Roughly 14 years ago, Penn State unveiled the enhanced pedestal and landscaping for the Nittany Lion Shrine funded by the Class Gift of 2012. Stonework for the Lion’s new “perch” was provided by local master craftsman Phil Hawk, and the delicate project was managed by campus landscape architect Derek Kalp, whom the Mount Nittany Conservancy is lucky to have serving on our board of directors. The entire process was chronicled in detail in the article linked below. Derek is quoted extensively, explaining the meticulous care taken in refreshing the home of Pennsylvania’s second-most-photographed landmark (behind the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia).
As Derek Kalp and his colleagues in Penn State’s Office of Physical Plant pondered the future of the Nittany Lion shrine, the most important thing to them was that it have a setting worthy of its stature.
Seventy years, thousands of visitors, and frequent repairs had brought the University’s beloved shrine to a point where extensive changes were desperately needed to ensure its continued beauty and accessibility.
Kalp, landscape architect, and his coworkers in Campus Planning and Design considered that challenge for the better part of three years — until the University’s Class of 2012 stepped up and made a gift to improve the existing shrine and its surroundings.
The Penn State Alumni Association commissioned a short documentary film that chronicles Hawk’s work creating the Shrine’s new stone pedestal. It’s worth a watch and is sure to warm any heart that loves the name of Dear Old State. Check it out…
The Penn State News article linked above includes three additional vignettes further expanding on the Lion Shrine’s restoration. Those are embedded here for the enjoyment and convenience of our readers.
Lemont Pennsylvania inhabitant and master stone mason, Phil Hawk has worked on long list of projects, applying his talents to create waterfalls, unique decks and facades. His work is remarkable. If you have ever been to Beaver Stadium at the corner of Porter Road and Park Avenue and noticed the the beautiful Penn State sign shrouded in stone, you can begin to appreciate his work. He was contracted to refurbish probably the most iconic landmark in the minds and hearts of all Penn Staters– the Nittany Lion Shrine. Listen and watch as Hawk explains his approach to redressing this beloved Penn State landmark. Credit: C Roy Parker.
While physical plant landscape architect, Derek Kalp was overseeing the Lion Shrine remodel, crews came upon an abundance of white chips scattered at the base of the statue. Discover what those chips were as Derek Kalp explains.
Many have seen it. Austere. Stoic. Those words and others have been used to describe the Nittany Lion Shrine. If you’re a PSU graduate, you should have a picture or two of you and the Lion in an album or a hard drive somewhere, but most are taken in the daytime. When university officials placed the initial lighting around the landmark, security may have been the overriding concern– not aesthetics. See how physical plant utilized the on-campus expertise of a lighting design expert from the School of Theatre to recreate the shrine area. Credit: C Roy Parker.
At the beginning of the year, I wrote about 2026 as the 45th anniversary of the Mount Nittany Conservancy. From the audacious initial fundraising efforts that saw Penn Staters and community members rise to the challenge of buying the Mountain to the many years of countless volunteer hours that followed, it has been a “story of pride, determination, and action born of love.“
I’m excited to tease that as the Conservancy turns 45 this year, we will embark on some of our most ambitious undertakings to date. In addition to our recent collaboration with several community organizations to envision an exciting future for the Rockview land, we will soon announce even more progress in our ongoing mission to steward Mount Nittany for the enjoyment of all. I look forward to offering many reasons to earn some of our generous community’s financial support during Centre Gives next month.
In the meantime, Blue-White Weekend offers one of the best opportunities to get up on the Mountain and encounter the spirit of the Valley. So whether you’re coming back to reconnect with Penn State football as the Matt Campbell era begins or simply taking advantage of the improving weather, make a hike up Mount Nittany part of your April plans.
For The Mountain, Chris Buchignani, Vice President
The Future of Rockview
Last month, the Mount Nittany Conservancy proudly joined with 11 local community groups in signing a letter sent to Governor Shapiro and other PA officials about the future of the former SCI Rockview property. Our message outlines an ambitious, but achievable vision that includes safeguarding the Valley’s water quality and prime agricultural soils, protecting its status as a destination for anglers, and creating a new public access trail linking Mount Nittany with the Spring Creek Canyon through a forested corridor.
Check out the extensive media coverage of the growing local coalition aligning behind this “generational opportunity” to maximize the natural resources and distinctive character of Happy Valley.
Over the years, the Conservancy has accumulated a wonderful collection of original writing and archived photos and documents from the rich past of Penn State and State College. Each month, we will highlight one of these recovered gems.
This month, we look back at the 2024 planting of Penn State’s fourth-generation Old Willow, a celebration of the University’s “oldest tradition” in which the Conservancy was honored to take part.
On May 23, 2024, Penn State hosted a ceremony for the official replanting of the fourth generation of Old Willow, Penn State’s longest living tradition dating back to the 1859 planting of the first generation of the tree. The April ceremony was streamed by the Mount Nittany Conservancy on X and speakers included Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi. Penn State News covered the event, publishing photos of the ceremony and the Old Willow sapling now taking root. Conservancy vice president Chris Buchignani recited “The Willow,” a poetic tribute to the first generation of Old Willow that appears in the 1894 edition of the La Vie student yearbook…
Every square inch counts when it comes to conserving Mount Nittany, and you can help us do just that by making a gift to the Mount Nittany Conservancy! In recognition of your gift you will receive a Mount Nittany Square Inch Marker, a beautiful proclamation of your role in Mount Nittany’s conservation. Every dollar goes directly to supporting our mission to protect and preserve the Mountain for all to enjoy.
Looking to surprise the Penn Stater or outdoor enthusiast in your life? Mount Nittany Square Inch markers are an unforgettable gift for birthdays, holidays, and graduations.
Our featured book this month is ‘The Pennsylvania State College 1853-1932: Interpretation and Record,’ the first history of Penn State. Available in print and digital.
Although Dr. Erwin Runkle wrote this history of Penn State during the 1930s, only recently has it become widely available through Nittany Valley Press. His meticulous reconstruction of the University’s birth and growth—from the revolution in American education that sparked its founding to its establishment as Pennsylvania’s land-grant college—brings the Penn State story to life with a rare blending of keen attention to detail and uncommon warmth. Runkle’s opinionated, but affectionate narration offers a revealing vision of the Nittany Valley’s rich past. Virtually every page holds a new treasure for any heart that truly loves the name of Dear Old State.
Spring time is a wonderful time to experience Mount Nittany. Get prepared before you go with our Hike Mount Nittany page; find all the maps, tips, and guidelines you will need to make your trip a safe and memorable one!
