Hello and welcome from Homecoming Headquarters 2009.
Every year, many alumni return, arriving throughout the week before the homecoming game. They want to visit the campus that they love and miss.
I try not to take off of work for the week of homecoming because I am lucky enough to have a spot on a lot of alumni’s lists of places to revisit while they’re back in Happy Valley. Some tell me how much the campus has changed since they’ve graduated, others are just so happy to see a familiar face along with the familiar place.
Upon their return visit, I catch a glimpse of that twinkle in their eye that shows, if even just for a second, they feel like they are back in college again. These visits have made me realize that when these adults were growing up here in college I inadvertently became their personal postal advisor — not just about postage, but also about day-to-day situations, decisions about their future, as well as reminders of the traditions of this school’s past.
For this week’s column, I thought maybe I could shed some light on some that last one.
Homecoming is defined in Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary as: “the return of a group of people usually on a special occasion to a place formerly frequented or regarded as home; especially : an annual celebration for alumni at a college or university.”
There are a couple of recognizable quotes/phrases attached with the idea surrounding the word “home,” and I’d like to take this time to relate some of those to this very special week.
HOME IS WHERE YOUR HEART IS
In 1966, the new head coach of this university’s football team had gotten off to a slow 1-2 start. Even though it was his rookie season as the head coach, he felt that the fans who attended the games were vital to his team’s makeup as the 12th man on the field.
Back in the ’60s the Orangemen of Syracuse were one of Penn State’s biggest rivals. The new head coach’s wife had an idea on how to evoke some school spirit and possibly get a higher attendance rate at the upcoming home football games.
The head coach’s wife rallied a couple of the assistant coaches’ wives, and together they sneaked down to the Nittany Lion Shrine in the middle of the night and covered the Lion Shrine with orange water-based paint. Although in the 1966 season, Penn State actually played California for its homecoming game, she knew the best way to generate a response was to use the rival’s colors. Penn State beat California that homecoming game, 33 – 15.
It didn’t come out until years later that Sue Paterno, not some students from Syracuse, shall I say “decorated” the shrine. For the love of the game. For the love of this school.
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
In Oz, there were guards who protected their beloved Wizard in the center of their Emerald City. In 1982, the Lion Ambassadors were created here.
In the years that followed Sue Paterno’s paint job, the ambassadors started a tradition that continues today. The night before the homecoming game, students guard the Lion Shrine to protect it from getting painted or vandalized by the visiting team. This tradition promotes what Mrs. Paterno’s goal was decades before: to promote school spirit.
School spirit, along with attending the annual homecoming game, and becoming the 12th man/woman has helped with Penn State’s homecoming game record of 63-20-5. Under Sue Paterno’s husband’s direction, the record is even more prestigious, 37-5.
It is here that I would like to mention that there is also nothing like homemade homecoming cookies…
REMEMBER THE LION WITHIN
This year’s theme evokes several thoughts and emotions. This week, during all of the homecoming events that you attend or participate in, reflect upon what Penn State has meant to you and will continue to mean to you. The friends you’ve made here, the laughter you’ve shared together. What you have learned here, both in and out of the classroom.
During this year’s homecoming parade on Friday, Respect the foundation of every organization that walks by you, in front and behind you. (Also: Wave to me — I’ll be in the judges’ booth across from the Corner Room!) Recognize why there are so many fantastic traditions at this university, where thousands will return for this weekend to share with each other the pride they have for Penn State. Traditions old and new. A new competition this year is for the best homecoming tailgate.
By the way, I’m available this Saturday before the game to be added to anyone’s tailgate guest list.
Lastly, remember Penn State’s past, including the first homecoming victory for JoePa as their head coach against California. My prediction for this year’s match up against Minnesota: Penn State, 33 – 15.
We have been, we will be, WE ARE…
