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The Fourth Wall
By Alex Palmer
Staff Writer
There is nothing like Penn State
University football. Here at Mont
Alto we may not grasp the
importance and the thrill of what it
game, but those of you that have
already been there in the student
section already know what I am
talking about.
It all starts with the tailgate, one
of our American football traditions.
Tailgating before a game is not just
a great way to get free food and
beer, but it gives you a chance to
celebrate Penn State football with
some of your close friends, and
even family members. To many of
our fellow Penn State students,
tailgating may be just as fun as
actually attending the games.
The excitement really starts
when you enter the stadium. “We
Are...” a group of students yell.
“Penn State!” yells another group,
only to have yet another group.yell,
“We are...WASTED!” But amidst
all the fun you finally step into the
stadium and view the field. All ofa
sudden you realize that you are
part of something, you realize that
there is more to being a Penn State
student than just attending class,
you realize that being a Penn State
student is about being part of a
family.
In our family we conduct
ourselves with a sense of class and
By Justin Zickar
Editor
Penn State football is a tradition
that is admired by many. It helps
bring people together. No matter
what your age, or even your
background, everyone becomes
one. A few weeks ago I had the
opportunity to witness this
insanity for myself. I knew my
adventure to Beaver Stadium
would be fun, but I had no clue
how fun.
After a long bumpy ride I was
brought from my Mont Alto
campus to University Park. Now
without my parents, I was
exhilarated to be surrounded by my
friends. I simply was already
amazed that 30 years ago my own
father walked this same campus,
learning and attending these
football games. The fact of the
matter being that in those 30 years
Penn State maintained a steady
academic reputation as well as
football continuing with Joe
Paterno remained their fearless
leader.
Decorated in my Penn State blue
and white I entered the almost 60
year old Beaver Stadium. I was used
to sports arenas and stadiums, but
this was different. Normal sports
arenas bring fans from all over.
Beaver Stadium on the other hand
brings students, alumni, and fans
together as one “happy” family.
As the pre-game festivities and
game started my pulse
strengthened. Hearing the
orchestration from the Blue Band,
the chants from near 100,000 fans
prestige. We have honor, and
although we may believe in
different things, we are
intellectually proud, and not afraid
to speak our minds. Most of all
those men on that field represent
us and our university. They need
no names on the back of their
jerseys because they represent
each and every one of us.
Sometimes they succeed, and
sometimes they fail, but just like
us they have a sense of pride. They
hold their heads high and continue
fighting.
If the team itself represents our
actions on the field then The Blue
Band is our voice. You may think,
“Bands aren’t cool!” This one
most certainly is. Nothing gets you
more pumped up for a game than
singing our alma-mater
and even the national
enthusiasm. Each time the
Nittany Lions would
score the crowd roared
with excitement. Jumping
up and down to every
beat of the stadium’s
sounds sent me into a
trance.
There couldn’t have
been a better moment than
that, being with the
people I cared about,
watching my own
team and
everyone screaming, “We
Are Penn State!” No
matter what happened in
the final minutes, even.
winning by such a large
margin, the students were
still there. Every student
stayed until the final
seconds counted lown,
showing our loyalty and
thanking the team for
doing what they do best.
My experience of
University Park will be
one that I will surely not
forget. Throughout my
next 4 years as a student
at Penn State I certainly
will be participating in
more events at University
kdb
hearing the band out on the middle
of the field, and seeing our drum
major doing his front flip- yeah,
that’s right; a complete flip- and
landing on his feet, like a cat.
After the game starts the
student fans may get rowdy, but
that is our way of giving back a
team that has represented us for
so long, and a coach who is like a
father figure to all Penn State
students. Joe Paterno is not just
our legendary football coach, but
he is also a large contributor to the
University. When you think of
contributing to a university you
think of just money, which he has
(a large part of The Paterno
Library), but to the students he
has made college life better,
making it feel like everyone was
part of a family, and not just another
number to Penn State.
Whether we win or lose we are
all still Penn State. That may just
be a stupid chant to some, but to
the Penn State family, that is who
we are. We are not just another
student for Penn State, we are not
just another money contributor, we
are the backbones of Penn State.
Without our - dedication, the
University would not be what it is
today. The next time you hear our
chant really think about what it
means to be a student here. I know
Mont Alto may be pretty lame at
times, but you are still part of Penn
State, even though it doesn’t feel
like it. Go see a Penn State football
game, your time is running out! Be
There.