Oh, The Places Penn State Has Gone!

Last week, we asked our readers to show us the most incredible places their blue and white gear has gone. Before the pandemic hit, Penn Stater’s have traveled near and far. We’re hopeful that these sightseeing adventures will cure all your travel deprivation.

From mountain tops to the bluest seas, and everywhere in between, “We Are…” everywhere. Here are some iconic locations Penn Staters left their mark.

Jessica Weaver — Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Nothing is better than laying on warm sand with this iconic cooler. Are you even a Penn Stater if you don’t have this cooler bag? That’s what I thought.

Wearing general Penn State merchandise, Weaver had a wonderful Penn State-driven trip in January 2017.

“The trip was a mini-reunion of sorts. It was a group of Penn State alumni traveling together,” Weaver said. “We went to visit our roommate from senior year who was in veterinary school on Grand Cayman.”

Katie Cook — Edinburgh, Scotland

To celebrate her and her husband’s honeymoon in 2019, Cook couldn’t resist sporting her favorite 10-plus-year-old Nittany Lions hat.

“Walking in downtown Edinburgh, Scotland I saw a guy wearing a PSU sweatshirt while I was wearing my hat,” Cook said. “I yelled ‘WE ARE!’ and he was quickly shocked, but then responded with, ‘PENN STATE!’”

Katie Cook — Ireland

During their full honeymoon experience, the couple was able to take their trip to the views of Ireland.

Katie Cook — Riviera Maya, Mexico

Just two years prior to their Scotland trip, the 2011 Penn State graduate sported her famous hat right during her Riviera Maya vacation. That white hat has seen more than our staff combined.

Zach Crampton — Antartica

Crampton might have taken the cake for this photo. In February 2020, he showed off his custom made flag crafted generously by his brother’s girlfriend during this trip.

“The flag in Antarctica drew a couple of other PSU alumni to our group who were also on the same cruise ship; made for some great nights at the ship’s bar!” Crampton said.

Zach Crampton — Mt. Fuji, Japan

At the top of Mount Fuji in July 2013, Crampton posed with his wife and a mountain guide photo-bomber to commemorate their hike. He was rocking his Penn State scarf and intramural sports jacket, while his wife wore her Washington State merchandise.

“The weather at the top of Fuji was pretty miserable when we summited,” Crampton said. “There were 60+ mph sustained winds and below freezing. We were still happy to get photobombed by one of the local guides.”

Zach Crampton — Paris, France

Keeping it cool and collected, Crampton is showing off his professional Penn State Under Armour polo while working security and logistics for Air Force 1 in July 2017.

“In Paris, I worked along the entire presidential entourage of Secret Service members and vehicles,” Crampton said. “[I] also got the absolute coolest ride to a McDonald’s I’ll ever have, courtesy of the French Gendarmerie where, yes, I ordered a Royal with cheese.”

Mackenzie Phelps — Japan

Phelps had the opportunity to travel around many different regions of Japan in 2018. Her go-to wardrobe was always a Penn State shirt or hoodie. She was dedicated to representing where she was from. Both photos include the friends that she made and traveled with while in Japan.

“I got ‘We Are’d’ in Tokyo Narita Airport, and was a little delirious to respond after traveling for 24 hours!” Phelps said. “I actually lived in Osaka, Japan the past 2 years while working on Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan. [My photos] are from around different parts of Japan, where I usually had some sort of PSU gear on!”

Mackenzie Phelps’ Mom — Fiji

Not only was Phelps dedicated to her Penn State representation, but her mom was also in on the trick. Phelps and her mother had the opportunity to travel to Fiji and do one-of-a-kind activities, all while wearing one sleek-lookin’ hat.

Patrick Ritsko — Handies Peak, Colorado

Not only was Ritsko able to snap this beautiful photo, but this was also his twenty-first completed “14er.”

Ritsko and his friend (who is also a Penn State alum!) climbed 14,048 feet in Colorado while wearing the best shirts possible. Way to go, guys!

Allison McCloy — Machu Picchu, Peru

In 2018, McCloy took her love for her school to the very top of Machu Picchu. During the trip, she enjoyed her time sandboarding on coastal deserts. Even throughout Peru, McCloy showed off her flag to anyone she could.

Danny Redclay — Switzerland

Imagine climbing to the top of THIS? A dream. Redclay climbed Schilthorn in the Alps of Switzerland. For his trek up the summit, Redclay fashionably chose his Penn State ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) shirt.

Honorable Mention: Darius “Fuzzy” Williams-McKenzie — The Tax Slayer, Rose Bowl, and Cotton Bowl

Traveling to the Tax Slayer Bowl in January 2016, the Rose Bowl in January 2017, and the Cotton Bowl December in December 2019, Fuzzy showed off impeccable Nittany Lion Pride with his traditional bowl-game haircut. At all three bowls, he did an outstanding job showing which team was superior (even if there were some losses).