In light of Monday's shooting at Virginia Tech, some Penn State students are organizing a large-scale demonstration of support in the Beaver Stadium stands Saturday -- and Penn State is footing the bill.

A group on Facebook called "VT Zone at Blue-White Game" has already acquired more than the 800 student members they need to form a massive "VT" symbol in student seating sections EC and EU, rows U through 24.

Shortly after he and his friends began organizing the VT Zone, Bill Solomon (senior-actuarial science) learned that Penn State would pay for 800 T-shirts, some maroon and some orange. The shirts have been ordered and will be handed out on a first-come-first-serve basis to any students who wish to be part of the VT symbol.

"If people want to be a part they can show up before game time and help us out," Solomon said. "It should be exciting."

Solomon started the Facebook group and has been working with his friends to make the event happen. His group's idea came about after seeing another Facebook group that calls for students to wear maroon and orange to the game. That group already comprises more than 3,600 members.

"We want to try and support Virginia Tech and show that we care and want to be involved in helping them heal," Solomon said.

Guido D'Elia, director of communications for Penn State football, said in addition to the VT Zone, there would be other recognition given to the tragedy in Virginia at the game.

"We're looking to do something at the beginning of the game to recognize what's happened and have a moment of silence," he said.

D'Elia also said the band is working on a special song to play after the moment of silence.

"It's clear that it's something

that has touched everyone, and we're really letting the students take the lead on this," D'Elia said.

One student who plans to be in the VT Zone, Dan Green (junior-supply chain and information systems), said he's happy to see the event coming together with so much student support.

"It's kind of interesting to watch everyone come together with something like this," he said. "The fact that it could happen here really motivates people to respond."

To those who might oppose wearing another school's colors to a Penn State game, Green said this is an opportunity to show that students here are eager to reach out and show support for the victims of a national tragedy.

"It's really an opportunity to show everyone our true colors," Green said.

In addition to the events being planned for Saturday, a group of Virginia Tech alumni called "Hokie Hope" is asking that students at universities across the country dress for "Maroon and Orange Effect Day" tomorrow.

For students who wish to wear Virginia Tech's colors, McLanahan's Student Store, 414 E. College Ave., has ordered a shipment of maroon T-shirts featuring an orange Penn State logo. They will be available for sale this afternoon.

The proceeds from the sale of these shirts will go to the family of Jeremy Herbstritt, the Penn State alum who was killed during the shooting, Connie Williams, McClanahan's store manager said.

"We're aware that they want to wear the maroon, but we don't want to make money off of them," she said.