Beaver Stadium Fantasies
by Jason Bundy
After reading “Beaver Stadium Nightmare” with my classmates this semester I was stunned and very upset. I felt ashamed knowing that people could come my school and be treated in such a horrific fashion. I felt genuinely defeated. Being married interracially myself I believe that couple could very easily have been me and my wife.
However, I was quickly comforted by the outrage of my classmates. It was a strange sensation. Being able to experience their genuine anger let me know that I wasn't alone. I realized something very profound had taken place.
Most of my classmates are white. Their rage signaled to me that most good people (as I know my classmates to be) find this type of behavior offensive and deplorable. In other words, they feel the same way about it that I do. Ironically, an experience of bigotry actually helped affirm my ability to identify with my classmates. I felt closer to them after that experience than I would have if we did not learn about it together.
There was more good news to come. My classmates and I got very excited about centering our final project around this incident. This experience motivated us to all come together and make an effort as a team to engage our community. I don't know that if it hadn't been for the “Beaver Stadium Nightmare” letter that we would have all been motivated to work on one project.
We decided that as part of the project we would make a video about the importance of sportsmanship and character. We're hoping that the athletic department will use it to dissuade people from behaving inappropriately at sporting events. So not only did I grow closer to my classmates through this whole experience but I got the opportunity to work on a great project that excites us because it confirms what we do believe in and what we are about. That's not to mention a group of us got to meet Joe Paterno. Hatred never wins. I was pretty sure sports fans already knew that. But we've got no problems reminding everyone.
When I go to games to cheer on the home team I feel like just another member of the student section. If I don't blend in with the crowd, no one's ever told me and I probably wouldn't believe them if they did. I've never seen myself as a black student at Penn State and I love white outs! That's an experience everyone who watches Penn State athletics should have. We are all entitled to live out our own Beaver Stadium fantasies.
"You must be the change you wish to see."- M. Gandhi
Thursday, May 5, 2011
More Responses to "A Beaver Stadium Nightmare"
This round of responses to "A Beaver Stadium Nightmare" was collected from a older generation in order to gain better perspective on the issue. We also felt it was important to hear from the Alumni of this University.
I think that it’s a very unfortunate thing that happened to this woman and husband. When fans of the other team get out of hand, it can be all in good fun, but when it gets personal and people don’t feel safe – this woman was being physically assaulted – I think that’s taking it obviously way too far. You have to remember that you’re watching a game and people have a lot of interest in the outcome of these games. Nobody’s life should be threatened and nobody should be made to feel unsafe at a sporting event. It makes me think of the gentleman who was beaten into a coma on opening day of this baseball season. He was at a Los Angeles Dodgers game wearing a San Francisco t-shirt. The Dodger fans took so much offense to it, they attacked him in the parking lot and he’s been in a coma ever since. Nothing should ever be taken that far especially at a sporting event. So, it’s an unfortunate incident and people need to realize that these are all games that we’re playing and nothing is as important as another person’s life, safety or wellbeing.
Tim
My first reaction is just utter sadness that people would act so inappropriately, but especially in the adult section of the sporting event. My husband and I have been to several collegiate sporting events – specifically with the SCC Division. One of the things that I’ve taken away from each of those experiences is how mature people are. Everyone is certainly cheering for their team and bleeds the colors of their team, but at the end of the day when you walk out of the stadium, somebody won and somebody lost. It’s just a game. You have to be mature about it. I guess I would understand it more if it was in the student section, but I think the people in the alumni section should understand a little bit more that their actions reflect on the University and they’ve had a little bit more life experience. [They should know] that life is a whole heck of a lot more than a sporting event. I’m very sorry for the couple and what they experienced there. It’s too bad.
Kim Kennedy
I’m an alumnus of Penn State, Class of ’74 (which is a long time ago). This really causes a black eye in the Penn State family. This obviously isn’t a good situation. It’s something that certainly doesn’t make you proud to be a Penn Stater when you hear of something like that taking place. Having not been there, I don’t know exact details, but what was explained to me is that there was some physical abuse that took place. Frustration builds up with Penn State fans to the point where they could vent unnecessarily. It’s embarrassing that Penn State fans would stoop to that situation where verbal and physical abuse took place. As an alumnus, you love Penn State. You don’t want something like this to take place. When you hear that it does, it’s disappointing. That it occurred in the alumni section surprises me even more. Alumni are adults and not students. You might expect students to be more reactive in that case. I could see this happening more readily in the student section. That is surprising and again, it’s very disappointing that Penn State people would act like that.
