Some boo, some remain silent and just nod their heads in despair, and some agonize over the Penn State football team's 3-9 record, but for the average Nittany Lion football fan, season tickets in Beaver Stadium are a way of life.
Penn State has recorded its third losing season in four years, having experienced only four since Penn State football coach Joe Paterno took over in 1966. But that doesn't seem to have an influence on whether or not season ticket holders will renew their packages.
"I know [the losing season] will not affect whether or not we buy season tickets next year," 10-year season ticket holder Jesse Melott said. "We are Penn State fans. It doesn't matter if we win or lose."
Perhaps the free-spirited youngsters who stand on their fathers' chairs, trying to make sense of what all the chanting and screaming is about, and to whom a loss just means the other team scored more points, experience Penn State football at its finest.
"Taking the kids to the game is a good time," 10-year season ticket holder Jay Nungesser said. "It's an experience. It's not just about winning football games."
Penn State lost to Auburn in the Capitol One Bowl last year after posting a 9-3 record. At the 2003 home opener against Temple University, Beaver Stadium hosted a crowd of 101,553. The final home game of this season packed 106,465 fans into Beaver Stadium. Although a feeling of emptiness came over the crowd as the season progressed, the seats were filled. It's just a matter of whether the 12th man decides to show up.
"If you are a real fan, you don't quit your own team," Neil Garby, who has been attending Penn State games for 33 years.
According to Bud Meredith, Penn State manager of ticket operations, 85,000 season tickets were sold this year, 21,000 of which were sold to students. The number of season ticket applications returned on May 1 will deter-
mine the status of the fan base.
"We've been consistent and we've been selling out," Meredith said.
Meredith does recall two years ago, when there was a 2 percent decrease in season ticket sales. However, Meredith said it was the expansion of Beaver Stadium that pushed some fans away, particularly older people, because coming to a game and dealing with traffic is now more of a hassle. But Meredith said he doesn't think the losing season will take a toll on ticket sales.
For some, this year was a rebuilding process. For Jim Vanderslice, who's had season tickets since 1980, what is in store for the years to come provides more reason to renew.
"In the next two years, we are going to win a national title," he said.
For others, it's the 76-year-old man with the rolled up khakis and pumping fists, who has been pacing the Penn State sidelines for 53 years -- 37 as a head coach -- that reminds fans what Penn State football is all about.
"As long as Joe is here, we are here," three-year season ticket holder David Zeiner said.
The Nittany Lions have won two national championships, finished undefeated on five occasions, and ranked among the Top 10 in 20 seasons throughout the Paterno era. However, this year's seniors have seen only one winning season and more than likely will have left Happy Valley by the time a traditional Penn State season is restored. More importantly, though, football weekends unite the campus and bring out true Penn State pride.
"What kind of question is that?" said Andy Bartley (junior-turfgrass management) after being asked if he will remain a season ticket holder. "I love Penn State football, and one bad season won't change that."
The past four years have been the most trying in the Paterno era, yet Beaver Stadium continues to bring in over 100,000 Penn State fanatics every home game. They may not be satisfied, and they may have their doubts, but they are there.
