Legion of Blue

Legion of Blue
Formation	2003
Purpose	College basketball student section
Headquarters	Bryce Jordan Center
Location	University Park, Pennsylvania;
President	Kyle Kroboth
Affiliations	Penn State Nittany Lions men's basketball
Website	www.legionofblue.com

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.

Organization

The Legion of Blue stands courtside behind 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, 2020 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.

2022-23 Board Members
President	Kyle Kroboth
Vice President	Noah Odige
Treasurer	Tom Perun
Secretary	Srikar Rao
Executive Officer	James Garcia
Executive Officer	Andrew Glenn
Executive Officer	Jacob Hallowell
Executive Officer	Amelia Houser
Executive Officer	Carly Knowlton
Executive Officer	Madi McSherry
Executive Officer	Luke Miller
Executive Officer	Laurant Morris

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
2021-22	Jon Flatley	Garren Wolfgang	Noah Odige	Kyle Kroboth	None	Ryan Hodinko	Carly Knowlton	Olia Lantier	Madi McSherry	Tom Perun	Srikar Rao	Brayden Yoder
2020-21	Madisen Patanella	Jon Flatley	Garren Wolfgang	Ryan Hodinko	Morgan Raup	Ethan Cook	Cheyenne Johnson	Kyle Kroboth	Madi McSherry	Noah Odige	Tom Perun
2019-20	Vinny Nardella	Liz Cooney	Alexis Soo	Madisen Patanella	None	Thomas Carvo	Jon 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
2021-22	Jon Flatley
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]

Images

References

^ "Now Watching: The PSU TV Guy". commmedia.psu.edu. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
^ "Penn State Hoops Season Tickets: The Best Way To Save Money On Food". Onward State. 2019-11-05. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
^ "Today's attendance at the Bryce Jordan Center 15,261. Who said #PennState wasn't a basketball school?". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
^ Lewis, Brian (April 2, 2009). "New York Post: NITTANY NATION IS RIGHT AT HOME". Retrieved April 2, 2009.
^ 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.
^ "Past Executive Boards – Legion of Blue". Retrieved 2020-02-11.
^ "Penn State Men's Basketball To Host Annual THON Hoops Game January 18". Onward State. 2020-01-15. Retrieved 2020-06-27.
^ "Legion of Blue Wins Lion Light Award – Legion of Blue". Retrieved 2020-06-27.
^ "Legion of Blue Wins Student Organization of the Month – Legion of Blue". Retrieved 2020-06-27.
^ 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.
^ "Nittwits president runs for 'Miss Bracket' title". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved 2020-06-27.

External links

Legion of Blue official website

[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] "Today's attendance at the Bryce Jordan Center 15,261. Who said #PennState wasn't a basketball school?". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-06-27.

[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.

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v t e Penn State Nittany Lions basketball
Venues	Armory (1896–1929) Rec Hall (1929–1996) Bryce Jordan Center (1996–present)
Culture & lore	Legion of Blue Nittany Lion "Fight On, State" Penn State Blue Band
People	Head coaches Statistical leaders
Seasons	List of seasons 1896–97 1897–98 1898–99 1899–1900 1900–01 1901–02 1902–03 1903–04 1904–05 1905–06 1906–07 1907–08 1908–09 1909–10 1910–11 1911–12 1912–13 1913–14 1914–15 1915–16 1916–17 1917–18 1918–19 1919–20 1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
NCAA Final Four appearance in italics