Hoping someone can verify this story

[midniteride]

I've often wondered about the origin of "We Are" and have just come across this story. Hoping that one our old timers on here can verify it and perhaps expand on it.
**Wally Triplett was the "Jackie Robinson of professional football." Triplett, who grew up in the LaMott section of Cheltenham Township, was the first African-American NFL draft pick to play in the league. For that reason you can find his picture hanging in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Wally played in the NFL with the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Cardinals. A running back, he played collegiately at Penn State where he was the first black player to start and earn a varsity letter. The origins of the now famous "We are Penn State" stadium cheer came about in 1948 when Penn State's Cotton Bowl opponent, Southern Methodist University, wanted to discuss with Penn State about leaving Triplett in State College and not taking him to the Bowl game in Dallas. Penn State captain Steve Suhey, whose three sons would all later play at Penn State, responded, "There will be no meeting. We are Penn State." The Cotton Bowl organization eventually inducted Cheltenham High and Penn State alumnus Wally Triplett into its Hall of Fame.

 

[Law-Deezie]

I’ve heard the same

 

[Wrestler2u]

I’ve heard basically the same thing with the exception that it was the Cotton Bowl and not SMU that didn’t want Triplett playing in Texas.

 

[316_Lyons]

I've heard from old timers that that story is a myth, at least so far as it explains the "We Are" cheer. PSU cheerleaders were looking for something to get the crowd going and stole it from USC.

 

[McScoreley]

The story is true but the chant didn't originate from that.

 

[androcles]

...another version of the story suggested that it originated when the team got to the Cotton Bowl and were told Wally could not stay in the same hotel with the team....
...it would be a great story but I don’t think it’s true...

 

[Law-Deezie]

The story is true but the chant didn't originate from that.

Well, where did it originate from?

 

[SRATH]

I've heard from old timers that that story is a myth, at least so far as it explains the "We Are" cheer. PSU cheerleaders were looking for something to get the crowd going and stole it from USC.

84 grad and I don’t believe we were using the cheer. Somewhere I have the old LuvYa Lions poster.

I believe the majority of the story is true, but as adro points out, the version I am familiar with is hotel related. That isn’t to say the Cotton Bowl wasn’t petition to leave Wally at home.

 

[316_Lyons]

The True Origin Of 'We Are Penn State'

The real source of the phrase and cheer was told first in 1999, by noted Penn State historian, Lou Prato in the publication Town and Gown.

onwardstate.com

 

[SRATH]

Well, where did it originate from?

USC has something similar although their sweaters are too distracting for me to be sure. I want to say late 80’s, early 90’s is when it was popularized at PSU.

 

[KCLion]

84 grad and I don’t believe we were using the cheer. Somewhere I have the old LuvYa Lions poster.

I believe the majority of the story is true, but as adro points out, the version I am familiar with is hotel related. That isn’t to say the Cotton Bowl wasn’t petition to leave Wally at home.

I don’t remember the chant as an all-stadium cheer in the late 70s seasons when I was in the student section. As a former cheerleader 1981 and 1982 seasons, we traveled to Nebraska and were impressed with their all stadium Go Big Red cheer. It started with drumbeat boom, boom, boom, GO BIG RED. It was the whole stadium in unison.

We were trying very hard to get the alumni and public to cheer with the students and it we thought the We Are might get the response. It took a while but eventually the alumni responded with Penn State and thus the Thank You at the end from the students.

 

[Carl Spackler]

KC Lion, that is roughly my memory of it too. When I graduated, in 76, I have no student memory of the cheer. It began years later and very slowly caught on till the heyday of the early 2000's when it mushroomed into the identifying cheer of the school, nationally recognized and envied by others. It took many years to get the alums and attendees to participate. Our first season as season ticket holders and for that generation the place was quiet beyond occasional stupendous plays and the greatest moment we spent at the stadium, Sept. 1982 vs. U of Nebraska, everyone participated by the end of that game.

 

[RoarLions1]

I don’t remember the chant as an all-stadium cheer in the late 70s seasons when I was in the student section. As a former cheerleader 1981 and 1982 seasons, we traveled to Nebraska and were impressed with their all stadium Go Big Red cheer. It started with drumbeat boom, boom, boom, GO BIG RED. It was the whole stadium in unison.

We were trying very hard to get the alumni and public to cheer with the students and it we thought the We Are might get the response. It took a while but eventually the alumni responded with Penn State and thus the Thank You at the end from the students.

KC Lion, that is roughly my memory of it too. When I graduated, in 76, I have no student memory of the cheer. It began years later and very slowly caught on till the heyday of the early 2000's when it mushroomed into the identifying cheer of the school, nationally recognized and envied by others. It took many years to get the alums and attendees to participate. Our first season as season ticket holders and for that generation the place was quiet beyond occasional stupendous plays and the greatest moment we spent at the stadium, Sept. 1982 vs. U of Nebraska, everyone participated by the end of that game.

