Disappointed, but not surprised has been the biggest mood of 2020.
Needless to say, I am completely heartbroken over the Big Ten's decision to cancel football season this fall and I know the rest of Nittany Nation is too, but I'm really not surprised.
Watching Penn State football has been one thing that I have grown to know and love from September to the end of November. Every Saturday I could be found glued to the TV watching every game. It was simply what I looked forward to each week. I have many fond memories of my dad and I yelling at the TV and maybe getting a little too excited... just kidding, you can never be too excited when it comes to Penn State football, right? Little did I know, watching the game was only a little bit of the excitement. Getting season tickets and going to every game of the season (with the exception of away games) is where the real excitement is at!
Fall Saturdays are not JUST your typical fall Saturdays at Penn State. Football season is my favorite season of the year. I cannot even explain the tingly feelings inside of me the Friday night before game day or on Saturday leading up to kickoff. I love getting up early and throwing on some cute tailgate clothes paired with the unforgettable Nittany Lion ears and heading to Beaver Stadium with your best friends. Every game day I get this nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach as my friends and I stand outside of Gate A anxiously awaiting the minute where we will run to scan our tickets, grab a pom pom, and head to the student section. Right now, I would do anything to feel that shakiness again.
Yes, we are the people who got to the stadium two hours before kickoff to try to get front row seats and yes, it is worth it.
I will miss counting down the minutes to when I will hear the words, "Are you ready... for Penn State Football!" That one statement managed to send chills down my spine every single time. From the Blue Band taking the field to Zombie Nation or the Lion King Trap Remix blasting through the whole stadium. Wow, talk about chills and goosebumps there. Being surrounded by 110,000 of my favorite people (aka PSU fans) is truly the best atmosphere in the world. I mean, we were voted the best student section in the country for a reason. I will miss getting thrown up in the air after getting a touchdown and simply yelling until I no longer have a voice. These days truly were the best days and I am patiently awaiting to get them back.
There is so much more to Penn State football than the game. It is a time of sharing and spreading tradition. A time where family and friends come together to cheer on the Nittany Lions. Game day looks different for many. Some spend it inside the stadium while some have get-togethers for watch parties. Others prefer to tailgate all day long and socialize with those around them. You don't have to love football to enjoy the game or game day. In fact, watching Penn State has turned me into a football-lover. There is something about it that can hook anyone. During these days, I have learned that when we are chanting "WE ARE...", it is not only a chant. It is a symbol of pride. It is a chant that is so simple, yet so special as it brings thousands of us together.
Fall is going to look different this year. First, we were told that the experience of sitting in Beaver Stadium to watch the games was going to be taken away, leaving us with the idea of still being able to gather with friends to have many watch parties where we could cheer on the Lions from the comfort of our apartments. Now, the whole football season has been ripped away. Was this the right choice? It's hard to tell under the given situation. All that we can do is take in the memories that we have and hold on to a hopeful football season in the spring. Amid the disappoint and heartache, we have to be positive and hold on to that Penn State pride.
We are hopeful and we are going to get through this... together.
We are Penn State - today, tomorrow, and forever.
