The Penn State Nittany Lions football team has been a part of my family longer than I have existed or was even thought of. Since the moment I was born I had no choice but to "bleed blue and white" as the rest of my family members did. Ever since I could remember my sister, dad and I would drive from Narragansett, RI, my home town and drive nine hours for every, single, home game.
My Father Jeff Dentler, is originally from Milton Pennsylvania, which is approximately two hours away from "Happy Valley", more commonly known as Penn State University. His parents, my grandparents, have been season ticket holders for more than 48-years; we all sat in the same section, same seats, at every single game.
To our family Penn State football was not just a team or a hobby that acquired over time. It was where my family came together from all over the county to share one common passion, the love of football. Having my parents been divorced since I was two-years-old, Penn State football is one thing that brought everyone together. The minute traditions that held tremendous value started when my sister and I became die hard fans by the age of eight.
Every time Penn State had a home game we knew exactly what to do. We would pack our bags on Thursday night and load the car up, so the three of us would all be ready by the time school was let out on Friday afternoon. Ashley, my sister, would always get to choose which movie cassettes we were allowed to watch on the nine hour car ride just because she was four and a half years older than me. Each weekend my dad would strap the old nine-inch Sony TV to the middle of our 1996 Volvo, swearing throughout the whole process each time because he thought he would have it down to a science by now.
As Ashley and I watched endless amounts of Toy Story, Lady and The Tramp and Parent Trap, my dad always stopped at the same "New Jersey" rest stop every single trip. He would always get chocolate TCBY and Ashley and I always got pizza.
When we finally made it to Milton, PA, my grandmother was always waiting up for our arrival and insisting that she was only “resting her eyes”, not sleeping. The following morning we would be up at the crack of dawn, drive to Dunkin Donuts for our pumpkin muffins and hot chocolate and drive the two hours to Happy Valley. "Having these traditions are what made these trips so memorable" Ashley said.
The tailgate was always my favorite part. There was venison chili my cousin Matt always made, two hand touch football games with my whole family and undeniable excitement in the air.
The games were always exciting as my dad tried to call all the plays. "Overall the chance to toss a football with my girls in the tailgating section was very key for me" my dad said.
The Penn State Nittany Lions football games were a Dentler family tradition that we thought would never die, until tragic information filled the headlines.
Click here to watch how the Dentler tradition was formed...
The History of Penn State Football
Their first official game was played against Bucknell, a
small Pennsylvania school where Penn State ended up winning 54-0. About a week
later on Nov. 19th, Penn State played their first home game, in a
grassy field against Bucknell, winning 24-0, which resulted in forming Penn
States first rival team.
Click here to watch how the Dentler tradition was formed...
The History of Penn State Football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football program is not just a
team that was formed to have school comradery. It has united the residents of
the state of Pennsylvania together as one since their first official game was
played November 12th, 1887.
Their first official game was played against Bucknell, a
small Pennsylvania school where Penn State ended up winning 54-0. About a week
later on Nov. 19th, Penn State played their first home game, in a
grassy field against Bucknell, winning 24-0, which resulted in forming Penn
States first rival team.
Penn State University has a long history of football excellence.
The first Penn State football champions were crowned in 1892 winning the
Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Foot-ball Association.
Yes, there once was a time before Joe Paterno, also known as
“Joe Pa”, took the roll as head coach. The Pennsylvania State University has
only hired 14 head football coaches throughout the entire schools history.
With those 14 coaches Penn State has accumulated 38 bowl
game appearances and hold a 12-5-1 record in the major bowls (Rose, Orange,
Sugar, Fiesta, and Cotton).
Their ten bowl appearances from the 1998-2011 seasons were
revoked due to the Penn State child sex abuse scandal.
The current coach is Bill O’Brien, who was hired to replace Paterno. He will be the 15th head coach of PSU football.
FAQ
A: “Yes. I do
not wear Penn State paraphernalia anymore or place outside decorations on game
days. I was ashamed and embarrassed for a long time due to living in a small
town and making it known I was a loyal supporter for many years. I also changed
my license plate that read PENST8.”
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the wins being revoked from
the team from 1998-2011?
Q: What does Penn State Football mean to you?
A: “It was a place where I could bring my girls and show
them where my side of the family came from. Yes, the football was great, but
that was not what it was all about for us. It was a teaching moment as a parent.
Penn State football games were where my girls learned to throw a football or
learned the meaning of sportsmanship. You and your sister took those small
lessons with you throughout your athletic careers.”
Q: Since the sex scandal was released has the meaning of
Penn State football changed for you?
A: “Yes, Tremendously. Before the release of the sex abuse,
Penn State stood for it’s athletic and academic excellence in their athletes.
That is what I took pride in and wanted to demonstrate to my girls. They were
roll models on and off the field and it was a fun way to learn the important
lessons in life. Once this all happened, I felt let down and extremely
discouraged because it has been something that I have been proud of my entire
life.”
Q: Have any of your traditions/ rituals changed since the
release of the child sex abuse?
A: “Yes. I do
not wear Penn State paraphernalia anymore or place outside decorations on game
days. I was ashamed and embarrassed for a long time due to living in a small
town and making it known I was a loyal supporter for many years. I also changed
my license plate that read PENST8.”
Q: Do you still attend Penn State Football games?
A: “I have not been to a game since the sex abuse was
released, but that was not the sole reason why. After the 2010 season ended we
had sold our season tickets that we had for 48 years due to renovations at
Beaver Stadium. They increased our prices and moved our seats. To me, it was
not worth. The follow season is when Sanduski and Paterno started being in the
spotlight.”
Q: Do you watch Penn State football on television?
A: “I like to watch them occasionally. I do not blame the
players for what happened. I did support Penn State “Football”, not Paterno,
Sanduski, or any of the administration that was involved. I enjoy football and
grew up with the team.”
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the wins being revoked from
the team from 1998-2011?
A: “I do not agree because with that you are punishing the
players. Those wins were earned far and square. Those kids had pride in those
wins and most of them will never play football again. It is a shame to take
that away from kids.”
Q: Do you think Penn State footballs reputation will ever
recover?
A: “I do believe people will be able to look past it due to
O’Brien taking over, I do not think that will forget per say, but they will
move on.”
Q: Do you think you and your family will ever return to a
Penn State football game?
A: “I am not sure. I hope one day as one last final game.
When it’s appropriate.”