Protecting Mount Nittany in its natural state has been a generational project for Penn State alumni and residents of Central Pennsylvania. Preservation of the Mountain must remain a priority for aesthetic, ecological, cultural, and recreational purposes, and the Mount Nittany Conservancy vigorously supports an ambitious, creative vision to extend this spirit of conservation to the surrounding landscape. The Conservancy proudly joins a dozen community-minded organizations in signing this joint letter to Governor Shapiro concerning the future of the Rockview prison lands.
Dear Governor Shapiro,
In your governance of the Commonwealth, closing SCI Rockview is just one difficult decision of many. For those of us in central Pennsylvania, however, the effects of this decision have been tremendous. As you know, the workforce and economic repercussions have been harsh; harder for some than others.
The purpose of this letter is to look ahead. The 5,800 acres of Rockview lands define Happy Valley much as Mount Nittany, Beaver Stadium, and the Spring Creek Canyon. The agricultural landscape tells us, subtly yet unmistakably, that we are traveling between two distinct population centers – Bellefonte and State College. The open, expansive property provides critical groundwater recharge for Spring Creek and a forested ridgeline visible from everywhere across the region.
We understand that the future of the SCI Rockview lands is uncertain at this time. However, given the importance of this land on local, regional, and state-wide scales, we respectfully request that the decision-making process regarding its future be fully transparent and include public input. We look forward to joining with other community stakeholders to support the land use planning process.
Here, we wish to share a vision for the property – one that preserves its unique cultural heritage, serves the public good, and sustains natural resource values for generations to come.
Public Good Centre County has unique opportunities for economic development. The Chamber of Business and Industry in Centre County has recently created an Economic Development Strategic Plan that outlines twelve goals. Thoughtful reuse of some of the Rockview property could help our community thrive by addressing two specific goals:
• Amplify Happy Valley as Central PA’s tourism, outdoor recreation, and sports destination hub
• Invest in placemaking and social gathering spots throughout the county
Easy access to outdoor recreation is an important part of central Pennsylvania’s quality of life and an essential component for our economic development. Spring Creek is an international angler destination because of the healthy, wild trout population, and it must be protected. A new public access trail connecting Mount Nittany to the Spring Creek Canyon through a forested corridor would continue the legacy of this public land providing public benefit forever. In addition, strengthened and expanded access to Mount Nittany Conservancy’s trail system would enhance the outdoor experience on the peak of Mount Nittany overlooking Happy Valley. In addition to outdoor recreation, there are many other potential land uses that would serve the public good.
Sustained Agricultural Production Since 1915, SCI Rockview has embodied the farming and forestry roots of central Pennsylvania. Active farming was integral to the institutional program which provided inmates with improved conditions, less overcrowding, and productive employment skills.
The valley lands of Rockview are prime agricultural soils. Maintaining agricultural lands on this property is important for the cultural association of this landscape and for food security. A loss of farmland at Rockview on top of the negative impacts the 322 Connector highway project will have on farmland in Centre County could have a serious impact on the combined capacity and profitability of the farming community. Similarly, the actively managed forests on Mount Nittany improve forest health, secure scenic vistas, and yield forest products.
Ecological Services The hydrologic role of the prison land is invisible, and, therefore, often underappreciated. For a thousand years, and longer, this land has provided high quality groundwater recharge and a steady supply of cold groundwater to Spring Creek. Most of the property is classified as High or Above Average groundwater recharge potential by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission. Any plans to develop portions of the site will need to carefully and completely address water quality impacts, including temperature, from stormwater management and sewage treatment systems.
The summit of Mount Nittany is conserved by the Mount Nittany Conservancy because its iconic topographic feature defines Nittany Valley, Happy Valley, and Penns Valley. Due to its intact and connected forest cover, Mount Nittany serves as a dispersal pathway for climate adaptation of wild species (e.g. The Nature Conservancy Resilient Land Mapping Tool). Restoring a forested connection from Mount Nittany to the Spring Creek Canyon would advance the goal of improving habitat connectivity across valleys and reinforce the strong pride of place that defines our community.
The Vision Given these values, we believe that the following opportunities could be accommodated in the Commonwealth’s planning for this landscape.
• The mountain top and side remain in active forestry.
• Productive farmland is maintained in the valley.
• A forested wildlife corridor reconnects the side of Mount Nittany with the Spring Creek Canyon to improve habitat conditions and cool runoff.
• A public access trail connects Mount Nittany to the Spring Creek Canyon through this forested wildlife corridor, continuing the legacy of this public land by providing public access.
• A new trailhead improves access for Mount Nittany Conservancy’s trail system and takes pressure off the Lemont trailhead.
• For any development of this property, there is no net increase in stormwater runoff and the highest standard of sewage treatment to protect Spring Creek’s status as a high-quality cold-water fishery.
The organizations collaborating on this letter possess the connections, expertise, long-standing commitment, and stable capacity to make this vision a reality. We look forward to joining with other community stakeholders to form an advisory workgroup that can contribute technical expertise and community connections throughout the planning process. Importantly, we also appreciate the long-standing partnership of College and Benner Townships in managing the values addressed in this letter.
As your administration continues to consider the future of Rockview lands, we invite you or your representatives to reach out to us to explore how this much-loved property can contribute to an extraordinary future for the people of Centre County.
This article first appeared in the September 2014 issue of Town&Gown magazine, which was dedicated to women’s athletics at Penn State. It was also complemented by an online companion piece. Both are a product of their time, anticipating the as-yet unrealized transformation that would reshape college sports over the decade that followed.
When Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 became law, prohibiting gender discrimination within “any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance,” university athletic departments across the country suddenly faced important decisions. The defining choices made at Penn State form one of the school’s great, yet largely unappreciated, success stories.
Some 40 years earlier, State’s librarian and first historian, Erwin Runkle, noted that though “always in the general stream of college life, Penn State has nevertheless had a ‘way of her own.’” Amidst national confusion and backlash in the wake of Title IX’s passage, PSU held true to his words.
In the minds of many sports fans, “Title IX” conjures vague notions of a law designed to promote women’s sports that also forced a bunch of schools to close down their wrestling programs. Closer examination reveals a much more complex web of good intentions, misguided interpretations, and a lot of political maneuvering in the ample space between them. Just one aspect of a broader educational reform package characterizing the equality movement of the time, Title IX, which makes no explicit mention of athletics, aimed to codify the expectation of equal access for women in education. The extent to which compliance eventually resulted in reduced opportunities for male athletes at many institutions speaks more to their own priorities, and lack of foresight perhaps, than the merits of the law itself.
When it became clear the new law would have massive implications for the burgeoning big business of college sports, the nation’s universities had arrived at a crossroads: Adapt, or resist; embrace the spirit, or do legal battle over the letter, of the law. For its part, the NCAA chose the latter, filing a 1976 court challenge on behalf of its member institutions, many of which chose to slow walk the implementation process while the case played out. Although this suit was dismissed, it marked the first of several, mostly fruitless, legal and legislative fights over Title IX’s enforcement. When neither Congress nor the courts delivered lasting relief, those schools that had long resisted the tides of change were all but forced to eliminate men’s sports as a matter of last resort. Penn State did things differently.
