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central Pennsylvania. "I wouldn't even consider [not getting season tickets]," she said. "It's Penn State or bust." Alderfer has had her tickets since 2002, so it's no surprise that she would hold onto them. She said she doesn't think many fans with season tickets will relinquish theirs, either. "I wouldn't call Penn State football a priority, because there are much big- ger priorities in the world," she said. "But I think you factor that into your budget. For example, we budget in, for the fall, the Big Ten Network on cable. In January I canceled it because I don't need it until August. I think the same thing applies to tickets. You know it's fall, you know it's Penn State football. And yeah, gas is high, but people will see them. I renewed my tickets, and I will have them paid for by the time fall rolls around." Alaishuski hasn't missed a home game since 2003 and said he expects to keep renewing his season ticket commitment. "I would take a substantial increase in cost for me to consider giving them up," he said. "We also drive in and out on the day of the game, so our costs are less without having to shell out for a hotel room each weekend." Associate athletic director Greg My- ford recently told The Patriot-News of Harrisburg, Pa., he expects sales to be right about where they were last year. "I think it will be very, very close to where we ended up, ticketwise," he said. About 72,000 season tickets were sold last year, Myford said. He also said the firing of Paterno and Penn State Department of Public Information relocate when the plan was put in place. "I was very fortunate with the section and donation amount that we were in that our annual donation only slight- ly increased," he said. Penn State alumnus Jaime Alderfer, who, like Alaishuski, makes the drive from Philadelphia for home games, will not be changing plans, either. Alder- fer and her husband budget the mon- ey for tickets at the beginning of the year. "I used to pick the better games I wanted to go to and sell the rest," she said. "Last year I had no problem sell- ing my tickets and I usually sell for face [value]. If it's a really good game and I don't go, I might try to get slightly more, but as long as I make back what I paid, I'm fine with that." Alderfer has a young daughter for whom she will eventually buy a tick- et, as well. "In past years, I've always had tick- ets that I couldn't get rid of," she said. "This past year I had no trouble, and I am assuming this year will be the same." Alderfer said she expects to attend four games this season, no matter how much it costs to fuel up for a trip to W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M sex-abuse trial of former defensive co- ordinator Jerry Sandusky were likely affecting ticket sales. Last season, ac- cording to reports, Penn State expect- ed to make $5 million to $6 million more in revenue despite selling 5,000 fewer seats. With the season opener a few months away, the number of unsold tickets could hover around that mark again. But for many fans, it will take more than rising costs and economic speed bumps to prevent them from taking those weekend getaways Penn State. "By the time fall rolls around, what's out-of-pocket for me is the cost of gas," Alderfer said. "It doesn't really affect me as much as if I had to pay for the tickets and gas all at the same time." Lift for Life set for July 13 Lift for Life is getting a new venue as it enters its 10th year, but other aspects of the popular fundraiser remain un- changed, including its benefi- ciary: the Kidney Cancer Asso- ciation. Lift for Life is set to take place from 5 to 7 p.m. July 13 during the Central Pennsylva- nia Festival of the Arts in State College. It is being held this year at the new Penn State Lacrosse Field, next to the Multi-Sport Facility off of University Drive. Previously held in Holuba Hall, Lift for Life will be taking place out- doors for the first time in its history. Last year, more than 80 Nit- tany Lion players tested their strength and endurance in the challenge, which raised more than $100,000 for kidney can- cer awareness and assistance. Since 2003, the Penn State chapter of Uplifting Athletes has raised more than $600,000 for the Kidney Can- cer Association. Lift for Life is open to the public with a small donation suggested for all attendees to benefit the Kidney Cancer As- sociation. Fans will have a chance to meet and get autographs from current and former members of the Nittany Lion football team. To help the Penn State chap- ter reach its goal, fans can vis- it the team donation page at http://liftforlife.upliftingath- letes.org/lfl2/ For more information about Penn State Football Uplifting Athletes or Lift for Life, or to make a tax-deductible contri- bution, visit www.upliftingath- letes.org or contact Deloris Brobeck at 814-865-1946 dur- ing business hours. A U G U S T 2 1 , 2 0 1 2 37

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