It started with not purchasing student tickets in June. Not getting the rush at 6 in the morning while I'm yelling at my dad to wake up and help me buy them... But let's be real last year's new system was less than ideal and I was not exactly ready for that again. But, I do wish I could have tickets in my Apple Wallet ready to walk into Beaver Stadium.
I've grown up watching Penn State football. My dad went to Penn State, so I guess I could cheesily say I bleed blue and white. I remember every Saturday my dad would tell me and my siblings to not disturb when the game came on. I never understood it and thought it was so stupid.
Then as I grew older, I started to understand football more and understood Penn State football was more than just football. "Black shoes. Basic Blues. No names. All game." That was my favorite quote. And still is because that shows how much more this sport specifically means to our school and our coaches and players. When Bill O'Brien put the names on the jerseys, that was something every Penn State fan raged over. That's not our school. That's not part of our football traditions. It's something different watching Penn State play another team and seeing no names on our jerseys. That's Penn State football. That is a tradition we have carried for generations and nothing will change that, even as much as Bill O'Brien wanted to.
Walking into the stadium and running to get a pom-pom. That's when you know it's about to be real. Running to the student section to try and get into the S Zone, that's when you know you're a Penn State student. Listening to, "Are you ready... For Penn State football" blasting through the speakers and echoing around you and your fellow Penn Staters - it makes chills run up and down your arms. It lets you know it's Saturday in Happy Valley, and nothing beats a fall Saturday in Happy Valley.
Something I always dreamed of growing up was being part of the student section at Penn State. I wanted to be apart of the amazing community Penn State is, and you really get to see it during football season.
Yes, I know there is more to Penn State than football, but to me, there's nothing better. Knowing I'm not going to be able to step foot into Beaver Stadium this year makes me want to scream. The atmosphere at a game is something everyone has to experience in their lifetime, and I and my fellow classmates will be missing out on that this year.
But for now, Penn State football, I will be watching every game in the comfort of my apartment, my little body still screaming, "GET HIM," or "Where's the flag?"
Don't worry, because every Penn Stater will still be watching every game with the same passion and support we all have even during a normal season. This is a new year, a new season, and I'm ready to watch Penn State kick some ass, even outside of Beaver Stadium.