By the late 1960’s, the leaders at many colleges realized that the long-recognized potential of big-time sports to energize alumni donors and promote a brand image could be supercharged through mass media, compounding their substantial marketing value several times over. This sparked a steady migration of responsibility for athletics oversight within collegiate administration, away from academic deans and toward business-minded athletic departments. The trend came late to Happy Valley, and in 1972, athletics fell under the supervision of Bob Scannell, dean of the College of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, hearkening back to a time when intercollegiate student competition, though far from immune to excess, was viewed as complementary to the educational mission of a university. This increasingly antiquated academic approach may help explain the University’s openness to offering opportunities for female athletes.
The accommodating attitude bore immediate fruit. Over the course of the decade, national media, including Sports Illustrated and ABC, would hold up Penn State as the face of a new era in women’s sports. TIME’s June 26, 1978 issue, which examined the impact of Title IX, featured a cover image of Lions lacrosse player Karen Pesto and quoted PSU’s Dr. Dorothy Harris, a pioneer in women’s sport psychology. Penn State produced three field hockey players who were selected for the 1980 and 1984 Olympic teams, among them Char Morett, who would go on to a decorated coaching career at PSU and enshrinement in the U.S. Field Hockey Hall of Fame. Barbara Doran, another varsity athlete and Title IX activist of the era, played on both the U.S. field hockey and lacrosse teams and would be elected to the University’s Board of Trustees in 2013.
None of this should suggest that the path forward was always smooth. In today’s climate, where coach of the Big Ten champion Lady Lions Coquese Washington appears alongside other pillars of the community on the Hiester Street Inspiration Mural, and where we honor Russ Rose’s six national titles in women’s volleyball alongside Joe Paterno’s legendary career in football at the Berkey Creamery, it becomes easy to forget that, even here at Penn State, the struggle for equality in women’s athletics was often exactly that.
“We Are a Strong, Articulate Voice: A History of Women at Penn State,” by Carol Sonenklar, records the tireless efforts required of field hockey and lacrosse coach Gillian Rattray and Sports Information director Mary Jo Haverbeck to achieve such elementary concessions as uniform logos and numbers. Their persistence, joined with the visionary leadership of many other women like Marty Adams, Della Durant, and Sue Scheetz, tells an uplifting tale. When faced with obstacles at critical junctures, Penn Staters consistently found the wisdom and initiative to surmount them.
That we today celebrate Penn State’s 14 women’s varsity sports reflects an inclusionary posture that is evident throughout the University’s history. Indeed, the first president, Evan Pugh, founded the school on what, at the time, was the audacious notion that serious study of agriculture and the mechanical arts belonged on equal footing with literature and the arts within the academy. In 1871, six years after Pugh’s untimely death, Penn State became the first institution of higher education in Pennsylvania to admit female students. A century later, the humble beginnings of The Farmers’ High School had yielded a thriving university where Pugh’s successors welcomed the promise of Title IX. Consciously or no, they inherited a legacy of the egalitarian impulse that animated the land-grant movement, and to their lasting credit, they rose to the occasion of upholding its values and expanding its scope.
If we are to embrace the notion of the Nittany Valley as a place apart, these connections are integral to that understanding. If there is, in fact, a certain spirit or magic to the place, it may be in its enduring capacity for attracting a special brand of people, its power to captivate the hearts and imaginations of those who will enrich and sustain it.
To discern a thread connecting 19th century educational pioneers like Pugh with the likes of Durant, Scannell, Scheetz and Haverbeck – understanding them as interrelated characters in one still-unfolding narrative – is to appreciate the slow, but steady taking root of a distinct “Penn State Way.” It has been discovered and proudly carried forward, and often reinvented along the way, by one generation after another. At a time of profound cultural change, one such group helped make Penn State a national standard bearer for an emerging social consciousness.
This history should spark pride in any heart that loves the name of Dear Old State. The story, however, continues.
Even as we now laud the landmark hiring of the institution’s first female athletic director, new challenges loom just over the horizon. Several high-profile court cases and greater autonomy for the so-called “Power Five” conferences could dramatically reshape the funding model of college sports. Such changes could very well align with the fast-approaching time when a prohibition against reduced support for PSU’s existing sports, part of the NCAA consent decree, will expire.
Penn State will inevitably face another moment for choosing. Remembering its story and reflecting on a proud tradition of making the choices that elevate opportunity and reinforce the very best of the student-athlete ideal can help us find the resolve to carry forward and renew a legacy of leadership.
Special thanks to Dr. Scott Kretchmar and Dr. Mark Dyreson for their time and input.
Ross Lehman, director of the Penn State Alumni Association from 1970-83 and one of the great bards of the Nittany Valley, wrote that Mount Nittany “displays a personality of its own in all its seasonal colors, from green to gold to brown to white.” Hear, hear! As a lifelong Pennsylvanian, I embrace the virtues of experiencing four seasons, Winter included.
Nevertheless, the “warmer” temperatures finally arriving last month were welcomed by even the hardiest denizens of Happy Valley. With that sunshine and those above-freezing afternoons came the melt that erased all but a few lingering traces of the massive January snowstorm that had slammed the East Coast.
Decades living in State College have taught me that March conditions in Central PA are nothing if not unpredictable, but when circumstances allow, make some time for a leisurely hike up Mount Nittany. The fresh air and activity will be perfect remedies for cabin fever. The experience of hiking the Mountain’s trails, absent the leafy canopy of late Spring through the end of Fall, offers a unique vibe. So too are the views from the scenic overlooks unique this time of year.
So emerge from hibernation, stretch those limbs, and reconnect with the Mountain. Whether you’re heeding my advice and enjoying Mount Nittany up close or simply admiring from afar, remember that the place, this symbol of our home that inspired Lehman’s poetic admiration, is diligently tended by the Mount Nittany Conservancy for the benefit of all. As always…
For The Mountain, Chris Buchignani, Vice President
Beaver Stadium undergoes pre-snowstorm preparation for Penn State’s inaugural outdoor hockey game with Old Mount Nittany standing silent watch.
MeetUp Hiking Group Already Active in 2026
At nearly 400 members, the Mount Nittany Hikers group on MeetUp has been a great way to bring people together around one of Happy Valley’s greatest hikes, and they’re already active this year, despite the conditions. With the bitter cold finally breaking, group organizer and Conservancy director Leon Kolankiewicz led a wintry Valentine’s Day hike. A dozen enthusiastic participants had a great time in the very wet snow. It was so warm and sunny that it was even slushy in places.
