Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Final Paper
Final Paper
Olivia Lang, David Alongi, Jeremy Negron, Joseph Monahan, & Matthew Thomsen
May 2, 2023
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Literature Reviews
opportunity to partake in many game day experiences that enhance a positive time for all. Fans
enjoy many aspects including tailgating, the game itself as well as post-game activities. It is
important to find out which factors had a greater impact on fans game day experience, so we can
find a common ground and provide a positive game day experience for the largest sum of people
possible and to continue fan retention and drive revenue up for the university.
A college football game day provides fans with an opportunity to have a positive experience, in
doing so fans will be influenced by several internal and external factors as well as experience
different effects on their social behavior and the environment that they are in. Football game
days give way to a fan's mood, and a loss significantly enhances a negative mood and can linger
into the week if their team did not perform well, (Serrano,1999). Many fans' ultimate deciding
factor on a positive or negative game day is whether their team won or lost, and with every game
someone's mood will be swayed negatively. Although their mood may be swayed negatively by
the decision of the game, that’s just one small piece of a game day. If we take the whole day and
divide it up into sections roughly 75% of the day is spent outside of the game. Leading up to the
game, many fans participate in tailgates with numerous friends and family enjoying each other’s
company. Being surrounded by the people you enjoy being around in a positive community
boosts the mood of all individuals around, as people enjoy that sense of social interaction and
inclusion, (Delaney, 2008). It is a more enjoyable experience to partake in large events with a
community of people who all share a common interest and can enhance your tailgate and bring a
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Behavioral and environmental factors also play an important role in determining one's positive or
negative gameday experience. When stepping foot on a college campus for a football Saturday,
fans are greeted with a multitude of different sights and sounds each with a different effect on the
people around. Being with people who have similar passions and interest provide the fan with a
natural dopamine booster as well as a confirmed sense that they are in the right place.
Environmental factors that can boost one’s experience include the temperature outside and time
of game. Many fans want the weather to be cooperative when they attend a game as well as a
reasonable time that allows them to get home not super late and, in some cases, allows them to
Besides game days being a time to be with the people you enjoy being around, there is also an
economic impact on the fan as well as the university. Game days are made up of hundreds of
thousands of individuals who decided to commit to a certain game and in doing so have been
directly impacted by economic variables. Economic factors include ticket prices, travel costs,
food, and beverage as well as a place to stay, (Falls, 2015). These variables greatly impact one’s
experience because in partaking in these costs, fans are hoping to receive value for their
multitude of expenses, and on the flip side these costs and expenses affect the university in a
positive way and are needed to keep the tradition of these schools alive.
The ultimate factor in all of this is the game experience itself. The atmosphere inside the stadium
and being with like-minded people all blend to create an experience that will keep fans coming
back. The entertainment value of the game is escape for fans, and fans want to experience as
many positives as possible while attending the game, (Alonso, 2014). The main reason why fans
buy tickets is for the value of the game, not all the other good stuff that comes with a college
football game. There is no better feeling than beating one of your rivals and doing it in front of
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your home crowd. People will experience joy if someone they admire is successful and someone
they loathe is unsuccessful, (Havard, 2013). Fan participation in the game is an added element
that enhances a game day because when the opposing team does something wrong, the fan feels
as though they have positively impacted the game and they now have a connection that they can
relate back to and keep them wanting to come to games and experience those positive emotions
again.
A positive game day experience for a fan differs from every individual that is in attendance, and
it is impossible to please every single person. The different internal and external influences as
well as behavioral and environmental impacts all contribute to creating a positive community of
fans, however the biggest influence on whether a fan had an enjoyable time is ultimately what
happened on the field and if the team they are supporting won the game. Trying to create a
positive gameday for fans is crucial for universities and collecting research on this topic is vital
because they will be able to properly promote and market certain aspects of a game day as well
as continue to bring in revenue for local businesses and lastly continue to bring fans back and
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What challenges do students face when trying to buy season tickets to Penn State football
games?
A Penn State football game is a unique and exciting event that draws fans from near and
far to experience the thrill of Beaver Stadium. With the opportunity to purchase season tickets,
many students struggle with the costs and difficulties associated with the ticketing process. This
is a significant issue as many students do not have the financial means to pay hundreds of dollars
for just a few tickets, yet they still want to support their football team. It's time for a change and
to explore alternative ticketing solutions that are both affordable and convenient for students. By
researching what is wrong with this process it can start the process of making the ticketing
process easier and more accessible. We can then use our findings to enhance the overall
We often overlook the crucial role of financial literacy in the lives of college students. As
teenagers venture into independence for the first time, they must navigate the complexities of
handling their own finances. Many are supported by scholarships or loans and others use their
own money or need help from their parents. Students in university choose to attend higher
schooling to learn and improve upon foundations already in place in their lives (Elkins 2007).
This is a critical issue that Penn State can address by conducting research and developing
effective solutions. With improved financial planning, students won't have to sacrifice
extracurricular activities and experiences due to limited funds. In a study at Kansas University,
they were able to implement a “student donor process”, a process in which donors are able to
donate money in order to accommodate student ticket pricing. Although it may have been a long
time ago, the study found that there were five different results that produced different important
factors for the school to consider, structure, benefits for other students, additional
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communication between students, mentors, and alumni, founding of a membership fee which
could be implemented back into the university for undergraduates, and lastly, an increase in the
“Brand” KU (Bogina 1970). For Penn States sake, it is essential for the university to consider the
affordability of costly tickets for events such as football games. Hancock makes an important
point in alluding to the fact that there is a rising worry among professionals that more and more
students are choosing to drop out of school not because of academic struggles but because of
financial reasons (Hancock 2012). By promoting financial literacy and making resources
accessible to undergraduate students, Penn State can provide greater opportunities for students to
Leisure and recreation are crucial for college students, and sports teams at Penn State
serve as a significant source of enjoyment for undergraduates. This article aims to make leisure
more accessible and attainable for all students, while fostering a supportive and inclusive
environment. One key challenge is financial accessibility, as the current ticket purchasing
process often fails to provide equal opportunities for all students. In a 2001 article, Haines
stresses that his research proved how university recreation is a positive influence on the college
experience and that it not only boosts undergraduate experiences, but it is essential. Penn State
has a responsibility to create a positive and inclusive atmosphere, rather than pitting students
against each other in a competitive environment. The university's spirit and support also play a
crucial role in the successful sale of sports tickets. By addressing these issues, we can create a
Penn State football is an integral part of the student experience at Pennsylvania State
University. For many students, attending football games is a rite of passage, a symbol of their
connection to the university and to each other. The energy and excitement of game day is
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contagious, with students pridefully wearing their blue and white attire, gathering in large
groups, and proudly representing their school. (Johnson 2022). Beyond just being a source of
entertainment, Penn State football holds a deep significance for students. It serves as a unifying
force, bringing together students from all walks of life to support their common love for the
Nittany Lions. This shared passion fosters a sense of community and belonging that lasts long
after graduation. It is that reason why this article is a fine example of how keeping the Penn State
This literature has shown an array of arguments for why universities should better help
their students to experience leisure but not the direct issue that Penn State has with accessibility.
