Students

A letter about respectful celebration in support of Penn State football

Penn State officials are encouraging fans to cheer for the Nittany Lions in a respectful manner and avoid any destructive behavior in celebrating the team's accomplishments. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

This season, Penn State football fans have been treated to a wonderful run by our Nittany Lions to a Big Ten Eastern Division title and this weekend's conference championship game in Indianapolis. Penn State fans are among the most enthusiastic and loyal in the country. And as our team takes the field on national television this Saturday, we encourage everyone to show their support and enthusiasm in a responsible way.

All of us have reason to be pleased by this team's success. We have cause for celebration, and Saturday may provide us even more cause. 

But if Penn State wins this important game, let's not spoil the accomplishment by failing to respect our campus and the broader community. The victory over Ohio State earlier this year was needlessly tarnished by the mayhem that followed. Students and others who engaged in that destructive behavior have been charged through the criminal process, and those students are likely to suffer consequences through the campus judicial process, too. 

A cause for celebration never justifies harm to safety or public property, and the University will always take strong action against those who cause such harm. Let's enjoy Saturday's game, and let's do our best to encourage a win through our positive support of the team. But let's also be mindful of the commitment that all Penn Staters have to the well being and success of one another, this beautiful campus and the special community that surrounds it.

Damon Sims, Vice President for Student Affairs
Charlie Noffsinger, Assistant Vice President for University Police and Public Safety
 

Last Updated December 1, 2016