Penn State students who participated in Paternoville during any game this season will be able to purchase a ticket for tonight's men's basketball season opener and receive a second ticket free through a special promotion.

Students will be able to purchase tickets from noon to 2 p.m. today at the resolution booth outside of Gate A. One ticket costs $5.

Dan Saxton, Paternoville Coordinating Committee (PCC) public relations representative, said this offer is valid for any students who participated in Paternoville for any of this season's games.

Students who already own season basketball season tickets can still receive a free ticket for a guest.

Event officials will have a list of every student who participated in Paternoville this year, as well as those who hold season tickets. Students must bring a valid ID to receive their tickets, Saxton said.

This promotion provides a good transition from football season to basketball season, PCC President Alex Cohen said. He thinks the basketball promotion is a good way to introduce students to other Penn State sports.

"Penn State isn't just a football school anymore, and I think the basketball team proved that last year," Cohen said.

More freshmen than usual participated in Paternoville this year, Cohen said, and the promotion will allow them to experience another Penn State sports team.

Many of the students who consistently participate in Paternoville also support the basketball team, Saxton said. He counts this as a great opportunity to join forces with the Nittany Nation and rally around other teams.

Leah Hodder, currently participating in her second week of Paternoville, said the promotion intrigued her.

"I think it's cool that they're combining football fans with basketball fans," Hodder (freshman-mathematics and physics) said.