Penn State Football Fantasy Campers Live Out Their Dreams; Every One A Winner At Beaver Stadium

The curtain – or more accurately the storm clouds – came down on the third annual Penn State Football Fantasy Camp on Saturday, closing out a week that saw dreams realized on the football field for a unique group of fanatical Nittany Lions fans.

The young at heart football enthusiasts from 10 states, whose ages ranged from 24 to 72, were put through three days of practices and meetings before playing a closely fought 60-minute flag football game in Beaver Stadium. The campers interacted with some of the legends of Penn State Football, and dressed in official team apparel for four practices, enjoying daily use of the varsity locker room - just as the Nittany Lions football stars do during their season.

The week of preparation culminated in a competitive Blue-White game that was tied at 36-36 after a period of overtime. Weather conditions worsened and the thunder and lightning rolled in to put an end to the Fantasy Camp finale, perhaps fittingly preventing defeat for either of the two determined teams.

“They were truly drained and had nothing left in the tank,” said camp organizer Patrick Steenberge of the weary combatants. “Although they were exhausted, I know they would have played and played until there was a winner, but this was the ideal ending.”

The Blue Team had tied the game at 28-28 with only 35 seconds remaining to force overtime. A defensively dominated first half led to the teams being deadlocked at eight points apiece at the interval. After halftime the Blue Team went into ball control mode, while the White Team, led by the play calling of Penn State defensive line coach Larry Johnson and offensive line coach Bill Kenney went to a no-huddle offense to get the ball moving.

The White Team held a slim 20-16 lead at the close of the third quarter of a game played in light drizzle in front of more than 200 spectators comprising of family and friends.

“It was a great atmosphere,” added Steenberge. “Some players’ kids were there dressed as cheerleaders and families wore t-shirts with their relative’s name on to cheer him on. The game itself was a classic battle and it was fitting that nobody ended up on the losing team because everyone fought their hearts out.”

When the awards were handed out at a farewell gathering in the Presidents Box in Beaver Stadium, game balls went to Charles Berry, 40, from Garnett Valley, PA for the Blue Team and to Doug Stewart, 35, from Sykesville, PA from the White Team. The Heart Award was awarded to Doug Hahm, 40, from Vienna, VA, and the Total Commitment Award to 61-year-old Mike Manning from Tustin, CA.
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