The Physical Plant’s Role in Preparing for a PSU Football Game

Every August, the University not only gets ready for returning students, but it is also gearing up for the upcoming football season.  As most of you know our first football game of the season was nationally televised.  This was a momentous event for PSU, as well as a very busy one for the Physical Plant.  The paint department had the task of painting both end zones and the split-face gorilla logo at midfield because they were no longer red; it had faded to more of a pinkish color.  Due to the extremely hot weather we experienced in mid-August, the painters had to work during the middle of the night for several nights to complete the project on time and they did a great job making the field look great.  On Friday, August 24th, the day before the big game, a thunderstorm with severe lightening passed through the area which knocked out the scoreboard, message board, and the west elevator at the Stadium.  The electricians had the task of working with the contracting elevator company to repair the elevator before the game and finally got it running at 5:00 p.m. that night.  The electronics department had to have parts flown in to repair the scoreboard so that it would be working in time for kickoff.  They got the parts at 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning and installed them and had the scoreboard working three hours before kickoff.  Unfortunately, we were not so lucky with the message board.  Electronic parts had to be ordered, but they were able to repair it for the following week’s game.  The Physical Plant also worked very closely with the television network to ensure all electrical and electronic needs were met.  Bill Moore (Electrical Supervisor) said it was a great television crew to work with.  The carpentry department also had to set up scaffolding on the field and install platforms and ladders on the roof for the cameras.  All things considered, it was a great experience, the game went well and we look forward to having the opportunity to do it again in the future.

A PSU football game is a big event for the University even when it is not televised.  It requires a lot of work and time from many departments on campus.  The Physical Plant’s role in preparing for these events is a widely varied and diverse one.  Although repairs and upkeep of the Stadium are performed year-round by every department within the Plant, our employees begin their prep work for games as early as the Wednesday before the game.  The custodial staff spends several hours cleaning the stadium on Thursday and Friday before each game to ensure the stadium is ready for all our football fans.  They start by sweeping and scrubbing the floors and collecting all garbage on either side of the Stadium.  Then they begin the process of cleaning all areas, excluding the bleachers.  This includes railings, restrooms, skyboxes, concession areas, locker rooms, ticket booths, and the concourse areas.  The grounds crew ensures that all areas around the Stadium are freshly mowed and that all surrounding flower beds are watered and taken care of.  They also set up the playing field with yard markers, raise the flags on the field and on top of the stadium, install the goal post protective padding, remove trash and give out trash bags to tailgaters.  The electricians are busy testing the lights and electrical circuits to ensure that everything is working properly, setting up the head sets for the coach’s, setting up the Gus Gorilla at the north end zone and trouble shooting problems that arise in concession stands during the game.  The electronics department is testing and checking all the scoreboard and time clock functions and the PA system.  The refrigeration department ensures that all the air conditioning and/or heating systems and exhaust systems are functioning properly. The plumbing department checks the entire facility days before the game for any plumbing problems and repairs them as needed.  The general services department delivers all tables and chairs to the Stadium and assists with set-up by the various groups utilizing them.  The painting of the Stadium is done by the paint department during the summer and then touched up during the season if necessary. 

After all the prep work is completed and game day arrives, employees from various departments of the Physical Plant work from four to five hours prior to the game to several hours after  the game is over to ensure all systems are functioning properly, clean up and to assist with any help needed.  The Plant works closely with many departments before and after the games.  The Physical Plant also appreciates the ROTC department cleaning the bleacher section of the Stadium on Sunday following the games.