Legion of Blue

Legion of Blue is the student cheering section supporting the Penn State Nittany Lions men's basketball team. The cheering section has been around as long as the Penn State basketball team, but the organization was formed in 2003 as the Nittwits before changing its name to Nittany Nation in 2007. In 2015, Nittany Nation was rebranded as Legion of Blue in an effort to better organize the group. Legion of Blue was named after the Legion of Boom, the nickname of the mid-2010s Seattle Seahawks defense that was popular during the time of the rebranding. ESPN and the Big Ten Network have featured the section during live game action.

Legion of Blue
The Legion of Blue logo was created in 2015 to go along with the new student section rebranding.
Formation2003
PurposeCollege basketball student section
HeadquartersBryce Jordan Center
Location
President
Madisen Patanella
AffiliationsPenn State Nittany Lions men's basketball
Websitewww.legionofblue.com

Organization

The Legion of Blue stands courtside opposite the team benches, behind the basket near the Penn State bench, and behind the pep band in back of the other basket. During big games, there is student overflow seating available in the upper deck on the pep band side. The Legion of Blue supports the Nittany Lions and makes life as difficult as possible for the opposing team by standing and making noise through the entire game, making signs, and leading chants.

All Penn State students who purchase season or single game tickets are automatically members of the Legion of Blue and are eligible to sit in designated Legion of Blue seating areas and take advantage of promotions such as free food before games and t-shirt giveaways. During the final TV timeout of each game, Legion of Blue officer Ethan Cook, better known by his persona as "PSU TV Guy," hands out a free flat screen TV to the student showing the most spirit.[1]

In the fall, season tickets are sold for $35, and individual tickets can be purchased for $5 at the Bryce Jordan Center on gamedays. For many high profile and weekend games, individual student tickets can be purchased in advance in the HUB-Robeson Center. Some students have noted that Penn State basketball season tickets pay for themselves after considering money saved from eating the Legion of Blue's free food before games.[2]

The Legion of Blue traditionally experiences increased membership during successful seasons and the years following. The Bryce Jordan Center sold out for the first time since 2011 during a February match vs. Minnesota, due in large part to a strong showing by the Legion of Blue.[3] Penn State went on to win the game 83-77. Other games with high student attendance include Penn State's 2011 Senior Night vs. Ohio State and Penn State's 2020 THON Hoops game vs. Ohio State.

Some seasons, the Legion of Blue plans away game bus trips to both conference and non-conference gymnasiums. Past excursions include visits to Seton Hall, Michigan, St. Joseph's, Penn, and Virginia Tech. The Legion of Blue has brought busloads of students to Madison Square Garden several times: twice for Penn State's National Invitation Tournament (NIT) championship runs in 2009 and 2018, and also for the inaugural B1G Super Saturday in 2016.[4][5]

Executive Board[6]

The Legion of Blue is run by an executive board of undergraduate students that are especially passionate about Penn State basketball. Board members help organize promotions and free food at games, interact with Penn State students and fans on social media, organize events such as the annual "Fill the Forum," and spread Penn State hoops fandom across campus. Applications for new board members open each spring following the end of the basketball season.

