Events: Guard the Lion Shrine

Lion Ambassadors are traditionally members in the Homecoming Parade. They have been spotted on flatbeds being pulled by horses, aboard a blue and white fire truck and even on two fire trucks. The Ambassadors sing Penn State songs and invite the crowd to join in on cheers as they travel the parade route. Immediately after the Homecoming Parade, the Lion Ambassadors throw a huge event called Guard the Lion Shrine, which is jam packed with guest speakers, food and drinks, a DJ and, of course, Penn State Pride.

This tradition began in 1966 when Sue Paterno and a friend daubed the shrine in orange latex paint to stoke interest in that year's Homecoming football game against Syracuse. They left the scene in a getaway car when they thought they had been spotted by campus police. The paint washed off easily, but Syracuse fans later doused the shrine in oil-based paint, making the removal process much more difficult. Since then, "Guard the Lion Shrine" has been recognized as a Homecoming event, making it one of Penn State's best traditions.

To this old tradition, a new tradition has been added: The Last Guard Standing Competition, which began in 2004. The Last Guard Standing Competition is open for all Penn State students to enjoy. Compete in events against your peers for prizes. Traditionally, field passes to the Homecoming Game were the grand prize!

In the past, Sue Paterno has been invited to tell the legendary story about the Penn State vs. Syracuse Homecoming football game during which a few pranks were pulled on the shrine to increase enthusiasm and spirit. She returned Homecoming 2006 to recount her famous tale.