Whether cheering on the team in Beaver Stadium or watching the game with friends at a local
bar, Penn State football is a cherished tradition that holds a special place in the hearts of students.
Therefore, we need to dig deeper into the systems and processes so that we can welcome
everyone to the privilege and opportunity that it is to attend the Penn State Football games.
References List
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Bogina, A. (1970, January 1). Student-donor memberships within Collegiate Athletics. KU
ScholarWorks. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from
https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/handle/1808/29466
Hancock, A. M., Jorgensen, B. L., & Swanson, M. S. (2013). College Students and Credit Card
Use: The Role of Parents, Work Experience, Financial Knowledge, and Credit Card Attitudes.
Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 34(4), 369-381. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-012-
9338-8
Johnson, C., & McCannon, B. C. (2022). Athletics and admissions: the impact of the penn state
football scandal on student quality. Journal of Sports Economics, 23(2), 200-221.
Elkins, D. J., Beggs, B. A., & Choutka, E. (2007). The contribution of constraint negotiation to
the leisure satisfaction of college students in campus recreational sports. Recreational Sports
Journal, 31(2), 107-118.
How do Penn State students perceive violence at games in relation to alcohol sales?
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The Pennsylvania State University introduced alcohol sales to the entirety of Beaver
Stadium for the 2022 football season for the first time in program history. With this introduction,
the student body is now introduced to a new dynamic in maintaining their safety in the stadium.
Injuries and accidents are more likely when alcohol is introduced, so it is important to identify
the consequences of this decision. While revenue will most likely go up due to the inclusion of
alcohol sales, it jeopardizes the safety and well-being of students who attend football games.
This issue concerns students who attend football games and their perception of safety around the
For most American sporting events, viewing live sports and alcohol consumption are
typically paired together. The idea of tailgates and drinking before entering the stadium are
culturally accepted in sports, especially at the college level. A school of Penn State’s size is
known for extravagant game day experiences and the festivities that are performed on game
days. With football being such a large part of Penn State’s culture, binge drinking is problematic
because of the program’s success and popularity (Merlo 2010). When examining the correlation
between football games and the crime rates within the hosting cities, there was an increase in
alcohol-related arrests and citations given out on game days (Rees and Schnepel 2008).
Disorderly conduct and vandalism are just some examples of citations resulting from public
intoxication during sporting events. These activities prior to kickoff result in a large amount of
alcohol being consumed in one sitting for its effects to be held throughout the entirety of the
game.
decreased crime related to being intoxicated. When a stadium is in control of where alcohol can
be consumed, they regulate the amount someone has to drink. Locations with fewer alcohol-
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related incidents attribute this outcome to management having achieved a high level of control of
access to alcohol (Chaney, Menaker, Sheptak 2016). Penn State’s decision to serve alcohol
inside Beaver Stadium may be a way they are trying to decrease the number of alcohol-related
arrests and citations given on game days. If students and spectators did not have to drink as much
before entering the stadium, they could space out their alcohol consumption in order to decrease
A similar situation has occurred at Ohio State University, another school in the Big 10
Conference that has also recently decided to sell alcohol inside its stadium. Their solution to
large amounts of alcohol-related crime on game days was to sell inside of the stadium and
introduce a “clear bag policy.” Results indicated that the incidents overall decreased since
implicating the aforementioned drinking policies (Sai 2018.) Compared to previous seasons,
there was a clear distinction between the levels of crime-related incidents performed during a big
game. Penn State could look to a rival for their observations about the topic. With evidence
already granted to other universities trying to decrease the level of crime, selling inside of their
Correlating to the distribution of alcohol sales inside Beaver Stadium, Penn State has also
changed its security model regarding the student section. Regulating who can enter the student
section based on a wristband while also observing the level of intoxication of a fan. With these
regulations now in place, fans can be questioned about the impact these introductions can have
on their gameday experience. When looking to other stadiums for their perception of selling
alcohol inside of the stadium, studies found that selling alcoholic beverages would not change
the enjoyment and safety of participants (Hennessy 2015.) The safety of fans of all ages is not
impacted by the addition of selling alcohol. Stadiums change their model to adapt to the
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changing situation to mitigate any potential harm someone may cause. While it is not perfect,
studies show that there is in fact a decrease in these situations when introducing the concessions.
In conclusion, fans should not have to worry about the introduction of selling alcohol into
Beaver Stadium. The primary indicator of their safety comes from a rival of ours, Ohio State.
With similar studies conducted around the same topic, it is easy to see that the regulation of
alcohol has a positive impact. Fans should enjoy the time that they are spending inside the
stadium with their friends and families cheering on their team. While it is understandable to be
worried of your surroundings as some still may take it too far, the introduction of alcohol inside
Works Cited
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Hennessy, D. E. (2015, December 15). Fan perceptions of selling alcoholic beverages at a
college football ... Fan Perceptions of Selling Alcoholic Beverages at a College
Football Stadium. Retrieved February 1, 2023, from
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1009&context=honors-theses
Merlo, L. J. (2009, August 29). The association between alcohol-related arrests and
college football game days. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Retrieved January 31,
2023, from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871609002889
Rees, D. I., & Schnepel, K. T. (2009, February 1). Daniel I. Rees, Kevin T. Schnepel, 2009
- sage journals. College Football Games and Crime. Retrieved February 1, 2023,
from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1527002508327389
Sai, S. (2018, April). The relationship between responsible drinking policies and ... - core.