2020-21 Board Members
President Madisen Patanella
Vice President Jonathan Flatley
Treasurer Garren Wolfgang
Secretary Ryan Hodinko
Social Media Coordinator Morgan Raup
Executive Officer Ethan Cook
Executive Officer Cheyenne Johnson
Executive Officer Kyle Kroboth
Executive Officer Madi McSherry
Executive Officer Noah Odige
Executive Officer Tom Perun
Past Board Members
Year President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Social Media/Web Executive Officer Executive Officer Executive Officer Executive Officer Executive Officer Executive Officer Executive Officer
2019-20 Vinny Nardella Liz Cooney Alexis Soo Madisen Patanella None Thomas Carvo Jonathan Flatley Ryan Hodinko Morgan Raup Dominico Vano Garren Wolfgang Kyle Yoder
2018-19 Andrew Flatley Mercedes Fraistat Vinny Nardella Liz Cooney None Thomas Carvo Joe Nadonley Matt O'Connor Madisen Patanella Alexis Soo Tyler Steiner Kyle Yoder
2017-18 Nick Malizia Andrew Flatley Mercedes Fraistat Liz Cooney None Noah Bergren Thomas Carvo Eric Fenstermaker Joe Nadonley Vinny Nardella Tyler Steiner Alex Trias
2016-17 Greg Zelinske Nick Malizia Mercedes Fraistat Andrew Flatley Mike Kwasnik Patrick Burns Liz Cooney Shannon Jacob Joe Nadonley Alex Trias Gavin Vanstone None
2015-16 Michael "Spike" Anthony Nick Malizia Adriana Lacy Steven Landman Kristina Nauman Andrew Flatley Scotty Heeter Mitchell Hutula Joe Malespini Matt Macnamera Matt O'Connor Greg Zelinske
Legion of Blue Presidents
2020-21 Madisen Patanella
2019-20 Vinny Nardella
2018-19 Andrew Flatley
2017-18 Nick Malizia
2016-17 Greg Zelinske
2015-16 Michael "Spike" Anthony
2014-15 Kristina Nauman
2013-14 Darnell Brady
2012-13 Maddy Pryor
2011-12 Steve Huber
2010-11 Katie Huber
2009-10 George Beatty
2008-09 George Beatty
2007-08 Justin Casavant
2006-07 Bryan Schuster
2005-06 Jennifer Owsiany
2004-05 Jason Mattia
2003-04 Justin Casavant

Charity

Legion of Blue helps organize events with the university's athletic department and the basketball team to benefit Penn State THON, a dance marathon dedicated to curing childhood cancer. Each year, the Legion of Blue helps host the THON Hoops game, where all revenue from single game student tickets in donated to THON under the name of the organization of the student's choice.[7] Students also receive colorful shirts worn to generate awareness. THON children and their families are seated in the typical section section behind the basket near the Penn State bench and are recognized throughout the game.

Recognition

Legion of Blue and its members have been recognized by a variety of sources for their school spirit and charitable work. During the 2017-18 school year, Legion of Blue won the Lion Light student organization of the month award for their September "Fill the Forum" event[8] and the Penn State student organization of the month for their contributions to the annual THON Hoops game.[9] Legion of Blue was featured in conjunction with Penn State THON as part of ESPN's Student Spirit Week for the Nittany Lions' 2008 matchup against Ohio State,[10] and 2005-06 president Jennifer Owsiany was named ESPN's 2006 "Miss Bracket" after an online poll of college basketball's biggest superfans.[11]

References
  1. "Now Watching: The PSU TV Guy". commmedia.psu.edu. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
  2. "Penn State Hoops Season Tickets: The Best Way To Save Money On Food". Onward State. 2019-11-05. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
  3. "https://twitter.com/candacemartino/status/1226348763293331457". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-06-27. External link in |title= (help)
  4. Lewis, Brian (April 2, 2009). "New York Post: NITTANY NATION IS RIGHT AT HOME". Retrieved April 2, 2009.
  5. Ogle, Mike (April 3, 2009). "New York Times: Penn State Wins Its First N.I.T. at a Raucous Garden". The New York Times. Retrieved April 3, 2009.
  6. "Past Executive Boards – Legion of Blue". Retrieved 2020-02-11.
  7. "Penn State Men's Basketball To Host Annual THON Hoops Game January 18". Onward State. 2020-01-15. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
  8. "Legion of Blue Wins Lion Light Award – Legion of Blue". Retrieved 2020-06-27.
  9. "Legion of Blue Wins Student Organization of the Month – Legion of Blue". Retrieved 2020-06-27.
  10. Commentators: Brent Musburger, Steve Lavin and Erin Andrews (2008-01-29). "Student Spirit Week: Ohio State at Penn State (2008)". Super Tuesday. University Park, PA. ESPN.
  11. "Nittwits president runs for 'Miss Bracket' title". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
  8. Penn State men’s basketball’s student section: Ever true to you, dear old Legion of Blue
  9. Jensen: Penn State and the Palestra win this one
  10. Chambers excited about expectations for talented Penn State men’s basketball team
  11. Men’s Basketball Student Section Finds Fresh Start In ‘Legion Of Blue’
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