There’s never a bad time for a self-guided encounter with Mount Nittany, but for a more social experience, join our MeetUp group to participate in future guided hikes.
Over the years, the Conservancy has accumulated a wonderful collection of original writing and archived photos and documents from the rich past of Penn State and State College. Each month, we will highlight one of these recovered gems.
This month, with Penn State celebrating its first gold medal-winning Winter Olympian Tessa Janecke, we highlight the University’s strong track record of supporting women’s sports.
Penn State’s record on women’s athletics, in its entirety, has got to be among the most consistently impressive of any institution in the nation. Dedicated, dynamic personalities, working within the right conditions, yielded a culture that continues to bear fruit today. Penn State blends a rare commitment to opportunity and excellence and succeeds in both. While many universities prioritize wins and national championships, and some emphasize offering a range of competitive opportunities, only an elite few excel in both areas.
Every square inch counts when it comes to conserving Mount Nittany, and you can help us do just that by making a gift to the Mount Nittany Conservancy! In recognition of your gift you will receive a Mount Nittany Square Inch Marker, a beautiful proclamation of your role in Mount Nittany’s conservation. Every dollar goes directly to supporting our mission to protect and preserve the Mountain for all to enjoy.
Looking to surprise the Penn Stater or outdoor enthusiast in your life? Mount Nittany Square Inch markers are an unforgettable gift for birthdays, holidays, and graduations.
Our featured book this month is ‘The Birth of the Craft Brew Revolution,’ preserving the timeless whimsy of America’s first recurring craft beer newspaper columns — ground-breaking, forward-thinking, and published here in Happy Valley. Available in print and digital.
Today, it is not unusual to enter a bar and find a laundry list of exotic beers on tap or to hear news of a local brew pub or microbrewery opening up. Such was not the case in 1984 (only five years after the legalization of homebrewing) when the editor of the Centre Daily Times approached local lawyer Ben Novak about writing a bi-weekly beer column for the paper. Collected here and available for the first time since their original publication are those newspaper columns, the very first of their kind in the United States. They harken back to a time when only a small American subculture had discovered the endless, delicious possibilities of good beer.
As the “lion” gives way to the “lamb,” this month offers a rewarding opportunity to reacquaint yourself with the Mountain. Get prepared before you go with our Hike Mount Nittany page; find all the maps, tips, and guidelines you will need to make your trip a safe and memorable one!
A little over a decade ago, I published an anthology of three times Penn State’s head football coach addressed the crowd at THON – Joe Paterno near the end of his career; Bill O’Brien during his short, but memorable stint in the role; and James Franklin, at the very beginning of his time in Happy Valley. With Matt Campbell, the 17th full-time coach of the Nittany Lions, making his debut at the Spring semester’s signature event this year, I thought it an appropriate time to revisit and update that compilation.
“I wish the whole world could see and feel what’s in this room right now. Love and commitment… in 58 years at Penn State, I’ve never been more proud than right now.” —Joe Paterno
In 2009, one of his final seasons on the sidelines, Joe Paterno famously spoke to an enthusiastic audience at the BJC, as seen in the video above. As the years pass, the name, image, and memory of Paterno seem increasingly remote, more and more like icons or totems, further separating us from the simpler reality of the flesh-and-blood creature. I still love this clip for the ways in which it distills and captures Joe the person, earnest and disarmed. Brief, but from the heart. It recalls a happier time and reminds us of the actual human being who undeniably gave copiously of himself to better the institution and his community.
“Just having arrived at Penn State, you don’t know anything about THON until you’re in the arena. It’s awesome… I have all the respect in the world for everything that you guys do.” —Bill O’Brien
THON 2012 was probably one of the most emotional weekends of a uniquely tumultuous year. Under siege from outside and bitterly divided within, the community rallied around THON and its irrefutable statement about who and what “We Are” and clung tightly to it, comforted by the reminder that no amount of venom could dilute all that good done each year in Penn State’s name. It was with this backdrop that new head football coach Bill O’Brien took the stage. Only two weeks into his tenure, O’Brien was tasked with establishing credibility with a hopeful, but unsteady and unsure (in some quarters, quite skeptical) Nittany Nation, beginning the process of injecting enthusiasm and drumming up support for his football program, comforting a reeling and grieving community, and paying proper respect to the event and its purpose. His success here was a sign of things to come.
O’Brien stayed for only a short time, but probably two of the most critical years in the history of the town and school. He is seen here passing one of his first (of many) tests, standing in the same spot as his legendary predecessor and praising the special qualities of Penn State in that direct and honest way that endeared him to so many of us so quickly.
“What makes us special is the people, the people that understand we are part of something greater than just ourselves. We can make a difference in people’s lives. We can make a difference in the community.” —James Franklin
If Bill O’Brien’s tenure represented the time of painful transition, the energy and optimism of James Franklin captured our hopes for a gradual return to normalcy, the true arrival of a new era. Few who stood in the Bryce Jordan Center back then, before even the steady rollback of NCAA sanctions had begun, could have imagined that Franklin’s team was less than two years away from a magical run to the Big Ten title. Names like Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley were barely spoken, to say nothing of future icons like Sean Clifford, Micah Parsons, Tyler Warren, or Kaytron Allen. In over a decade at the helm of Penn State football, Franklin reinvigorated the program and helped lead the Nittany Lions back to national prominence. The mutual belief shared by coach and fandom that energized his inaugural THON appearance captures the very best of a stretch in Penn State football history that I hope will ultimately be remembered favorably.
“Everybody keeps talking about ‘the power of Penn State.’ And quite honestly, being here tonight, this is the power of Penn State. What I would tell each and every one of you, along your journey, the most powerful thing you can do is make a difference in the lives of others.”—Matt Campbell
Matt Campbell represents, in many respects, Penn State’s first “normal” head football coach hiring since 1966. He may not be the orator that his predecessor was, but in his straightforward delivery, there is an earnest authenticity that, early on, is resonating with Penn Staters. It has been fun to see him encountering the culture and spirit of the place as he and his staff acclimate to their new home. And yes, Coach, that “We Are” still needs some more work, but the longer you stay, the deeper the personal meaning – it will keep getting easier and more natural as you go.
As I said following Franklin’s debut back in 2014 and reiterate now, these moments with Campbell are just the latest in a long line that carry us ever further away from the living memory of Joe Paterno and that night in February 2009. Almost undeniably, time slows down in Happy Valley, but most assuredly, it never stops. The story continues. New pages are added and new chapters written. In looking back, we are reminded of our own resilience in the face of adversity and strengthened by that knowledge as we return our gazes forward, ready “for the future that we wait.”
