Last week, Penn State football returned home to Happy Valley with a fully packed Beaver Stadium. It was a fantastic time, but the action-packed weekend left some things to be desired.

It’d been about two years since fans were in Beaver Stadium. And, as a result, two entire classes of Penn State students had just about no idea what they were doing in the stands.

Look, there’s no shame in needing a refresher. Whether you’re an anxious freshman or a confused sophomore, follow along with these tips to make the most of your next trip to Beaver Stadium.

Shaker Etiquette

Everyone loves a good shaker (yes, they’re shakers — not pom-poms), and for good reason. There’s a lot that can be done with a shaker on game day.

For example, when Penn State kicks off and the Lion King remix stars blaring in the stadium, we hold our shakers horizontally so we don’t distract the kicker. Let ’em fly when Penn State’s opponent kicks, though.

When you’re shaking to cheer, make sure you’re shaking in front of you without whipping too far back and hitting the fine folks behind you. Cheering the Nittany Lions is fun and all, but you shouldn’t need to hurt or distract a fellow fan in the process.

It may not seem important, but the last thing we want to do is be a distraction to your favorite team. Please remember to shake those suckers and shout as loud as you can when the visitors even look at the ball, though.

To Sit Or Not To Sit

Before we begin, it is important to note that if you feel sick or just bad in general, then by all means sit down. But typically, the only times that students should sit are before the game begins or at halftime.

A lot of fans sat in between the first and second quarters last weekend, and frankly, it was embarrassing. It felt so weird to look out over the student section just to see a bunch of folks sitting on their phones despite having no service. Live in the moment and stand up to support your team!

Lift The Lion

It is unacceptable for a crowd-surfing Nittany Lion to not make it up from the bottom of the student section to the top. This is one of the best traditions that Penn State has, and the fact that the Nittany Lion barely made it halfway up before sinking like a stone last Saturday is just disheartening.

Lift that Lion all the way up, because nothing gets the place going like a good crowd surf. When he does it again against Auburn, he better make it to the top.

Cool It With The F-Bomb

Chanting “Fuck Ball State” was perhaps the worst offense seen last weekend. It’s an effective cheer, sure. But it’s a low-hanging fruit, and a student section proclaiming itself as the nation’s best could afford to put in a little more effort.

We don’t need cheap tricks to get in the opponent’s head. Just look at 2019’s White Out and how the crowd forced Michigan into a timeout before the Wolverines even snapped the ball.

Safety In The Stadium

Look, we know you’re excited. It’s gameday, baby, and you’ve probably had a bit too much…water…to act rationally. But when you’re making your way inside, keep safety in mind and look out for your fellow fans and students. At the very least, avoid pushing and shoving your way through the crowded tunnels. You’re not going to get there any faster!

Additionally, when you’re up in the bleachers, make sure to keep the aisles clear and avoid blocking the stairs. Accessible exits are a must for stadiums as big as Penn State’s, and promoting safety starts from the ground up.

The Alma Mater

It is only fitting that we conclude with Penn State’s Alma Mater. Many folks didn’t know what to do when the Blue Band started playing once the game wrapped up. It’s OK to not know the words the first time — we know we didn’t. But to not even latch on to your neighbor and sway along? That’s just plain rude.

Practice makes perfect when it comes to learning the song, but we have to some effort into pretending like we at least know what we are doing. That is just as important.

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Were there any traditions that we missed? Do you have a favorite Beaver Stadium ritual? Let us know in the comments below.