Penn State blowing a 19-point lead to Rutgers Sunday at the Bryce Jordan Center was bad enough.
Reported poor behavior from the school’s student section, “Legion of Blue,” doesn’t help anything.
Penn State student section Legion of Blue issued a note to its members alleging slurs were used against Rutgers Men’s Basketball players.
The note also shares they have been warned by the athletics department and police. pic.twitter.com/V0cQYBVKMi
— Noah Riffe (@NoahRiffe) February 27, 2023
A GroupMe message from the student section’s Vice President, Noah Odige, revealed reported behavior issues ranging from swearing to racial slurs. The message was obtained and tweeted by Noah Riffe, a photo editor with Gannett. Riffe told USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey that he communicated with Odige, and Odige didn’t deny the message’s legitimacy.
” Loved the energy from the crowd, Odige wrote. “There are some issues however, that need to be addressed.
Firstly, there are lines we do not cross as fans, that includes being physical, hostile, or in any way disrespectful to opposing fans, players, coaches, etc. ‘Happy Valley Hospitality’ isn’t just a thing that we say it’s an attitude that we stay consistent with.”
Penn State’s student section is located behind the team’s benches.
Odige’s note mentioned reports of a Penn State fan throwing a fathead at a member of the Rutgers program.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.” That is unacceptable,” Odige wrote, “and it’s something that can not only get you barred from the BJC but face police charges as well.”
Odige went on to write that Penn State athletics was issued a police warning “due to the alleged explicit, racist, and vulgar language directed to members of the Rutgers basketball team.”
“Things such as f-bombs, n-words, and other slurs being thrown around are downright unacceptable, and the privilege of sitting behind the benches will be revoked if this behavior continues.”
Somebody who traveled with Rutgers and sat on the court told USA TODAY NETWORK NEW JERSEY he “did not hear any racist taunts” but did describe a “stream of vulgarities showered upon the team throughout the game.”
Odige wrote that both Penn State and the Legion of Blue’s leaders were “extremely disappointed by the behavior displayed.”
“Not only is it a bad look for the Legion of Blue but for our program and university as well,” he wrote.
Odige ended the note by saying that the student section’s leaders trust that similar behavior won’t be displayed in Penn State’s home finale against Maryland this coming Sunday, March 5.