The Relationship Between Responsible Drinking Policies and Football Game-Day
Incidents at The Ohio State University: a Preliminary Study. Retrieved February 1,
2023, from https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/159600983.pdf
The sporting industry in the United States has never been bigger than it currently is in
2023. Player contracts, team revenues, viewership, broadcast deals, and especially fandom are at
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the largest scale in the 150 years professional sports have been played in this country. However,
one Professional sport dominates in viewership, and that is the National Football League. For
decades Major League Baseball reigned supreme as “America’s Pastime”, however, in 2023 the
NFL has taken the crown as the most popular sport. This is an interesting development to follow
since football has taken major criticism for its dangerous nature. It has even gotten to the point
where youth football programs are dissolving all over the country due to concerned parents
opting for their children to play safer sports, like baseball or basketball. Although we see youth
football declining, NFL popularity continues to grow amongst men and women aged 18-22. On
top of this increase, we see a clear choice being made by this age demographic. Any time the
leagues compete for ratings, the NFL sweeps the board. Does the NFL really put out that much
better of a product than the NBA, MLB, and the NHL? It is difficult to answer that question
since intrigue is very subjective to one's personal preferences, but the NFL does provide high
speed collisions, elite athletic talent, and a mental component that seems to reach audiences at a
wide range of demographics. This disparity in television ratings is a large point of concern for
the other 3 aforementioned sports leagues that wish to grow their audiences and compete with
the NFL.
The main question these leagues want to ask themselves is how does the NFL captivate
its audience in the manner it does. The NFL regular season ranges from September until the end
of December, which is by far the shortest season of the 4 major sports leagues. However, during
that 5 month stretch, the NFL owns Sunday. More than 17 million fans tuned in to the popular
show “NFL RedZone” which bounces around the league and showcases every game. This
number absolutely dwarfs Major League Baseball’s average primetime regular season
viewership total, which sits around 2 million viewers (Winslow 16). A strong argument as to
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why we see this disparity in viewership is due to the shorter season, which makes the NFL
regular season games more of a ‘must watch’. When men 18-35 why they preferred the NFL
regular season over those of the NHL, NBA, and MLB, the overwhelming answer was the
feeling of urgency and importance each NFL game delivers (Winslow 19). Also, a common
theme we see from NFL fans that is not apparent with the other 3 leagues is the event-like feeling
the NFL creates at its games. Fans at NFL games, the Super Bowl in particular, arrive between
120-180 minutes before the gates of the stadium even opened, where the average NBA fan
arrives at playoff games around 30 minutes before the commencement of the contest (Kelly et al.
37 ). This is because of the atmosphere that the NFL and its fans create at the games. The NFL
has developed an extremely fan-friendly culture in and around their stadiums that has aided in
the experience aspect of the sport. This is a major reason why College and NFL football has
somewhat replaced baseball as the pastime in America. The father and son that would once go to
the ballpark on a summer afternoon now save their money and tailgate for an afternoon.
While gameday atmosphere and fan access is an important part in analyzing the disparity
in popularity, it is also important to look into how the NFL has built such an empire. The NFL
spans across 30 cities and is made up of 32 teams, with New York and Los Angeles having 2
each. This is not much different than MLB or the NBA, which each consist of 30 teams.
However, if you look at areas that do not have a professional sports team, which includes states
like North and South Dakota, Mississippi, Alaska, Hawaii, and several other states, the most
popular professional league amongst college students is the NFL by a wide margin (Wang et al.
41). If we take a deeper dive into the numbers, the NFL owns the postseason, almost tripling the
NBA’s numbers in each league's respective postseason. However, the regular season viewership
is a more accurate comparison because of the previously stated event-like atmosphere playoff
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NFL games create which have a much larger draw than the 3 other leagues playoff games.
According to Sophie Siminoff of Princeton University, the NFL is a juggernaut at marketing its
players and games (Siminoff 13). The NFL, much like individualized sports like Formula One
racing and golf, has done an excellent job at creating narratives about its players and teams. This
adds a level of drama and personality to the league which all other major sports are starting to
mimic. Major League Baseball has been historically poor at doing so, and has suffered falling
ratings as a result. The NFL has excellent command of its audience and does an excellent job of
selling its relationships and building up “hype” in order to gain viewership. They have created a
culture that convinced its younger audience that every single second is can't-miss, just like the
fastest growing sports league, Formula One (Siminoff 15). In summation, the NFL has become
the giant it has due to outstanding marketing and a welcoming game day atmosphere.
Upon further analysis into the NFL and its mass audience, it is no wonder why the league
has grown to where it is today. The NFL has mastered the marketing of its players and teams,
making it must-watch television every single week, much like a network television show.
Except, the NFL’s product is as authentic as it gets, unlike mass-media favorites on networks
like Bravo or E!. As Well as brilliant marketing, the gameday environment at NFL games are
second to none. The surrounding areas of the stadium are filled hours before the games even
begin and are filled with barbecues, lawn games, and friends/families enjoying eachothers
company. This is paralleled by no other major sports league, and is very difficult to emulate.
These two reasons alone have helped the NFL create the most successful sports league in
America, despite the actual game of football losing participants due to safety concerns.
15
References
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dataspace.princeton.edu,
https://dataspace.princeton.edu/handle/88435/dsp01ks65hg38r.
Winslow, Noah. The Effect of Competition in the Sports Market on the Popularity of
https://digitalshowcase.lynchburg.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1190&context=utcp.
Sperling, N., & Vandegrift, D. (2022). Anthem protests, viewer politics, and the demand for
NFL games: Assessing the impact of national anthem protests on viewership. Journal of
Kelly, Yvan J., et al. The Economics of the Super Bowl: Players, Performers, and Cities.
3-030-46370-0.
Wang, Jerred, et al. “Self-Branding through NFL Team Fanship: Fans’ Desired Self-Image and Its
Implications for Branding Practices.” Sport Marketing Quarterly, vol. 29, no. 1, Mar. 2020,
How likely are you to attend a tailgate in the valley for PSU away games?
Football fans around the world can all agree that tailgating is one of the best parts of the
day. Whether your team wins or loses tailgating is always a highlight of the day. “Tailgating has
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recent years as event organizers of a variety of indoor and outdoor events have embraced and
adapted this ritual to fit their specific needs and desires” (Anderson, 1997; Cahn, 2003; Duncan,
2004; Frederick, 1999; James, Breezeel, & Ross, 2001; Pedersen & LaBrie, 2007; Read, Merrill,
& Bytschkow, 2010; Shivers, 2010). Friends, family, food, drinks, and games are parts of
tailgates that everyone loves. Alcohol is a big part of tailgating for everyone that is 21 and older.
