July 16, 2015
VIDEO: Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Names. All Game. | Lettermen Meeting with the Team Photo Gallery
VIDEO: Penn State Football Jersey Announcement Press Conferences
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State football program announced that it will remove the names from the backs of its jerseys beginning this season. Additionally, the program announced it would unveil and distribute its 2015 poster at various locations in State College on Thursday, July 16 from 6:45-7:45 p.m.
The decision to remove the names from the jerseys was made to pay homage to the history of Penn State football and return to the tradition that represented Penn State for 125 years. The names were added to the back of the jerseys during the 2012 season by then-head coach Bill O'Brien in recognition of the players' resolve and dedication to the team and the University.
Head coach James Franklin and several Penn State football letterwinners met with members of the current Nittany Lion football team on Thursday morning to inform them of the return to the iconic no name jerseys.
The 2015 poster includes the mantra "Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Names. All Game." to reflect the history and tradition of Penn State football and its classic uniforms. The slogan also adorned the cover of the 2008 Penn State Football Yearbook, a year in which Penn State won the Big Ten Championship.
Members of the Penn State football team will be distributing the 2015 poster on Thursday beginning at 6:45 p.m. at three locations in Happy Valley. Fans can get their posters from Nittany Lion football players in downtown State College (College Avenue and Beaver Avenue), Colonnade at State College Plaza (Colonnade Way) and the HUB.
The Nittany Lions open the 2015 campaign on the road against Temple at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday, September 5 at 3:30 p.m.
Season, partial season and single game tickets for the 2015 campaign are on sale, with nearly 4,000 new season tickets having been sold. To purchase tickets or for information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing new 2015 season tickets, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 10 a.m-6 p.m.
Statement from Head Coach James Franklin:
For 125 years Penn State proudly followed a very simple idea: "Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Names. All Game."
In 2012, for the first time in the program's history, names adorned the back of the jersey to forever identify the men who stayed loyal, sacrificed & chose to play for this institution during the most difficult of times. The 2012 team, permanently recognized in Beaver Stadium, will hold an enduring place in our program's history. Their commitment will never be forgotten.
However, it's time we bring back the tradition that represented Penn State for 125 years. We are a strong family, playing for one goal, one university and there is only one name that truly matters, Penn State.
We Are.