PSU Football

This weekend, I decided to go up to Penn State at the coaxing of a friend to take part in the revelry and tradition that is Nittany Lion Football. It was the first time I went up without a ticket to the game and I wasn't quite sure what to expect.

The day was hot and little humid but manageable. This game (vs. Notre Dame) had a lot of hype built around it due to last years loss and the history between the two teams and the fans. It stood to be a defining game that would help set the tone for the rest of the season for the Nittany Lions and everyone was out in full style. Tailgaters were everyone in their normal style with large RV's and tour buses, satellite televisions, even live bands to celebrate. As you walk through the tailgate, you can't help but feel as though you are a part of something bigger than yourself, part of a proud tradition. I hope that one day, I can build experiences with my own family like the ones I've been a part of for the last 9 years.

Because of the hype, tickets were going for a premium. My neighbor sold his pair for $2300! My hopes of getting a scalped ticket were fairly low because of all the excitement. In fact, as we walked throughout the town, even the scalpers were having a hard time getting tickets, yet alone selling them. Those that were lucky enough to get tickets were selling them for $275 - $300 which was out of my price range.

About an hour before kick-off, I was about to lose hope when a gentlemen in front of me was on his cell phone and I heard him say "Oh, they aren't coming? I'll tell him just to get rid of them then." I politely nosed my way in and asked if he was selling any tickets. He said yes but was selling them for $200 a piece. I told him all I could give was $100 a piece and he replied that there was still some time. As they walked away, he stopped, turned around, and asked if we were actually going to go to the game or scalp them. We told him that we were going to go to the game and he relented and sold them to us for our price. It was great to see someone sacrifice a little so some fans could see the game.

In we went and wow – 110,000+ all dressed in white (except the Notre Dame fans). It was the first ever full white-out at the stadium and it was awesome. The noise level and excitement was second only to the Nebraska game 4 years ago (which I was also privileged enough to attend). The fans did their part to help lead Penn State to an important victory over the Irish and I was blessed to be one of them. The excitement was just so intense when a good play was made – that is what Penn State football is about. Not a player, not even a team, but a tradition.

As a sidebar, here are some the things I've noticed that have changed in the last five years at a PSU football game:

1) Tailgating has become much more commercialized. There were a bunch of marketing buses from companies like Lowe's and Geico that weren't necessary. Hopefully that trend won't continue to grow.

2) The fan base is becoming more organized with whiteouts. What started with a student section idea has now spread to encompass the whole stadium which was awesome.

3) When I was there, the "S" Zone was an area in the Freshman section to be avoided at all costs. They gave you these ridiculous things to wear (not T-Shirts - just a mesh covering) and policed you going in and out. Now it has turned into a thing of pride and moved to the Senior Section. They get proper T-Shirts which is pretty cool.

4) They have stopped throwing things after touchdowns. It took me a while to get over the habit of turning around and ducking for cover every time we score... Instead, they raise people up and throw them into the air for each point we have. A much better alternative then coming home with Nacho Cheese all over your back.

5) The Alma Mater. Today's students are more refined and actually sing the words with pride instead of the repeating chorus of "We don't know the god damned words" over and over again.

6) No more Bobby Jo (Solomon) - the Blue Sapphire. She was a legend, both for her on field skills and her off-field partying. After what must have been 7 years, she finally graduated leaving a gaping hole in the Penn Sate tradition. However, it has been filled with another Jo - Pamela Jo Maierhofer. I think it's a rule that all Blue Sapphire's (Head Majorette) have to have Jo in their middle name. I never thought I would see someone who could ever compare to Bobby Jo but I must say, Pamela Jo was certainly up there. She twirled not one, not two, but three batons while they were on fire. Bobby Joe never did three on fire....

7) No more token flag boy. The flag people (aka color guard - not the military one) in every band has always been the brunt of jokes. Just when we thought the well was dry, Flag Boy joined the group when we were undergrads. Sadly, there is no more token flag boy - it's back to the status-quo all-girl flag twirlers.

8) The Dance Team. When we were undergrads, all the Dance Team EVER did was kick lines. It was one of the most predicable things on the planet that when the Dance Team came out, they would be in a kick line within 1 minute of their routine. Not so anymore, they have expanded their horizons and there was NO KICKLINE. I was floored...

Fight on State!

Every time I return to my alma mater, I'm struck but how blessed I was to be a part of the Penn State tradition.

The word tradition has a very broad sense and this is true when I think about my time and my experiences as an undergraduate. The Penn State Experience, to me, is more than just a degree or an educational endeavor. As I was driving the familiar route along 322 towards Happy Valley, I was really struck by the impact that the experience had on me and my life. For me, the Penn State Experience is a culmination of the campus, the relationships I've developed as a result of my time there, the town of State College, the football games, the list is endless. It truly is a special place and without it being a part of my life, I certainly wouldn't be the same.

I'm amazed at the amount of emotion that place still stirs up within me when I return, even 5 years later. As I walked down College Avenue, I was greeted by some old, great friends that I randomly ran into. While walking into the stadium, I saw another guy that look familiar to me. He recognized me as well although we couldn't figure out how we knew each other but we exchanged greetings regardless. In addition to old friends, I randomly ran into new ones as well, people I work with – it was crazy. People were a big part of my Penn State experience. Even though I don't keep in touch with many of them, they will always be a part of my life and they will always have my utmost respect for being the amazing people that they are.

It's funny because when I look back on college, I fail to remember the difficult times and the struggles – only the good things. That's how you know it was a good experience. College, for me, wasn't about gaining technical knowledge or even a piece of paper that tells me I'm smart. It was about building relationships and even more importantly, discovering myself.

Penn State is a huge part of me and always will be. Not because I have a degree there, or I have a lion sticker on my car; no, it's because it was a place that gave me the freedom to be me and to lay the groundwork for who I am to become. It gave me memories and experiences that will last a lifetime and I can look back on with fondness and good emotions.

I know Penn State will be there for many years to come and many more people will be part of the great tradition. I'm excited to have the privilege to continue that tradition. Fight on State!