Although Penn State’s spring practice in Beaver Stadium in Saturday was still a far cry from traditional Blue White games of years past, head coach James Franklin certainly appreciated having a chance to have his team perform with at least some fans in the stands.
“After last season, it felt like 75,000,” Franklin said in a post-practice Zoom session. “It felt really good.”
Penn State took the field in Beaver Stadium in front of fans for the first time since November 30, 2019, a home win over Rutgers. The COVID-19 pandemic forced Penn State to shut down its entire spring football practice schedule, including the spring game. When the big Ten did return to the football field for the fall, it did so collectively with no fans in any Big Ten venue.
So even though only a small fraction of fans including family and first-year students and the Penn State Blue Band were allowed entrance to Beaver Stadium, it was a warm reminder of how much difference there is to playing in a giant empty erector set of a stadium and the home fans.
James Franklin on Zoom after practice 12: "After last season it felt like 75,000 (fans). It really felt good."
"Anybody that's comfortable getting the vaccine, let's get the vaccine so we can get as many people in the stadium as possible."
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) April 17, 2021
Franklin encouraged those comfortable getting a vaccine to fight COVID-19 to do so as soon as possible. Penn State officials have been determined to take as many precautions as necessary on campus to ensure as many people can return for the fall as possible.
Outdoor seating capacity in Pennsylvania is currently limited to 50 percent, although proper social distancing protocols must be upheld, which limits baseball and football stadiums to jumping up to the updated capacity numbers. But by the time August rolls around, the hope is Beaver Stadium will be able to pack a few more fans into the stands for the home opener..
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