From the roar of Beaver Stadium to the energy of THON, Penn State’s Nittany Lion is more than a mascot; it’s the living heartbeat of the university. Over the past three years, ROTC cadet and civil engineering major Mason Reber has embodied the spirit, tradition, and pride that unite the Penn State community, as the man behind it all. 

Reber’s journey to becoming the Nittany Lion began as a casual thought. As a freshman trying to find his place at Penn State and adjusting to life vastly different from his small hometown high school in Schuylkill Haven, he crossed paths with then-Nittany Lion Michael McDermott, who was also involved in ROTC. McDermott had rappelled off the ROTC building, which was an eye-opening moment for Reber.

“What if I went for this?” Reber thought. It was his mom who gave the final push, telling him, “You’ll regret it a lot if you don’t.”

“I knew if I didn’t try, I would regret that decision for a long time,” Reber said.

Reber then began the tryout process during his sophomore year, which involved a skit performance, improv, 51 one-armed pushups, and playing the cowbell. After advancing through the interview portion, Reber was brought back one final time. His parents joined via Zoom, and he was named the 54th Nittany Lion in a completely unexpected fashion.

“It’s a story I’ll always be excited to tell,” he said with a smile.

The adjustment from being “Mason Reber from a small town” to embodying a larger-than-life university symbol was immediate and intense. “It was quite the adjustment, people weren’t taking pictures with Mason Reber, they were taking pictures with the Nittany Lion,” Reber said.

Soon enough, the high-fives and photos became second nature as he adjusted to his double life. Early September football games in the heat, long days of appearances at events, and constant travel required physical and mental preparation.  The process was demanding and intimidating, but Reber approached it with a mindset he would carry throughout his time as the Nittany Lion: “I just take everything one day at a time.”

Reber focused on hydration, cardio, and time in the gym, driven by a desire to give his best to the Penn State community. “I knew how important this position was,” he said. “Every time you put on that suit, you need to be your best.”

Not only was Reber met with physical challenges in his role, but emotional ones as well. When asked about the most memorable moment as the Nittany Lion, Reber’s mind always goes to his THON experience.

“If I can get a positive interaction from a kid with cancer, that means the world to me. To give them a little bit of Penn State, that’s everything,” he said. Those moments, though heavy, reinforced the purpose behind the role. 

Adriane Woodle Mrsa, who has worked side by side with Reber since his start as the Nittany Lion, highlighted the immense dedication Reber has put into this role.

“You’re living a life inside and outside of the suit that represents the university,” he revealed. “It’s about passion, heart, and keeping the magic alive.”

While the constant shifting and adapting, all while maintaining the long-standing tradition that there is always one Nittany Lion present, can be demanding, the reward is the joy spread through every interaction.

Reber learned quickly how to connect with different audiences. Some kids were terrified; others were overflowing with excitement. Adjusting his body language, playing peekaboo to build trust, and sensing his environment are key for Reber.

“It’s all about understanding situations and personalities to make the most of each interaction,” Reber said.

One child, Colton, and his connection with Reber stand out. Initially frightened, Colton began seeing the Nittany Lion regularly after games during his autograph sessions downtown. Over three years, Colton’s love for the Nittany Lion grew, creating a strong, memorable bond.

“We built a relationship; he even gifted me a scrapbook filled with photos of our interactions,” Reber said. 

Tradition also played a key role in Reber’s time as the Lion. While honoring staples like the cowbell, he has added his own evolving twists, such as tilting the Lion’s head in photos.

“Very few clips of previous Lions’ mannerisms existed; it’s definitely something I’ve developed over the years,” Reber shared. 

Through social media, particularly Instagram, the Nittany Lion’s presence expanded even further, amassing over 30,000 followers and reconnecting alumni who hadn’t interacted with the character in decades. “Being able to reach a fanbase ranging so wide really goes to show the impact the Lion holds,” Reber said. 

Some moments remain etched in Reber’s memory forever. His first time doing crowd control came during the 2023 home opener against West Virginia. McDermott told him beforehand to take it all in and enjoy the crazy experience.

“I blacked out,” Reber admitted. “I was crying. It was this out-of-body experience. My entire life, I was watching the Nittany Lion, and now I am him.”

The final reveal of his identity was equally emotional. It was the most nervous he had ever been as the Nittany Lion. “I’ve leaned on my family so much during this process; having them there was incredible, Reber said.

Keeping the secret from his godson, Abram, made it even more meaningful. Being able to cheer Abram up in the suit over the years, now showing himself as Mason, was a full-circle moment. Abram described the moment as “more than special.”

Reflecting on his three-year journey, Reber sums it up in a single word: impactful.

“I never realized how a character in a fur suit could make so many people happy,” he said.

To him, people don’t just see the physical Nittany Lion; they see the spirit of Penn State itself, the embodiment of “We Are,” and the ripple effect it has throughout the community. 

“This role has taught me so much, especially getting comfortable with getting uncomfortable. I have gotten to see firsthand the love people have for Penn State, and it has meant everything to me. My one goal was to make people happy. I hope I was able to do that.” Reber said. 

Reber will take the stage on January 31 at the Penn State men’s hockey game inside Beaver Stadium, marking exactly three years in the role. While he’ll step out of the suit, his dedication, heart, and impact at Penn State will live on forever.