Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura was in Beaver Stadium Saturday in spirit, hoping the Nittany Lions could pull out a victory over Ohio State.

"I'm excited to come to Penn State and to talk to the students," Ventura said in a telephone interview this week. "It's just a shame that I can't congratulate you guys on beating Ohio State. You had to lose by one point."

Politics, pro wrestling and acting will come together for a rumble as Ventura visits Penn State as the third speaker in the Distinguished Speaker Series at 8 tonight in Eisenhower Auditorium.

Ventura said he plans on discussing the flaws in the two-party system and hopes to motivate students to become involved, vote and demand change.

"The two-party system we have now is great," Ventura said sarcastically. "It gives us one more choice than communist Russia."

Aside from the two-party system, Ventura said that he plans to talk about current events including the California recall election, the war in Iraq and the education system in the United States.

"I've really gone back to my roots," Ventura said. "I'm not going to use any notes, I am just going to talk from the heart and tell it like it is."

His career spans over 30 years and includes serving in the Vietnam War, professional wrestling in the World Wrestling Federation, acting in several Hollywood films, and serving the people of Minnesota as a mayor and governor.

"Given his life experiences -- a Navy SEAL and Vietnam veteran, professional wrestler, actor, mayor, governor and now host of his own show on MSNBC -- I think it is safe to say that he will have a lot of things to talk about during his speech," Penn State spokeswoman Amy Neil said.

In 1998, Ventura upset Hubert H. Humphrey III and Norm Coleman, to become the first Reform Party candidate to win a gubernatorial election.

"I was living in Minnesota when he won the election, and it took us all by surprise," Amanda Reinitz (junior-political science and crime, law and justice) said. "He helped to put Minnesota and its great name on the map, and I am excited to hear what he has to say."

Many people within the Penn State community are excited for tonight's presentation.

"Jesse Ventura ... proved to the state of Minnesota and the rest of the country that not all professional wrestlers are big 'ogres' who don't stand for anything and are a bad example for children," said Colleen Vicedomini, president of the Pro-Wrestling Club.

Since becoming a public figure over 20 years ago, Ventura has always spoken out.

"I think people, regardless of whether they disagree with his views, appreciate Gov. Ventura's willingness to speak his mind and take a stand on issues which he feels are important," said Sean Misko, president of the Political Science Association.

With next year being a presidential election year, students have the ability to mobilize as a serious voting block and demand reform, he added.

"Hopefully students will realize the importance of getting involved in the political process, and the impact that their voices and votes can have on the direction of the state and country," Misko said.

The Mock Trial Association, the Political Science Department, the Penn State Varsity Wrestling Team and the Pro-Wrestling Club are sponsoring the presentation.

There are still tickets available at the Eisenhower Auditorium box office.