PSFCA Announces 2023 Schedule, Information and Festivities For Big 33 Football Classic

BIG 33 FOOTBALL CLASSIC WEEK EVENT SCHEDULE:

Pennsylvania Coaches Association’s (PSFCA) 66th Big 33 Football Classic will be played on Sunday, May 28 at Bishop McDevitt’s Rocco Ortenzio Stadium in Dauphin County. Kickoff is 7PM, FREE Fan Experience opens at 3 PM, Gates open at 5:30 PM, Pre-Game & Military Recognition at 6:15PM.

TICKETS: For more information, and tickets go to www. big33.org.

THURSDAY, MAY 25 (TODAY ONLY takes place at Big 33 Headquarters NOT Bishop McDevitt!)

5 PM – MARYLAND PLAYERS ARRIVE! Location adjacent to Big 33 Headquarters: 5000 Ritter Rd., Mechanicsburg, PA (Parking Lot Celebration)

Team MD, Maryland Host Families, Maryland Cheerleaders. Short Welcome, Meet & Greet, players then leave with their host families.

6PM – PA PLAYERS ARRIVE! Location adjacent to Big 33 Headquarters: 5000 Ritter Rd., Mechanicsburg, PA (Parking Lot Celebration)

Team PA, PA Host Families, PA Cheerleaders. Short Welcome, Meet & Greet, players then leave with their host families.

FRIDAY, MAY 26 at BISHOP MCDEVITT HS, 1 CRUSADER WAY, HARRISBURG

9:30 AM-11:30 AM – BOTH PA & MD BIG 33 TEAMS PRACTICE at Bishop McDevitt HS

2 PM – 4 PM – BOTH PA & MD BIG 33 TEAMS PRACTICE at Bishop McDevitt HS

4 PM – 8 PM – PENN STATE HEALTH/HIGHMARK BIG 33 CHEER TEAM PRACTICES (flag presentation, choreography for halftime shows, etc.)

SATURDAY, MAY 27 at BISHOP MCDEVITT HS,1 CRUSADER WAY, HARRISBURG

9 AM – 12:15 PM – PENN STATE HEALTH/HIGHMARK BIG 33CHEERLEADER PRACTICE

9:30-11:30 AM – BOTH PA & MD BIG 33 TEAMS PRACTICE

11:45 AM –2 PM – UPMC “BUDDY” MEET AND GREET: PA & MD Players and Cheerleaders will meet their buddies for a round of games and fun on the field of Rocco Ortenzio Stadium, lunch and photos.

2 PM – AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS ARRIVE: Riders will meet players, cheerleaders, buddies, coaches.

3-5 PM – BOTH PA & MD BIG 33 TEAMS PRACTICE

6 PM – PSFCA/RSFA ELITE SHOWCASE. The culmination of the Big 33 combine series featuring the best high school football players from previous combines across the state are invited to compete.

SUNDAY, MAY 28 at BISHOP MCDEVITT HS, 1 CRUSADER WAY, HARRISBURG

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM – “BIG 33 RENEWAL BRUNCH” WITH PA/MD PLAYERS/COACHES; HOST FAMILIES; CHEERLEADERS in Bishop McDevitt Cafeteria

1 PM – BIG 33 RECOGNITION CEREMONY WITH PLAYERS, COACHES, BUDDIES, HOST FAMILIES, CHEERLEADERS, SPONSORS, AND SPECIAL GUESTS in Bishop McDevitt Auditorium.

2:30 PM – PSFCA HALL OF FAME SOCIAL in Bishop McDevitt Cafeteria

3 PM-6:30 PM – FREE FAN EXPERIENCE & PEP RALLY (Outside Stadium)

Inflatables, Activities for the Kids, Dauphin Co. Social Services, Games, Food, Music & More!!!

4 PM – PSFCA HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY in Bishop McDevitt Auditorium

Inductees: Gary Gouse (Portage), Bob Palko (West Allegheny/Mt. Lebanon), Jeff Weachter (Bishop McDevitt), Mike Ricci (Garnett Valley), Rick Keely (Berks Catholic).

5:30 PM – GATES OPEN

6:15 PM – PRE-GAME AND MILITARY RECOGNITION CEREMONIES ON FIELD

Players, Buddies & Cheerleaders for PA & MD will be introduced on the field. Harrisburg HS ROTC Color Guard to participate, Big 33 Cheerleader Kylie Snelbaker to perform National Anthem, large flag.

7 PM – COIN TOSS & KICKOFF FOR THE 66th PSFCA BIG 33 FOOTBALL CLASSIC PENNSYLVANIA VS. MARYLAND

SPECIAL GUESTS: Dauphin Co. Commissioner George Hartwick, PA Adjutant General Mark Schindler, Miss PA Alysa Bainbridge, Big 33 Hon. Chair Bo Orlando (Big 33 Alum 1984), Big 33 Exec. Dir. Garry Cathell, Gen. Joulwan (1957 year Big 33 Alum)

Halftime – HIGHMARK/PENN STATE HEALTH BIG 33 CHEER SHOW & HALL OF FAME RECOGNITION

BACKGROUND:

Garry Cathell, Executive Director, Big 33 and PSFCA

PA Big 33 Coach Mike Farr, Schuylkill Haven

MD Big 33 Coach, Dameon Powell, CH Flowers

Bo Orlando, 2023 Big 33 Hon. Chair, 1984 Big 33 Alum, played for West Virginia University (WVU Sports Hall of Fame), Houston Oilers, San Diego Chargers, Cincinatti Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers and Berwick High School.

Under the leadership of the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association, the Dauphin County Commissioners and Commonwealth of PA are partnering to support the PSFCA Big 33 Football Classic, that has also been described as the “Super Bowl of High School Football,” and has chosen a team since 1957. Every NFL Super Bowl has proudly featured Big 33 Alums! The premier Big 33 high school football game features top all stars from Pennsylvania and Maryland plus buddies and cheerleaders and military recognition festivities.

“We are thrilled to showcase our Big 33 players in action and to come together as a team for an exciting football weekend including special time with our Big 33 Buddies and Cheer Teams and to recognize our veterans and military over Memorial Day Weekend. We are extremely grateful to all of our sponsors, Bishop McDevitt, to our honorary chair, host families, fans, volunteers, coaching staff, parents, players, cheerleaders, buddies and Big 33 families and alum for their incredible support,” said Garry Cathell, executive director of PSFCA and the Big 33 Football Classic.

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, 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. Money raised from the game helps support all PSFCA Big 33 programs, including the Big 33 Buddy Program which connects individuals with special needs with all-star athletes in football, cheerleading and beyond. Proceeds also assist in supporting military appreciation aspects of the Memorial Day Weekend. For more information, go to www.big33.org or follow them on Facebook @Big33FootballClassic, Instagram @PFSCABig33FootballClassic or on Twitter @psfcabig33.