There was definitely something going on at South Gym in Rec Hall on Saturday.

Penn State was in action against itself.

That's right, the Nittany Lions took on their alumni in the 2001 version of the annual alumni game.

This year the game was special because it commemorated the 25th anniversary of Penn State men's volleyball becoming a varsity sport.

The "Geezer Cup," as it affectionately is called, means a lot to both current players and alumnus.

"It's the greatest thing in the world," said Stu Cohen a 1975 alumnus.

"It's tradition, camaraderie, family, and a chance to meet the young guys (active players)."

Some of the players there were playing volleyball for Penn State more than 25 years ago, meaning they were playing it before it became a varsity sport.

Many alumni were still in good shape and played regularly, while others who played in this event were playing for the first time since last year's game.

The opening point of the first game sent the alumni into a frenzy after the current Nittany Lion team committed an error on a kill.

The entire alumni played 3 games with Penn State's varsity team and they won them all, but spirits were good from both sides.

The varsity team then played against the best of the alumni, mainly the recent graduates.

The current Penn State team prevailed 30-22 in an exciting match.

After the matches, the teams participated in another long held tradition known as the ball pull.

The ball pull is a game where each team gets their guy with the strongest hands. Then they each put a hand on the volleyball and try to pull it away from his counterpart on the other team.

The alumnus came out on the wrong side of the ball pull score, 2-1.

"The ball pull has been going on for a long time," said Cohen. "We were doing the ball pull here when volleyball was just a club sport."

There was also a chance to see some of the younger players for Penn State who normally do not play.

The freshman class got a lot of playing time, while the starters got most of the day off.

Junior transfer from San Diego State John Mills was participating in his first alumni game.

"It's awesome, this is my first game with the alumni," said Mills. "I can see the history of Penn State volleyball. It's a great time."

Everyone on both teams was laughing most of the time. The game is traditionally a chance for players and alum to relax and enjoy themselves.

The players said that the event is special because the current team saw the tradition that lies within the team, as well as the fact that the alumni got to see the team that they built.