Dave, Class of ‘74
I think that it’s a very unfortunate thing that happened to this woman and husband. When fans of the other team get out of hand, it can be all in good fun, but when it gets personal and people don’t feel safe – this woman was being physically assaulted – I think that’s taking it obviously way too far. You have to remember that you’re watching a game and people have a lot of interest in the outcome of these games. Nobody’s life should be threatened and nobody should be made to feel unsafe at a sporting event. It makes me think of the gentleman who was beaten into a coma on opening day of this baseball season. He was at a Los Angeles Dodgers game wearing a San Francisco t-shirt. The Dodger fans took so much offense to it, they attacked him in the parking lot and he’s been in a coma ever since. Nothing should ever be taken that far especially at a sporting event. So, it’s an unfortunate incident and people need to realize that these are all games that we’re playing and nothing is as important as another person’s life, safety or wellbeing.
Tim
My first reaction is just utter sadness that people would act so inappropriately, but especially in the adult section of the sporting event. My husband and I have been to several collegiate sporting events – specifically with the SCC Division. One of the things that I’ve taken away from each of those experiences is how mature people are. Everyone is certainly cheering for their team and bleeds the colors of their team, but at the end of the day when you walk out of the stadium, somebody won and somebody lost. It’s just a game. You have to be mature about it. I guess I would understand it more if it was in the student section, but I think the people in the alumni section should understand a little bit more that their actions reflect on the University and they’ve had a little bit more life experience. [They should know] that life is a whole heck of a lot more than a sporting event. I’m very sorry for the couple and what they experienced there. It’s too bad.
Kim Kennedy
I’m an alumnus of Penn State, Class of ’74 (which is a long time ago). This really causes a black eye in the Penn State family. This obviously isn’t a good situation. It’s something that certainly doesn’t make you proud to be a Penn Stater when you hear of something like that taking place. Having not been there, I don’t know exact details, but what was explained to me is that there was some physical abuse that took place. Frustration builds up with Penn State fans to the point where they could vent unnecessarily. It’s embarrassing that Penn State fans would stoop to that situation where verbal and physical abuse took place. As an alumnus, you love Penn State. You don’t want something like this to take place. When you hear that it does, it’s disappointing. That it occurred in the alumni section surprises me even more. Alumni are adults and not students. You might expect students to be more reactive in that case. I could see this happening more readily in the student section. That is surprising and again, it’s very disappointing that Penn State people would act like that.
Dave, Class of ‘74
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The Class Act
Here, at Penn State, sportsmanship is an issue of awareness. Maybe if students see how student athletes and coaches feel about the issue, they will start to realize it is a legitimate issue that is calling for immediate attention.
That is the reason why a group of students from our class decided to put together this video. Let us know what you think!
(Link located on the right)
That is the reason why a group of students from our class decided to put together this video. Let us know what you think!
(Link located on the right)
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Collection of Responses to "A Beaver Stadium Nightmare"
We were curious to see what students had to say about "A Beaver Stadium Nightmare" (posted earlier) Here is what people had to say...
As a former NCAA division 1 student athlete, I feel that my sportsmanship as an athlete is very good. This is a credit to my coaches, school, and the NCAA. Student-Athletes have to attend mandatory sportsmanship meetings at least twice a year. Every time we stepped on the field we were reminded by our coaches that we were reflections of our coaches, schools, and families. It is on the rarest occasion that a NCAA player steps out of line with bad sportsmanship, but that is also credited to the steep penalties/suspensions that the NCAA hands down if a player were to demonstrate bad sportsmanship.
I have learned from my experiences playing in front of thousands of screaming fans that there is a lot of pride and love for the desired home team universities to win. Fans can become nasty and have little to no sportsmanship qualities at certain times. This is usually the case when the other team is losing. I have only been affected by bad sportsmanship through heckles of fans one time. This was 4 years ago; we were the worst team in the nation ranked 115, and playing Missouri who was ranked #5. After the beating of our lives the fans never let up yelling vulgar, hurtful, and racist things to me and my team. We were all use to the Vulgarity's and racist remarks, but it was when we began being hit with plastic bottles and other things flying through the air that we were affected the most by unsportsmanlike acts from fans.