Class of '78. Just glad the chant that replaced the Alma Mater is gone. And, I love hearing our class donation after each win!

 

[PSU Mike]

I don’t remember the chant as an all-stadium cheer in the late 70s seasons when I was in the student section. As a former cheerleader 1981 and 1982 seasons, we traveled to Nebraska and were impressed with their all stadium Go Big Red cheer. It started with drumbeat boom, boom, boom, GO BIG RED. It was the whole stadium in unison.

We were trying very hard to get the alumni and public to cheer with the students and it we thought the We Are might get the response. It took a while but eventually the alumni responded with Penn State and thus the Thank You at the end from the students.

I’m pretty sure I first heard it against ND in Nov 1981. It was certainly a thing in my freshman year in fall 1982.

 

[SRATH]

I'll defer to those who remember. I graduated in 84. My parents got tix in 81. Once I graduated I used their seats on occasion and there were plenty of "down in front" people in the section when I would stand and cheer.....NE, row 21. They wanted to watch the game, not impact it. If you cheered too loud and they were listening to the radio, they would get mad.

I will have to go watch some old games on film. I watched the home Nebraska game and didn't recall hearing the cheer so I'll have to watch it again, damn it. Hit me ok, you can hear it plain as day.

 

[Random4598375]

I remember hearing it at games when I was in junior high / high school, which would have been mid-80s-ish.

 

[manatree]

The True Origin Of 'We Are Penn State'

The real source of the phrase and cheer was told first in 1999, by noted Penn State historian, Lou Prato in the publication Town and Gown.

onwardstate.com

Here’s a clip from the original Prato piece in Town & Gown.

 

[dunkej01]

They did something on BTN a few years ago about it. Around the time they did the we are statute.

 

[Ian]

A movie is being made about the Wally Triplett story and it will definitely include the We Are angle. It’s Hollywood.

 

[manatree]

A movie is being made about the Wally Triplett story and it will definitely include the We Are angle. It’s Hollywood.

Most likely. There was never any connection between Triplett and the cheer until D’Elia arrived and began to pump up the volume. Triplett & the cheer are an unrelated coincidence.

 

[CurtisLoew40]

Pretty sure about every school has this story. Not saying it isn’t true tho

 

[NoVa Lion]

First time I heard it was in 1985 in a game at Maryland. Surprised me as I had not been to a PSU home game for several years. BTW, close to 50% of the fans in attendance were PSU fans.

 

[82bordeaux]

I don’t remember the chant as an all-stadium cheer in the late 70s seasons when I was in the student section. As a former cheerleader 1981 and 1982 seasons, we traveled to Nebraska and were impressed with their all stadium Go Big Red cheer. It started with drumbeat boom, boom, boom, GO BIG RED. It was the whole stadium in unison.

We were trying very hard to get the alumni and public to cheer with the students and it we thought the We Are might get the response. It took a while but eventually the alumni responded with Penn State and thus the Thank You at the end from the students.

I think you're my pledge brother...

 

[MadChill]

I watched a documentary about Alabama football that highlighted a game with USC in September of 1970. This game was featured because USC came in with an integrated team led by Sam "The Bam" Cunningham, and Alabama had an all-White team. It was Cunningham's debut, and he rushed for 135 yards and 2 touchdowns, and the Trojans crushed AL 42-21 in Birmingham. It's been said this game was the biggest reason Alabama started to integrate their team.
At any rate, during the game, there was a quick shot of the USC cheerleaders doing a "We Are - - SC" cheer.
In 1982, Penn State played USC in the Fiesta Bowl, and it was after that game that I remember hearing the "We Are - - Penn State" cheer. I imagine USC cheerleaders were still doing the "We Are - - SC" cheer 12 years later.

 

[nitlion6]

I watched a documentary about Alabama football that highlighted a game with USC in September of 1970. This game was featured because USC came in with an integrated team led by Sam "The Bam" Cunningham, and Alabama had an all-White team. It was Cunningham's debut, and he rushed for 135 yards and 2 touchdowns, and the Trojans crushed AL 42-21 in Birmingham. It's been said this game was the biggest reason Alabama started to integrate their team.
At any rate, during the game, there was a quick shot of the USC cheerleaders doing a "We Are - - SC" cheer.
In 1982, Penn State played USC in the Fiesta Bowl, and it was after that game that I remember hearing the "We Are - - Penn State" cheer. I imagine USC cheerleaders were still doing the "We Are - - SC" cheer 12 years later.

I really like USC cheerleaders.

 

[KCLion]

I think you're my pledge brother...

House??

 

[Cali_Nittany]

I really like USC cheerleaders.

 

[82bordeaux]

House??

Phi Who

 

[82bordeaux]

I really like USC cheerleaders.

I liked the University of South Carolina cheerleaders better.
Back in the good old days when they had "Cocks" on the back of their tights. Rather provocative...too provocative for today's world.

