If you’ve ever been to a Penn State basketball game, you’ve seen the loud students packed behind the benches, heard the two claps before every free-throw, and heard the chants. Whether it’s someone’s first game or their fifteenth, the moment they step into the student section, they’re a part of the Legion of Blue.

For many of those students, it’s way more than basketball. They show up for the energy, the community, the chance to be a part of something loud, fun, and unique to Penn State.

For Will Robinson, the current president of the Legion of Blue, the student section has shaped his college experience in more ways than one. It’s an escape from the stress of classes, a place to let loose, and the reason he’s formed plenty of friendships.

“I call it my break from just working… I go to these games, and I’m just kind of an idiot for an hour and a half. I get to just scream and yell, take out all the frustration from schoolwork… It’s just a great time,” Robinson said.

Robinson emphasizes that being part of the Legion of Blue isn’t about knowing every player’s stat or understanding every play; it’s about showing up and bringing the noise.

“If you just show up, you’re a good time, and you’re just making the environment better, then I’m all for it,” he said.

Basketball doesn’t always get the spotlight at Penn State, so the energy from the student section matters a lot. Robinson explained that the team feels the impact of the student section more than any other sport because the Legion of Blue is right behind the benches and right in the action. Players and coaches regularly acknowledge the students, interact with them, and rely on their energy during stressful games.

“There are times where the players or Coach Rhodes will literally turn around and start yelling at us to get fired up,” Robinson said. “They know we can flip the momentum.”

For Robinson, one of his favorite memories was the win against Illinois at Rec Hall. The team was down by seven points with less than two minutes on the clock. The team pushed through and ended up securing a win.

“We stormed the court,” he said.

Their game traditions might be simple: two claps on free throws, the massive flag over the section, and the improvised chants that come out of nowhere, but that’s what makes this student section so different. Legion of Blue isn’t scripted, and they don’t have a list of cheers to memorize.

The Legion of Blue creates its own cheers in the moment, whether it’s chanting a player’s girlfriend’s name at the free-throw line, waving a pizza box with a joke scribbled across it, or an entire row of students dressed as Care Bears going viral on social media.

It’s chaotic, it’s creative, and it’s different than other student sections at Penn State.

The Legion of Blue is also the most affordable student season ticket on campus. Football, hockey, and wrestling can definitely get pricey or require complicated ticket lotteries. Men’s basketball season tickets cost just $50, and women’s games are completely free, making it easy to come and cheer on both teams.

A big part of Robinson’s role as president happens before the actual game. He works closely with Penn State Athletics’ marketing team to plan themes and giveaways. From T-shirts to bigger prizes like AirPods, the goal is to draw more students in and let the atmosphere speak for itself.

“As soon as we bring people in for one or two games, we can hook them,” he said.

The teams even have preseason events, like “Ball at East Hall,” to give students the chance to meet the teams, play basketball, and even win prizes. This isn’t just for fun, but to build connections with the student section and team. Coach Rhoades and Coach Kieger have both expressed how much they value the Legion of Blue, often thanking them for showing up and creating a great environment at games.

“The players and coaches really care about the student body showing up,” Robinson said. “When students fill the stands, the team notices. They feed off the energy, and it makes a real difference on the court.”

To be a part of the Legion of Blue, just show up to the games.

“Come to the men’s basketball game against Michigan State on December 13th,” Robinson urges. “It is our biggest game of the year. If we win, we storm, and then we drink. If we lose, we still drink. No matter what, it’s going to be a good time and it’s going to be fun.”

To learn more, or follow the Legion of Blue, you can find their Instagram here.