The sportsmanship portrayed in this link should be seen consistently across the nation at all levels of sport...http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24392612/
Tom Drewes
University at Buffalo
Honestly, I cannot believe someone would have the audacity to say those racial slurs, regardless of how intoxicated they were. The offensive slogans on t-shirts and clothing apparel doesn’t surprise me because people were passing out offensive stickers and buttons, I mean we are college students so of course we swear and what not, but I don’t see why verbal assaults were made because they were Michigan fans. What’s even more astonishing is the man with the pom-poms continuously hitting the woman in the back of the head. I have never witnessed behavior like this when I attend Penn State games, but I am sure it happens. Unfortunately, I was completely unaware of this travesty. I am ashamed of Penn State Fans for being crude to the other school and their fans, but also I am ashamed of our lack of respect. We can all have a good time without having to make someone’s experience turn into exactly what the title says a “nightmare”. I hope for that couple’s sake, something is done about this.
-Brittany Fabin
Penn State
Not to be rude or say this woman is lying in any way, but how do we know this isn’t fabricated. I don’t believe anyone would intentionally make up a story like this considering it is so detailed and descriptive, just throwing out there that possibility. If this story is true, I would be deeply upset with my fellow students and the portrayal of our fans. It is one thing to have a good time; it is another to go out of our way to make a couple have a horrible experience. When it comes down to it, it’s just a game. Whether we win or lose we have lives afterwards, and this couple came to enjoy a game, but instead were demoralized. I don’t believe in the actions and comments that were made, but at the same time I don’t want to believe PSU fans would be so harsh.
-Anonymous
Penn State
Wow. Pretty much sums it up. I know if I went to another school’s game and was treated that way I’d never look at that team the same way again. Penn State University needs to get some perspective soon. There is no need for this kind of humiliation. Period.
-Anonymous
Penn State
What a disgrace to Happy Valley and to us students. I certainly didn’t know about this story. Hopefully, next season we show more class and respect for others.
-Anonymous
Penn State
After reading the article, I believe this couple decided to take a few experiences with inappropriate people and expand these negative attitudes onto the entire university. I am not disagreeing that the people they were surrounded by were rude and out of line, but unfortunately, the world of sports has seemed to evolve into that nowadays. Not just in college football, the Big Ten, or Penn State, but professional leagues of every sport as well. That doesn't make it right, but to point fingers at only Penn State University based on a handful of people in a 100,000 person stadium isn't right either. I attended a football game in Ann Arbor, Michigan when they were playing Penn State in the 2009 season. I find it to be a known fact that if you wear the opposing team's colors, you're automatically drawing attention to yourself. I was decked out in Penn State attire, was harassed, yelled at from across streets. in the stadium, and at the concession stands, but I didn't choose to take it personally. To them, I was just a random Penn State fan. To us, these two individuals were random Michigan fans. The people they dealt with during the game were out of line, but to avoid the city of State College because of them is a bit harsh as well.
-Anonymous
Penn State
When I read this article, I was astounded about what I had just read. It seems almost unreal that this happened to someone visiting State College. It's rude to think that people have the guts to talk to others like that. The racial comments, and hitting this couple with pom-poms is ridiculous. It's embarrassing that this article is out there for anyone to read. If I was a parent, I wouldn't want my child attending Penn State as the opposing fan during football games. If this happens to 'elder' couples, what happens with college students visiting? It's probably far worse. I have never heard about this incident, nor have I ever seen this happen during a tailgate or the actual game itself. I know that some of the shirts that are made can be offensive with foul language, but actually going out of your way to talk to someone and make fun of them? That's not right.
-Jillian Wenkler
Penn State
I completely agree with the woman who wrote this article. I have also noticed how rude Penn State fans are to the opposing team's fans and I don't really understand why. Its just a game. Sometimes it really embarrasses me. Last year I went to Michigan when we played them and everyone was nice to me and no one yelled at me at all. This made me feel worst about how rude Penn State fans are. I was also horrified last year when I went to watch Penn State play Indiana at Fedex field and all of these adults around me were so drunk and screaming vulgar rude things at the field and at Indiana fans. Its really embarrassing and I wish that everyone at Penn State would leave fans of other teams alone. They are just trying to watch a football game too.
-Anonymous
Penn State
I am in utter disgust after reading that article. I believe that woman is completely just in her feelings. In today's world, opinions like that should be filtered and hardly thought, much less expressed. No one should be making remarks like that, especially at an innocent college football game. I am ashamed my fellow Penn State sports fans would ever behave in such a way. However I would like to say that that would not happen were students sober and in the student section, I feel that that kind of blatant racism is an old man's game and my generation has faced the other direction through embracing all races. For god sakes how can you degrade African Americans when most of our team is African American! I cannot defend the comments and remarks witnessed on the streets and tailgating, however I am again disgusted, no matter how distinguished her husband is, no one should be treated with such disrespect.