“Alcohol is arguably a very important part of the tailgating ritual. It is a cheap, ubiquitous
substance that can act as an assistant in social interaction by lowering inhibitions, which in turn
makes the effects it bestows among people desirable among tailgaters” (Wiley, Community and
Bonding at Tailgates). However, even though it is all fun and games, tailgates require serious
security measures to make sure everyone is safe and remains safe. There is a lot of work that
goes into setting up a tailgating area such as parking, bathrooms, police, and easy access. It is
important to be educated on risk management and legal issues you could get involved with while
should try to manage potential risks or they may be controlled by the risk” (Frame 2003). Being
aware of risks or issues that may occur is important to avoid legal trouble because you cant have
everyone sign a waiver. Going back to an earlier point I made about alcohol, it can also be a big
problem. When people get drunk they lose touch with who they are and that can lead to problems
with other people. It can lead to fights, abuse, and arrests, which is not what we want students to
get into. Therefor it is important to be aware of anything that can happen. “Tailgating has been
associated with both problem drinking and high-risk behaviors” (Lawerence 2012). This is
another reason on why it is important to be staffed with police to avoid these issues and put a
stop to altercations before they escalate. Nobody likes it when people get into a fight at a tailgate,
it ruins the flow of the day and can push people away from each other. Overall there are positives
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and negatives to tailgating, but if the negatives are taken care of correctly, tailgating can create
some of the best memories a person can have with friends and family.
References
Tools & Resources. University of South Carolina. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2, 2023, from
https://sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/hrsm/research/publication_highlights/spte/
19
journal_venue_and_event_management_archives/jvem_vol-2_iss-2/vol-2_iss-2_essential-
components-of-a-best-practice-model-for-tailgating-events/
(PDF) 2581-4281 Jean Watson’s middle range theory of ... - researchgate. (n.d.).
4281_Jean_Watson's_Middle_Range_Theory_of_Human_Caring_A_Critique
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1067828X.2012.689805?
journalCode=wcas20
2, 2023, from
https://www.coursehero.com/file/149335964/dapolleyJournalmanagerJLAS24278pdf/
Methods
Football fandom is a topic of interest to many, especially for those who support a particular team.
As students at Penn State, we are interested in studying the attitudes of Penn State football fans
towards sporting events, ticketing prices, and the type of football programs they prefer over
others. Football is a significant aspect of the university's culture and identity, and it is essential to
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the students, alumni, and the entire community. This study is important because we want to
ensure that Penn State football fans have an enjoyable and satisfying gameday experience. By
analyzing the opinions of the fans, we can identify ways to improve the gameday experience,
ticket services, and football programming, ultimately elevating the fan experience. It can help the
university to identify ways to improve the fan experience, increase revenue, and ultimately create
a better football program for everyone involved.
Our specific research questions are as follows:
- What challenges do students face when trying to buy season tickets to Penn State
football games?
- What goes into achieving an optimal experience for fans on a Penn State football
gameday?
sales?
- How likely would you be to attend a local event Penn State hosted for an away
game?
Gathering participants for our study will be done in a few ways, and as a group we are all
looking to garner people who are either fans of Penn State football or overall fans of football. As
a group we will be using quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. For our
quantitative collection of data, we will be reaching out via social media and posting our survey
on apps such as Facebook and connecting with people in group chats in order to meet the
requirement of 30 surveyed. For our qualitative data collection, we will be looking to meet with
friends and people who we know meet the criteria that we are looking for and can talk with us
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For our individual questions we each have similar topics, with slightly different demographics
and areas of research. Our basic demographic questions consist of “Are you a Penn State
Student? What year are you at Penn State? What do you do on Penn State gameday? How much
of a football fan are you?” These are the outline of our study; however, each member may have
some slightly different demographics and questions they are trying to study. Starting with Joey,
he is trying to understand what makes an optimal gameday experience for Penn State fans, which
means he will be looking for fans of PSU football, currently enrolled at the university, and
people who have attended more than half of the home games. The sub-questions that Joey will
ask include “How much do you care about PSU football?”, “How do you start your PSU
gameday?”, “How does the opponent affect your experience?”, “What do you do after the
game?”, “How much does a win sway your experience?”, “What would your ideal start time
be?”, and “Do you spend most of your game days with your friends or family?” For Olivia, she is
researching Penn State fans who have had trouble with the ticketing process, in particular
Ticketmaster season ticket process. Her demographics for research will include fans who have
experienced issues, as well as fans who have had an easy path and are learning the positives and
negatives of the whole process. Matt is looking to research if there has been a rise in violence in
Beaver Stadium since the addition of alcohol within the stadium. He is looking for Penn State
students who have attended games before the addition of alcohol as well as after and trying to
learn and understand if there has been an uptake of violence or overall safety concerns. Jeremy is
trying to find out ways to get Penn State students more engaged during away games and is
looking for PSU students who continue to watch the team on the road. His questions include,
“Did you attend a PSU football game last semester?”, “Do you tend to watch away Penn State
games?”, “If so, where do you usually watch from? Who do you watch with?”, “How likely
would you attend a local event that Penn State hosted for an away game?”, “How likely would
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you be to attend the event in the valley for a tailgate?”, “How likely would you be to encourage
friends to go to the event with you?”, “How likely would you be to actually watch the game?”,
and “Would you prefer if nothing was to happen on gamedays?” Lastly, David is trying to
understand what makes someone prefer football over the other major sports. He is looking for
fans of sport overall but fans who prefer football over the other 3 major sporting leagues.
To collect both qualitative and quantitative data for our sample, our group will use purposive
sampling, snowball sampling, and convenience sampling. Our preferred pool of sampling is Penn
State students, particularly football fans. By using purposive sampling, we will direct our
research and interview questions towards our specific target group and obtain specific data that
will aid in discerning our topics. We will utilize purposive sampling by distributing our Qualtrics
survey to large group threads such as Penn State class Facebook groups and PSU Athletics ticket
exchange groups. This will help us identify football fans in a group made up entirely of
undergraduate Penn State students. Since our research questions all relate to varying levels of
football fandom, this sampling procedure is beneficial in our search for quantitative/qualitative
data.
Our second sampling procedure is snowball sampling, which builds upon our purposive
sampling subjects. We will ask participants of our survey/group members to pass along our
Qualtrics survey to other student organizations. For example, if a member of the Penn State
Football Student ticket exchange completed our survey and also belonged to a large THON
organization, we will ask the student to share our survey. We believe this will be an effective
sampling procedure for our research questions since it will further help us reach our desired
sample of Penn State students and diversify our findings by reaching different organizations.
