The crowd stood up and roared yesterday when Bethlehem native Dave Johnson (junior-kinesiology) beat out five other students and was announced as the new Nittany Lion mascot.

"I'm happy with our choice, but it was definitely a hard decision," said Stephen Soung, the current mascot. "Every candidate here was so great. Each one had their own positive characteristic to make them shine."

About 125 people came to watch the final tryout, where each candidate had to perform a series of tasks. Candidates had to do 50 one-arm pushups, create and perform a creative skit in the lion suit, run around the track with a giant Penn State flag, do three slam dunks and find something creative to get the crowd excited with random objects like phone books and dish towels.

The final decision was made yesterday at Horace Ashenfelter III Indoor Track as the last leg of the application and tryout process that started in October. Previous parts of the tryout included an interview and several practice workshops led by Soung.

James Sheep (freshman-broadcast journalism) said he tried out because of the fans.

"Just [for] the people. It's the whole charity issue and being able to affect a whole lot of people in a good way," he said.

Charity Burkhart (freshman-landscape architecture) said she wanted to do it because there has never been a female Nittany Lion mascot.

"I just wanted to try out and see what happens. There's never been a girl Lion," Buckhart said. "I'd definitely try out again."

Johnson, the winner of the contest and the new Nittany Lion, is a member of the Penn State Blue Band.

He said he tried out as a freshman and was chosen as the back-up mascot.

"The Lion symbolizes so much for this university. It's like a centerpiece, and I want to be that centerpiece," Johnson said. "It's huge, and it's great being out there. It's a lot of fun, and it's a great way to meet new people."

Johnson's parents were in the crowd to support their son.

"We love Penn State. [He deserves it] because he really wants to represent Penn State," Cindy Johnson, his mother.

Johnson's father, Paul, said being the back-up Lion was a great experience for his son.

"We're truly proud of him," Johnson said. "He's really enjoyed it."

Soung said the tryouts were held earlier than usual this year to give the new mascot time to learn the ropes.

"It's like a little Lion internship, so there's some overlap," Soung said.

Johnson's grandmother, Elayne Dellatore, said her grandson will be the perfect Lion.

"It was his heart's desire. He's a great Penn State fan," she said.

Members of the Alumni Association, Athletic Association, head cheerleading coach Curtis White, and Soung were among the 11 judges who selected Johnson as the new mascot.

Johnson said being chosen was a blessing.

"I'm very excited. I think we can get a good job done. I'm the 45th Nittany Lion in history, and I want to keep the tradition of excellence going," he said.