-Anonymous
Penn State
After reading this article, it made me realize how one experience can ruin so many potential good ones. This woman obviously did not have a good experience at Penn State and by no means should she have been treated the way her and her husband were. However, if she is from Pennsylvania she should know the pride and the passion Penn State has for their football team. She wore Michigan colors and could not have expected to be taunted in some way. I do think that the taunting was a bit extreme from what she describes and those racial slanders were not necessary at all and disrespectful. The only thing that really bothers me is her comment that she will never be returning to Penn State again. In one given year there are around 40,000 students who attend this campus. Beaver stadium seats over 100,000 people so by letting a few people during one game influence her view of Penn State is relatively irrational. She is letting one experience dictate her whole view of Penn State.
-Lindsey Weaver
Penn State
This article was my first exposure to this appalling and rather embarrassing incident. Football is something that Penn State takes great pride in, and the football games at Beaver Stadium are something that should be enjoyed my Penn State fans, fans of the opposing teams, and anybody else who wants to experience the event. It is discomforting to know that people come to Penn State and have such an awful experience. It is also discomforting to know that these two innocent individuals had an awful experience due to Penn State fans, students, alumni, and more. A little bit of rivalry provides excitement during the game, but this definitely was taken many steps too far. The taunting, name-calling, and racial slurs took things way past friendly rivalry. It is a shame to know that these two individuals will never look at Penn State the same, for it is a great school with many great students and alumni. Their situation was extremely unfortunate, and I hope that they can know that how those people acted to them is not the norm here at Penn State.
-Ashley Owoc
Penn state
As a former NCAA division 1 student athlete, I feel that my sportsmanship as an athlete is very good. This is a credit to my coaches, school, and the NCAA. Student-Athletes have to attend mandatory sportsmanship meetings at least twice a year. Every time we stepped on the field we were reminded by our coaches that we were reflections of our coaches, schools, and families. It is on the rarest occasion that a NCAA player steps out of line with bad sportsmanship, but that is also credited to the steep penalties/suspensions that the NCAA hands down if a player were to demonstrate bad sportsmanship.
I have learned from my experiences playing in front of thousands of screaming fans that there is a lot of pride and love for the desired home team universities to win. Fans can become nasty and have little to no sportsmanship qualities at certain times. This is usually the case when the other team is losing. I have only been affected by bad sportsmanship through heckles of fans one time. This was 4 years ago; we were the worst team in the nation ranked 115, and playing Missouri who was ranked #5. After the beating of our lives the fans never let up yelling vulgar, hurtful, and racist things to me and my team. We were all use to the Vulgarity's and racist remarks, but it was when we began being hit with plastic bottles and other things flying through the air that we were affected the most by unsportsmanlike acts from fans.
The sportsmanship portrayed in this link should be seen consistently across the nation at all levels of sport...http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24392612/
Tom Drewes
University at Buffalo
Honestly, I cannot believe someone would have the audacity to say those racial slurs, regardless of how intoxicated they were. The offensive slogans on t-shirts and clothing apparel doesn’t surprise me because people were passing out offensive stickers and buttons, I mean we are college students so of course we swear and what not, but I don’t see why verbal assaults were made because they were Michigan fans. What’s even more astonishing is the man with the pom-poms continuously hitting the woman in the back of the head. I have never witnessed behavior like this when I attend Penn State games, but I am sure it happens. Unfortunately, I was completely unaware of this travesty. I am ashamed of Penn State Fans for being crude to the other school and their fans, but also I am ashamed of our lack of respect. We can all have a good time without having to make someone’s experience turn into exactly what the title says a “nightmare”. I hope for that couple’s sake, something is done about this.
-Brittany Fabin
Penn State
Not to be rude or say this woman is lying in any way, but how do we know this isn’t fabricated. I don’t believe anyone would intentionally make up a story like this considering it is so detailed and descriptive, just throwing out there that possibility. If this story is true, I would be deeply upset with my fellow students and the portrayal of our fans. It is one thing to have a good time; it is another to go out of our way to make a couple have a horrible experience. When it comes down to it, it’s just a game. Whether we win or lose we have lives afterwards, and this couple came to enjoy a game, but instead were demoralized. I don’t believe in the actions and comments that were made, but at the same time I don’t want to believe PSU fans would be so harsh.
-Anonymous
Penn State
Wow. Pretty much sums it up. I know if I went to another school’s game and was treated that way I’d never look at that team the same way again. Penn State University needs to get some perspective soon. There is no need for this kind of humiliation. Period.
