Former Penn State Mascots Reminisce

Last weekend was Penn State's homecoming—the perfect time for former Nittany Lion mascots to get together and share stories and historical tidbits, the Daily Collegian writes.

For one, before the advent of synthetic fibers, the costume used to be made of rabbit and deer fur, which sounds pretty gross. "Now, the suit looks really good," comments a 1950s mascot.

A more recent mascot recalls his brush with death in a cannonball contest.

"I got up to the diving board, and felt like I could do it. I did a one-and-a-half flip into the pool. You should know, though, that when the suit is dry it weighs about 8 pounds—when it is wet it weighs about 800. I started to sink to the bottom, and I thought I was dead." Luckily, lifeguards pulled him out of the pool. "It's just a part of being the Lion."