Formation 2003 Website www.legionofblue.com | Headquarters Bryce Jordan Center | |
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Purpose College basketball student section Location University Park, Pennsylvania Affiliations Penn State Nittany Lions men's basketball | ||
Legion of Blue is the student cheering section supporting the Penn State Nittany Lions men's basketball team. Founded during the 2003/2004 season, ESPN and the Big Ten Network have featured the section during live game action. From 2003 until 2007, the organization was known as Nittwits, and was known as Nittany Nation from 2007 until the 2015/2016 season as a part of the program rebranding.
Contents
Organization
Legion of Blue stands courtside surrounding three sides of the floor at the Jordan Center where they cheer for the team. All Penn State basketball student season ticket holders are members of the organization and receive a blue t-shirt to wear during games as a part of their efforts to distract the opposing team and provide a home court advantage. Students occasionally wear blue and white scarves to complement their t-shirt.
Legion of Blue creates a dirt sheet before every home game to give to students. Included in the dirt sheets are chants for the night, and negative info about an opposing player to get in their heads.
The Ohio State editions for both 2005 and 2006 were criticized by Buckeyes fans for being unsportsmanlike due to references regarding allegations that several notable athletes received illegal donations during their college career.
During the 2007/08 season, participation in the Legion dramatically increased, with over 5,700 students attending an ESPN-televised contest against Ohio State.
Legion of Blue also 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. Over 30 busloads of students were brought to Madison Square Garden to watch the Nittany Lions capture the 2009 National Invitation Tournament championship, and Madison Square Garden again in 2016 as a part of B1G Super Saturday.
Charity
Legion of Blue helps organize several events with the university's athletic department and the basketball team to benefit the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, including away game watch parties at local restaurants, and an attendance-based fundraiser at one home game during the Big Ten season.
Recognition
In March 2006, ESPN's Page 2 did a nationwide search for the top male and female student fans of college basketball. In a contest that included students from such basketball powerhouses as Duke University, Gonzaga University and the University of Connecticut, former section president Jennifer Owsiany garnered the most tallies when voting was completed at the conclusion of March Madness on April 3, 2006. Legion of Blue was also featured in conjunction with the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon as part of ESPN's Student Spirit Week for the Nittany Lions' 2008 matchup against Ohio State.