Feb. 14, 2011
By Alexis Morgan, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - A group of students wearing bright blue shirts gather around tailgates hours before kick-off on a cool, fall football Saturday. These dedicated fan ambassador students are not there to party before the game but to spread the message of their organization, the message of Pride.
"WE ARE a group of Penn State students who decided to mobilize ourselves to perpetuate the traditions of our University and ensure that we have a welcoming environment for ALL fans," Pride says. "We want to inspire a sense of honor and pride in all Penn Staters: Pride in our history; Pride in our University; Pride in ourselves."
Pride started in 2006 but died out when the student founders graduated. A few students were inspired to rekindle the Pride flame in 2008 after attending a Big Ten sportsmanship conference.
Alarmed and focused when schools such as Ohio State and the Wisconsin showed how much they have accomplished in combating poor fan behavior, they set out on a mission.
"(Our) main goals are to promote sportsmanship and good fan behavior in all of Penn State fans, not just students, as well as to encourage participation and attendance at all the varsity sports here at Penn State," Public Relations Director Caitlyn Rush said.
By sponsoring athletic events and using the Fan Ambassador program to promote a positive game experience for all fans, Pride wants to inspire all Penn Staters to display a respectful attitude at all athletic events.
"The one thing that always made Penn State stand out for me was the pride, the tradition and the honor that everyone has and feels for their school," Rush said.
"I think that Penn State, more than any other school, pride ourselves on being good fans, being welcoming to opposing team fans, and just having a warm welcoming environment to show everyone why Penn State is the best."
It is important for this group to upkeep Penn State's Success With Honor initiative. Pride wants students, alumni, and fans everywhere to help uphold the reputation the University was founded upon.
"There's a difference between poor fan behavior and good fun. The fun of being there is watching what's going on," Rush said.
"That's the heart of the fun of athletics," Rush said. "The fun shouldn't be heckling a player or a fan from a visiting team."
The organization partnered with Penn State Athletics and is composed of 16 students. Every member has a role such as a Paternoville liaison, a student-activities liaison, a branch campus liaison, and a big ten liaison.
Pride hopes to spread awareness of both their name and what they stand for.
"(When I mention Pride), people will say `what's that again? I know I've heard of it'. Generally they nod their heads and agree it's something that needs to be present on campus," Rush said.
"Hopefully we can start to generate more excitement about it with different events that we plan."
Pride will have a `Sign the Pledge Day' in the HUB where students can learn more about the organization, as well as commit to upholding good behavior by signing the Sportsmanship banner.
Rush hopes that proactive efforts like `Sign the Pledge Day', consistent presence at sporting events, and 'reminder reads' reminding fans about the 'Penn State way' will discourage those few fans with negative behavior.
Pride wants to reminds all fans, through 31 teams we represent the entire university banded together as one. We are... Penn State.