Mack the Jeff
Bummed that the Penn State men’s soccer team just lost their first two regular-season road games – the first to Rutgers (4-1) and the other to St. John’s (1-0)? Not to worry. The Nittany Lions (2-2-0) will return home to Jeffery Field where they’ll host California on Friday evening, September 13, at 7 pm. Not only will Penn State face a critical opponent (Cal is currently ranked No. 10 in the nation), but the soccer team will also celebrate the highly anticipated “Mack Brady Night.” This “White Out” style event will honor the life of Mack Brady, son of Schreyer Honors College Dean Brady, who passed away unexpectedly from a blood infection on December 31, 2012, 16 days shy of his 9th birthday.
With aspirations of becoming a goalkeeper from the age of 5, Mack fell in love with the game of soccer, playing with friends in the Centre Soccer Association, Penn United, and the State College Celtics. An avid supporter of Penn State soccer, one could frequently spot Mack cheering on the men’s and women’s teams at Jeffery Field. After all, his dream was to play goalkeeper for Penn State and then the US Men’s National team. In honor of his spirited support and love for the game, Penn State goalkeepers now wear a patch on their back containing Mack’s name and number because “Mack always had his teammates back, like a good keeper should” (Mack Brady Night – White Out Cal). Mack’s parents, Elizabeth and Christian Brady, have established the "Mack Brady Memorial Men's Soccer Fund at Penn State" to benefit a member of the men’s team. Proceeds from this Friday’s game will go toward the Fund.
But that’s not all. Fans will want to arrive a bit earlier than the 7 p.m. kickoff. Indeed, pre-game festivities will include FREE giant foam goalie gloves for the first 500 fans. There will also be a merchandise sale containing PSU Soccer/Mack Brady Fund t-shirts and magnets, with proceeds once again going toward the Fund. And don’t forget to stop by the team’s autograph session after the game!
So what are you waiting for? Pull out those white shirts and get ready to show your support for both Mack & the Lions at Jeffrey Field! #MackTheJeff
With aspirations of becoming a goalkeeper from the age of 5, Mack fell in love with the game of soccer, playing with friends in the Centre Soccer Association, Penn United, and the State College Celtics. An avid supporter of Penn State soccer, one could frequently spot Mack cheering on the men’s and women’s teams at Jeffery Field. After all, his dream was to play goalkeeper for Penn State and then the US Men’s National team. In honor of his spirited support and love for the game, Penn State goalkeepers now wear a patch on their back containing Mack’s name and number because “Mack always had his teammates back, like a good keeper should” (Mack Brady Night – White Out Cal). Mack’s parents, Elizabeth and Christian Brady, have established the "Mack Brady Memorial Men's Soccer Fund at Penn State" to benefit a member of the men’s team. Proceeds from this Friday’s game will go toward the Fund.But that’s not all. Fans will want to arrive a bit earlier than the 7 p.m. kickoff. Indeed, pre-game festivities will include FREE giant foam goalie gloves for the first 500 fans. There will also be a merchandise sale containing PSU Soccer/Mack Brady Fund t-shirts and magnets, with proceeds once again going toward the Fund. And don’t forget to stop by the team’s autograph session after the game!
So what are you waiting for? Pull out those white shirts and get ready to show your support for both Mack & the Lions at Jeffrey Field! #MackTheJeff
