"We Are!" But Do You Know Why?

As a Penn State student, it's inevitable that you hear "WE ARE... PENN STATE!" somewhere around campus on a daily basis. Truthfully, I never thought it to be much more than a showing of school spirit that dated back to who knows when. I was surprised this week, however, to learn that the origins of this chant were in fact much more than that.

In November of 1946, the Nittany Lions were lined up to play the University of Miami in Florida. However, U of M told Penn State that they would not allow our players to take the field if they brought along their two African American players, Wally Triplett and Dennie Hoggard. The team at the time voted unanimously to cancel the game.

Two years later, Triplett was the only African American player left on the team when it was heard that SMU wanted to have a discussion with PSU requesting that they leave Triplett at home. Penn State again refused and guard Steve Suhey is said to have stated that they wouldn't do it because "we are Penn State."

(For a more elaborated story see http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2012/01/we_are_penn_state_a_story_to_h.html)

Anyway, back to the rhetoric of it all. Up until the day I learned about this origin of the infamous Penn State chant, I hadn't put a second thought as to where it may have started or why. However, now knowing the story behind it, I am even more proud of the university that I represent and that represents me.

"We are" holds so much more meaning once you know the story, doesn't it? It allows you to carry just that much more pride when you participate in the chant. It becomes more than words... it becomes something to stand for.

In a day when accepting everyone was far from accepted, Penn State chose to step outside of the norm and choose the moral high ground - to follow a path that may not have been accepted, but a path that was right. This is a story that Penn State should highlight and emphasize to its students. Today, when no one wants to admit that that kind of discrimination still exists (yes, even here in State College), it is quintessentially important that the students on this campus know what this school has stood for. It is a shining moment in Penn State history that everyone can be proud of.

It's funny how words can become so much more than just words. How they can shift and reshape to carry messages of importance and tolerance, even in a simple 4 word chant.

So, now you know why we are. You can't tell me it doesn't mean more to you than it ever has!