Lastly, our group will use convenience sampling by sending our survey to friends within the
university. This sampling option allows us to be more deliberate in our procedures. Our personal
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connections to those we intend to share our survey with will play a crucial role in our findings.
For instance, we have a diverse group of friends that do not all care for Penn State Football or the
NFL. This will enable us to use both positive and negative data from our findings, which is
imperative to our study as it further helps us understand the PSU student body's relationship with
football.
Measures
With our research questions and interviews, we hope to find a positive or negative
correlation between our variables. For example, Jeremy’s question, “How likely would you be to
attend an event Penn State hosted for an away game?” is trying to find out whether students
would attend an event (positive association) or whether they would rather do their own thing and
skip the event (negative association). We are looking to get the opinions of Penn State students
on certain topics in the football fandom world and to see how they feel about said topics.
Another example would be Olivia’s question, “what challenges do students face when trying to
buy tickets to Penn State football games?” Through questions such as, “How do you like using
Ticketmaster for purchasing,” she will use a scale from 1-5 determining the positive and negative
results of students using Ticketmaster. With 1 being “awful” and 5 being “amazing,” this scale
will be able to help accurately and effectively measure their results. Likewise, Joey will use a
similar scale when asking the question, “what goes into achieving an optimal experience for fans
on a Penn State football gameday?” An example question would be, “how does the opponent
affect your overall gameday experience?” with 1 being “very little” and 5 being “very much.”
This method will help him be able to determine how much the opposing team dictates the
respondents' experience. Matt will also be using a similar scale when asking the question, “do
Penn State students perceive that violence has risen since allowing alcohol sales in Beaver
Stadium?” When inquiring about Penn State’s decision to sell alcohol in Beaver Stadium, a
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“strongly disagree to strongly agree” scale will be implemented. With a small pool of answer’s
he will be able to determine how impacted respondents were with Penn State’s decision. Finally,
David will be using more open ended based questions to determine, “as a Penn State Student, do
you prefer College Football or the NFL?” An example question would be, “do you often watch
the other 3 major sports leagues (MLB, NHL, NBA),” which would then be followed by a follow
up question such as, “if so, which one do you find yourself most drawn to and why?” These open
ended questions allow David’s participants to personalize their results and only apply their
interests rather than grouping all sports together. David can then look at their results and see if
Results
Quantitative Research
my results through correlation tests on excel, I am able to analyze certain factors that go into
obtaining an optimal game day experience. I ran multiple correlation tests and found out that
many of my questions have weak correlations, but that does not mean there is not any relation.
25
The correlation test results from “How do you start your gameday” and “How much do you care
about PSU football” came back with a weak correlation of 0.217, meaning these variables for the
most part have no correlation. My next correlation test came from the questions of “How much
does the opponent affect your experience” and “How much does a win sway your experience.”
The correlation came back with a result of 0.176, showing that these variables are not related.
My last correlation test was between “What do you do after the game” and “What would your
ideal start time be.” These questions came back with another weak correlation of 0.0979,
showing once again these variables are not related. When I conducted the averages of these
questions results, however, there was a slight relationship to fans preferring night games and
Qualitative research
When analyzing the results from our 3 interviews, I was able to find themes throughout
each of them with multiple supporting quotes. The themes that I was able to find were PSU
pride, friends and family, and fun community. Starting with PSU pride, a couple quotes that I
found that highlight this theme include: “Normally wake up get my Penn State gear on and then I
go attend a tailgate and show some pride”, and “When we're inside, we meet other friends, we
find our seats, we start cheering, listening to that Blue band, baby.” This theme relates directly to
my research question because the whole idea of a football game day is to support your team, and
rep your team's colors, and have a good time. The next theme that I was able to find in our
interviews is friends and family. I was able to find a handful of quotes but 2 that stood out to me
are: “My favorite part of a Penn State football game day is waking up and getting the juices
flowing in your house or apartment with all of your friends blasting music and having a good
time early in the morning”, and “tailgating with my friends and family. It's a good chance to see
26
people you haven't seen in a while. You get to eat, have drinks, have a little laugh, play
cornhole.” This theme relates to achieving an optimal game day experience because spending the
day with your friends and family and people that you enjoy being around enhances the
experience, and always brings out some fun and good times. The last theme that I was able to
find is a fun community. The 2 quotes that I found supporting this theme include: “I go with
friends and normally meet someone's family and the overall vibes are always high, and just have
a good time”, and “It's a very fun environment. Everyone's just having a good time, so I think.
And I'm not worried about people crushing me, so I like it.” This theme is vital in achieving an
optimal experience, because if you're around obnoxious people, and a community that is not
welcoming, your game day will automatically be worse and not an enjoyable experience.
What challenges do students face when buying season tickets to Penn State football games?
Quantitative Research
a research study surveying 40 participants. My segment of the survey included questions such as:
“How many times have you attempted to buy Penn State Football tickets through
Ticketmaster?”, “What percent of times were you successful in purchasing tickets through
Ticketmaster?”, “Were you satisfied with the price that you paid for those tickets?”, “How do
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you like using Ticketmaster for purchasing tickets?”, “Have you bought Football tickets from a
3rd party service?”, “What percent of times were you successful in purchasing tickets through
3rd party services?”, “Were you satisfied with the price that you paid for those tickets?”,
“Compared to other events requiring tickets (sporting events, concerts, etc.) at Penn State, would
you say your ticket buying experience was better, the same, or worse than football?”, “Were
those using a different ticketing service, or Ticketmaster?”, “If you answered “other” to the
previous question, what service was it?”, and “What made that experience better?”.
Using correlation tests on Excel, I found that while some questions had weak
correlations, it did not necessarily imply there was no relationship between them. For instance,
there was a weak correlation of -0.223 between “What percent of times were you successful in
purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster?” and “What percent of times were you successful in
purchasing tickets through 3rd party services?”. This indicates that these variables are largely
independent, with people who have been successful in buying tickets from Ticketmaster having
accomplished getting their tickets more than third party services. However, the results when
viewed on the graph showed more of a similar relationship versus looking at the data via the
correlation test.
I also found a very weak correlation of 0.083 between “Were you satisfied with the price
that you paid for those tickets? (Ticketmaster)” and “Were you satisfied with the price that you
paid for those tickets? (3rd party)”, suggesting that fans are overall satisfied with the prices they
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are paying for season tickets through Ticketmaster, but not satisfied with the prices 3rd party
Qualitative Data
Upon reviewing the outcomes of our three interviews, I discovered several common
themes. The first theme that emerged was “Love for gameday experience. For example, one
interviewee stated, "Tailgating with my friends and family... It's a very fun environment.
