Standout quarterback Todd Blackledge will be among the former Nittany Lion players serving as coaches at the inaugural Penn State Football Fantasy Camp. Blackledge led Penn State to the 1982 National Championship and returns to ABC/ESPN this fall as a college football analyst.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; June 12, 2006 - Penn State Nittany Lion fans have long been among the most loyal and rabid in college football, cheering on their team year after year, through many glorious moments and seasons, including last year's 11-1 campaign that resulted in Big Ten and FedEx Orange Bowl titles.

They have reveled in Beaver Stadium victories, joined the Blue Band in song, and praised Coach Joe Paterno throughout his four decades of leadership. But not until now, with the emergence of the first Penn State Football Fantasy Camp, have they been able to truly step "inside" the storied football program.

From June 14-18, approximately 30 people from 10 different states and ranging in age from 29 to 68 years old, will have the opportunity to actually live the life of a Nittany Lion player, albeit with a somewhat lesser work load.

"I never dreamed I could really step onto the turf and play in Beaver Stadium, dress in the home locker room in the authentic football uniform, and learn under the direction of legendary coaches and former players. I cannot wait!" commented Penn State alumnus Eric Rosario, who recently moved from Pennsylvania to Oregon.

The action-packed schedule includes two-a-day practices both Thursday and Friday on the varsity training fields, being coached by Nittany Lion assistant coaches Galen Hall, Larry Johnson, Bill Kenney, Brian Norwood and Jay Paterno. Individual sessions will focus on defense, offense, special teams, and team execution, allowing each "player" to try whatever positions he chooses.

Dinners with keynote speakers, including Athletic Director Tim Curley, former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, All-American and All-Pro Dave Robinson and numerous other lettermen and coaches, will be held in the Letterman's Lounge, Mount Nittany Club, President's Suite, and Toftrees Resort. Daily training table lunches will be served in Pollock Hall on campus, same as for the varsity during their pre-season.

All players will be housed in the historic Nittany Lion Inn, which will also be the site of the pre-game meetings and meal on Saturday, June 17, prior to the Blue-White Fantasy Flag Game in Beaver Stadium. The game will be played in front of invited guests only, with game officials, a 60-minute running clock, and announced live in-stadium by Dean Devore who handles the same chore on autumn Saturdays.

A beneficiary of the event will be the Morgan Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes, as a number of former players are donating their time at the Camp to help instruct current Nittany Lion players and offer advice on their college and post-graduate careers. Among those lettermen are: three members of the College Football Hall of Fame -- Glenn Ressler, Dennis Onkotz and Robinson - as well as former standouts Todd Blackledge, John Greene, Eddie Johnson, Rich Rosa, Rick Sayles and Tim Sweeney.

Among the other former Nittany Lions who will be assisting at the the camp are: Brad Scovill, Wally Richardson, Todd Kulka and Paul Suhey.

The Penn State Football Fantasy Camp is produced by Global Football and Penn State Sports Camps, in conjunction with Penn State Football and Intercollegiate Athletics. For more information go to www.PennStateFantasyCamp.com or contact: Patrick Steenberge, Patrick@globalfootball.com, 817-219-7274.