Hello everyone

I have been a member of this site for a few months now, but mostly as a reader, with only a couple of comments here and there. However, seeing as others have done the same thing over the last few days, I would like to formally introduce myself to everyone.

First off, I'm not a current or former student at Penn State. I'm actually an undergraduate at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, as well as a member of the football team (hence the username). However, my mom is a graduate of Penn State (class of 1984, i believe), and ever since I was little, it was the school I wanted to attend when it came time for college. I attended multiple summer camps at Penn State, including two football camps hosted by the coaching staff. I had the pleasure of discussing quarterback technique with Jay Paterno (I was a high school QB), meeting and talking to Tom Bradley, and getting advice on recruiting from some of the other coaches prior to my senior season (due to a previous injury, I didn't have any game tape to give to colleges before my senior year). I also briefly met and talked to both Daryll Clark and Robbie Gould while I was there, and got to see one of Clark's workouts with Derrick Williams, Deon Butler, and Jordon Norwood prior to the 2008 season. Penn State was also the first school I received an acceptance letter to, a bittersweet moment, since I knew one of my dreams, going to Penn State or playing college football, was going to end. I chose to pursue the latter.

While I may not ever be an alumni of Penn State, I still bleed blue and white. I had the privilege of attending a game at Beaver Stadium in high school, and it remains one of my favorite life experiences. I cheer loudly for the team on Saturday afternoons (when I get to watch the games), and my mom still forwards me the football newsletter she receives after games. I look forward to getting to know everyone here and getting involved in the many different discussions. WE ARE...