Everyone's just having a good time.” Another interviewee said, "We cook food, we have more
drinks, we meet other friends or family that have come up to watch the game." This theme aligns
with my research question because with a fair and easy ticketing experience, it is easier for fans
to focus on having fun and enjoying the game rather than stressing about unnecessary process.
The second theme that emerged was "stressful and frustrating ticketing process".
Although there were numerous quotes related to this theme, two particularly stood out to me
because of how much I felt it highlighted the exact struggle I am trying to uncover with my
research question. One interviewee mentioned, "The online process is extremely stressful, and
the site Ticketmaster is known to have a lot of issues. It is just the worst" Another interviewee
said, "First, the fact that branch campuses far away get access to tickets the same time university
park students do, when all they do is up sell it, and they don't even come to watch the games."
This theme is crucial in the answering of my question because it brings to light the fact that
students are fed up with the current process. Change needs to happen and these interviewees
know it.
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Finally, the last theme that emerged was "the in stadium and game experience." Two
quotes that I found supporting this theme include, "It (allowing alcohol purchases in the stadium)
makes people enjoy the game more, especially if you don't watch football often and you're there
for the environment, not so much the game," and "I feel like I'm gonna get crushed. I don't have
room to move, or, like, stretch my legs or sit," talking about the student section. This theme is
critical in answering my question and I highlight in the discussion section how inability to
purchase student section tickets can lead to a less than enjoyable experience for students and
How likely are you to attend a tailgate in the valley for PSU away games?
Quantitative data
My question “How likely are you to attend a tailgate in the valley for Penn State away
games?” has a main purpose of trying to find out whether students would be willing to attend
tailgates opposed to their normal traditions and activities they would normally participate in. My
results stated that all 33 participants have attended a football game last semester and also watch
away games. They share a strong correlation that suggests that if you went to a football game last
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semester, you usually watch away games (specifialy, 88% always watch away games while 12%
only watch sometimes). Another interesting comparison is the correlation between “How likely
would you be to actually watch the game at a tailgate?” and “How likely would you be to attend
the event in the valley for a tailgate?” 82% of participants said that they would be willing to
attend a tailgate in the valley while 70% said they would actually watch and pay attention to the
game. This is important because it needs to be known if students just want to drink and hang out
outside, or if they would actually pay attention to the game going on. According to this data, out
of the 82% of people who would attend the tailgate, 70% of them would watch the game which
translates to having a high percentage of students paying attention to the game and not just being
there to party. The rest of the data has low correlation but that does not necessarily mean that
there is no trend to be found, but generally students are interested in having tailgates for away
games.
Qualitative data
well as realize a few themes. From the three interviews, each person said they would attend a
local event thet Penn State would host for an away game, one participant said it would be cool if
we did something like a college game day but for PSU specifically, or a watch party in Beaver
Stadium for the hub lawn. Each participant also said that they would be willing to attend a
tailgate that would be held in the valley. “ I would say very likely nine times out of ten I will be
at a Penn State tailgate”. Each participant showed excitement or interest in these idea which
brings me to my first theme which is that people are just looking to have fun with friends. One of
the true values of Penn State is family, which is also why our alumni program is so great.
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Students want to make memories with each other and have these good times together to look
back on. Another theme I picked out was that students are generally happy with how football
games are run. They feel safe, have fun, and think the student tickets are well priced. “ I think it
is a very fair price, especially for students. We have parking passes that cost more student season
tickets”. I think everyone would change one or two things if they wanted the day to be “perfect”
but everyone likes different things and from what I’ve seen, it looks like everyone is generally
happy with how gamedays and everything surrounding football typically go.
How do Penn State students perceive violence at games in relation to alcohol sales?
Quantitative Data
Through the data that was collected from our group’s responses, I am able to see the
relationship between the idea of selling alcohol in Beaver Stadium and if the level of violence
has been perceived to be higher. 70% of students said they felt safe standing in the student
section this Fall, the other 30% was neutral. Along with this, 79% of students were happy with
the decision to sell alcohol in Beaver Stadium. Through my specific questions, the results
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showed that many of the questions had a weak correlation. For example, when comparing the
questions, “how do you feel about Penn State’s idea to sell alcohol in Beaver Stadium” and, “do
you consume alcohol before Penn State Football games,” the correlation was 0.159, which is a
weak positive correlation. For the amount of people who consume alcohol before games, the
mean for this group was 0.9. Another example would be when comparing the questions, “do you
stand in the student section when you attend football games?” and, “how safe do you feel in the
student section?” The results of the correlation test were 0.196, which was again, a weak positive
correlation. For the people who feel safe in the student section, the mean for this group was 0.76.
The final correlation test was conducted using the questions, “have you bought alcohol in Beaver
Stadium?” and “how do you feel about Penn State’s idea to sell alcohol in Beaver Stadium?”
Qualitative Data
When specifically looking at the questions that give information on my research question,
there were three themes that I found. The first theme was that the overall experience of Penn
State football games has benefited from the introduction of alcohol sales. This is through quotes
such as, “I think it makes people enjoy the game more, especially if you don't watch football
often and you're there for the environment,” and “all major sporting events have access to beer
and alcohol sales so it just adds to the environment as a whole and makes it more enjoyable at
times.” The second theme that I was able to find was that people do not feel completely unsafe in
the student section, but can see how people would feel that way. This was found through quotes
such as, “sometimes some kids can get a little out of hand but for the most part I've had no
problems, and “I wouldn’t say I feel unsafe but I could definitely see how it could get to that
point.” The final theme is that students believe the alcohol sales will help the university
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financially. The quotes that demonstrate this theme were “it is a very good idea I think not only,
like, will they make a lot of money off of it…,” and “...also brings in more money for the school,
Quantitative Data
The purpose of the survey was to learn more about Penn State students' preferences for
and fanaticism for football, particularly the College Football National Championship and the
Super Bowl. In a survey of 40 people, 15% said they preferred the College Football National
Championship to the Super Bowl, and 62.5% said they watched both the NFL and college
football. In addition, 15% of respondents said they only watch Penn State play in college
football. A weak negative correlation between liking the College Football National
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Championship and watching both college football and the NFL was found through correlation
analysis. This suggests that college football fans are less likely to watch both college football and
the NFL than students who prefer the NFL. The correlation, however, did not reach statistical
significance, which indicates that there is a shaky and possibly meaningless relationship between
the variables.
