College careers are a lot like snowflakes — no two are ever the exact same. Sure, there can be similar classes taken or familiar experiences among alumni, but much like people, it’s the little differences about our experiences that make them special.

The same can be said for Penn State senior Stephen Campbell, who’s studying turfgrass management. While you may not know Campbell by name, you definitely know his work if you watched the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Dreams to reality. Painting the @PennStateFball end zone for the @outbackbowl as a senior with @PSUTurf on a @NittanyvillePSU business trip. @coachjfranklin pic.twitter.com/kUjm0Zi6wz

— Stephen Campbell (@steve_campbel) December 30, 2021

Campbell, who hails from Blairsville, Pennsylvania, received the opportunity to paint both end zones through some previously established connections in the industry. In fact, Campbell had a feeling that the Nittany Lions would be Tampa bound.

“I just texted Wayne [a previous industry connection who works in Tampa], and this was a week before it was announced because there was a rumor swirling around that Penn State was going to Tampa. I just said to him, ‘Hey, can I come down and help paint the field if Penn State goes to the Outback Bowl?’ I didn’t hear anything back until it was announced,” Campbell said. “The day it was announced, he said yes.”

However, the process wasn’t that easy. During the four-hour affair, both Campbell and his boss accidentally got sprayed with red paint. The two found humor in the situation, saying that the marks were left after they “exterminated all the Razorbacks before Penn State came in.”

Campbell, who also leads public relations efforts for Nittanyville, has traveled a lot with the team, but he said the Outback Bowl was a totally different experience. Between the gorgeous weather and the beach cabanas on New Year’s Eve, the ambiance combined to provide an experience he would never forget.

Growing up a Penn State fan, Campbell shared that it’s been an incredible experience to be able to travel with Nittanyville and see the Nittany Lions compete in all sorts of different stadiums. One of his favorite venues that’s not Beaver Stadium — obviously Campbell’s favorite — is actually Ross-Ade Stadium, home of the Purdue Boilermakers football team.

Showing pride and school spirit is something that Campbell takes very seriously, and that is why he is proud to be a part of Nittanyville. In fact, he thinks it’s something that every person that goes to this university should try.

“I would encourage anyone to camp out at Nittanyville. That is literally the experience you have to do before you graduate,” Campbell said. “I will say that repeatedly to anyone that comes up to Penn State.”