WE ARE….

Life is about making memories…in July, I decided that I was going to challenge myself, and try to do something I have never done before each month. In September, I decided I was going to go to my first Penn State football game. I had been to college football games before—I worked concessions at NC State games during my senior year at Meredith. I have nothing against State, but I am not a fan of them, either. Plus, at the time, Phillip Rivers was the QB, and if you know anything about me, you know of my disdain for him (he was not the QB the year I graduated but right before, and Russel Wilson took over the year after). I have always been a Penn State fan because I grew up watching them when I was a kid. 15 years ago, there wasn’t Penn State fans in the Triangle to the extent there are now.

               When I was young, I knew what college was for two reasons: my Uncle John went to college, and my dad watched Penn State football games, and I watched them with him. I wanted to go to Penn State when I was a kid because that’s the only college I thought there was. Back then, Joe Paterno was the coach, and he was a God in the world of college football. Each year, I eagerly waited for September when college football season would start, so I could watch football with my dad. That was our bonding time. I asked him questions about football, and he would answer them. I learned so much from him in those formative years of childhood—just watching football together.

               It’s funny how much our parents influence us, without us really even realizing it. From childhood, I have had a loyalty to Penn State, and I didn’t go to school there. My dad didn’t even go to school there. I didn’t live in Pennsylvania until I was graduated with my second and third degree. There is no real explanation as to why I love the team so much, except my dad. Every year, since I have been on my own, I have bought new Penn State gear to wear. I love the excitement of opening a new navy and white outfit.

               And then, the scandal happened. The Sandusky molestation revelation that rocked the Penn State world. I remember hearing the news like it was yesterday. I had just moved home from Utah, and ESPN was on, like usual. Dad was visiting home that weekend from West Chester. I remember not fully comprehending what everything that was happening really meant. And I remember feeling saddened for the kids it happened to. I remember people texting me that day, and for days after, asking my opinion on the topic, as a fan of Penn State. I think, for a while I was numb. I still hate when people bring it up because I’ve never cheered for the coaches, but for the players, who played and do play football. At the time of the incident, I wasn’t sure what was going to happen to my beloved football team, but the NCAA sanctions didn’t give me hope of enjoying Penn State football for a long time.

               But just like life does, the team, the school, and the fans moved past the horrible circumstances of men’s mistakes. After the scandal, there were a few years when it was tough to be a PSU fan—knowing we weren’t going to be in bowl games, or have team members, who could receive scholarships. I give kudos to the players who stayed when it would have been easier to leave. During those years, I felt like I was being judged for something I had loved my whole life. Plus, I was not a fan of Bill O’Brien, and his removal of tradition. Though, I understand why he did it, and he was the man the school needed, when they needed it. But, I was not sad when he left.

               For Cash’s first birthday, I bought him a Penn State jersey. I wanted him to share my love of college football. His dad is an Oklahoma fan, so I wanted him to be exposed to other football teams. He wore that jersey for three years because he’s so small. I wanted to teach him to love football as much as I do. Brady could care less about sports, so I’ve never got to share those experiences with my brother. Brady, however, has been to a Penn State game with my dad, simply because I lived in NC, and he lived in PA.

               I decided if I ever wanted to go to a Penn State game, I was going to take matters into my own hands. This year, I was going to use my tax return to buy Dad and I Green Bay Packers tickets. Last year, we went to see his team, the Kansas City Chiefs, at Arrowhead. So, I wanted to treat him to a trip to Lambeau. However, the plan never came to fruition. So, I decided we’d go to a Penn State game together. I gave him the tickets to a Penn State game for his birthday. I wanted to go to the Wisconsin game, but I am not going to a football game in the mountains of PA in November. Looking at all my options, the home opener was the best option, so I bought those tickets.

               Yesterday, we went to the game. And every moment of it was amazing! Dad, Uncle Geck, and I arrived at State College at 10 am, and we tailgated. Uncle Geck says it’s nice to see the excitement back in the parking lots. The game didn’t start until 3:30, so there were others of the collective experience known as college sports (part of the reason to love them). Once we got into the stadium, all 105,000+ of us were packed in the stadium like sardines. And it was amazing! I loved every moment (even though I am not a crowd person). I loved viewing the history of the stadium, watching the student section ignite with excitement, listening to the Blue Band, cheering on the team as a fan body—screaming my lungs out (I lost my voice), singing the songs of Penn State tradition, and yelling, “PENN STATE” in echo to, “WE ARE.”

I am not a fan of defensive games. They tend to bore me. But the first half of the game was just that. It was tied at the half 10-10. The second half was crazy exciting. Our defense stunk. We were outplayed and out coached, particularly in the 4^th quarter. But, we tied the game with less than a minute left to go. It was exhilarating! The game went into overtime, and we scored on our first possession. App State was driving on their first possession, and the Defense finally came though and grabbed an interception! We won, and the place erupted!!! We survived. We shouldn’t have, and the anticipation and excitement of the comeback was amazing! It was definitely worth the trip, money, etc. We couldn’t have asked for a better game! It was freakin’ amazing! We almost lost, and the anticipation made my heart race, and I paced. I can’t wait to come back! I hope for a white out.

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE PENN STATE TRADITIONS

(That I participated in at the game):

• Dancing with the Nittany Lion!
• Singing “Sweet Caroline” (that started at Penn State!)
• WE ARE—PENN STATE
• P S U!!!!
• Watching football with Dad
• Creating as much noise as possible while cheering, including banging on the signs on the railings
• Cheering on my team with the crowd before, during, and after the game
• Black shoes, basic blues, no names, all game. We Are Penn State.