March 1, 2007
One of the most anticipated college football weekends of 2007 will take place September 7-8 in State College, Pa. when the Outback Bowl Champion Penn State Nittany Lions host the resurgent Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Hotel rooms are reported to be the tightest in recent history, game tickets will be at a premium, and this early season clash will be critical to both teams in search of a National Championship.
Kicking off the weekend will be the Fantasy Bowl I, where participants from the ND Football Fantasy Camps, held the past 4 summers, will compete in a flag football game against their counterparts from Penn State. The inaugural Nittany Lion Football Fantasy Camp was held this past June, with the second to be staged June 6-10, 2007. Each roster will be comprised of the men who have experienced the true “insider’s view” of their favorite college team through the fantasy camps. The average age of the camp attendees has been in the mid-40’s, and these are true college football fans who never had the chance to play at this level in college, but now can see what it is like! There are still a few spots available in both the Penn State and ND Fantasy Camps this summer, which would qualify men to play in the Fantasy Bowl in September.
The Fantasy Bowl I players will have an action-packed weekend that will include two on-campus practices, Friday post-game party with both Fantasy Bowl teams, Fantasy tailgate party on Saturday, and of course, the Fantasy Bowl I. The game will be played on the new turf field just west of Bryce Jordan Center, known as “Old Desso”. The uniforms will be the authentic game jersey, game pants and cleats they wore during their summer Fantasy Camp experience. A custom-designed Fantasy Bowl I patch will adorn the game jerseys, and all players will be given authentic event apparel. Fans in town for Saturday’s game from both schools will be encouraged to attend the Fantasy Bowl and enjoy the football as played by these men who believe you are never too old to try.
Coaches for each team will be legendary former players from the Nittany Lions and the Fighting Irish, and will be announced later this spring. At the summer fantasy camps, dozens of lettermen help coach and interact with the new players. They assist the regular varsity coaching staff members in teaching the dreamers what college football is all about, but without the full contact.
The Notre Dame and Penn State Fantasy Camps, and the inaugural Fantasy Bowl I, are produced by Patrick Steenberge and his company, Global Football, in conjunction with the athletic departments and monogram/letterman clubs at both universities.
For more information on any of these events, go to www.globalfootball.com, e-mail Patrick@globalfootball.com or call 817-219-7274.