In an effort to modernize its iconic brand, the Penn State athletic department recently released new logos and signature mark for its beloved mascot, the Nittany Lion.

The Nittany Lion is one of the oldest mascots in college sports, with its origins dating back to a baseball game against Princeton in 1904. A physical mascot has also attended athletic events since 1921, though it has undergone several changes over the years, including the loss of its mane and addition of a blue and white scarf. 

“The Nittany Lion mascot has been a mainstay to the image of Penn State for 120 years, embodying the ‘We Are’ spirit and cultivating pride from the classroom to the athletics fields,” vice president for strategic communications Rachel Pell said in a statement. 

“I’m excited to introduce to the Penn State community a fresh take on our beloved Nittany Lion, especially the highly requested signature, which can now be shared with the broader Penn State audience through stickers and decals.”

The full body Nittany Lion, partial head logo and signature mark are just the first in a series of designs, with sport-specific logos and dynamic poses among the additional logos set to be revealed in the coming months. 

Merchandise featuring both logos and the signature will launch at The Family Clothesline on campus on Friday and be available at Saturday’s football game against UCLA before being sold at other retailers with Penn State apparel.