Armed with only scarfs, hats and blankets, Bryce Edmonds and Dan Feldman became intimately familiar with the landscape of Eisenhower Auditorium early yesterday morning.

Having been tipped off by a friend that Elvis Costello tickets were to go on sale at 9 in the morning, Edmonds (junior-English) and Feldman (junior-political science) bundled up and set off in the darkness for Eisenhower at 2:30 a.m.

Both were fully aware that the concert was scheduled for 8 in the evening April 2, in Rec Hall, but were uncertain as to the date of ticket sales. So when the duo arrived outside the box office yesterday morning, they found themselves alone in the 17 degree Farenheit weather. Despite their fears, Edmonds said they stuck it out and had faith in their informant.

"This is definitely the coldest I've ever been," Edmonds admitted through the turtleneck pulled up over his nose, "It was worth it to wait if we were going to be first."

The twosome have been fans of Elvis Costello since early in high school. "I love Elvis Costello, but I've never seen him," Feldman said.

To help withstand the cold, Edmonds and Feldman called friend Phil Mervis (senior-political science) who arrived around 8 in the morning laden with food and orange juice.

"They are getting me tickets so I got them food. It's a fair trade-off," Mervis said.

Mervis, however, was not the only newcomer to the scene. A second group of thermos toting, jean-clad fans arrived at 5:45.

Jeffrey Rose (junior-finance) joined the festivities at 6:20, only after running all over campus in search of a Collegian to make sure tickets were, in fact, being sold yesterday.

"I've liked Elvis for a long time. We've been waiting for him to come for a few years now," Rose said.

For those who braved the cold for so many hours, all were able to breathe a collective sigh of relief when the doors of Eisenhower opened at 8 and the vigil moved to the heated comfort of the indoors.

Not all of those in line, however, were ardent Elvis admirers.

Dave DeMay (senior-science) lined up around 8 yesterday morning. He did not describe himself as much of a fan, but said he wanted to get tickets for his fiancee.

"I didn't think there would be much of a line at all," DeMay said.

When the box office finally opened at 9, more than 100 students were lined up and ready to spend at least $15 to see the post-modern king of rock'n'roll, Elvis Costello and his longtime friend, Nick Lowe. Because ticket sales are limited to four per person, the rows closest to the stage sold quickly and the University Concert Committee predicts to fill all 5,000 available seats.

"Based on current sales and turnout this morning, we are hopeful it will sell out," said Dave Zack, University Concert Committee member.

Greg Gabbard, owner of City Lights Records, 316 E. College Ave., said this is a tremendous time for Elvis Costello to come to Penn State. "Spike," Costello's latest album is number four on the City Lights' record chart this week and is ranked 35th nationally.

"A lot of people are saying this is his best album ever. This one is certainly his most diverse," Gabbard said.