A "Nittany Lion" is an animal that in Vermont is called a Catamount -
your ordinary Eastern mountain lion.  The Nittany part of the name is a
reference to Mount Nittany which overlooks the campus (and would be
called a hill just about anywhere other than central PA).  It is allegedly
a sacred Native American worship sight.
 
The name Lions was adopted because shortly after college football
started, they played Princeton.  Princeton was named the "Tigers" so PSU
chose Lions believing that they were "more fierce" than tigers.
 
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+ David C. Ketcham           + Internet: [log in to unmask] +
+ Asst. Professor of Finance +                                         +
+ Bryant College             + UVM '78                                 +
+ 1150 Douglas Pike          +                                         +
+ Smithfield, RI 02917       + Penn State '88                          +
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