Penn State players set for second Nittany Lion Summer Impact Camp

Penn State football is coming back to Scranton. The Nittany Lion Summer Impact Camp is set for Saturday, July 22, at Riverfront Sports in Scranton, Pa.

The event is a free youth camp for boys and girls between the fifth and eighth grades. And, at its heart, Penn State players will lead the way. Among the current Nittany Lions slated to participate are Beau Pribula, Curtis Jacobs, Liam Clifford, Dom DeLuca, and more.

The two hour camp, running from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., will include instruction “designed to foster personal growth, develop skills and ignite passion for the game of football.” Concurrent to the event, a second camp is set to run for ages 10-21 who are dealing with disabilities. Campers will all receive a free t-shirt and Gatorade, as well.

Event registration is here.

“Together, we are committed to supporting young athletes in our local communities,” said Sean Clifford, founder of Limitless NIL, via press release. “It’s our way of investing in the future and empowering the next generation of athletes and leaders.”

Limitless NIL has also conducted a camp earlier this month, with former Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley participating. at the Nittany Lion Beach Blitz in Sea Isle City, N.J.  

Where is Penn State football in NIL?

The initiative for this weekend’s event is one supported by multiple local organizations, with Lehigh Valley Health Network serving as the chief sponsor. 

Penn State football, led by head coach James Franklin, is determined to see that support expand even further. 

Now into its second year of name, image, and likeness legalization, the Nittany Lion coach has been adamant that the program is playing catch-up to its national peers. Importantly, the task needs to be met with urgency for the program to remain competitive.

“We’re at a similar crossroads now with NIL,” Franklin told BWI this summer. “Whatever industry you’re in, if you want to be as competitive or as successful as you possibly can within that industry, you have to change and be bold and aggressive in your changing. 

“And we have been resistant. It’s been a little bit resistant from a historical perspective. It’s been a little bit resistant internally.”

Lamenting the initial plan employed to push for student entrepreneurs and education, virtually ignoring raising support from Penn State’s broader community, Franklin acknowledged that the effort needs to be comprehensive.

“To me, that’s the challenge. If it’s just the coaches out pounding the drum, it’s gonna be difficult to get done,” Franklin said. “That’s where, when the AD is pounding the same drum as the coaches, whether it’s for facilities or whether it’s NIL, I think more people are open to listening. Because, they’re hearing it from multiple sources. So, that’s just the reality. 

“If you say, ‘What do we need to do to stay at this level or higher year in and year out?’ we’re still behind in that area.”

Next big event

The Nittany Lion Summer Impact camp is the next NIL event on the schedule. But, Penn State is hoping its showcase later this month can create even more support.

Set for July 27 in Avalon, N.J., “We Are! At the shore,” will be held at the Avalon Yacht Club. Running from 6-10 p.m., the event will feature exclusive conversation with Franklin. It will also include a melange of Penn State players, past and present, with the effort of raising NIL funds. 

Advertised lettermen guests include LaVar Arrington, Brandon Short, Mike Mauti, Jordan Hill, Adam Breneman and Christian Hackenberg. Current players set to attend include Drew Allar, Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Olu Fashanu, Chop Robinson, Abdul Carter and Curtis Jacobs, according to the ticketing site.

Tickets for the entire four-hour event, also featuring autographs, food, drink, and music, are priced at $5,000 for two. Separate, sponsor-level opportunities are also available for the event at $10,000, $15,000, and $20,000. Those giving levels include a picture with Franklin and the Rose Bowl trophy.