Conserving the physical spaces of Central Pennsylvania, specifically natural beauty and resources, is critical to safeguarding a distinctive sense of place. It is important, generational work that ensures our home retains its character, but it doesn’t happen by accident or by magic (well, not only by magic at least). It requires vision, effort, and love by human beings who take the time to make a difference – we’ve always been blessed by many such dedicated talents here in Happy Valley and over 45 years at the Conservancy.
I recently looked back on a column by John Hook, one of our former presidents, and expanded on John’s thinking about the importance of place in how we organize our lives. Our featured Nittany Valley Press publication this month is one of two authored by our founding president Ben Novak. Another former MNC president, Pat Farrell, had a lead role in persuading the University’s Board of Trustees to revise the Alma Mater lyrics to honor the women of Penn State and reflect author Fred Pattee’s original intentions.
It’s an honor to serve an organization that has benefitted from the involvement of so many dynamic individuals who – through their hard work, humor, and wisdom, with the Conservancy and beyond – left the Nittany Valley better than they found it. That’s a simple charge and proud legacy we carry with us every day at the Mount Nittany Conservancy.
For The Mountain, Chris Buchignani, Vice President
Teaching Penn State History
Penn State marks its founding this month, presenting an opportunity to highlight a novel milestone in the Conservancy’s work to preserve both the stories and symbolism of our home. For nearly a decade now, Penn State has stood out among its Big Ten peers in offering a three-credit course on Penn State history: History 148 (appropriate, as it corresponds to the number of Centre County’s Civil War regiment, which was led by future Penn State President James Beaver). The momentum to create this class began with an idea from Mount Nittany Conservancy board members and supporters, and today the Conservancy offers perpetual support for teaching the Penn State story through an endowed fund with the University named for lead donor and loyal Friend of the Mountain Steve Garguilo.
We have been gratified to learn about the cool research projects and positive student experiences arising from this popular course offering and hope enrollment will continue to be robust. Encourage the Penn State student in your life to enrich their educational experience by scheduling HIST 148!
Over the years, the Conservancy has accumulated a wonderful collection of original writing and archived photos and documents from the rich past of Penn State and State College. Each month, we will highlight one of these recovered gems, sharing an excerpt and a link guiding you to check out the entire piece. We invite you to explore the rest of our archives once there.
For February, we have a story appropriate for (with no pun intended) Valentine’s Day that also ties into the founding of Penn State, which we celebrate on the 22nd of this month.
In The Legends of the Nittany Valley, a unique and fun mythology emerges for the places in and around Penn State, but our community also has its own real-life fairy tale: The story of the tragically short-lived love between Rebecca Valentine and Evan Pugh, the University’s founding president. We were excited to see the University release this video when it debuted in 2015, summarizing the story of Evan and Rebecca in a format that can bring it to the Penn State family. Watch the the short video, and learn about the tragic, but touching love story at the heart of Penn State’s origins.
Every square inch counts when it comes to conserving Mount Nittany, and you can help us do just that by making a gift to the Mount Nittany Conservancy! In recognition of your gift you will receive a Mount Nittany Square Inch Marker, a beautiful proclamation of your role in Mount Nittany’s conservation. Every dollar goes directly to supporting our mission to protect and preserve the Mountain for all to enjoy.
Looking to surprise the Penn Stater or outdoor enthusiast in your life? Mount Nittany Square Inch markers are an unforgettable gift for birthdays, holidays, and graduations.
Our featured book this month, ‘Is Penn State A Real University: An Investigation of the University as a Living Ideal,’ is a quest for the soul of higher education authored by the Conservancy’s founding president. Available in print, digital, and newly-remastered audiobook.
In answering the work’s central question, former Penn State Trustee Dr. Ben Novak delves into the institution’s lost history and examines what lessons it still holds for us today. Especially now, it holds great treasures for Penn Staters seeking ways to better understand their Alma Mater within a hopeful, common context. We humbly offer this work as a guidepost on the path toward continual rejuvenation, ever the task of a living and healthy institution.
Hiking the Mountain can be a “four seasons” experience, with each time of year bringing its own rewards. If you plan to visit soon, be sure to visit our Hike Mount Nittany page for all the maps, tips, and guidelines you will need to make your trip a safe and memorable one!
(I)f we’re talking about the best way to dispose of nuclear fuel rods, or solve an equation, or transmit data, yes, benchmarking is a useful tool… For sociological decisions, however, things can be and are different. Setting policies, creating regulations that deal with how people act, what they can do, where they can go — these things do change from place to place.
As far as large universities are concerned – those with a campus of 25,000 or more students – Penn State is one of only a select few that are geographically isolated (several hours) from a major population center of 1 million or more people… And that isolation affects the community. Benchmarking, or adopting industry-best practices that are in use at other large universities for rules, regulations and policies, can be short-sighted, unnecessary, wasteful, and produce unintended consequences.
John nails it. There is nothing wrong with recognizing the Nittany Valley as a place apart and therefore – and this is where we too often lose people around here – making decisions based on the peculiar needs and preferences arising from those unique conditions. From politics to culture to University policy, I think our “best version of ourselves” will arise from processing the received wisdom of the wider world through the lens of an informed understanding of what distinguishes this place, versus any other, as special – our genius loci.
We have to know – really know – who we are in order to make the decisions that are best for us. Some will call this myopia, and I acknowledge that this approach risks a descent into navel gazing. But I would argue that there is a balance that allows us to preserve the essence of what has drawn people to this place for centuries. It’s almost palpable at times, that special something that infused us with the resiliency to shake off struggle and scandal. We disregard it at our peril.
Trying to turn the Nittany Valley into Austin, Columbus, Research Triangle, Silicon Valley, or anywhere else is hammering a square peg into a round hole; we’ll fail in the attempt, while also tragically failing to appreciate, and perhaps even spoiling, the precious treasures in our possession. I always think of Aesop’s fable of the dog and the bone.
So I think the key to unlocking our future lies in the past, in learning our shared story, deepening our understanding of what made (and makes) the Nittany Valley special, and cultivating a sense of duty to steward it for future generations. John makes another great point:
The Pennsylvania State University is the reason Happy Valley as we know it exists. If not for a few turns of historic fate in the mid-1800’s, State College wouldn’t be on a map because it wouldn’t have been founded. Bellefonte would be the biggest town around and the Bellefonte School District would likely stretch down the valley all the way to the Huntingdon County line.
This is precisely why the Mount Nittany Conservancy focuses on the intersection of place and people. Our identity, our entire way of being and sense of ourselves as Penn Staters or residents of State College, is inextricably tied to the land itself. It’s why it is so great that this piece was authored by the president of Conservancy, an organization that personifies better than any other our people’s love affair with their home. All that we are flows directly through the unique characteristics and appeal of the location we inhabit. Don’t ever let anyone tell you there isn’t magic on the Mountain or something in the water. We can’t escape that, and we shouldn’t try.