-Anonymous
Penn State
What a disgrace to Happy Valley and to us students. I certainly didn’t know about this story. Hopefully, next season we show more class and respect for others.
-Anonymous
Penn State
After reading the article, I believe this couple decided to take a few experiences with inappropriate people and expand these negative attitudes onto the entire university. I am not disagreeing that the people they were surrounded by were rude and out of line, but unfortunately, the world of sports has seemed to evolve into that nowadays. Not just in college football, the Big Ten, or Penn State, but professional leagues of every sport as well. That doesn't make it right, but to point fingers at only Penn State University based on a handful of people in a 100,000 person stadium isn't right either. I attended a football game in Ann Arbor, Michigan when they were playing Penn State in the 2009 season. I find it to be a known fact that if you wear the opposing team's colors, you're automatically drawing attention to yourself. I was decked out in Penn State attire, was harassed, yelled at from across streets. in the stadium, and at the concession stands, but I didn't choose to take it personally. To them, I was just a random Penn State fan. To us, these two individuals were random Michigan fans. The people they dealt with during the game were out of line, but to avoid the city of State College because of them is a bit harsh as well.
-Anonymous
Penn State
When I read this article, I was astounded about what I had just read. It seems almost unreal that this happened to someone visiting State College. It's rude to think that people have the guts to talk to others like that. The racial comments, and hitting this couple with pom-poms is ridiculous. It's embarrassing that this article is out there for anyone to read. If I was a parent, I wouldn't want my child attending Penn State as the opposing fan during football games. If this happens to 'elder' couples, what happens with college students visiting? It's probably far worse. I have never heard about this incident, nor have I ever seen this happen during a tailgate or the actual game itself. I know that some of the shirts that are made can be offensive with foul language, but actually going out of your way to talk to someone and make fun of them? That's not right.
-Jillian Wenkler
Penn State
I completely agree with the woman who wrote this article. I have also noticed how rude Penn State fans are to the opposing team's fans and I don't really understand why. Its just a game. Sometimes it really embarrasses me. Last year I went to Michigan when we played them and everyone was nice to me and no one yelled at me at all. This made me feel worst about how rude Penn State fans are. I was also horrified last year when I went to watch Penn State play Indiana at Fedex field and all of these adults around me were so drunk and screaming vulgar rude things at the field and at Indiana fans. Its really embarrassing and I wish that everyone at Penn State would leave fans of other teams alone. They are just trying to watch a football game too.
-Anonymous
Penn State
I am in utter disgust after reading that article. I believe that woman is completely just in her feelings. In today's world, opinions like that should be filtered and hardly thought, much less expressed. No one should be making remarks like that, especially at an innocent college football game. I am ashamed my fellow Penn State sports fans would ever behave in such a way. However I would like to say that that would not happen were students sober and in the student section, I feel that that kind of blatant racism is an old man's game and my generation has faced the other direction through embracing all races. For god sakes how can you degrade African Americans when most of our team is African American! I cannot defend the comments and remarks witnessed on the streets and tailgating, however I am again disgusted, no matter how distinguished her husband is, no one should be treated with such disrespect.
-Anonymous
Penn State
After reading this article, it made me realize how one experience can ruin so many potential good ones. This woman obviously did not have a good experience at Penn State and by no means should she have been treated the way her and her husband were. However, if she is from Pennsylvania she should know the pride and the passion Penn State has for their football team. She wore Michigan colors and could not have expected to be taunted in some way. I do think that the taunting was a bit extreme from what she describes and those racial slanders were not necessary at all and disrespectful. The only thing that really bothers me is her comment that she will never be returning to Penn State again. In one given year there are around 40,000 students who attend this campus. Beaver stadium seats over 100,000 people so by letting a few people during one game influence her view of Penn State is relatively irrational. She is letting one experience dictate her whole view of Penn State.
-Lindsey Weaver
Penn State
This article was my first exposure to this appalling and rather embarrassing incident. Football is something that Penn State takes great pride in, and the football games at Beaver Stadium are something that should be enjoyed my Penn State fans, fans of the opposing teams, and anybody else who wants to experience the event. It is discomforting to know that people come to Penn State and have such an awful experience. It is also discomforting to know that these two innocent individuals had an awful experience due to Penn State fans, students, alumni, and more. A little bit of rivalry provides excitement during the game, but this definitely was taken many steps too far. The taunting, name-calling, and racial slurs took things way past friendly rivalry. It is a shame to know that these two individuals will never look at Penn State the same, for it is a great school with many great students and alumni. Their situation was extremely unfortunate, and I hope that they can know that how those people acted to them is not the norm here at Penn State.
