By Rachel Smith
| There's nothing like a Lady Lion home game. The fans, cheerleaders and band combine with a stellar brand of basketball to create an electric environment. |
The lights go down, the band begins playing, the dance team and cheerleaders are on the floor and the excitement is reaching fever pitch. There is only one team in the Big Ten that has built such an aura of excitement around its home games, and that team is Penn State.
"Until this year, we were the only team in the Big Ten who turned out the lights when the players were introduced," says Lady Lion head coach Rene Portland. "What we have here is really unique."
Penn State Lady Lion basketball has been working for many years to create such a strong tradition of excitement at its home games. This year is no different, and fans have continued to support its Lady Lions; Penn State ranks among the nation's best in attendance, and with such a young team, loyal fans have plenty of excitement awaiting them in the future.
"I was told when we moved from playing in Rec Hall to the Bryce Jordan Center that we wouldn't be able to recreate that same excitement. I think that we have been able to do that here [in the Jordan Center] because my team plays hard and the fans can relate to the players," Portland says. "I probably even add to the excitement by stomping my foot on the court and flapping my arms around during the game," she laughs.
Winning has also become a Bryce Jordan Center tradition. In fact, many Penn State opponents find it nearly impossible to win while visiting Happy Valley. Penn State had won an impressive 90 percent of its games over the last five years coming into this season, and fans have been a big part of the team's success.
"We have unbelievable support here," Portland says. "I tell the players to make [the fans] love you. People appreciate what we are doing. The fans don't sit on their hands when they come here. It's been a difficult year this season, but the players are beginning to realize how important it is to protect the Jordan Center."
| Fans have always been a big part of Lady Lion Basketball. |
A staple at the Lady Lions' games is the Pride of the Lions pep band. Each year Portland takes time out to thank the band for its contribution to the basketball program, and this year she gave band members official Lady Lion hats.
Pep band member Elissa Wolf, says, "The pep band really helps the crowd get into the games, no matter what the score. Everyone knows most of the songs and can sing along; it really brings the students together to help support the team." The pep band sits in its usual spot behind one of the baskets. At the other end of the court is a group of enthusiastic young kids known as "Rene's Dunkers."
Rene's Dunkers are the first to greet the team as they enter the arena for the game. The kids line the entrance to the arena and cheer for the players as they run onto the court for the game. This show of enthusiasm helps to motivate and get the team pumped up for the game according to Portland.
"Having all of the little kids at the game is great. I'll be coming around the corner and they are yelling 'Rene! Rene!' as I come out. That's a great feeling" she says.
It is this excitement of the fans that acts as a sixth player and helps to motivate the team during the game; it even inspires some unique ways to cheer on the team. A group of guys in the student section paint their chests each game in order to resemble a Lady Lion jersey and a female student dons a suit and blonde wig to take on the title of "mini Rene."
The Penn State Lady Lion basketball experience is truly a special one and is rooted in the Penn State tradition of strong athletics. "All of this excitement is a big part of why I have been head coach here at Penn State for so long," Portland says. "Going out there and hearing the band and seeing all of the fans makes it worth it."