The annual Stripe-Out game is one of many highlights of Penn State’s home schedule. In 2021, the Nittany Lions toppled the Indiana Hoosiers 24-0 in front of a crowd of 105,951. Photo Credit: Steve Manuel

Alumni Association membership connects you with what you love most about Penn State.

When you join the Alumni Association, The Football Letter catapults you into the compelling world of Penn State football.

Learn how to become a member and view 30-plus benefits you’ll receive. Members can log in and view the latest issue of The Football Letter in our archives.

From team arrival to the alma mater and postgame interviews, experience game day in Happy Valley up-close with the players and coaches, with The Letter — a firsthand account written exclusively for Penn State alumni — an extensive photo gallery featuring images from Football Letter photographer Steve Manuel ’84, ’92g, captivating videos, social media coverage that highlights why alumni love Penn State football, and much more. 

The Penn Alumni Association creates the S-Zone each home football games, with students from Lion Ambassadors — Penn State's Student Alumni Corps and an official student group of the Alumni Association — comprising the famous block-S behind the south end zone. Photo Credit: David Abruzzese

The Blue Band. The Nittany Lion. The most passionate fan base in the country. What happens on the field is only part of the story, and The Football Letter brings you the entire Penn State football experience — including tailgating traditions, memorabilia collections, and so much more. On the road, Football Letter coverage includes videos and photos from our alumni chapter mixers and game day Roar Tour events, in addition to all the action on the field.

Created in 1938 by Ridge Riley — known widely as “Mr. Penn State” — The Football Letter has since remained a valued member benefit for connecting alumni and fans to Penn State and the football program.

Alumni Association members receive The Football Letter postgame email during the season. Beginning in 2020, a game day email was added, sent Saturday to members and non-members. That season was also the inaugural year for The Football Letter Live, broadcast during the fall. For the 2023 season, our live Football Letter Live webcast will transition to The Football Letter Podcast. Hosted by Football Letter Editor John Patishnock Jr. ’05, episodes will be released weekly during the season. Each week will feature conversations with inspiring lettermen and with volunteer leaders who bring the Alumni Association's mission to life. Also, select episodes will include historic insight from Football Letter Editor Emeritus John Black ’62 (1976–2021), as Black will read from columns he wrote during his time covering Penn State football. More details will be available as we get closer to the season.

Alumni and fans can also stay updated by following The Football Letter on X (Twitter), for videos, photos, nostalgia, lettermen stories, and more exclusive content.

How to access The Football Letter
Access to the traditional postgame Football Letter email is exclusively for Alumni Association members. The Football Letter postgame email will have direct links to content that do not require log in. All members can log into the site to view current issues. First-time users can create a new account to log into the website. Need help? Email FootballLetter@psu.edu and please include your complete name and graduation year.

More about The Football Letter
Access to the traditional postgame Football Letter email is exclusively for Alumni Association members. The Football Letter postgame email will have direct links to content that do not require log in. All members can log into the site to view current issues. First-time users can create a new account to log into the website. Need help? Email FootballLetter@psu.edu and please include your complete name and graduation year.

Editors
Ridge Riley '32: 1938–1975
John Black '62: 1976–2021
John Patishnock Jr. '05: 2022–Present

The Pennsylvania State University Marching Blue Band plays a crucial role on game day, performing before the game and at halftime, and also playing the alma mater following each contest at Beaver Stadium. Photo credit: Steve Manuel

Alumni can learn more by browsing the Ridge Riley papers housed within the Eberly Family Special Collections Library at Penn State. Additionally, a scholarship within the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications and an annual award handed out by the Penn State football team are named in honor of Ridge, with the award going to a student-athlete who embodies sportsmanship, scholarship, leadership, and friendship.

The John Black “For The Glory” Endowment For Student Interns at Penn State Alumni Association was established in 2021 to honor John for his lifelong contributions to Penn State and the Alumni Association. Information on John’s impact can be found on a news release announcing his retirement and a column from Alumni Association CEO Paul Clifford. Also, visit Facebook for a video featuring a ceremony in the Beaver Stadium press box in 2021, honoring John for his career dedication to covering Penn State football.

John Patishnock Jr. was named editor of The Football Letter in April 2022. Patishnock is a 2005 Penn State graduate and has covered Penn State football for more than a decade. Alumni can learn more about Patishnock on Penn State News.

John Black was honored with an endowment in his name in April 2022 during the spring meeting of Alumni Council. Black retired as editor of The Football Letter at the conclusion of the 2021 season, and Patishnock was named his successor in April leading up to Alumni Council. Photo credit: Michael Fleck, for the Penn State Alumni Association