-Ashley Owoc
Penn state
That Empty Lot on Fraser Street....
Many of you might be wondering what is happening with the empty lot on 100 South Fraser, between Beaver Avenue and Calder, well nobody really knows what is going on. The only certain thing is that they are constructing a multi-purpose building. The current debate is towards deciding what exactly the building could accommodate. Some advocate for more condominiums, office space, retail space, and garden site.
As stated in the “Fraser Calder Farmers Market Idea Update” article published on April 11, 2011 on the Transition Centre County blog, numerous residents of State College wish to convert the building into an eco-friendly structure that will house the farmers market year round. The construction of this type of building would be cheaper and better for the environment. Advocates of this initiative also wish to create a garden around the building. The garden would have fruit trees, herbs, vegetables, and flowers. This approach would promote sustainability and most of all, the practice of buying local produce. Through this option the State College area would be able to buy local produce all year round (when in season), while creating a culture of sustainability for the area. Promoters of this plan also stress the benefits of having more trees and gardens in the Downtown area.
The fact that the farmers market would have a stable place all year round is also inviting to residents that work full day from 9am-5pm. These residents would have access to fresh local produce regardless of their constraining work schedules. Since most people advocating for this proposal also have work schedules, they need help pushing the idea. The proponents are thinking of having a written proposal by next month and working to promote the Fraser Centre garden idea. If you wish to collaborate in the process or learn more about the proposal it is as easy as googling “fraser centre state college pa”. I encourage you to learn more about this wonderful project and get active!
Link to the blog spot:
http://transitioncentrecounty.wordpress.com/2011/04/22/fraser-calder-farmers-market-idea-update/
As stated in the “Fraser Calder Farmers Market Idea Update” article published on April 11, 2011 on the Transition Centre County blog, numerous residents of State College wish to convert the building into an eco-friendly structure that will house the farmers market year round. The construction of this type of building would be cheaper and better for the environment. Advocates of this initiative also wish to create a garden around the building. The garden would have fruit trees, herbs, vegetables, and flowers. This approach would promote sustainability and most of all, the practice of buying local produce. Through this option the State College area would be able to buy local produce all year round (when in season), while creating a culture of sustainability for the area. Promoters of this plan also stress the benefits of having more trees and gardens in the Downtown area.
The fact that the farmers market would have a stable place all year round is also inviting to residents that work full day from 9am-5pm. These residents would have access to fresh local produce regardless of their constraining work schedules. Since most people advocating for this proposal also have work schedules, they need help pushing the idea. The proponents are thinking of having a written proposal by next month and working to promote the Fraser Centre garden idea. If you wish to collaborate in the process or learn more about the proposal it is as easy as googling “fraser centre state college pa”. I encourage you to learn more about this wonderful project and get active!
Link to the blog spot:
http://transitioncentrecounty.wordpress.com/2011/04/22/fraser-calder-farmers-market-idea-update/
Penn State Community Garden
Penn State Community Garden:
- Part of the Center for Sustainability: http://www.cfs.psu.edu/
- Garden is open to undergrads, grads, staff, faculty and community members
- This year’s mission: Expand educational value for the university and reach out to local schools to help them understand the importance of sustainable gardening and agriculture. Organizers feel that by working with many different people, we might instill a sense of a true connection to sustainability in them and they will go forth with that passion
- Engaging everyone:
o Buildings designed by 2010 Freshman Architecture Seminar
o Landscape architecture and horticulture designing bee-friendly garden
o Fresh, organic produce for Café Laura
- Outreach:
o Conference attendance to share start-up story
o Act as a resource for other universities
- Website: https://sites.google.com/a/psu.edu/community-garden/Home
- Featured Blogs: https://sites.google.com/a/psu.edu/community-garden/garden-blogs/featured-blogs
- Part of the Center for Sustainability: http://www.cfs.psu.edu/
- Garden is open to undergrads, grads, staff, faculty and community members
- This year’s mission: Expand educational value for the university and reach out to local schools to help them understand the importance of sustainable gardening and agriculture. Organizers feel that by working with many different people, we might instill a sense of a true connection to sustainability in them and they will go forth with that passion
- Engaging everyone:
o Buildings designed by 2010 Freshman Architecture Seminar
o Landscape architecture and horticulture designing bee-friendly garden
o Fresh, organic produce for Café Laura
- Outreach:
o Conference attendance to share start-up story
o Act as a resource for other universities
- Website: https://sites.google.com/a/psu.edu/community-garden/Home
- Featured Blogs: https://sites.google.com/a/psu.edu/community-garden/garden-blogs/featured-blogs
A Beaver Stadium Nightmare
A Beaver Stadium nightmare
November 14, 2010 5:17pm EST
Centre Daily Times / centredaily.com
On Oct. 30 my husband and I attended the Penn State-Michigan football game. I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, while my husband is from Benton Harbor, Mich., and a huge Michigan fan. Being retired military, we have lived all over the United States, however, recently we resided in Michigan for the past 10 years. We were thrilled to attend the game in the Beaver Stadium. Yes, we were dressed in blue and maize. Little did we know what we were about to endure.
