After Penn State basketball pounded No. 8 Purdue Thursday night at the Bryce Jordan Center, coach Mike Rhoades didn’t want to wait until the post game press conference to talk.
When a head coach gets on the microphone to address fans almost immediately after a game, it means either something great or something terrible just happened.
An example of the latter took place in 2008, when UCLA football coach Rick Neuheisel apologized to the Rose Bowl faithful after a 24-10 loss to Oregon.
Fortunately for Penn State, Rhoades’ speech was much more positive.
WHAT RHOADES SAID
Mike Rhoades on the sidelines during Penn State Basketball’s 86-64 win over Virginia Tech. Photo via Penn State Athletics.
Rhoades’ message wasn’t a long one but he got his point across.
“These are the memories we’re going to make at Penn State,” he said with passion. “I love you all and thank you so much. Keep coming back. This is what we’re gonna do. Thank you!”
Mike Rhoades with a PSA for Penn State fans: pic.twitter.com/kNSjSTHa6Z
— Brennan Valladares (@Valladares7B) December 6, 2024
‘SWEAT WITH US’
Mike Rhoades speaking with the media ahead of Friday’s clash with Virginia Tech. Photo via Penn State Athletics.
Another thing Rhoades said in his mini-speech was a three-word phrase that’s become a rallying cry amongst Penn State basketball and its fans:
“Sweat with us.”
Here’s how it started.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Rhoades first uttered them after the team’s win over Purdue Fort Wayne Nov. 20.
“This is to everybody that shows up to games at the [Bryce Jordan Center], OK?” Rhoades told reporters after the game. “The talk and what we used to say about the BJC and how quiet it is, I’m challenging all of you, right, the old Penn Staters, the middle-aged Penn Staters like me and all the young ones, all the students, every one of us: Get out of your seat, get on your feet, sweat with us, OK? We don’t need popcorn at this game. Get your butts out of the seats.”
