Every college campus is unique, but few mascots loom taller in school spirit than the iconic Nittany Lion of Penn State. This isn’t some ordinary stuffed-animal-looking cheerleader in a costume.
No chance; this lion, who has over a century of history behind him, roars proudly during each home game. And even stands in a vantage position with a raised paw. He’s rugged, he’s blue-collar, and he’s the heart and soul of Nittany Nation. So, who or what is this mythical mascot, and why do Penn State undergrads and alumni love it so much?
What Is the Penn State Nittany Lions Mascot?
The Nittany Lion is no ordinary lion. It’s a legendary creature based on the actual mountain lions that used to roam the hills surrounding Mount Nittany. It’s a notable ridge close to Penn State’s flagship campus in Centre County, Pennsylvania. Although mountain lions do not live there now, their legacy is carried on by this campus icon. That has faithfully watched over Penn State traditions since the early 1900s.
Dressed in a tan fur coat, with a permanent smile and a blue-and-white scarf (yes, even a suit at official functions!), the Nittany Lion appears at almost every athletic event, pep rally, alumni function, and essential university celebration. But a cheerleader, the Nittany Lion is not. It is a symbol of valor, tradition, and solidarity. The glue holds together generations of students, student-athletes, and alumni.
The mascot even has a trademark stance — slumped on one knee, raised front paw — that’s instantly recognizable to any member of the Penn State family. And who could forget the mascot’s iconic one-arm push-ups following every touchdown, an event that gets Beaver Stadium thundering!
Why Was the Penn State Nittany Lion?
The story starts on April 20, 1904, in the most traditional way: with a pinch of competitive spirit and underdog determination. At Princeton’s game against Penn State, when the senior third baseman Harrison “Joe” Mason was in action, he noticed the privileged Ivy League university with its Bengal tiger statue — a symbol so proud and aggressive. Not to be outdone, Mason declared to passersby that Penn State had the Nittany Lion, “the fiercest creature of them all.”
That one brazen, impulsive comment spawned an entire image.
Mason wasn’t just bluffing. He knew mountain lions, the “Nittany Lions” by nickname, had long dominated the woods about Penn State. The image of this great, powerful cat fits well with the school community. Mason took his declaration further by publishing articles and beginning “The Lemon,” a humor magazine that helped promote the Nittany Lion as the school’s unofficial mascot.
By 1910, the “Nittany Lion” was appearing in sports headlines. By 1921, the first costumed version of the mascot made its appearance—a little fiercer in appearance than today’s version, resembling something of a circus lion or jungle cat. But it wasn’t until 1939 that the modernized version of the mascot started coming into being.
Flash-forward to today and the Nittany Lion mascot is so well-known that there is an entire tryout process just to be him. The student beneath the mask remains anonymous until the end of his term, which adds to the mystique. The job is arduous—endless training, learning the notorious growl and stance, and upholding tradition on and off the field. It is not just a position—it is a journey.
Of course, the Nittany Lions’ fame doesn’t start and stop on the gridiron. A short walk from the center of campus lies one of Penn State’s most visited — and most photographed — spots: the Nittany Lion Shrine. Constructed by sculptor Heinz Warneke and gifted to the university by the class of 1940, this 13-ton limestone lion has been reimagined as the go-to graduation cap-and-game-day cap-tastic photo op for seniors and tailgaters.
You’re not officially part of the Penn State family until you’ve snapped a picture next to that crouching, ever-watchful lion.
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For alumni, the mascot is a living reminder of their college days. As long as there are touchdowns to be cheered, rivalries to be determined, and students screaming “We Are… Penn State!”—the” Nittany Lion will be there, paw aloft, reminding us of the pride of being part of something bigger.
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