 

[a_mshaffer]

there was a national sports talk radio host ... MP on sports (can't remember)- but he had a great segment mimicking Lou Holtz as he got his Gamecocks ready... or addressed post game..

 

[KCLion]

Phi Who

Yep, Harborcreek??

 

[82bordeaux]

Yep, Harborcreek??

You got it. How're you doing brother? How's that for a small world? @KCLion and I pledged our fraternity together 40 years ago. The wrestling community is a small one. Shoulda known when you said you were from Ridgway.
Cip

 

[KCLion]

You got it. How're you doing brother? How's that for a small world? @KCLion and I pledged our fraternity together 40 years ago. The wrestling community is a small one. Shoulda known when you said you were from Ridgway.
Cip

I am doing well out here on the Midwest Coast at the Lake of the Ozarks. How about you?

Crazy, but I had a feeling a couple of days ago (when the Carr family was being discussed) that it might be you knowing that you knew them.

We even scrapped a few times training for a tourney or two at good ole PSU.

 

[jbolt1971]

But How 'Bout Them Lions?

The young man, 6 feet tall, 235 pounds and black, ambled down Bourbon Street, which was packed to the saloonfronts with postmidnight revelers dressed in

vault.si.com

one of my earliest PSU fan memories was the 83 sugar bowl and this article that claims that We Are Penn State was ringing through the streets of New Orleans before this game. My first PSU game was the Pitt game in Pittsburgh that same season....

 

[KCLion]

But How 'Bout Them Lions?

The young man, 6 feet tall, 235 pounds and black, ambled down Bourbon Street, which was packed to the saloonfronts with postmidnight revelers dressed in

vault.si.com

one of my earliest PSU fan memories was the 83 sugar bowl and this article that claims that We Are Penn State was ringing through the streets of New Orleans before this game. My first PSU game was the Pitt game in Pittsburgh that same season....

I was there for that celebration. It was ringing through the streets afterwards as well!!

 

[82bordeaux]

I am doing well out here on the Midwest Coast at the Lake of the Ozarks. How about you?

Crazy, but I had a feeling a couple of days ago (when the Carr family was being discussed) that it might be you knowing that you knew them.

We even scrapped a few times training for a tourney or two at good ole PSU.

Life is good in old Erie, PA. I'm at our place in Naples now for a long weekend.
So, for you other board members here:
@KCLion and I pledged our fraternity together, were both on the cheerleading squad at PSU, both wrestled IM's while there, and did a few other sordid things that are better left off a public forum...and he even dated my sister for a short stint. Laura is with me on the beach today, btw. She has a place right across Gulf Shore Blvd from me. Things get stranger and stranger...

 

[Doak]

My first trip to Penn State was spring of '80 or '81 and I stayed the weekend at Phi Who with my HS classmate, who's older brother was a member. His name is Kahane, perhaps you remember him. That weekend left quite an indelible memory etched into my 17 year old brain. The House had some sort of Hawaiian beach themed party with yards of sand brought into the basement to simulate a beach. I remember thinking how ingenious these fraternity guys were to have such a themed party, after seeing how all the young ladies came properly attired. Great great memories.

 

[RoarLions1]

But How 'Bout Them Lions?

The young man, 6 feet tall, 235 pounds and black, ambled down Bourbon Street, which was packed to the saloonfronts with postmidnight revelers dressed in

vault.si.com

one of my earliest PSU fan memories was the 83 sugar bowl and this article that claims that We Are Penn State was ringing through the streets of New Orleans before this game. My first PSU game was the Pitt game in Pittsburgh that same season....

We were at the game too, and the celebration afterwards. Even sat in the corner where the Blackledge to Garrity pass connected. Up until 2012, it was my favorite Penn State sports moment that I had attended .

 

[KCLion]

Life is good in old Erie, PA. I'm at our place in Naples now for a long weekend.
So, for you other board members here:
@KCLion and I pledged our fraternity together, were both on the cheerleading squad at PSU, both wrestled IM's while there, and did a few other sordid things that are better left off a public forum...and he even dated my sister for a short stint. Laura is with me on the beach today, btw. She has a place right across Gulf Shore Blvd from me. Things get stranger and stranger...

You tell Laura I said hello and I hope she is doing well. Hope we can get the boys together for some golf soon!!

 

[KCLion]

My first trip to Penn State was spring of '80 or '81 and I stayed the weekend at Phi Who with my HS classmate, who's older brother was a member. His name is Kahane, perhaps you remember him. That weekend left quite an indelible memory etched into my 17 year old brain. The House had some sort of Hawaiian beach themed party with yards of sand brought into the basement to simulate a beach. I remember thinking how ingenious these fraternity guys were to have such a themed party, after seeing how all the young ladies came properly attired. Great great memories.

Ron Kahane, Beach Party weekend!! Oh the memories!!

Now, getting that 10 tons of sand out of the basement was another memory that we’d like to forget.