Nittwits
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The Nittwits are a student organization supporting Penn State University's NCAA men's basketball team. As of the fall 2006 semester, it is the second-largest student organization on Penn State's University Park campus, behind only the Blue & White Society.[citation needed]
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[edit] Organization
The Nittwits (their name being a play on the word "nitwit") sit courtside at games on the event level of sections 120-125 at the Bryce Jordan Center where they cheer for the team. All Penn State basketball student season ticket holders are members of the organization and receive a white Nike t-shirt to wear during games in their efforts to distract the opposing team and provide a home court advantage.
Forty Minutes is the nationally-known official gameday publication of the Nittwits, providing information about the Nittany Lions basketball team and their opponent on any particular night. It is widely regarded as college basketball's premiere student section newsletter.[1] The information contained in Forty Minutes is intended for the purpose of heckling that night's opponent as well as supporting the Nittany Lions.
The Ohio State editions for both 2005 and 2006 were criticized by Buckeye fans for being unsportsmanlike due to references regarding allegations that several notable athletes received illegal donations during their college career.[2]
[edit] Recognition
In March of 2006, ESPN's Page 2 did a nationwide search for the top male and female student fans of college basketball.[3] In a contest that included students from such basketball powerhouses as Duke University, Gonzaga University and the University of Connecticut, Nittwits President Jennifer Owsiany garnered the most tallies when voting was completed at the conclusion of March Madness on April 3, 2006.[4]
While the organization was already recognized throughout the Big Ten, this contest provided the Nittwits with national recognition for the first time in their history.
Student leaders from Florida State University, the University of Minnesota, the University of Texas, and UAB use the Nittwits as a model for their basketball student sections.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ The Digital Collegian: Despite losing season, fans psyched. Retrieved on July 11, 2006.
- ^ The Columbus Dispatch: Penn State fans’ newsletter pokes fun at OSU athletics. Retrieved on July 6, 2006.
- ^ ESPN.com: Page 2: Vote for Miss Bracket. Retrieved on July 6, 2006.
- ^ GoPSUsports.com: Meet the 2006 ESPN.com Miss Bracket - Jennifer Owsiany. Retrieved on July 6, 2006.
[edit] External links
- Penn State Nittwits, official website
- GoPSUsports.com, official Penn State athletic website
- Forty Minutes, controversial 2005 Ohio State edition [PDF]
- Forty Minutes, controversial 2006 Ohio State edition [PDF]
| Basketball Student Sections of the Big Ten |
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| Barnyard, The (Minnesota) • Buckeye NutHouse (Ohio State) • Crimson Crew (Indiana) • Grateful Red (Wisconsin) • Hawk's Nest (Iowa) • Izzone (Michigan State) • Maize Rage (Michigan) • Nittwits (Penn State) • Orange Krush (Illinois) • Paint Crew (Purdue) • Wildside (Northwestern) |
