It should come as no surprise that enrollment is up at colleges with athletic renown, including Penn State. "Penn State" has become a strong brand name over the years, and brand names -- as much as we may resist the idea -- are important in our lives. Many people want to be associated with Penn State for football, Joe Paterno and a well-known social scene (largely fueled by the former offerings) -- or simply because the university is famous for these things nationwide.

About a year ago, one of our staff got $200 off a vehicle he was purchasing simply because he mentioned he attended Penn State. This was in Allentown, 150 miles from the university. The seller was neither a student, nor an alumnus, nor a hardcore fan of Penn State sports -- he just had admiration for anyone attending the school.

But it's not really just the football that makes people admire Penn State. It's the social atmosphere the football games have created -- Paternoville, tailgating and so on -- that has drawn and will continue to draw people to this otherwise cold and overcast town. Penn State continues to attract fans despite a mediocre team and scores of criminal incidents involving the players.

The reputation of a good college athletic program or team reaches far and wide, much more than any academic fame. How is it that people in Pennsylvania know about USC and UCLA in California? Because of their athletic programs. Good athletic programs draw more press for the school: The more people hear Penn State in the news, for any reason, the more they'll want to connect with something so branded.

At what other schools do you see so many students wearing university apparel? Most students at other universities have to graduate, grow old and get nostalgic before the pride sets in. This isn't the case at Penn State, where the lion logo reigns supreme; look around if you think otherwise.

The town, the people, the university, the sports -- and especially the sports -- all have contributed to make Happy Valley a destination and an enjoyable image. Penn State's surge in admissions after successful football seasons isn't anything to be ashamed of -- it's just another indication that the "We Are Penn State" brand sells.