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A Nittany Lion Sounds Like Something From Narnia Are They Real?

The Penn State Nittany Lions are playing in the 2022 Rose Bowl and we are answering the most obvious question. What the heck is a Nittany Lion anyway?

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Penn State Nittany Lion

It's that time of year again when the arena turns to the Rose Bowl and discovers that Pasadena, Calif. is basically a community of Los Angeles. It's additionally where 1978's Halloween used to be filmed, which taught us that suburbs are in truth more terrifying than towns.

Speaking of terrifying, this 12 months's game will function the No. 8 ranked Utah Utes enjoying towards No. 11 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions. Competition is frightening!

Sadly, Utah is still appropriating Indigenous culture with their mascot, which is able to hopefully trade sooner or later. But so far as Penn State is going, we desperately need additional information at the Nittany Lions. Surely this is something you could encounter after strolling thru a cloth cabinet and feasting on Turkish delights.

So, what is a Nittany Lion anyway, and when are we able to pet one?

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What is a Nittany Lion?

Turns out a Nittany Lion is best part real. Penn State shared that around 1880, the college was once teeming with mountain lions, which are actually just cougars. So, it made sense to latch onto them as a mascot. Presently, the mountain lions have all been shifted out of Pennsylvania. Maybe they relocated to New York City looking for popularity on Broadway?

As some distance as the Nittany part goes, smartly, that's up for debate.

Per Penn State, "Many say it comes from a Native American word meaning 'single mountain.' Others say it's named after a legendary Native American woman said to be from this area." Oh no, more appropriation!

The phrase Nittany is now far and wide the Penn State area, including on a mountain. Yes, Mount Nittany is a factor you'll consult with or hike if you end up now not gazing a recreation at Penn State's Beaver Stadium. Wait, why is it Beaver Stadium? We surrender.

Source: Getty Images

The Nittany Lions marching band

How did the Nittany Lion change into Penn State's mascot?

According to Penn State, the Nittany Lion was once birthed in 1904 by means of Harrison D. "Joe" Mason, who used to be taking part in on their baseball crew at the time. The school was once sans mascot which vexed Harrison to no finish, so he promptly came up with one while playing against Princeton.

Princeton used to be the use of their mascot, the Bengal tiger, as a manner of intimidation in opposition to Penn State, so Harrison countered with the Nittany Lion. Harrison claimed it used to be the "fiercest beast of them all," and could simply take down a Bengal tiger. (Wow, a guy would slightly invent a mascot than go to therapy or hug his friends.)

Penn State would pass on to defeat Princeton that day and ultimately the Nittany Lion used to be unofficially followed as the school's mascot. But seriously regardless that, why Beaver Stadium?

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Merlyn Hunt

Update: 2024-06-01