Interesting question, with regards to PSU sports

NittPicker

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Jun 30, 2001
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My first thought is of a coach, not an athlete.
Agree, but the first coach I’d think of is Cael Sanderson. As far as athletes, I’d currently say Carter Starocci. At one time it would have been Bo Nickal. In a couple years it’ll be whichever wrestler is on a multiple championship run.

I know the assumption is it would be a football player. However, the lion head logo isn’t really used to brand the football team. It doesn’t appear on the field and isn’t very prominent on the uniform. OTOH, the logo is on the back of the wrestlers’ singlets and is very prominent on the home mat.

Now if the question involved a plain white football helmet with a simple blue stripe then dozens of names would come to mind.
 

manatree

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Rosey Grier. They showed us ‘Free to Be, You and Me’ at the public library when I was a wee one.
 
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psuro

Heisman
Aug 24, 2001
8,960
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Fusina.

I first started getting interested in PSU football during his time as QB.
 
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FHSPSU67

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May 29, 2001
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Only athletes that come to mind during this era are Curt Walker and Todd Blacklidge.
 

JoeLion

Senior
May 29, 2001
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Hmmm…..I met Mike Reid while in HS and was very impressed when at that age nothing impresses. I was always Ham and Franco fan as well, and there is our only Hiesman winner Cappy.
 

Bob78

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Agree, but the first coach I’d think of is Cael Sanderson. As far as athletes, I’d currently say Carter Starocci. At one time it would have been Bo Nickal. In a couple years it’ll be whichever wrestler is on a multiple championship run.

I know the assumption is it would be a football player. However, the lion head logo isn’t really used to brand the football team. It doesn’t appear on the field and isn’t very prominent on the uniform. OTOH, the logo is on the back of the wrestlers’ singlets and is very prominent on the home mat.

Now if the question involved a plain white football helmet with a simple blue stripe then dozens of names would come to mind.
Fwiw, for many seasons, that logo was part of the end zone. The end zone paint was the logo followed by PennState.
I don't recall when that stopped and they went to the block PENN STATE, but probably 15 or so years ago after at least 15 years or more of using it.
I'd argue that the logo is still prominent in football branding online and around the stadium and in football-related fan gear, but that's just my impression.
 

MacNit

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Agree, but the first coach I’d think of is Cael Sanderson. As far as athletes, I’d currently say Carter Starocci. At one time it would have been Bo Nickal. In a couple years it’ll be whichever wrestler is on a multiple championship run.

I know the assumption is it would be a football player. However, the lion head logo isn’t really used to brand the football team. It doesn’t appear on the field and isn’t very prominent on the uniform. OTOH, the logo is on the back of the wrestlers’ singlets and is very prominent on the home mat.

Now if the question involved a plain white football helmet with a simple blue stripe then dozens of names would come to mind.
Laughable.

Joe Paterno.
 
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Bison13

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I don’t really think of a single athlete when I see the logo. I think of the school and going to events. As someone who was at the main campus fall 94 through 98 I more associate that symbol with going to the stadium or rec hall to watch an event or just being at the baseball field
 

PrtLng Lion

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Agree with others- JoePa is first person.
first sports moment/memory: "Intercepted, Giftopolous!!"

To answer OP's question directly.... i would waffle between Lavar, Saquon, and KiJana Carter.
 

PSUJam

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Oct 7, 2021
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I don’t really think of a single athlete when I see the logo. I think of the school and going to events. As someone who was at the main campus fall 94 through 98 I more associate that symbol with going to the stadium or rec hall to watch an event or just being at the baseball field
Besides those obvious players from the early-mid 90's teams, Curtis Enis was a beast that I remember watching live like it was yesterday. Then there was this play, which was awesome.

 

PSUAVLNC

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For me, the logo means Penn State, and when I think of Penn State athletes Franco Harris is always firs on my list, even if he was pre logo.
 
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Blair10

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My first thought is of a coach, not an athlete.