In my mind, it is not unreasonable – in fact, I think it makes very good sense – to imagine that a Penn State administrator, local elected official, or community leader might actively consider preservation and perpetuation of the unique character of this place (our genius loci) in making decisions about our future. I don’t oppose the construction of tall buildings in Downtown State College, for example, but I also welcomed consideration of the unique “college town” atmosphere of College Ave as an irreplaceable cultural resource in those discussions. I understand the University’s drive to offer more amenities, but I wonder if we consider how further sequestering the campus population from the local business community will, over time, erode and cheapen the residential college experience. There are countless examples where we could benefit from pausing to consider how our actions might make us less like the Nittany Valley and more like everywhere else.
“Everywhere else” is nowhere you want to be (if you do, you can go there right now). “Everywhere else” would have crumbled under the pressures we endured with grace. The identity, character, and spirit of this place are our greatest assets. To continue benefiting from them, however, we must be intentional in how we think, speak, and care about them.
Thanks for spending a few minutes of your day with this first message “From the Mountain.” Going forward, we’ll share these updates on the first of each month, keeping you connected to the work of the Conservancy and strengthening your tether to Happy Valley through stories and images of the beloved Mountain that reminds us of home.
This is a special year for us, because 2026 marks the Mount Nittany Conservancy’s 45th anniversary! Reflecting on our remarkable origins – what retired Penn State Alumni Association executive director Roger Williams called a “story of pride, determination, and action born of love to preserve the largest natural physical symbol of our alma mater” – underscores the everyday miracle of a community coming together to protect its most distinctive landmark and reminds us of the extraordinary efforts of so many that have kept that spirit of reverence for place alive for nearly half a century. Even as we now look ahead toward days that promise to be among the most exciting times for the Conservancy since its founding 45 years ago, we can also look back with appreciation on accomplishments and milestones from the year that was.
In 2025, the Mount Nittany Conservancy…
Continued a long-term effort to enhance parking access to the Mount Nittany trailhead with the assistance of College Township.
Conducted multiple volunteer trail maintenance hikes, including clearing over 80 downed trees felled by this past Winter’s violent windstorms.
Monitored effectiveness of critical anti-moth spray treatments that protected the Mountain’s foliage from widespread destruction.
Completed enhancement of three audiobook editions in the Nittany Valley Press catalog – they sound crisp and clear, a tremendous improvement.
Adopted a new logo and set of brand guidelines, establishing a striking and timeless visual identity intended to serve for decades to come…
Stewardship of Mount Nittany and its 8+ miles of public trails requires a year-round commitment, but many hands make light work. We are deeply grateful for the contributions of our tireless board of directors, the many local volunteers who help us care for the Mountain, and the community partnerships that amplify our efforts. Here’s to another year of growth and success, caring for the Nittany Valley’s sacred spaces!
For The Mountain, Chris Buchignani, Vice President
Mount Nittany Conservancy x 1% for the Planet
We are pleased to announce that the Mount Nittany Conservancy has joined 1% for the Planet as an environmental partner! 1% for the Planet is an accountability partner for companies of all sizes that are ready to reject business as usual and give back to environmental partners making a difference around the globe.
Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, their members have given hundreds of millions of dollars to environmental partners to date. As of this writing, 1% for the Planet has impacted more than 11,680 organizations in over 110 countries through certified contributions exceeding $823 million. Affiliated business members can now count contributions to the Conservancy toward their certified 1% annual giving.
Over the years, the Conservancy has accumulated a wonderful collection of original writing and archived photos and documents from the rich past of Penn State and State College. Each month, we will highlight one of these recovered gems, sharing an excerpt and a link guiding you to check out the entire piece. We invite you to explore the rest of our archives once there.
This month, we offer a reflection from now-MNC Secretary Kevin Horne. Writing as a law school student in 2015, Kevin described how staying in State College beyond your undergrad years deepens your connection to the community.
When your time here stretches beyond those first few years spent learning the academic and social intricacies of college life, a change happens. State College, which starts out as little more than a temporary way station on life’s journey, starts to feel more and more like a home unto itself.
All told, somewhere between five and eight percent of my class at the Dickinson School of Law also holds an undergraduate degree from Penn State. We are, in many ways, the odd creatures in a heterogeneous class of 191, which represents 138 different institutions of higher education, 48 undergraduate majors, six countries, and 27 states (plus the Virgin Islands). By the time we graduate law school, my fellow Penn Staters and I will have spent at least seven years in the Nittany Valley, which will amount to something like 30 percent of our entire lives – and probably closer to half of the cognizant lives that we can actually remember.
Every square inch counts when it comes to conserving Mount Nittany, and you can help us do just that by making a gift to the Mount Nittany Conservancy! In recognition of your gift you will receive a Mount Nittany Square Inch Marker, a beautiful proclamation of your role in Mount Nittany’s conservation. Every dollar goes directly to supporting our mission to protect and preserve the Mountain for all to enjoy.
Looking to surprise the Penn Stater or outdoor enthusiast in your life? Mount Nittany Square Inch markers are an unforgettable gift for birthdays, holidays, and graduations.
Our featured book this month is ‘The Legends of the Nittany Valley,’ imbuing Mount Nittany, Happy Valley, and the surrounding areas with their own unique folk lore. Available in print, digital, and newly-remastered audiobook.
What is Mount Nittany? It is a geological formation whose distinctive slope is burned into collective memory, a place where generations of Penn State students have come to share camaraderie, conduct ritual, and even pursue romance, where we travel to find solace for peaceful contemplation, a symbol that means so much to the denizens of our Valley that more than once they banded together to preserve its unspoiled beauty for future generations. And perhaps… just perhaps… it is also a windbreak that rose up miraculously in one night to shield the fierce and lovely Princess Nita-Nee from the wicked winds of the North.
So while the Nittany Valley is, of course, a tangible, everyday place where people live and work, a magical kingdom lurks just beneath the surface, just waiting to be discovered by those with a pioneering and creative spirit. To the extent that, for readers of these stories, it can become all of these at once, this book will have served its highest purpose.
Hiking the Mountain can be a “four seasons” experience, with each time of year bringing its own rewards. If you plan to visit soon, be sure to visit our Hike Mount Nittany page for all the maps, tips, and guidelines you will need to make your trip a safe and memorable one!
This past Saturday morning (June 28), a group of dedicated volunteers gathered once again to help care for Mount Nittany — continuing a series of seasonal maintenance hikes that began in late April. These ongoing efforts are part of the Mount Nittany Conservancy’s long-standing commitment to preserving and protecting then Mountain’s more than eight miles of trails.
Over the course of three recent hikes, roughly a dozen volunteers — including current and emeritus board members , local supporters, and students from the Penn State Lion Ambassadors — worked together to identify and address problem areas throughout the trail network. From Blue-White Weekend through the early days of Summer, their shared efforts have helped ensure that Mount Nittany remains open and accessible for all who make the journey.
