UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State All-Sports Museum continues virtual programming for June 2020 via zoom and social media platforms. Registration to be included on screen for Virtual Varsity S Talks can be found here: https://bit.ly/3cjBsvC
On Friday, June 5, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. the Museum will be joined by Andy Bailey ('77 Cross Country, Track and Nittany Lion Mascot) and Anwar Phillips ('05 Football) for a virtual talk about their time while at Penn State and where they are now. Zoom link: https://bit.ly/2TYp7Ge
Andy Bailey ran cross country and middle distance for a little over a year before injuries caused him to be unable to continue. Bailey later tried out and was selected to be the Nittany Lion mascot. He served as the Nittany Lion for two-and-a-half years and performed at numerous PSU sporting events, including the 1975 Sugar Bowl vs. Alabama and the 1976 Gator Bowl vs. Notre Dame. Bailey was part of the cheerleading squad that went on to earn the distinction of National Cheerleading Champions in 1976. That cheer team is also the team that started the "We Are" stadium cheer.
Bailey was the only Lion to ever have worn three different Nittany Lion mascot suits, and he initiated and oversaw the removal of the Lion's mane and redesign of the Lion's head. He lettered as the Lion his senior year and subsequently graduated with a degree in science in 1977. Following graduation, Bailey joined Merck Sharp & Dohme (Merck & Co. today) staying with the company for 31 years until retiring from the company in 2008. He has remained active in Lion's Paw and has mentored the last four Nittany Lion mascots, who were also inducted into Lion's Paw.
Anwar Phillips was a defensive back for the Penn State football team ending his collegiate career winning the Orange Bowl. Philips graduated in 2005 with a degree in labor and industrial relations. Upon graduation, he went on to play in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens. After leaving the NFL, Phillips started his own personal training business working with high school athletes and focusing on defense positions.
Phillips has been involved in mentorship and leadership programs, working with high schoolers so they are able to obtain scholarships for college and go on to graduate with their degrees. He relocated to Houston, Texas, and became the President of The Greater Houston Penn State Alumni Local Chapter. Philips went on to earn his MBA from Tulane University in 2018, taking a role with higher education at Prairie View A&M University.
Additions to these events are ongoing and will be updated via the Museum's social media channels all under the handle @PSUSportsMuseum. All events are free and will be virtually streamed via the social media sites and zoom, with recordings available via social media for any who wish to watch them after their air date. For a chance to participate in the zoom chats, registration can be found here: https://bit.ly/3cjBsvC