WHAT: Pennsylvania’s 40-member Big 33 team for the 68th Football Classic will hold its first
practice, and receive FREE heart screenings by The Peyton Walker Foundation and UPMC, thanks to the generous support from Renewal by Andersen of Central PA. Also, Big 33 Cheerleaders will receive FREE heart screenings, thanks to AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union.
ATTENDING:
Nicole Whitmire, Director, PSFCA Big 33 Football Classic
Coach Josh Oswalt, Associate Executive Director, PSFCA
PA Big 33 Coach Matt Ortega, Coatesville High School
PA Big 33 Coaches
Big 33 PA Team players
Big 33 Cheerleaders
The Peyton Walker Foundation
UPMC medical team
Linda Johnston, Chief Culture Officer, Renewal by Andersen of Central PA
AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union volunteers
WHERE: Cumberland Valley High School, 6746 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
SATURDAY, April 26th, 2025 PA TEAM & CHEERLEADER HEART SCREENINGS & PA FOOTBALL TEAM PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
FOOTBALL PLAYERS
9 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. ***Big 33 PA Players Arrive, PA Team Heart Screenings by PWF and UPMC, Physicals, Helmet Fittings, Photos. PA Team Heart Screenings sponsored by Renewal by Andersen of Central PA
Cumberland Valley High School Field House, Cumberland Co.
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ***PA Football Players & Coaches Practice #1
Cumberland Valley Chapman Field, if raining held on Indoor Turf, Field House
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. *** PA Football Players & Coaches Practice #2
Chapman Field, if raining held on Indoor Turf, Field House
CHEERLEADERS
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Big 33 & East/West Cheer Teams Heart Screenings, Photos
CV Field House, Cheerleader Heart Screenings sponsored by AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union
SUNDAY, April 27, 2025 PA TEAM PRACTICE SCHEDULE:
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. ***PA Football Players & Coaches Practice#3
Cumberland Valley Chapman Field, if raining held on Indoor Turf, Field House
11:30 a.m. PA Football Players & Coaches – Head Shot Photos
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ***PA Football Players & Coaches Practice #4
Cumberland Valley Chapman Field, if raining held on Indoor Turf, Field House
BACKGROUND: This year’s PSFCA Big 33 festivities are supported by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC) and Cumberland County Visitors Bureau. Pennsylvania Coaches Association’s (PSFCA) 68th Big 33 Football Classic Presented by Renewal by Andersen of Central PA will be played on Sunday, May 25 at Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field in Cumberland County. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
The FREE CommunityAid Fan Fest 3-6:30 p.m., Pre-Game Ceremonies with Military Recognition and Buddies at 6:45 p.m. Stadium Gates open at 11:30 a.m. for the Girls Flag Football Tournament Round 3 Games (12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m.) and Championship Game (4:00 p.m.).
Tickets for the Big 33 Football Classic will include entry for the Girls Flag Games. This year’s Big 33 Honorary Chair is Garry Gilliam, who played in the 2009 Big 33 Football Classic, is a Super Bowl Champion, successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, global speaker and more. The 2025 PA Team Sponsor is Titanium Fabrication.
“We can’t wait to host this year’s exceptional Big 33 football all-stars, coaches and cheerleaders for a weekend filled with football, friendship, fun and bonding. Most importantly, we are grateful to The Peyton Walker Foundation, UPMC, Renewal by Andersen of Central PA and AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union for supporting our life-saving efforts to check and protect the hearts of our student athletes, thanks to the free heart screenings that they are providing,” said Garry Cathell, executive director of PSFCA and the Big 33 Football Classic.
“We value our partnership with the PSFCA Big 33 and UPMC, especially given the fact that Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the number one killer of student athletes. We will provide a baseline electrocardiogram (“EKG”) and if needed, an echocardiogram. These tests can help to detect hidden heart issues and hopefully prevent incidences of SCA from occurring. We are so grateful for the sponsorships given by Renewal by Andersen of Central PA and AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union to underwrite this year’s heart screenings of Pennsylvania’s top athletes and cheerleaders. Big 33 Title Sponsor Renewal by Andersen and their leadership team have been incredible partners in our efforts to check hearts and save lives the past several years,” added Julie Walker, Peyton’s Mom and President of The Peyton Walker Foundation.
Some of the most iconic names in football are proud alumni of the Big 33, including legends like Joe Namath, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Tony Dorsett, and more recent stars such as Ben Roethlisberger, Ricky Watters, Kyle Brady, Garry Gilliam, Jordan Hill, and Damar Hamlin. The Big 33 Buddy Program creates a heartwarming connection by pairing youth with special needs with a Big 33 football player or cheerleader. Cheer buddies even get to shine in the halftime performance, while all participants enjoy memorable moments together throughout Big 33 weekend. As a special thank-you, military members and veterans receive free admission to the event. Plus, don’t miss the excitement of the Girls Flag Football Tournament Round 3 and Championship games, held in partnership with the NFL at Chapman Field, just before the Big 33 Football Classic kicks off.
For more information, and tickets go to www.big33.org or follow them on Facebook @Big33FootballClassic, Instagram @PFSCABig33FootballClassic or on Twitter @psfcabig33. Money raised from the game helps support all PSFCA Big 33 programs, including the Big 33 Buddy Program. Proceeds also assist in supporting military appreciation aspects of the Memorial Day Weekend.
The Peyton Walker Foundation is one of the country’s prominent heart screening advocates and leaders in providing CPR and AED training and equipment donations. For More information on The Peyton Walker Foundation, their life-saving work and Sudden Cardiac Arrest, go to PeytonWalker.org.