Only 15% of respondents said they would rather watch the College Football National
Championship than the Super Bowl, proving that most Penn State students who took part in the
survey are fans of football in general, regardless of the level of competition. This bolsters the
idea that football fandom is not restricted to a particular league or occasion. The high proportion
of respondents (62.5%) who said they watch both college football and the NFL suggests that
many Penn State students are ardent football fans who take pleasure in both levels of the game.
The availability of more games to watch, the various types of games that are available, or
football in both college and the NFL, as well as the desire to root for both their college team and
their preferred NFL team. The finding that 15% of respondents don't watch any college football
games other than Penn State, however, may indicate that some students have little interest in
other programs or don't have enough time to watch multiple games. This discovery may also
demonstrate the devoted fan base and student support that the Penn State football team has.
Overall, the quantitative information points to a general football fandom among Penn State
students, who seem to enjoy watching both collegiate and professional football. Although there
is a small amount of favoritism for the College Football National Championship over the Super
Bowl, the correlation between the two variables is insignificant and statistically insignificant.
Qualitative Data
The survey of Penn State students yielded qualitative findings that most participants
watch both the NFL and college football, with only a small minority saying they prefer the
35
College Football National Championship to the Super Bowl. This might suggest that football
fans at Penn State are die-hard supporters of both collegiate and professional football.
Students appear to recognize the distinctive features of each level of the sport, such as the fervor
and loyalty associated with college football and the higher level of play in the NFL, based on
their reasons for watching both college football and the NFL. Additionally, some respondents'
lack of interest in watching college football games other than Penn State's may indicate that Penn
State's football program is not particularly popular. It should be noted that the survey's small
sample size might make it harder to extrapolate the findings to the entire student body at Penn
State or to other colleges. The preferences of college students for college football and the NFL
may be better understood. In conclusion, the survey of Penn State students yielded qualitative
findings that most participants watch both college football and the NFL, with only a small
percentage saying they prefer the College Football National Championship to the Super Bowl.
The justifications given for watching both suggest that the students have a variety of interests in
the sport at each level. The NFL and college football preferences of college students should be
better understood through further study with a larger sample size. through further study with a
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Discussion
Conducting this study and finding what factors are most important in achieving an
optimal game day experience, will provide myself and the university with ways to properly
market and promote different aspects of a game day starting with pep rallies all the way down to
tailgating parties and in-game activities. By focusing on the aspects that fans find most enjoyable
we will be able to have a higher fan retention rate, drive revenue up for the surrounding
community, and lastly provide fans with an enjoyable in-game atmosphere and entertainment.
One interesting finding that I found through surveying questions and conducting interviews was
that most fans do not care who the opponent is that day, they just enjoy partaking in the
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festivities leading up to the game. This was particularly interesting because I thought more
people would be influenced by a big game or a conference opponent, but I found that besides the
whiteout nobody really cares who the opponent is. According to Alonso, fans just enjoy the
entertainment aspect of the game and attend these events to prevent outside problems (Alonso,
2014). This holds true with not caring about the opponent and more so looking for an escape.
Some more conclusions that I could draw tell us that people who care a lot about PSU football
tend to start their game days earlier, but for many they are in the middle and tend to get to the
tailgate roughly 2-3 hours before entering the game. Many fans prefer night games as opposed to
day games because it provides extra time to be with friends and family, and they said the
atmosphere inside the stadium is often better. Fans also have a desire to win, and sometimes a
loss can create a negative mood or emotions. A few things that I would have done differently
include sampling a larger sum of fans and hearing other opinions. I would also have talked to
non-football fans and heard what they do on game days and try to learn ways to bridge the gap
between them disliking the sport. Lastly, I would ask more about the in-game atmosphere and
entertainment and listen to people's thoughts on these aspects of a game day. This project
contributes to finding a way to make a game day more enjoyable for all. People are always going
to be unhappy with something, in this case whether it be too early of a start time or poor weather,
fans will complain, but finding the most enjoyable factors of a game day will lead to more fans
being happy and more inclined to reaping the benefits of a game day rather than feeling more
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References
-Alonso, A. D., & O'Shea, M. (2014). Imaging the Game Day Experience: A Case Study of the
National Rugby League (NRL). International Journal of Sport Management, Recreation &
Tourism, 13.
-Delaney. T. (2008). The Social Aspects of Sports Tailgating. The New York Sociologist,
Vol. 3, https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?
repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=c3a80023c5cfafc3f10892d679ff91d26c2f2ee0
-Falls, A. Natke, P. (2015). College Football Attendance: A Panel Study of the Football
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mde.2740
39
-Gonzalez-Bono, E., Salvador, A., Serrano, M. A., & Ricarte, J. (1999). Testosterone,
cortisol, and mood in a sports team competition. Hormones and behavior, 35(1), 55-62.
https://doi.org/10.1006/hbeh.1998.1496
-Havard, C. Gray, D. & Gould, J. (2013). Development and Validation of the Sport Rivalry Fan
Perception Scale (SRFPS), Research Gate,
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264159843_Development_and_validation_of_the_Spo
rt_Rivalry_Fan_Perception_Scale_SRFPS
What challenges do students face when buying season tickets to Penn State football games?
The present study sought out to examine the key determinants of an optimal ticketing
experience for Penn State University students. This research aims to provide valuable insights for
university administrators on how to enhance the ticketing process, from ticket purchases to
stadium entry, to better meet the needs and expectations of students. By prioritizing the factors
that are most important to students in their ticketing experience, universities can improve their
overall satisfaction, foster a sense of community, and create a more enjoyable game day
atmosphere. This research has the potential to inform ticketing policies and procedures,
ultimately leading to a more positive and engaging experience for all involved parties.
One notable finding from the study was the struggles with Ticketmaster and how it is
important to note that students reported technical difficulties and long wait times when
attempting to purchase tickets through the service. These difficulties were compounded by the
40
limited availability of tickets and the time-sensitive nature of the purchasing process. The
frustration expressed by students suggests that Ticketmaster may need to take a closer look at its
infrastructure and support system to ensure that students are not deterred from attending
In addition to issues with Ticketmaster, students also expressed their dissatisfaction with
having to purchase tickets from third-party services. Many students reported feeling that these
services were overpriced and that the purchasing process was more complicated than it should
be. This finding highlights the need for universities to provide more accessible and affordable
ticketing options to students, rather than relying on external vendors. By addressing these issues
and providing better support for students throughout the ticketing process, universities can create
a more positive and inclusive atmosphere for all students, regardless of their level of fandom or
financial means.
