Pugh Street Garage. Metered street parking also is available downtown.

—Fans who plan to park in West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium lots and attend ESPN College GameDay:

• Fans who have a West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium parking permit and plan to park in their game day space and then attend College GameDay are encouraged to walk to Old Main (1.3 miles) or take the CATA White or Blue Loop bus to downtown and walk (2-3 blocks).
• Fans can pick up the CATA White Loop along Hastings Road near the Hastings Road and University Drive intersection. Fans can walk from Schlow Library to Old Main.
• Fans can pick up the CATA Blue Loop on Curtin Road in front of the Computer Building and walk from the intersection of College Avenue and Allen Street to Old Main.

How can I stand in the famed GameDay pit? When can I line up to get in?

First and foremost: You cannot camp out overnight for a spot. What you can do, however, is show up to the GameDay compound and begin lining up at 5:30 a.m. ET on Saturday. Free entry into the pit will begin at 6:45 a.m. ET. Anyone entering will be screened by security. And, there is a long list of things you cannot bring in, including bags, backpacks, or purses.

You also cannot bring in a sign that includes “offensive, vulgar, inappropriate or solicitation signage will be allowed (i.e., no political, religious, or .com, .org, .net signage).”

Signs or flags on a stick are also against the rules. Pens, pencils, markers, or dry-erase boards are, too. Food and drink cannot be brought in. And, throwing objects in the pit is prohibited.

Who is guest picker Penn State?

‘Linebacker U’ legend LaVar Arrington is this week’s guest picker. ESPN announced the news on Thursday night. It will mark his first appearance on the show.

Who are the special guests?

According to the same news release, head coach James Franklin will do an on-set interview. The timing of that is to be determined. ‘GameDay’ will also feature the Penn State women’s volleyball team, which is the defending national champs, and also Ellie Sheehan, who is the current Blue Band drum major and the first female to hold that role.