The Story Behind Penn State's Colors: From Pink and Black to Blue and White

Penn State University's colors, blue and white, are deeply ingrained in the university's identity. These colors represent the community’s pride and strong roots across Pennsylvania and beyond. However, the journey to these iconic colors involved a brief but memorable period of pink and black.

The Adoption of Blue and White

In 1890, navy blue and white were officially adopted as Penn State's colors. This decision was made by the Athletic Association, which had become dissatisfied with the previous committee's work on selecting colors. The April 1890 issue of The Free Lance documented a meeting held on March 18 of that year, where the association took charge of the matter themselves.

The exact reasons for choosing navy blue and white remain unknown. However, the timing of the meeting coincided with a visit to campus by a representative from E. K. Tryon, Jr. & Company, a Philadelphia-based athletic outfitter. The combination of navy blue and white was quickly embraced by the students, and E. K. Tyron & Co. supplied the blazers and caps in the new college colors.

For the last 134 years, Penn State athletes, students, and fans have proudly worn navy blue and white. These colors are prominently featured in athletic uniforms, merchandise, and university branding.

A Nod to the Past: Pink and Black

Before the adoption of blue and white, Penn State's original colors were pink and black. In 1887, a committee of students from the sophomore, junior, and senior classes was formed to select colors to represent the Pennsylvania State College (PSC), as the institution was then known. This was a period when many colleges and universities were establishing their colors to distinguish their athletic teams during intercollegiate competitions.

The committee's selections were presented to the student body, who unanimously adopted pink and black. George R. Meek, who graduated in 1890, played a significant role in this decision. Meek, who served as the first editor of the La Vie yearbook and the first graduate manager of PSC athletics, recalled that the colors were chosen because they wanted something bright and attractive, while avoiding red and orange, which were already in use by other colleges.

Meek collaborated with the E.K. Tryon Company in Philadelphia to create pink-and-black-striped flannel specifically for Pennsylvania State College. Blazers and caps made from this material became popular among students. However, the pink dye proved to be unstable, fading to white in sunlight within a few weeks.

Why the Change?

The instability of the pink dye was a major factor in the eventual change to blue and white. According to F.J. Pond, a faculty member from 1893 to 1903 and a member of the class of 1892, the baseball club played a crucial role in the shift. During a game against Dickinson, the Dickinson team parodied Penn State's cheer, which included the lines "Yah, yah, hay. Yah, yah, yeh. Bees wax. Bees wax." This incident, combined with the fading pink color, led to widespread support for a change in both the cheer and the school colors.

Remembering the Original Colors

Despite the relatively short period of their use, pink and black hold a special place in Penn State's history. During each Homecoming game at Beaver Stadium, fans pay tribute to the original colors by forming a pink and black "S-Zone" in the student section. Occasionally, Penn State teams will wear pink and black uniforms or warmup gear at select athletic events.

"We Are Penn State"

The phrase “We Are Penn State” was cheered for the first time on September 11, 1976, in Beaver Stadium by University cheerleaders. By 1981 the cheer had become a permanent part of the language of every Penn Stater.

In 1946, the Penn State football team was set to play a segregated opponent. Penn State players refused to leave their Black players at home, unanimously voting to cancel the game. The following season, captain Steve Suhey said there was no reason to call another vote because “we are Penn State.”

Today, “We Are Penn State” can still be heard ringing through Beaver Stadium, welcoming freshman students, saluting new graduates, and used as a greeting when you spot a fellow Penn Stater.

Traditions and Symbols

Penn State boasts a rich tapestry of traditions and symbols that contribute to its vibrant campus culture:

Nittany Lion Mascot: Inspired by the mountain lions that once roamed the region, the Nittany Lion mascot takes its name from Mount Nittany. For over a century, the Nittany Lion has been a symbol of Penn State spirit, rallying crowds and welcoming students.
Nittany Lion Shrine: Carved from a 13-ton block of limestone, the Nittany Lion Shrine is a must-visit landmark on campus. Since the late 1960s, Lion Ambassadors and ROTC volunteers have guarded the shrine during homecoming weekend to protect it from rival universities.
The World's Best Student Section: The electric energy in Beaver Stadium’s south end zone is unrivaled. Cheering on the Nittany Lions at a Penn State White Out game is a bucket list item for any sports fanatic.
Blue Band: Recognized as one of the nation’s finest college marching bands, the Penn State Blue Band's trademark drills and instrumentals are unmistakable.
THON: Penn State THON is a fundraising effort for Four Diamonds to support children and families impacted by pediatric cancer.

The Significance of Colors

The use of colors to represent universities gained prominence in the late 19th century with the rise of intercollegiate athletics. As sports became more popular, the need to distinguish athletes from different schools led to the adoption of official colors. Penn State's colors, both past and present, serve as a visual representation of the university's history, traditions, and community spirit.

From Farmers' High School to a Leading University

Founded in 1855 as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania, Penn State was designated the state's first land-grant university in 1863. Over the years, the institution has evolved into a leading research university with a global reach.

Read also: Penn State Admission: Average ACT

In 1862, the school's name was changed to the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania. By 1875, enrollment fell to 64 undergraduates, and the school attempted to balance its primary focus on agricultural studies with classic education. In 1882, George W. Atherton became president, and he broadened the curriculum to include liberal arts, law, and engineering. A major road in State College was later named in Atherton's honor.

In 1953, President Milton S. Eisenhower sought and won permission to elevate the school to university status, and it assumed its current name, The Pennsylvania State University. In the 1970s, the university became a state-related institution, leading to its membership in the Commonwealth System of Higher Education.

A Modern University

Today, Penn State enrolls more than 89,000 students across its 24 campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvania. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very high research activity" and is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU).

The university has two law schools: Penn State Law on the school's University Park campus and Penn State Dickinson Law in Carlisle. The College of Medicine is in Hershey. Most of its athletic teams, known collectively as the Penn State Nittany Lions, compete in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the NCAA.

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