It was the first time in my life that I was truly ashamed and embarrassed to be from Pennsylvania. From the moment we parked our car and began walking to the stadium, we were astounded to find people (assumedly students) wearing white T-shirts with offensive slogans and language toward Michigan. The verbal assaults were even more rude, degrading and demeaning. We were prepared for the “normal, high-spirited fun” that goes along with being the opposing team. This was far beyond what any fan should have to endure.
It was our intention to walk around and enjoy the festivities, but after being called names we decided to enter the stadium early. Our seats were excellent, row 25, seats 16 and 18, on the 40-yard line. We were informed by two polite gentlemen in front of us that our seats were in the middle of the “older alumni” section. We expected a reasonable amount of decorum and respect. We couldn’t have been more incorrect.
The three gentlemen in the row behind to my left verbally attacked me throughout the entire game. It began with the man directly behind me intentionally hitting me in the back of the head with a pompom. The first time, I turned around and looked at him. That was obviously the wrong thing to do… from that point forward, he NEVER stopped making comments about my husband and me.
I wish I could say that I thought that this man was drunk, but he did not seem to be drunk at all. He repeatedly called me names. I finally turned around and politely asked him to “please stop hitting me in the head with the pompom.” That just made things worse. He and his friends decided to hit me in the back of the head with their hands instead of the pompom. I ignored them, but they did it repeatedly.
The icing on the cake was halftime. My husband went to use the restroom. I opted to stay in my seat to avoid any further drama. I should have left too, because that was when racial comments began. (I am Caucasian and my husband is African-American). I was called names laced with racial slurs. I am not naïve, but I never expected this on Penn State’s campus.
The two seats directly behind my husband were occupied by elder alumni. The older lady, who was sitting beside the man who made the majority of the racial comments, told me that when she becomes the “president of the board” she is going to make it a rule that people can only leave their seats during halftime. There was no way she could have avoided overhearing the discriminative comments made by the man beside her, but she never said a word to him. Instead, she chose to worry about the crowded seating and people going in and out.
Upon my husband’s return, he told me that a gentleman who was sitting about four rows in front of us (he was dressed like a huge ninja turtle) attempted to refuse to allow my husband to use the restroom. He even went as far as to put his arm across the doorframe to block my husband’s path. My husband told the man, an adult fan, that if he didn’t move his arm he was going to urinate on him. My husband moved the man’s arm and went into the bathroom. For the remainder of the game, the man kept looking back and taunting my husband.
I did not tell my husband about the racial slurs and comments during halftime. Not only was I embarrassed that people from my home state are still so ignorant, but my husband was a Marine for over 15 years and he would have firmly believed in handling the situation on the spot. It deeply saddens me that for the first time in my life, I had to experience blatant racial discrimination in my own home state.
Penn State’s website touts how “Penn State African-American graduates have helped shaped and molded our wonderful country.” I have to wonder what those successful African-Americans would feel about how their “prestigious alumni” treat fans that they think should not be welcome at Penn State sporting events.
We are parents of five children and we are fair. If someone does something remarkable, impressive or just plain good, we cheer. During this game, we didn’t clap for anyone. The comments were overwhelming. We were repeatedly told to leave that we were NOT welcome there. From the minute we sat down until the five minute time mark in the fourth quarter, when we decided that we had had enough, we were continuously harassed.
The comments we heard while exiting the Beaver Stadium were equally horrendous. The racial comments were mixed right in along with racially demeaning comments. Unfortunately, we will never return to State College. I will pass this letter along to many people, including the president of the Penn State alumni board. It is my sincerest hope that when you read this that you take it to heart and share it with your colleagues. Accept it as a learning experience and make positive changes to make Penn State the university that it “claims” to be.
