STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State is considering options to potentially accommodate ticket-holders who might be unable to attend Saturday’s much-anticipated football game against Alabama because of historic flooding brought on by the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee.
State transportation officials have warned travel to Happy Valley and central Pennsylvania could be difficult, especially from the east and south. Hundreds of state roads in eastern Pennsylvania are closed because of torrential rains and floodwaters.
Route 22/322, a major artery from the south to State College, was still closed Friday afternoon south of Newport into Dauphin County because of flooding. A portion of Interstate 81 also remained closed Friday in Lebanon County.
The university has fielded calls from some fans who say they might not make it to the game and want a refund, Penn State president Graham Spanier said at a trustees meeting Friday. A ticket costs $55, and most fans also are required to pay fees to a booster club to buy a season plan. Fees vary according to seat location.
“It’s very hard to do,” Spanier said about giving refunds, “but we’re thinking about how we can be generous with them in other ways to compensate” those who may not make it to the game.
A sellout crowd of 108,000 was expected at Beaver Stadium for the showdown between the third-ranked Crimson Tide and 23rd-ranked Nittany Lions.
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