If you’ve ever been to a Penn State hockey game, you’ve heard the drum, the exhilarating chants, and the roar of hundreds of people that fill the Pegula Ice Arena. The main drive behind the dedicated and energetic fanbase is the Roar Zone, Penn State hockey’s student section. 

For many students, the Roar Zone isn’t just about cheering from behind the goal post in the stands. It’s about the community, passion, and family built on a shared love of Penn State hockey. 

For Jeff Warren, current president of the Roar Zone, Penn State hockey weekends have defined his college experience for the better. 

“It means a lot to me,” said Warren. “I’ve been part of the organization for four years, and it’s where I’ve met most of my closest friends. In every farewell speech someone gives, they say the people they met here will be at their wedding, and it’s true. This group becomes family.”

Vice President Dillan Hirschberg agreed, adding that the Roar Zone really helped her find her place and people here at Penn State. 

“Freshman year was tough. I didn’t really have a group,” said Hirschberg. “Then I started going to hockey games and talking to people, and suddenly I was part of something. Everyone’s super welcoming, and it’s that perfect mix of giving each other a hard time, but also really caring about one another.”

When it comes to the electric atmosphere at Pegula, it’s truly one of a kind. 

“I think [head coach Guy] Gadowsky put it best when he said it’s like taking a slice of Beaver Stadium and putting a roof on it,” said Warren. “It starts with the students, but it’s grown beyond that now. You see the whole arena chanting after a goal. The atmosphere is just incredible.”

That exhilarating energy has only grown stronger this season, largely due to the program’s historic run last year.

“This year is the loudest I’ve ever heard Pegula for non-conference games,” added Hirschberg. “Usually, those games are a little quieter, but this season, games against teams like Stonehill or LIU have been packed and loud. People are showing up, and they’re into it.”

The Roar Zone takes pride in creating a fun experience for all the fans. Between waving signs, banging the drum, and shouting icon chants, the Roar Zone section is truly special in its own way. 

Warren said his favorite chant is “Do What You Wanna”, the sing-and-dance chant that even involves the Penn State hockey band on special occasions. 

“We always play ‘Do What You Wanna’ and that’s definitely a big one,” said Warren, laughing. “Watching people try to figure out the dance the first time is hilarious. Everyone’s going the wrong way, but by the third game, they’ve got it down.”

Hirschberg’s favorite is “Ugly Goalie,” as she said with a grin. “It’s a classic and really gets the fans hyped up and involved.”

The Roar Zone is so much more than a cheering section from the stands. In fact, the organization hosts events and activities to help bring members and fans together outside of the games. Some of these activities include watch parties of an away series, banner and poster making, and the fan favorite, Sled Hockey. This activity gives students the chance to play and interact with the Penn State hockey teams on a whole different level.

“It started when Dylan Lugaris won the Hockey Humanitarian Award,” Warren said. “The men’s team decided to scrimmage against the State College Coyotes, a local sled hockey team. Now it’s a fundraiser too, where students can skate with the team, and proceeds go to the Coyotes.”

Hirschberg added, “Sled hockey’s super fun. It’s great to see students who care enough to show up, and the team gets involved, too. Watching them try it for the first time is hilarious.”

These events, along with the Roar Zone traditions like road trips, strengthen the bond among members. For both Warren and Hirschberg, it’s the shared experiences on and off the ice that make leading this section so rewarding.

“It’s seeing people online or in person say, ‘That game was incredible, the atmosphere was amazing,’” said Warren. “That’s more fun than anything else, even bigger than football sometimes.”

“Hearing it from the coach or the players directly is always special, too,” added Hirschberg. “It reaffirms that all the planning and work we do is worth it, and the players, coaches, and fans really care about the fan atmosphere we put together.”

Being a member of the Roar Zone executive board requires more than just hockey knowledge and gameday hype. It’s a lot of planning, organizing, and hands-on work. 

“At the start of the year, a lot of my role is just keeping track of the schedule,” said Warren. “We check every opponent’s site, make sure we know when games are announced, and then start planning themes and events. That’s also where the whole board brainstorms together.”

Warren also coordinates all the away series trips, leads the chants, and is the main point of contact between the fan section and athletics. 

“Some of those doubleheaders are basically 12-hour days in Pegula,” said Warren. “You’re on your feet the whole time, but it’s worth it for the energy in the arena.”

For Hirschberg, her responsibilities are slightly different, but equally important. 

“I kind of do everything Jeff doesn’t do,” she said with a laugh. “I hit the drum, oversee putting up signs, and help manage the day-of stuff. At this point, it’s a pretty even split, but it didn’t start that way. Ultimately, we’re really happy with how things are running and excited that so many fans are enjoying their time in the Roar Zone each game.”

Overall, Warren and Hirschberg hope people remember the Roar Zone as the place where they made fun memories and cheered on great hockey alongside their best friends. 

For anyone thinking about joining the Roar Zone, or eventually serving on the executive board, their advice is “show up, get involved, and prepare to dive into all things Penn State Hockey!”

Folks can follow the Roar Zone on Instagram here.