Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State Nittany Lions
Name	Penn State Nittany Lions
University	Pennsylvania State University
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Director	Patrick Kraft
Location	University Park, Pennsylvania

Penn State Nittany Lions are the intercollegiate athletic teams representing Pennsylvania State University, competing in the Big Ten Conference. The university fields 31 varsity teams, with the Football Bowl Subdivision program being its most prominent. The mascot, the Nittany Lion, is represented by the costumed figure Nittany Lion (mascot) and the live mountain lion shrine, Nittany Lion Shrine.

History

The athletic program's origins trace to the late 19th century, with early competition against institutions like Bucknell University and Lafayette College. The football team played its first official game in 1887. A pivotal moment came in 1990 when the university accepted an invitation to join the Big Ten Conference, a move championed by then-university president Bryce Jordan and athletic director Jim Tarman. This transition from Eastern independence was completed in 1993. The program has been guided by influential figures such as longtime football coach Joe Paterno, whose tenure from 1966 to 2011 included two national championships. The Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal in 2011 led to significant institutional upheaval, including sanctions from the NCAA.

Athletic programs

The Nittany Lions compete in 14 men's and 17 women's sports under the governance of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The Penn State Nittany Lions football program is a perennial power, having won multiple Big Ten Championships and appearing in numerous bowl games like the Rose Bowl. The Penn State Lady Lions basketball women's basketball team has been a consistent contender in the NCAA tournament. Other nationally successful programs include Penn State Nittany Lions wrestling, which has won multiple NCAA team championships under coaches like Cael Sanderson, and Penn State Nittany Lions women's volleyball, which has secured multiple national titles under coach Russ Rose. The Penn State Nittany Lions ice hockey men's program joined the Big Ten in 2013.

Facilities

Primary venues are clustered on the University Park campus. Beaver Stadium, one of the largest stadiums in the Western Hemisphere, hosts football games. The Bryce Jordan Center is the home for basketball and major events, while Pegula Ice Arena, funded by a gift from Terrence Pegula and Kim Pegula, houses hockey. Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, a shared facility with the State College Spikes, is used for baseball. Other key facilities include Rec Hall for wrestling and volleyball, the Penn State Golf Courses, and the Ashenfelter Multi-Sport Facility for track and field.

Rivalries

The program's primary football rivalry is with the Pittsburgh Panthers, a series dating to 1893 known as the Penn State–Pittsburgh rivalry. The entry into the Big Ten Conference intensified contests with Michigan, Ohio State, and Michigan State, with the latter competing for the Land Grant Trophy. A notable trophy game with the Minnesota Golden Gophers is the Governor's Victory Bell. In wrestling, a fierce rivalry exists with the Iowa Hawkeyes. The annual THON dance marathon, while not an athletic contest, is a major philanthropic rivalry with other student organizations.

Traditions and culture

Central to game day is the Nittany Lion Shrine, a limestone statue where fans gather. The marching band, the Penn State Blue Band, performs pre-game and halftime shows, including the iconic "Fight On, State". The student section, known as the Nittanyville, camps out before home football games. Key cheers include the "We Are... Penn State" chant and singing the Penn State Alma Mater after games. The Penn State Creamery is famed for its ice cream, particularly the flavor Peachy Paterno. The Old Main bell tower chimes after athletic victories.

Notable alumni

Prominent athletes include John Cappelletti, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1973, and Jack Ham, a Hall of Fame linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. LaVar Arrington and Saquon Barkley were standout NFL players. In basketball, Jessie Vetter excelled in hockey. Coaches like Bill O'Brien and James Franklin have led the football program. Distinguished non-athlete alumni with strong ties to the program include Guion Bluford, the first African American in space, and John Amaechi, a former NBA player and psychologist.

Category:Pennsylvania State University Category:Big Ten Conference Category:NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision independent schools