When the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Summer Olympics commence next month, a number of Penn Staters will be sprinkled throughout the processional.

Though they will each be wearing different uniforms, some donning the red and white of Canada, others donning our country's red, white and blue, everyone representing Penn State will, in spirit, be sporting their familiar blue and white.

One athlete, men's assistant gymnastics coach Kevin Tan, will not only compete on the United States team, but also will proudly represent the squad as a captain.

The posters practically write themselves.

"You da man, Tan!"

Or, "Perfect Tan!"

Seriously, that's gold (no pun intended). But with Tan receiving the nod as captain, we would like to formally congratulate the gymnast on his achievement. Though he does not like to admit that it's a big deal, and to be honest he does have more important things to worry about than boosting his ego, being named captain is a huge deal.

The current United States team is assembled of gymnasts from all over the country, each with decorated resumes. A member of Penn State's 2004 NCAA Championship team, Tan was the Nittany Lion's first back-to-back NCAA champion on still rings, earning titles in 2003 and 2004. He also earned All-American honors on the parallel bars and high bar during his standout college career.

Those credentials were enough to convince his teammates to appoint him as captain. And while some members on the team are still collegiate athletes, Tan is an assistant coach at a major university, which, with that level of expertise and management, may have tipped the scale in his favor.

What makes his captaincy even more important is the fact that Tan will not only be representing the United States, but also the Penn State community that will now watch as one of its own competes in the biggest sporting event in the world.

Though he may not be the first to admit it, being captain of any team is an achievement unto itself, but being named captain of the United States Olympic men's gymnastics team is on a whole other level. So head on over to Wal-Mart to pick up your poster board and markers.

But don't let us catch you stealing one of our slogans. That's not cool.