"The most important thing we want to do is bring back two wins because in our minds we're not done yet," he said. "We're two wins to the Final Four."
Students brought out a banner for the team that had been signed by fans at the Student Book Store, 330 E. College Ave. Messages of encouragement and support filled the banner, which stretched across the entire stage.
A special appearance by the Nittany Lion mascot preceded the arrival of the team's star players. The mascot did 55 one-arm push-ups to represent the last time the team went to the Sweet 16, in 1955.
Gyasi Cline-Heard, Joe Crispin, Titus Ivory and others posed for pictures and signed basketballs, t-shirts and the front pages of various newspapers commemorating their 82-74 win against North Carolina, Sunday.
"I guarantee we're going to give our best efforts and play our hardest out on the floor," Crispin said.
Ivory was also optimistic about moving closer to the Final Four.
"We're going to try to do this," Ivory said. "We're not going to stop here."
Ivory added that his mother, who was recently in the hospital, is continuing to recover from a stomach problem.
"She's doing a lot better," he said.
Cheerleaders Michelle Vanella (freshman-mathematics) and Anne Welling (sophomore-mathematics) said the outpouring of encouragement from the fans has been vital to the team's success.
"It really helped in New Orleans," Vanella said. "We even had other schools (who came to the game) rooting for us."
Several students admitted to skipping class to attend the pep rally and alumni and other fans in the area took time out from their workdays to be present. Penn State President Graham Spanier also stopped by.
Kevin Keating (freshman-English), who attended yesterday's rally, hopes the team's recent victory will boost its popularity and elevate Penn State above football school status.
"It should help a lot — especially with kids coming in to play basketball with Penn State," Keating said. "They can get some of the bigger names."
Keating said that, while several students will travel to Atlanta to see the game, he is unable to make the trip and will instead watch it in his dorm room with friends.
Marty Gasche of Bucks County attended the rally with her husband, Arnold, who is a graduate of the class of 1953. She said their local paper has touted Happy Valley as "Hoops Valley."
"I think it's fabulous," she said. "They sure deserve it."
She said excitement over the Sweet 16 in 1955, which she vividly remembers, doesn't compare to the hoopla this time around.
"It's even better (this time)," she said.
The Blue and White Society, which has worked to raise support for the basketball team all season, helped to organize the event.