Linda L. Baker
Greensburg
Read more: http://www.centredaily.com/2010/11/14/v-print/2339293/a-beaver-stadium-nightmare.html#ixzz1EB5eNhUt
November 14, 2010 5:17pm EST
Centre Daily Times / centredaily.com
On Oct. 30 my husband and I attended the Penn State-Michigan football game. I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, while my husband is from Benton Harbor, Mich., and a huge Michigan fan. Being retired military, we have lived all over the United States, however, recently we resided in Michigan for the past 10 years. We were thrilled to attend the game in the Beaver Stadium. Yes, we were dressed in blue and maize. Little did we know what we were about to endure.
It was the first time in my life that I was truly ashamed and embarrassed to be from Pennsylvania. From the moment we parked our car and began walking to the stadium, we were astounded to find people (assumedly students) wearing white T-shirts with offensive slogans and language toward Michigan. The verbal assaults were even more rude, degrading and demeaning. We were prepared for the “normal, high-spirited fun” that goes along with being the opposing team. This was far beyond what any fan should have to endure.
It was our intention to walk around and enjoy the festivities, but after being called names we decided to enter the stadium early. Our seats were excellent, row 25, seats 16 and 18, on the 40-yard line. We were informed by two polite gentlemen in front of us that our seats were in the middle of the “older alumni” section. We expected a reasonable amount of decorum and respect. We couldn’t have been more incorrect.
The three gentlemen in the row behind to my left verbally attacked me throughout the entire game. It began with the man directly behind me intentionally hitting me in the back of the head with a pompom. The first time, I turned around and looked at him. That was obviously the wrong thing to do… from that point forward, he NEVER stopped making comments about my husband and me.
I wish I could say that I thought that this man was drunk, but he did not seem to be drunk at all. He repeatedly called me names. I finally turned around and politely asked him to “please stop hitting me in the head with the pompom.” That just made things worse. He and his friends decided to hit me in the back of the head with their hands instead of the pompom. I ignored them, but they did it repeatedly.
The icing on the cake was halftime. My husband went to use the restroom. I opted to stay in my seat to avoid any further drama. I should have left too, because that was when racial comments began. (I am Caucasian and my husband is African-American). I was called names laced with racial slurs. I am not naïve, but I never expected this on Penn State’s campus.
The two seats directly behind my husband were occupied by elder alumni. The older lady, who was sitting beside the man who made the majority of the racial comments, told me that when she becomes the “president of the board” she is going to make it a rule that people can only leave their seats during halftime. There was no way she could have avoided overhearing the discriminative comments made by the man beside her, but she never said a word to him. Instead, she chose to worry about the crowded seating and people going in and out.
Upon my husband’s return, he told me that a gentleman who was sitting about four rows in front of us (he was dressed like a huge ninja turtle) attempted to refuse to allow my husband to use the restroom. He even went as far as to put his arm across the doorframe to block my husband’s path. My husband told the man, an adult fan, that if he didn’t move his arm he was going to urinate on him. My husband moved the man’s arm and went into the bathroom. For the remainder of the game, the man kept looking back and taunting my husband.
I did not tell my husband about the racial slurs and comments during halftime. Not only was I embarrassed that people from my home state are still so ignorant, but my husband was a Marine for over 15 years and he would have firmly believed in handling the situation on the spot. It deeply saddens me that for the first time in my life, I had to experience blatant racial discrimination in my own home state.
Penn State’s website touts how “Penn State African-American graduates have helped shaped and molded our wonderful country.” I have to wonder what those successful African-Americans would feel about how their “prestigious alumni” treat fans that they think should not be welcome at Penn State sporting events.
We are parents of five children and we are fair. If someone does something remarkable, impressive or just plain good, we cheer. During this game, we didn’t clap for anyone. The comments were overwhelming. We were repeatedly told to leave that we were NOT welcome there. From the minute we sat down until the five minute time mark in the fourth quarter, when we decided that we had had enough, we were continuously harassed.
The comments we heard while exiting the Beaver Stadium were equally horrendous. The racial comments were mixed right in along with racially demeaning comments. Unfortunately, we will never return to State College. I will pass this letter along to many people, including the president of the Penn State alumni board. It is my sincerest hope that when you read this that you take it to heart and share it with your colleagues. Accept it as a learning experience and make positive changes to make Penn State the university that it “claims” to be.
Linda L. Baker
Greensburg
Read more: http://www.centredaily.com/2010/11/14/v-print/2339293/a-beaver-stadium-nightmare.html#ixzz1EB5eNhUt
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