As of today, say goodbye to the Lady Lions of soccer, volleyball and other Penn State women's teams.

Massive cuts in athletic funding? Hardly. It's just time that we put things in the right frame of mind.

Unless you're completely oblivious to the Penn State world, it's common knowledge that the Nittany Lion is the official mascot of the university, and has become one of the most distinctive school mascots nationwide.

However, while the men of soccer, volleyball and other sports in common with women were referred to as Nittany Lions, the Lady Lions were the moniker of the female squads.

No more, the teams have asked. And we at The Daily Collegian are ready to comply.

Effective immediately, the editorial and reporting staffs will now be referring to selected women's programs as the Nittany Lions in stories, headlines, captions and any other possible manner.

The two exceptions will be the women's basketball and field hockey teams, which will retain the Lady Lions as their team name.

"The mascot is the Nittany Lion, and I think that's how the teams should be referred to," Penn State women's volleyball coach Russ Rose said. "I've always worked for this university and feel most comfortable with Nittany Lions."

Rose's feelings are right on the mark. Penn State women's athletics has brought the university both national championships and a good name. They deserve the proper respect and tradition that the nickname Nittany Lions brings with it.

And on a national level, the drama of the U.S. women's soccer team, which captured the World Cup in 1999 along with the hearts of America, only makes us more aware of the significance of women's athletics, and the right to give them their just due.

There is, however, good reason the two remaining Lady Lions teams are keeping their nickname. They want to have their own identity — something to distinguish themselves. The Lady Volunteers of Tennessee and the Lady Techsters of Louisiana Tech have built traditions with their own team designations.

For the basketball and field hockey teams, we respect their right to keep the nickname Lady Lions.

We will keep the reference to those teams as Lady Lions.

While the affected teams and players are the same today as they were yesterday, the fact remains that the time was right for a change, out of respect.

And The Daily Collegian was glad to oblige.