RSS
THE UNSUNG STAR OF PSU HOME GAMES
Wanna know why Penn State is so tough to play in Happy Valley these days? There are lots of reasons the Nittany Lions have won 16 of the last 17 games played at Beaver Stadium, of course, like a slew of playmakers at the skilled positions, dynamic linebackers, solid coaching and a steady stream of 100,000-plus fans that are loud and passionate.
But here’s an important name you may not be familiar with: Guido D’Elia. Hired by Penn State in 2004, his official title is director of communications and branding for Penn State football. He is the guy who is chiefly responsible for orchestrating what has become one of the wildest, most intimidating atmospheres in all of college athletics.
During games, the 60-year-old is in the press box, manipulating the crowd through an array of scripted moments designed to stoke the crowd and intimidate the opposition. When you hear AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne, Blur or Metallica blaring through the speakers following a big play, you didn’t think Joe Paterno had anything to do with it, did you?
For the second home game of his tenure, D’Elia came up with the first ‘White Out’ at Beaver Stadium in Sept. of 2004. Not all of the students wore the same color, as a sign of solidarity, but the seed was planted and the Lions topped Central Florida, 37-13.
The following season, he took it all to another level when Ohio State came to town. The Buckeyes were greeted by a 22,000 crazed students all dressed in white. ESPN’s Kirk Herbsteit said it was the best student section in the nation, and PSU prevailed, 17-10, en route to the Big Ten title. Soon thereafter, Sports Illustrated declared Penn State the “Greatest Show in College Football.”
Last week against Notre Dame, D’Elia unveiled an ‘All-Out, White Out.’ The result was an incredible white sea of 110,000, and a 31-10 victory. Sports Illustrated published a full-color gatefold photo of the stadium in this week’s edition.
The impression – to recruits attending the game as well as fan all across the nation – is powerful. Thanks to D’Elia, Penn State is reaping the rewards of the kind of positive publicity you simply cannot buy.
– NEIL GEOGHEGAN.
But here’s an important name you may not be familiar with: Guido D’Elia. Hired by Penn State in 2004, his official title is director of communications and branding for Penn State football. He is the guy who is chiefly responsible for orchestrating what has become one of the wildest, most intimidating atmospheres in all of college athletics.
During games, the 60-year-old is in the press box, manipulating the crowd through an array of scripted moments designed to stoke the crowd and intimidate the opposition. When you hear AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne, Blur or Metallica blaring through the speakers following a big play, you didn’t think Joe Paterno had anything to do with it, did you?
For the second home game of his tenure, D’Elia came up with the first ‘White Out’ at Beaver Stadium in Sept. of 2004. Not all of the students wore the same color, as a sign of solidarity, but the seed was planted and the Lions topped Central Florida, 37-13.
The following season, he took it all to another level when Ohio State came to town. The Buckeyes were greeted by a 22,000 crazed students all dressed in white. ESPN’s Kirk Herbsteit said it was the best student section in the nation, and PSU prevailed, 17-10, en route to the Big Ten title. Soon thereafter, Sports Illustrated declared Penn State the “Greatest Show in College Football.”
Last week against Notre Dame, D’Elia unveiled an ‘All-Out, White Out.’ The result was an incredible white sea of 110,000, and a 31-10 victory. Sports Illustrated published a full-color gatefold photo of the stadium in this week’s edition.
The impression – to recruits attending the game as well as fan all across the nation – is powerful. Thanks to D’Elia, Penn State is reaping the rewards of the kind of positive publicity you simply cannot buy.
– NEIL GEOGHEGAN.
posted by Nittany Lines at
4:43 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home