Thanks to the respectful habits of most visitors, very little litter was found. But a series of windstorms had left significant trail obstructions. Volunteers have worked diligently to clear more than 70 downed trees that had fallen on trails across the Mountain. Trail markers were also refreshed with a fresh coat of paint, helping hikers to stay on course while exploring.
While maintenance work is ongoing throughout the year, the impact of these early-season hikes is already being felt. From casual hikers to lifelong Penn Staters, everyone benefits from the care and attention shown by those who give their time to steward this beloved landmark. We are deeply grateful to everyone who took part in these efforts — and to the broader community, whose support over the decades has allowed the Conservancy to protect Mount Nittany as a living symbol of our region’s cultural and environmental heritage.
If your team or organization is interested in joining us for a future maintenance hike, we’d love to hear from you! Trail care is a fun and meaningful way to give back — and a great team-building activity for anyone with ties to the Nittany Valley. Reach out to us at volunteer@nittany.org to learn more.
On the morning of Friday, March 25th, the Penn State Women’s Soccer team took to the trails of Mount Nittany for a surprise team-building experience they won’t soon forget.
The Penn State Women’s Soccer team sings the Alma Mater at the Mike Lynch Overlook. 3-28-25
With nearly the full roster and coaching staff along for the climb, the team hiked to the Mike Lynch Overlook—where they marked the moment by singing the Penn State alma mater together at the summit. The overlook, with its sweeping view of campus and Happy Valley, provided a powerful setting for reflection, connection, and pride. A video of the team’s rendition will be shared alongside this post, capturing a memory that resonates far beyond the trail.
“Mount Nittany is a fundamental part of the Penn State experience.”
Erica Dambach
Head Coach, Penn State Women’s Soccer
“Mount Nittany is a fundamental part of the Penn State experience,” said Head Coach Erica Dambach. “From being the inspiration behind our mascot, to serving as a backdrop to countless memories at Jeffrey Field, Beaver Stadium and beyond, Mount Nittany is always at the forefront of our minds when we think about our Happy Valley home. Our team always enjoys their chances to hike to the summit, experiencing nature while forging stronger bonds with one another that positively impact our program on and off the field. The views of campus from Mount Nittany provide us all with a greater appreciation for our university, our environment and one another.”
For the Mount Nittany Conservancy, moments like these are what it’s all about. The Mountain has long been a symbol of Penn State tradition and pride—a place where students, alumni, and community members can connect more deeply with the spirit of the Nittany Valley.
Whether it’s a varsity athletics program, a student club, or a group of friends looking to share something memorable, a hike up Mount Nittany offers a chance to build affinity and strengthen bonds that last far beyond college.
We encourage other teams and organizations with roots in Penn State and the Nittany Valley to make the trip. Come experience the trail, take in the views, and make your own Mount Nittany moment.
Celebrate our community and our Mountain with a night of good food, drinks, and fun. Come out to celebrate Mount Nittany, enjoy fellowship with others, and learn about the next chapter in the story of our Mountain’s conservation. Tickets are $40 per person, with all proceeds supporting the work of the Mount Nittany Conservancy. Register today.
Mount Nittany Night 2024 Where: Mount Nittany Vineyard and Winery When: Saturday, June 8 · 6 – 8pm EDT Register
I spoke to Penn Staters at this year’s “State of State” conference about the “spirit of place” that pervades the Nittany Valley and what Penn Staters (and every friend and visitor) can do to conserve that spirit and pass it along to new generations.
Three Penn State presidents have been laid to rest here in Centre County.
President Atherton is famously interred right along Pollock Road adjacent to Schwab Auditorium, while Milton Eisenhower finds his final repose in Centre County Memorial Park along the Benner Pike. Evan Pugh, Penn State’s founding president and one of the most consequential personalities in the Valley’s history, whiles away eternity just a short journey from the flowering campus whose humble seeds he planted. He is memorialized as a scholar, scientist, and leader at his gravesite in Bellefonte’s Union Cemetery.
Soon after his arrival here, Pugh began courting, and eventually married, Rebecca Valentine, daughter of one of Bellefonte’s most important families. He is buried alongside her in the family plot. Once a hub of power and influence throughout the commonwealth, attractor of wealth and exporter of governors, modern Bellefonte retains much of its historic character, but only a fraction of its practical significance. So it is with the gravesite of its once-famous socialites. In their time, Pugh and Valentine were the Nittany Valley’s original power couple; now their place of honor lies in silent neglect. The community that inherited their legacy bustles on ahead, its founder largely forgotten.
The first president of Penn State deserves better.
Over its 160 years, Old State has weathered wild turbulence blowing in from the wider world—civil war and world war, social revolution and heart-breaking scandal—more than once it has teetered on the brink of extinction, yet always it has persevered. Pugh deserves to be remembered as the progenitor of that hardy nature, our penchant for defiant survival.
While barely remembered or recognized today, Pugh is the perfect central character for Penn State’s origin story. Erwin Runkle, the University’s first historian, painted him as possessing “a rugged, energetic physique, a straight-forward common sense manner, combined with the heart of a child, and the integrity and moral robustness of mature manhood.” A bull-necked he-man built to tame the wild, but with a keen, inquisitive mind better suited to conquering a more esoteric landscape.
When he assumed the presidency of a fledgling agricultural college situated in what, to most, seemed like the middle of nowhere, but Pugh called “splendid isolation,” the entire notion of bringing the baser study of agriculture and industry to the hallowed enterprise of higher education was itself a risky proposition. Only through Pugh’s dogged leadership and dedication to a revolutionary vision for American education did the Farmers High School find its footing, and though he tragically died young, so impactful was his short time that its influence echoes through the ages.
The man deserves a statue or memorial on campus. As things stand today, we’ve failed even to honor his memory by caring for his burial place. Seemingly abandoned by the family line, the Valentine plot has fallen into disrepair over the decades. The tombstones have become grimy and covered in lichen; the landscaping, such as it is, overgrown and unkempt, and the once-ornate wrought iron fence enclosing it crumbles. Intermittent efforts have been made throughout the years to rectify this neglect, for which former trustee George Henning deserves a great deal of the credit. However, none of these has been long sustained.
A challenge exists for those Penn Staters willing to take it up: systematically repairing the aesthetics of Evan and Rebecca’s resting site. While the simplest tasks—bagging leaves, cutting grass, washing off the grave stones—are accomplished easily enough, the issues of repairing the fencing and routinizing the maintenance will be heavier lifts. The work will be rewarding, and if the Penn State Alumni Association and others work together, the work could come to serve as one the most powerful public witnesses to the depth of respect and honor that Penn Staters have for their founders.
