James Franklin sat at the front of the media room Monday for his weekly news conference sporting a white Penn State hoodie. Never before during the head coach’s tenure have more Penn State fans cared what color sweatshirt he wore.
Most of Penn State’s sports information directors scattered throughout the room wore white too, emphasizing a not-so-subtle message about Saturday night’s game. Franklin’s wardrobe choice came just two days after he said he was calling for “White-Out energy” as No. 9 Penn State hosts No. 19 Illinois.
No, Saturday night is not the official White Out. But, don’t be surprised if most of Beaver Stadium is decked out as if it is.
“We want people to have that experience that they identify with the White Out this weekend, whether it’s called that or not,” said Adam Miller, Penn State’s deputy AD for external affairs and engagement.
Miller said he’s been asked by people in and around State College this week if they’re supposed to wear white on Saturday. The fact that gameday color choices have been discussed as much as they have been was a reminder to Miller that Penn State fans are prideful and protective of the White Out atmosphere that’s been built over time.
Penn State’s White Out game is on Nov. 9 against Washington, as was announced in July. But, it’s become abundantly clear whether through Franklin or various player posts this week that white apparel is the preferred color of choice if Penn State fans want to dress accordingly for the prime-time game on NBC.
“If you check your closet and maybe there’s too much blue in the laundry, maybe you’ve got a stain on your favorite gray hoodie, maybe just take a peak in the closet,” center Nick Dawkins said this week. “Take a peak in the dresser you barely open up. You got something white, just put it on for the game and show some support. That’s all. Just a recommendation.”
Athletic administrators debated who Penn State’s White Out opponent would be during the offseason. The challenge of figuring out start times — many of which Penn State doesn’t have for the rest of the season — while recognizing that the marquee home game against Ohio State on Nov. 2 will likely slot in for Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” complicated the decision for the White Out.
What few predicted then was that Illinois would be 4-0 and head to Beaver Stadium ranked No. 19. In hindsight, it certainly feels like Saturday could’ve been a compelling choice for a White Out. Meanwhile, a rebuilding Washington team is 3-1 and plays No. 12 Michigan and No. 13 USC, among others, before coming to Beaver Stadium in November. That game will either kick at 3:30 p.m. or 7 p.m., meaning fans may not get the full White Out experience of tailgating all day for a night game.
The complexities of scheduling and television won’t make deciding future White Outs any easier. What Penn State wants to continue being mindful of is not overdoing what’s become an annual stadium tradition. Penn State and college football fans build trips months in advance around the White Out. It’s a bucket list item for some.
This week’s organic attempt could be a glimpse of what Penn State does in future years. Could Penn State pull together a White Out in a week if it wanted to do so for a potential home College Football Playoff game or a marquee home game that didn’t look so marquee a few months ago? Potentially. But, there’s still a lot of planning behind the scenes that would make pulling off such a feat challenging. Even details fans might not think about, like having 107,000-plus white pom-poms in the stadium, take planning and coordination. Those will be in place Nov. 9, but don’t look for them this Saturday. Will the team parade in wearing white warmups like they do for the White Out? That’s unclear.
“We are always evaluating everything that we do when it comes to the fan experience,” Miller said. “Whether that means that the White Out is an announced and set event or whether that’s a spontaneous, organic thing that our fans create, we’re supportive of it. … We have the atmosphere that everyone else is trying to build and create. We’re trying to fine-tune it and make sure it continues.”
As for what Miller will be wearing on Saturday?
“I think there’s a pretty good chance I will have white on,” Miller said.
(Photo: Dan Rainville / USA Today)