You nailed it. In fact, to be more specific that Athletic logo reminds me of former head coach Joe Paterno.

There is a reason there are no player names on the Football jerseys. There is no doubt, Football is THE sport at Penn State.
 
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MacNit

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I didn't post to humor anyone. Sorry. Besides, Joe wasn't an athlete at Penn State, which was the original premise.
Cael Sanderson over Joe? Maybe the best wresting coach ever. But few could pick him out at the post office.
 

Blair10

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Cael Sanderson over Joe? Maybe the best wresting coach ever. But few could pick him out at the post office.

The reason the logo reminds me of former coach Joe Paterno is because it was designed and introduced during the Paterno era. It has nothing to do with who was the greatest or best coach (that’s a different topic for another day).
 
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PSU73

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Feb 10, 2002
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What the heck. In the 'not the main stream sports' category, some Honorable mentions:
Gene Wettstone was the head coach of the men's gymnastics team at Pennsylvania State University from 1939 to 1976. He led the Penn State Nittany Lions gymnasts to nine national championships. He also coached the United States men's gymnastics teams at the 1948 and 1956 Summer Olympics. [Wikipedia]

I'll also throw in the "Fencing teams" as there's some controversy perhaps with respect to the coaching ranks:
Penn State has been a fencing powerhouse, having won a record 13 national championships in the sport since the NCAA began awarding titles in combined men's and women's fencing in 1990. The team finished as champion or runner-up in 21 of the first 25 years of the combined tournament. The program won six consecutive NCAA Championships from 1995 to 2000. [Wikipedia]
 
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NittPicker

Heisman
Jun 30, 2001
5,744
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Cael Sanderson over Joe? Maybe the best wresting coach ever. But few could pick him out at the post office.
You may want to check what the topic is. Hint: It has nothing to do with which coach is more successful, recognizable and/or famous. I never claimed Cael > Joe when it comes to any of those things. But go ahead and be outraged for no reason if it makes you feel good.
 
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Sep 10, 2013
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What the heck. In the 'not the main stream sports' category, some Honorable mentions:
Gene Wettstone was the head coach of the men's gymnastics team at Pennsylvania State University from 1939 to 1976. He led the Penn State Nittany Lions gymnasts to nine national championships. He also coached the United States men's gymnastics teams at the 1948 and 1956 Summer Olympics. [Wikipedia]

I'll also throw in the "Fencing teams" as there's some controversy perhaps with respect to the coaching ranks:
Penn State has been a fencing powerhouse, having won a record 13 national championships in the sport since the NCAA began awarding titles in combined men's and women's fencing in 1990. The team finished as champion or runner-up in 21 of the first 25 years of the combined tournament. The program won six consecutive NCAA Championships from 1995 to 2000. [Wikipedia]
I can do anything off the 3 meter high dive, my best athletic move. You should know this.
like this, not speedo stuff
 
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LB99

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Oct 27, 2021
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Cael Sanderson over Joe? Maybe the best wresting coach ever. But few could pick him out at the post office.
It’s a question with individual answers. We all have independent thoughts. We are allowed to have a different first thought when seeing the logo. There is no right or wrong answer.
 
Sep 10, 2013
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Is Bo fighting on Saturday?? When and what channel
I’ll give you my ppv info so you can watch.
trade is a nite on the boat on my next return leg from LA road-trip
PM me for my cell. Me n 2 aren’t missing a Bo fight
this freaking animal is 7th in Bo’s weight class Bo’s def not ready for top 10. Strickland did this last Saturday nite in the apex
 
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BobPSU92

Heisman
Aug 22, 2001
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You may want to check what the topic is. Hint: It has nothing to do with which coach is more successful, recognizable and/or famous. I never claimed Cael > Joe when it comes to any of those things. But go ahead and be outraged for no reason if it makes you feel good.

OUTRAGE. o_O is always good. Things are especially slow in the summer, so take the OUTRAGE. o_O any way you can get it.