The journey of exploring Pugh’s back story has revealed much that might not be expected: Finding an original handwritten copy of Rebecca Valentine’s will at Bellefonte’s Pennsylvania Room, encountering the Bog Turtle Brewery in Pugh’s hometown of Oxford, PA and their limited run of Evan Pugh Vanilla Porter, discovering a forgotten memorial marker placed by the University on family lands still inhabited by Pugh’s distant descendants.
We can take pride in restoring some luster to the memory of our Penn State family’s “first couple,” and we enjoy the pleasant surprises along the way.
Why all the fuss? If, today, so few people venture out to honor Evan Pugh’s memory that his grave has fallen into disrepair in the first place, why bother with some long-dead historical figure whom it seems most people can’t be bothered to remember?
Because whether you are an individual or a community, knowing your story—and honoring its heroes—builds confidence and strength. There is an intrinsic quality to humbling ourselves by acknowledging our place within a community and its continuum, a process that is best experienced with sacred retreats where this reverence may be felt most keenly.
Roger Williams, former Penn State Alumni Association executive director and author an upcoming Evan Pugh biography, has called him, “Penn State’s George Washington.” That seems someone worth remembering, even if by only a few.
Suffering through a prolonged period of frustration and despair, the Penn State football team faces a do-or-die moment in an early Big Ten contest: Trailing in the fourth quarter and needing an unlikely game-extending play to keep hope alive, the Lions thread the needle, capping off a precarious come-from-behind win with an explosive score from their star playmaker. This escape turns a potentially season-unraveling disaster into the catalyst for the program’s return to glory.
Two weeks later, following a blowout home victory, the Lions score a destiny-altering upset win over a highly-ranked Ohio State team under the lights, sealed with an unforgettable play sure to grace highlight reels for years to come. The team then blossoms into the sort of powerhouse that recalls Penn State’s tradition of gridiron dominance, quickly obscuring memory of a decidedly lackluster recent past. The denizens of Nittany Nation are treated to one of those unforgettable Autumns for the ages—everything from merchandise sales and hotel reservations to alumni donations and season ticket renewals pick back up—as Penn State cruises to an improbable conference crown, one made all the sweeter for just how completely unlooked-for it was before the season began.
Just like in 2005, it is probably true that the crowd inside the Lasch Building—Penn State’s players and coaches—had an inkling of the squad’s potential. It is equally fair to say that they were probably the only ones. So the ’05 comparisons may be the most obvious—especially for me, perhaps, as I wrap up work on a book about that season—but in this year’s climb back into college football’s highest echelons, the Nittany Lions offered other echoes of the program’s rich past. Let’s try this one…
After back-to-back uninspiring seasons with identical winning, but underwhelming records, grumbling and skepticism about the head coach is bubbling to the surface with increasing frequency and volume. Into the fold steps a dynamic, but previously unheralded dual-threat quarterback who’d shown the first hints of his potential in the team’s last bowl game. He replaces a multi-year starter, a prototypical pocket passer (wearing number 14) who arrived on campus as an elite recruit, but went on to frustrate and confuse observers with on-field struggles. Despite lacking his predecessor’s recruiting star power, the young man proves to be a heady winner, running and passing his way into the school record books and fans’ hearts as he commands a potent offense that leads Penn State to the Big Ten title, but the bittersweet finish of a Rose Bowl loss to USC.
Did I just describe Daryll Clark succeeding Anthony Morelli for the 2008 Nittany Lions or Trace McSorley’s ascension following the rocky tenure of Christian Hackenberg? Appropriately for this age of the remix, the mashup, and ‘The Force Awakens,’ parallels and callbacks to the past abounded for Penn State this year, as a new generation of Lions inspired nostalgia for the program’s winning ways.
Although 2016 was an up-and-down year for Old State’s defense, in its brightest moments, the unit seemed to channel the very best of their predecessors, such as the stalwart 1986 national champions (right down to linebacker Jason Cabinda’s neck roll). Not since that ’86 season, when the late John Bruno was arguably the Fiesta Bowl MVP, has a punter meant as much to a Penn State team as Blake Gillikin. An invaluable weapon all year in the crucial battle for field position, the true freshman’s heady dash to track down an errant snap and prevent an Ohio State touchdown meant just as much to his team and its season as any time Bruno pinned the Hurricanes deep that night in Tempe.
Penn State’s last outright Big Ten championship came in 1994 (Ohio State earned a share of the 2005 and 2008 titles despite losses to PSU), a year when the Lions unleashed a potent, score-from-anywhere offense. With Trace McSorley playing a more mobile Kerry Collins and Mike Gesicki a rangier Kyle Brady, Joe Moorhead’s group made a fair impersonation of that legendary crew from ’94. But then, as now, the running game powered the juggernaut, and sophomore sensation Saquon Barkley is the team’s most superb tailback since the electrifying Ki-jana Carter. And not since ’94 (and maybe even then), when Carter was joined by Mike Archie and Stephen Pitts, has State enjoyed an assemblage of backfield talent like the current crop of Barkley, Andre Robinson, Miles Sanders, and Mark Allen.
An early season clash with Temple this year marked the 50th anniversary of Penn State’s 1966 opener against Maryland, which commenced Joe Paterno’s head coaching career and brought his first of 409 career wins. But one win this season managed to reach even deeper into the memory bank, back to the days of Rip Engle.
The 2016 campaign went to another level when an unranked Penn State upset the number two team in the nation, duplicating a feat the Lions had accomplished only once before, also against the Buckeyes in 1964, except that time in Columbus. It should be noted that the connection did not go entirely unnoticed in the lead up to the game (and if damage from the post-game celebration this year was disappointing, at least nobody dumped a car into the duck pond at Hintz!). Echoes of the past, but with a twist. Appropriate for a season that opened the door to reclaiming the program’s cherished history while simultaneously launching it into a new epoch.
But for the whims of a fickle playoff selection committee, the Big Ten champs could have joined their counterparts from 1978, 1982, 1985, and 1986: Penn State teams that finished the season with an opportunity to capture the national title by winning it on the field. Instead, group them in with the ’68, ’69, ’73, and ’94 squads that staked a legitimate claim on championship contention, but for various reasons, lacked the chance for a decisive game (the wisdom of 1994 New York Times computer analysis notwithstanding). What’s exciting now is the chance that they’ll be back – and soon.
Unlike the memorable squads of 2005 and 2008, this year’s team does not represent a “last, best shot,” an all-or-nothing opportunity for a senior-laden roster to leave its mark with an unforgettable final act. In one other important way, this season reminds us of those past: In the talent that returns or is soon to arrive via recruiting, the current state of Penn State football recalls the halcyon days when Joe’s teams would reload, not rebuild. Even as it rekindled memories of a rich legacy, 2016 also brought with it promise for the future.
