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College Football’s Spring rite

11 2
23.04.2025

By Greg Maresca ——Bio and Archives--April 22, 2025

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Spring has its share of traditional rites and rituals. In Happy Valley, the home of the Penn State Nittany Lions, one spring rite that still survives is the football program’s annual spring game.

The 2025 version will be a Blue-White game like none other. With the antiquated press box and a large section of the west stands now history and under renovation, the spring game marches on but for how long?

Ever since its inception in 1951, the Blue-White Game has been a staple of Penn State’s time-honored football culture. Head coach Rip Engle started the tradition to mark the end of spring practice. The first game was played at State College High School’s Memorial Field because Beaver Field as it was known then was, ironically, undergoing renovations.

Evidently, some things never change.

Back then the game was known as “The Bucket Bowl,” with each squad competing for an old water bucket trophy.

Beaver Stadium has been the home for Penn State football since 1960. However, parts of the stadium date back to 1909. Over the years, it has undergone several expansions and renovations making Beaver Stadium the second largest college football stadium in the country.

With Beaver Stadium........

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