Penn State University announced this week that it is rescheduling its December commencement ceremony in case a “large scale event” is held on campus. What could be so devastating? Of course, it's the College Football Playoff.
Penn State originally scheduled its fall semester graduation ceremony for Saturday, Dec. 21, the same day as the first round of the College Football Playoff. The Nittany Lions could host a playoff game at Beaver Stadium on Dec. 21, as next season's playoffs will be expanded to 12 teams and first-round games will be played on campus. As Penn State said in a news release, the schedule change was made “out of an abundance of caution to honor the accomplishments of our graduates and allow them time to contribute to a smoother experience for their families and friends.” I was disappointed.
Penn State's news release did not mention the College Football Playoff, instead citing “potential conflicts with large-scale events on the University Park campus.” However, at the University Faculty Senate meeting on April 16, officials mentioned a playoff scenario.
“There is no possibility that we will have a graduation ceremony at the same time as the game,” Kathleen Bieschke, Penn State's associate secretary for academic affairs, said during the meeting. “Everyone knows that's ridiculous.”
Bieschke said Penn State rescheduled the start of the game despite the uncertainty of a home playoff game. The university called for providing students and their families with a firm graduation date, access to “reasonable” hotel rooms and the ability to make travel plans. Bieschke said the date change is for this year only, and that Penn State hopes to continue holding graduation ceremonies on Saturday.
“I don't really know enough to say what the football playoff system is going to be for years to come,” Bieschke said at the April 16 meeting. Graduation ceremonies should not be held on Sundays. ”
The 2024 College Football Playoff begins with one game on Friday, December 20th. Three matches will be held on December 21st. The quarterfinals will be held on December 31st and January 1st at the Fiesta, Peach, Rose and Sugar Bowls. The Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl will hold semifinals on January 9th, with the championship game scheduled for January 20th in Houston.
See more Penn State football
Penn State NIL Collective Launches $500,000 “Retain the Roar” Fundraising Campaign
Could Penn State and Pitt meet again in college football's “Super League”?
James Franklin predicts an 'interesting' few weeks as transfer portal reopens
AllPennState is your destination for Penn State news, opinions and perspectives on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles, and an impressive catalog of articles. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich.
