Homecoming week at Penn State is plentiful with many events on campus, some being a tradition like the guarding of the lion shrine. The lion shrine tradition dates back to 1966, the year of the Penn State-Syracuse football game. Ultimately, Sue Paterno covered the lion shrine in removable orange paint to hype up Penn Staters, however, Syracuse students took advantage of Paterno’s gesture and painted the shrine with an oil-based paint. (Mandarino) This led to the great tradition of “Guarding the Lion Shrine”, that still continues to be done today.
The Penn State Army ROTC carries this tradition with a group known as Lions Guard, which is a club named after this very event that happens every homecoming week. Lions Guard is responsible for color guarding at PSU games like football, hockey, volleyball, and other events/activities, they also perform the saber arch during Dining Out. As the club name entails, Lions Guard guards the lion shrine during homecoming week.
Lions Guard takes this task very seriously as it is a tradition that is taken pridefully within Penn State. Each week the club has practice/meeting on Tuesday to learn and practice the skills/knowledge needed to be successful, such as posting of the colors, rifle movements, etc. The week before homecoming week, the practice was dedicated to learning the history behind the tradition and how to do the guarding properly. In order to ensure smooth sailing during the Lions Guards shifts, each cadet was given detailed instruction and critique on their guarding of the lion.
With great pride comes great pressure, Penn Staters from all over come to visit Happy Valley during homecoming week. Therefore, it was crucial for cadets to do their part properly and professionally with all eyes on them. Guarding the shrine is truly not a simple task, cadets must properly march to the shrine, then hand off the rifle and stand at parade rest for 30-minute shifts. There is no smiling or talking while guarding the lion, which can be difficult as people surround you while taking pictures or simply admiring the shrine. Tuesday through Friday night pairs of cadets each takes 30-minute shifts “protecting” the shrine, which draws crowds of people who get a look at one of the best-kept traditions at Penn State.