UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Volunteers are needed for the 2025 Penn State Military Appreciation Tailgate, honoring service members, veterans and their families, on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Bryce Jordan Center.
The tailgate, organized and led by volunteers, will take place before the 14th annual Penn State Military Appreciation Football Game, when the Nittany Lions host Indiana University at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium.
Penn State faculty, staff, students, alumni and local community members are invited to volunteer and help honor service members and military families. Volunteers can sign up through this online form. Registration closes on Oct. 25.
The Military Appreciation Tailgate will welcome active-duty service members, veterans and their families to the Bryce Jordan Center, providing a special place to gather and celebrate before kickoff.
Volunteer roles include greeting guests, distributing reserved game tickets, assisting with food and beverage service, directing foot traffic, working as errand runners, and bussing and resetting tables. Volunteers are needed from five hours before the game until two hours after kickoff.
As part of the celebration, Penn State will once again host service members and their families at the Military Appreciation Football Game through the Seats for Servicemembers program. The ticket request form will open on Sept. 17 and remain available while supplies last. Each year, Penn State supporters donate thousands of football tickets through the program, giving members of the military community and their families the opportunity to attend the game at no cost.
Following this year’s Military Appreciation football game, Penn State will host a weeklong series of events from Nov. 7–14 honoring and recognizing the service and sacrifice of military families. This year’s Military Appreciation Week will honor Medal of Honor recipients, including Penn State alumnus Lt. Michael P. Murphy, a Navy SEAL who received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Afghanistan.
For more information about volunteering, contact John Barlett at psumilappreciation@gmail.com.