Homecoming week is almost coming to a close, folks.

Since a group of Syracuse fans vandalized the Lion Shrine, the Guard the Lion Shrine event has been a tradition since Penn State’s Homecoming Week.

The orange paint prank was originally the idea of Joe Paterno’s wife, Sue. When student spirit was at one of the lowest, she believed it would rally the students together. Paterno and a couple of the other coaches’ wives doused the Nittany Lion Shrine in orange latex paint, the colors of Penn State’s opponent Syracuse, and quietly left the scene.

It roused the students and football team to an impressive fury. In this scenario, the paint was easily removed. However, later in the week, during the early hours of the morning, Syracuse students completely covered the Lion in orange paint and were arrested.

Since then, Penn State students have guarded the shrine from future attack, and the endeavor has turned into an annual celebration.

Ever since then, the Lion Ambassadors have put together a “Guard the Lion Shrine” to bring students together. They have activities such as caricatures, face painting, a variety of food, and more.

As always, our photographers were on the scene to check out the event.

ROTC students stood around the shrine, symbolically guarding it from other attacks. Performers sang around the shrine while vendors kept those around full.

Penn State Fanaa and Singing Lions performed at the event while vendors kept those in attendance full.

For another year, the shrine is safe from attack.

About the Author