I'm curious about the general awareness level of PSU alumni/fans as it relates to our wrestling dominance during the Cael Imperial Dynasty (C.I.D.). I'm sure many casual PSU sports fans don't closely follow niche sports unless they have a personal connection, but I assume that most at least have a general awareness of PSU's wrestling preeminence.
So, I was a little surprised at an interaction I had today with some Nittany Lion faithful while waiting to board a plane at the Orlando airport. I was checking BWI on my phone for any late breaking recruiting news when I noticed that an older gentleman sitting across from me with his wife was wearing a PSU shirt. He too was reading something on his phone and I thought, what are the odds that he is one of my unknown board-mates also looking at BWI. No such luck, unfortunately.
But I commented on his shirt and gave him a "we are." He and his wife both promptly gave the appropriate response. I asked if they follow Penn State wrestling. They said, "not really." I said, "well, I'm sure you at least know who Cael Sanderson is and that we have the top wrestling program in the country." They reluctantly confessed that they did not. I explained that Penn State wrestling is arguably the greatest college sports dynasty of the last decade, gave them a 30 second historical synopsis of the C.I.D., and encouraged them to look into it and enjoy one more reason to be proud of their PSU fandom.
Just one anecdotal example, but made me wonder how effectively the University is keeping alumni aware of the magic happening within the walls of the Lorenzo Wrestling Complex.
So, I was a little surprised at an interaction I had today with some Nittany Lion faithful while waiting to board a plane at the Orlando airport. I was checking BWI on my phone for any late breaking recruiting news when I noticed that an older gentleman sitting across from me with his wife was wearing a PSU shirt. He too was reading something on his phone and I thought, what are the odds that he is one of my unknown board-mates also looking at BWI. No such luck, unfortunately.
But I commented on his shirt and gave him a "we are." He and his wife both promptly gave the appropriate response. I asked if they follow Penn State wrestling. They said, "not really." I said, "well, I'm sure you at least know who Cael Sanderson is and that we have the top wrestling program in the country." They reluctantly confessed that they did not. I explained that Penn State wrestling is arguably the greatest college sports dynasty of the last decade, gave them a 30 second historical synopsis of the C.I.D., and encouraged them to look into it and enjoy one more reason to be proud of their PSU fandom.
Just one anecdotal example, but made me wonder how effectively the University is keeping alumni aware of the magic happening within the walls of the Lorenzo Wrestling Complex.