Penn State Football - It's Just Awesome!

Welcome to A Weekend With "The Greatest Show in College Football!"

If you've been following me on "The Guy From Erie," you probably already know that my son, Jordan Kerner, committed this summer to play football next year for Penn State.

We've had a lot of fun during the last few months attending Jordan's high school football games for Fairview, and making our way down to State College for a few games as he gets three tickets for each home game.

It doesn't matter if you're a football fan - or even a Penn State fan - the experience of Division I "Big Ten" football is incredible...from the stadium to the Big Blue Band, attending a Penn State football game should be on everyone's "bucket list."

As a recruit, Jordan is invited to one "official visit" to each college that recruited him. "Official" means that it's all expenses paid for Jordan and his parents.

All I can say is that this past weekend has been one of the most awe-inspiring and memorable experiences of my life!

There's just nothing like being around excellence for a few days...the coaches, the players, the facilities, the faculty, and the whole "Penn State Nation" thing just leaves you pretty much breathless after experiencing it.

While I really never had any doubts, my weekend at Penn State left me totally satisfied that Jordan picked the right school.

They'll spend the next four years not only making him an outstanding football player, but more importantly they'll make him an outstanding, civic-minded young man who will face the world in a few years with a degree from one of the finest colleges in the world.

So...here are some of the photos from our weekend adventure.

Enjoy!

	This is the view that greets you when you walk through the front doors of the Lasch Football Building, the headquarters of the Penn State Nittany Lions.
	When the weather gets too cold, the team practices inside of this giant building that houses not one but two football fields side-by-side.
	When Coach Paterno blows his whistle three times, everyone knows it's time to huddle up. I overheard him telling his players that there were visitors in the building and to take the time to meet them. Immediately after they broke for a break, several players came over to us to introduce themselves.
	Friday night started with the "Stadium Experience," which began by riding one of the three Blue Buses that are used to bring the team to the stadium. Here, we're getting a tour of the locker room.
	Next up was a walk through the tunnel and onto the playing field. It was a little eerie to see Beaver Stadium's 110,000 seats completely empty...it's huge!
	Next up was dinner with the football team and coaches in the team dining room. I can assure you that these kids eat extremely well - the buffet was never ending, with everything from brisket to sushi. This is where the team eats every night.
	Heidi with Defensive Line Coach Larry Johnson (in the foreground) and a few of the recruits and their parents who were there for the weekend.
	After a long day, we were taken to our room at the lovely Nittany Lion Inn, which is right on the campus.
	Now...I could get used to THIS. It's an awesome facility, and the staff is great. And - it's a lot bigger than it looks.
	This wall is in the reception room right outside of Coach Paterno's office. Obviously, the Orange Bowl trophy is front and center.
	This area is located in the front foyer, right inside the main entrance.
	This is the first image you see when you walk through the doors on the first floor's main hallway, which leads to the team's meeting rooms and training facilities.
	To the left is the team meeting room, to the right is all of the lettermen's names etched into the blocks from each year.
	This is the beginning of the Penn State All-Americans who are on the wall.
	I took this photo just to give some scope as to how many All-Americans Penn State has produced through the years.
	They also have a wall of all of the players and coaches that have been elected to the Penn State Football Hall of Fame.
	As you walk down the same hall, these giant photos are along the left, one about every 10 feet. Awesome!
	Dinner on Saturday evening at the Nittany Lion Inn with all of the recruits, their parents, the coaching staff, and their wives and fiancees. Jay Paterno is seated in the foreground of this photo.
	Jordan and his brother Nicholas having some fun before dinner.
	This was taken of us right before dinner, in front of the massive Christmas tree in the lobby of the inn.
	With our host for the weekend, Assistant Coach Mike McQueary.
	We were told that the Nittany Lion statue is the second-most photographed icon in Pennsylvania, right behind the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia.
	A special treat was going over to Joe and Sue Paterno's home after dinner on Saturday evening. Here, Joe joins a group of carolers who entertained us.
	Now, THAT was a weekend to remember!

The following video was shot by Jordan's mother, Traci, shortly after our arrival at the Paterno home. After a knock on the door, the Penn State Glee Club showed up to sing some Christmas carols. After several songs, they sung the"Nittany Lion" fight song along with the Penn State Alma mater - and Joe never left the front of the room.

You have to admit that seeing Joe and Sue Paterno - she's the one in the red jacket - lead the Glee Club at Penn State in their own living room might just be one of those things that happen in your life that you'll never forget.

I know that we never will!

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