The Mystical Penn State

I graduated from a well-known college in NYC. I loved my college because it was a subway ride away to the theaters, the sports venues and all the fun that went along with the Big Apple. My college was also close to home, so I could return back to the security of my parents as often as I wanted. Going home on weekends was not an unusual occurrence at my school. On Friday afternoon, the dorms emptied out faster than a room with a gassy Great Dane. Anyway, you get my drift.

Two years ago, my daughter decided to go to Penn State. I had heard about the loyalty the students had for this university; I had witnessed the unconditional devotion of the alumni; and I had seen the majesty of the campus when my husband and I took her up to State College for a visit, but I had no idea of the mystical qualities of the school until I attended my first Penn State game this week.

Don't get me wrong. As soon as she enrolled, I jumped on the blue and white bandwagon. I have more Nittany Lion magnets, sweatshirts, shorts, pet bandanas, dog bowls and tug toys than I can count. The Family Clothesline in State College and the school's book store see my name cross their internet buyer list at least once a week. What can I say? I love her school. Actually, I love the camaraderie that surrounds her school, and nowhere did it become more apparent than when I sat my derriere down on the bleachers of Beaver Stadium yesterday at the Homecoming game against Wisconsin.

Immediately, I was taken aback by all the alumni who came back. There were 109,000 + fans there. People in their 70s and 80s stood up and sang out proudly the Penn State Fight Song. Some even cried as they sang it. I cheered as hard as the fans around me, but I felt cheated that I couldn't be a part of this alumni family. Most of these fans had a special bond and a mission: cheering their team to victory. The atmosphere in that stadium was electrifying. I don't think the student section sat down once in four quarters of play. They screamed; they hollered; they basically annoyed the hell out of the Wisconsin players and fans.