WHAT: Pennsylvania’s 38-member Big 33 team for the 67th Football Classic will hold its first practice, and receive FREE heart screenings by The Peyton Walker Foundation and UPMC, thanks to the generous support from Renewal by Andersen of Central PA. Also, Big 33 Cheerleaders will receive first-ever FREE heart screenings, thanks to AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union.
ATTENDING:
Garry Cathell, Executive Director, Big 33 and PSFCA
PA Big 33 Coach Tom Gravish, Jersey Shore High School
PA Coaches
Big 33 PA Team players
Big 33 Cheerleaders
Julie Walker, Peyton’s Mom and Executive Director, The Peyton Walker Foundation
UPMC medical team
Linda Johnston, Chief Culture Officer, Renewal by Andersen of Central PA
AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union
WHEN/WHERE: SATURDAY, MAY 4th 9 – 11:30 a.m. & 1 – 3:00 p.m. & 5 – 7 p.m. / Cumberland Valley High School, 6746 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2024 HEART SCREENINGS & PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Cumberland Valley High School Field House, Cumberland Co.
***Big 33 PA Players Arrive, PA Team Heart Screenings by PWF and UPMC, Helmet Fittings, Photos. PA Team Heart Screenings sponsored by Renewal by Andersen of Central PA.
11:30 a.m.
***Lunch
1 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
***PA Football Team Practice #1, Cumberland Valley Chapman Field, if raining held on Indoor Turf, Field House
***Big 33 Cheer Teams Heart Screenings, Photos, CV Field House. Cheerleader Heart Screenings sponsored by AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union.
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
*** PA Football Team Practice #2, Same location
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 PA TEAM PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. PA Football Team Practices at CV’s Chapman Field, Cumberland Co.
BACKGROUND: This year’s PSFCA Big 33 festivities are supported by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC) and Cumberland County Visitors Bureau. Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association’s (PSFCA) 67th Big 33 Football Classic Presented by Renewal by Andersen of Central PA will be played on Sunday, May 26 at Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field in Cumberland County. Kickoff is 7 p.m., The FREE CommunityAid Fan Fest 3-6 p.m., Stadium Gates Open at 5:30 p.m., Pre-Game Ceremonies with Military Recognition and Buddies at 6:15 p.m.
“We are excited to get our talented PA Big 33 players together on the field and off as a team with our exceptional coaches for a weekend of football, fun and friendship. Most importantly, we are grateful to The Peyton Walker Foundation, UPMC, Renewal by Andersen of Central PA and AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union for helping to check the hearts of our student athletes, thanks to the free Heart screenings that they are providing,” said Garry Cathell, executive director of PSFCA and the Big 33 Football Classic.
“We value our partnership with the PSFCA Big 33 and UPMC, especially given the fact that Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the number one killer of student athletes. We will provide a baseline electrocardiogram (“EKG”) and if needed, an echocardiogram. These tests can help to detect hidden heart issues and hopefully prevent incidences of SCA from occurring. We are so grateful for Renewal by Andersen of Central PA’s sponsorship as well as AmeriChoice’s to underwrite this year’s heart screenings of PA’s top athletes and cheerleaders. Big 33 Title Sponsor Renewal by Andersen and their leadership team have been tremendous partners in our efforts to check hearts and save lives the past few years,” added Julie Walker, Peyton’s Mom and President of The Peyton Walker Foundation.
Some well-known Big 33 alumni and NFL greats include: Joe Namath, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Ricky Waters, Ben Roethlisberger, Kyle Brady, Jordan Hill, Tony Dorsett, and Damar Hamlin. The Big 33 Buddy Program is designed to partner youth with special needs with a Big 33 cheerleader or football player. Cheer buddies participate in the halftime routine. All buddies enjoy time with their players and cheerleaders during Big 33 weekend.
For more information, and tickets go to www. big33.org or follow them on Facebook @Big33FootballClassic, Instagram @PFSCABig33FootballClassic or on Twitter @psfcabig33. Money raised from the game helps support all PSFCA Big 33 programs, including the Big 33 Buddy Program. Proceeds also assist in supporting military appreciation aspects of the Memorial Day Weekend. The Peyton Walker Foundation is one of the country’s prominent heart screening advocates and leaders in providing CPR and AED training and equipment donations. For More information on The Peyton Walker Foundation, their life-saving work and Sudden Cardiac Arrest, go to PeytonWalker.org.