The present study had two main limitations that should be considered when interpreting
the findings. The first limitation is the relatively small sample size of students who participated
in the study. While efforts were made to recruit a diverse group of students from various
academic backgrounds and levels of fandom, the sample size may have limited the
generalizability of the results. In future studies, it would be beneficial to recruit a larger and more
The second limitation is related to the limited range of fandom among the participants.
Although the study attempted to include a range of fans, from non-fans to die-hard supporters of
Penn State football, there was a limited number of extreme fans. This may have affected the
results, as extreme fans may have different needs and expectations compared to casual fans or
41
non-fans. In future studies I would address this limitation by recruiting a larger and more diverse
In conclusion, the present study sheds light on the importance of creating an optimal
ticketing experience for Penn State University students. By addressing the issues and concerns
raised by students, universities can provide better support and accessibility throughout the
ticketing process, ultimately leading to higher levels of satisfaction and a more enjoyable game
day atmosphere. The findings of this research can inform universities' ticketing policies and
procedures, leading to more positive and engaging experiences for all involved parties. While
there are still areas for improvement, the insights provided by this study can serve as a valuable
resource for universities looking to enhance their ticketing processes and create a more inclusive
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How do Penn State students perceive violence at games in relation to alcohol sales?
The main reason for this research was to determine if students’ perception of the amount
of violence in Beaver Stadium changed due to the inclusion of alcohol sales for the 2023 football
season. The results are beneficial not only to the Penn State Athletic Department but to any
athletic department looking to introduce alcohol into their venues in the future. Along with this,
it is also useful information for the Beaver Stadium security staff and operation coordinators. By
determining if students feel safe in venues where alcohol consumption is allowed, universities
will have the ability to gauge their decision on whether or not selling alcohol will have a positive
The biggest finding is that students are overall very happy with the decision to sell
alcohol inside the stadium. From the time that they wake up to the time that they leave the
stadium, most Penn State students drink for the duration of Penn State game days. Previously,
students would have to consume large amounts of alcohol before entering the stadium to make
the effects last for the entire duration of the game. Students expressed their gratitude that they no
43
longer had to drink so much beforehand and were able to pace themselves better throughout the
They also expressed an overwhelming feeling of safety when it comes to the student
section. With 70% of students saying they feel safe, and the other 30% feeling neutral, it is clear
students want to be standing in the student section. I believe due to the atmosphere that Penn
State specifically provides with great environments, such as the White Out, students do not want
to miss out on the experience of standing with their friends. Even if things may get out of hand
due to everyone having the influence of alcohol in their systems, no major problems stop people
When it comes to my limitations, it was obvious to see that most of the participants were
big Penn State football fans. If we focused on gathering a larger sample of students who had
different levels of fandom towards Penn State football, our results would be different. Along
with this, more outside research should have been conducted regarding police reports related to
alcohol-related incidents inside Beaver Stadium. This would have given me a clearer
understanding of the impact of alcohol on fans and the issues that stem from over-intoxication.
In conclusion, Penn State seems to have made the right decision when it comes to alcohol sales
inside Beaver Stadium. Not only does it provide a large economic boost for the university itself,
but helps students control their drinking habits to ensure they have an overall better gameday
experience. Sharing a drink with your friends and watching sports is an experience that many
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Do Penn State Students prefer NFL or College Football?
The goal of this study was to investigate Penn State students' preferences for football,
particularly their interest in the College Football National Championship and the Super Bowl.
We aimed to gain insights into the variables influencing football fans' viewing habits and the
potential causes of these habits by understanding these preferences. Forty Penn State students
were surveyed as part of the study to determine their football preferences. The survey asked
participants about their favorite football games, whether they watch college or professional
football, and why they do. The relationship between liking the College Football National
Championship and watching both college football and the NFL was investigated using
correlation analysis. The results show that, regardless of the level of competition, the majority of
Penn State students who took part in the survey are football fans. According to the majority of
respondents (62.5%), many students are devoted followers of football at all levels, including
college and the NFL. This suggests that students have a variety of interests in football at every
level and that football fandom is not limited to a particular league or occasion. There isn't much
45
favoritism for one event over the other, as evidenced by the fact that only 15% of respondents
said they preferred the College Football National Championship to the Super Bowl. In addition,
15% of respondents said they only watch Penn State play college football may show the Penn
State football team's devoted fan base and student support. It might also imply that some students
don't care much for other shows or don't have enough time to watch several games. A limitation
of this study is the small sample size, which makes it difficult to generalize the findings to the
entire student body at Penn State or to other colleges. Additionally, the survey was limited to
Penn State students, so it is unknown whether the findings can be extended to other groups of
football fans. Future research with a larger and more diverse sample size could help to better
understand the preferences of college students for college football and the NFL. Overall, this
study sheds light on Penn State students' preferences for football and suggests that football
fandom is not specific to any one league or event. We found a weak negative correlation between
the two variables, but it was not statistically significant, between liking the College Football
National Championship and watching both college football and the NFL. Future studies on
football fandom and the factors that affect it may benefit from the findings of this study.
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How likely are you to attend a tailgate in the valley for PSU away games?
The objective of this research is to find out if students would attend a tailgate or an event
of a different sort for away games. Tailgates are such a staple when it comes to Penn State
football. Families and fans come from all over to attend these games especially for the white out
game. Throughout my research, I found that students would definitely attend a tailgate in the
valley or perhaps even a watch party in the stadium. If we were to host a watch party it would
definitely require more staff, work, and setup, but it is a possibility. The main concerns that were
brought to my attention were how doing this would have a ripple effect and have a negative
impact on the school financially and also a negative impact on the surrounding area of State
College such as the highscool teams or other teams in general. So to avoid this and still keep the
goal alive, maybe tailgates are hosted for big away games and not every single away game. That
way it doesn’t feel like every weekend Penn State is shadowing over everything else in the State
College area. Regardless of however we would do this and the steps we would take, there is a
serious interest in these tailgates or events that students have showed. Out of the 32 people
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surveyed, the majority said they would attend and I would predict that would remain the same if
we used a bigger population for sampling. It is clear to me that people are tired of the same away
gameday routine. They want something fresh and new and I believe this would be a great way to
give the people what they want. I learned a lot from this research including how to look for
positive and negative correlations as well as how to separate qualitative and quantitative results.
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