Staff Picks: Historic Penn State Sporting Events THON Should Play On The Jumbotron

THON in the deep hours of the night can become stale. In the hours between musical performances, you’ll be twiddling your thumbs, thinking about your exes, and trying to remember the pi numbers.

To keep the mood flowing and the energy high, we decided that THON would play some of the best sports games in Penn State history on the Bryce Jordan Center’s jumbotrons. Our late night staff have selected some of their favorite games to watch during THON’s graveyard hours.

Joe Lister: Football’s Rose Bowl Victory 2023

There’s no better way to celebrate THON than with Penn State Football’s biggest win of the Sean Clifford era. The game has enough suspense to keep the dancers engaged and the happy ending makes it all the better. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if the BJC staff played this a few times. It’s just ~so good~.

Charlie Pegler: Football 2016 White Out vs Ohio State

The 2016 White Out is arguably the largest and most influential Penn State football game ever played. Not only did that win result in seven straight wins, including a Big Ten Championship win and a Rose Bowl berth, but it was also one of the most entertaining games I’ve ever seen. Urban Meyer brought his JT Barrett-led No. 2 squad to Beaver Stadium and quickly learned the true power of a white out.

The game was tight for 60 minutes and ended dramatically. Marcus Allen blocked Tyler Durbin’s kick (who was super reliable within 40), and Grant Haley returned it for 6, giving Penn State their first lead of the game. After that, the game was practically over and Beaver Stadium was rushed by everyone. A moment with that energy and excitement is the perfect choice to play late into the night at THON.

Haylee Yocum: 2022 Women’s Volleyball NCAA Loss to Wisconsin

good, look I know nobody wants to see Penn State lose, but at least this game will keep you guessing until the end. The loss of the women’s volleyball team at the NCAA tournament in the regional round got me and every other Penn State fan excited. After five-set games against Wisconsin earlier in the season, we all know the Nittany Lions were capable of beating the Badgers, which made that loss even more brutal. If you’re looking for a fast-paced sport that keeps you on your toes, there really is nothing better than volleyball.

Tobey Prime: Men’s Basketball NIT Championship Game 2018

I’m a huge basketball fan, but unfortunately Penn State didn’t have much success with the program. However, reliving the 2018 NIT Championship game would certainly be a highlight of my THON experience. Lamar Stevens lost 28 points in that game while John Harrar tallied 12 boards. This team should have made the tournament before the COVID-19 pandemic stopped everything, but beggars can’t be choosers.

Devon Craley: Football 2019 White Out vs. Michigan

This was probably my favorite Penn State football game I’ve ever attended and I’d love to see an encore of it on the BJC big screen during THON. The first play Michigan had to time out because of the noise of the crowd is the loudest crowd I’ve ever heard in a stadium. From start to finish this was a great game and I think the sentimental value is there as it was the first white out in the student department for those graduating next May.

Jack Scott: 2022 Men’s Hockey Victory vs. No. 1 Michigan

That game is fresh in our minds when Hockey Valley showed up in full force to see the team continue their historic start to the season against Michigan’s No. 1 at home. The team delivered: Ture Linden, Ashton Calder and Xander Lamppa lit the lamp and electrified Pegula while Liam Souliere locked out the Wolverines. An instant classic matchup, it’s a must. I would inject this game into my veins, but this isn’t very FTK.

Matt Brown: Men’s Basketball Palestra Game 2020 vs. Iowa

In 2020, the men’s basketball team had one of the best seasons in the team’s franchise history. Led by then-Lamar Stevens and Mike Watkins, this Penn State team was on a mission to return to the big dance in March and possibly play for a national championship.

One of the best highlights of this season was the matchup against Iowa at the Palestra. The energy of the game was insane and it would no doubt cheer the THON crowd if played on the Jumbotron.

Nolan Wick: 2017 Big Ten Men’s Ice Hockey Championship Game

Since Penn State was just swept by Minnesota, I (and many others) have been devastated. So what better way to cheer than to host the 2017 Men’s Hockey Big Ten Championship Game at the Jumbotron? Penn State defeated Wisconsin 2-1 in overtime at the now-demolished Joe in Detroit, winning their first-ever and only Big Ten tournament title to date. And hey, there’s still a chance the Nittany Lions will get one this year, too.

Joe Lister, Part 2: Penn State Live Sporting Events

I again. I have a second choice. Penn State should have sporting events starting in the early hours during THON weekend. How cool would it be if the Lady Lions played at 3am for the dancers to watch live? The answer is so cool, by the way.

Sure it would suck for the random 20-year-olds from eastern Michigan or something having to play a game at an awful hour at Penn State, but who cares? It’s for the kids.