Name or No Name? Deciding on a Custom Penn State Jersey

Penn State is one of the few programs where leaving the name off a jersey is part of the tradition. The Nittany Lions wore plain jerseys with no names for most of their history, added names in 2012, then removed them again in 2015. That history makes a custom Penn State jersey a little different from most: you have to decide whether a name belongs on the back at all.

A short history of names at Penn State

According to Penn State Athletics (gopsusports.com), coach Bill O’Brien added players’ names to the backs of the jerseys in 2012 to recognize the team’s resolve and dedication to the program and the university. In July 2015, the school announced the names would come off starting that season, to honor the program’s history and return to a look it had kept for 125 years.

The program sums up that look in one line: “Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Names. All Game.” Coach James Franklin said at the time that “there is only one name that truly matters, Penn State,” while noting the 2012 team would always have a special place in the program’s history.

Option 1: no name, the traditional look

If you want your jersey to look like what the team wears on Saturdays, skip the name. A plain back with just a number is the classic Penn State style, and many fans prefer it for that reason. Jerseys labeled “No Name” follow the same idea.

With no name, the number does all the work, so choose it carefully. Your birth year, graduation year or a favorite player’s number all work.

Option 2: your name on the back

Custom jerseys exist so you can make them personal, and plenty of fans want their own name on it. That’s a good choice for gifts, for kids and for fans who want people to know whose jersey it is at a tailgate.

Option 3: a 2012 tribute

Fans who remember the 2012 season sometimes like the idea of a name on the back as a tribute to that team, since that group was the first to wear them. If that story matters to you, a custom jersey with your name and 12 on the back is a meaningful choice.

Choosing the number

• 12 for the 2012 team.
• 15 for the year the names came off again.
• A player number such as 87 for Pat Freiermuth, shown in the split style above.
• A personal number such as a graduation year.

White or navy

White and navy are the core Penn State colors. Navy is the classic home look; white is great for warm early-season games and road trips. Both suit the plain, no-name style.

Order checklist

1. Decide name or no name first.
2. Pick the number and know why you chose it.
3. Pick navy or white.
4. Check spelling if you add a name.

Build your jersey

Start on the custom Penn State Nittany Lions jersey page, or browse player styles across the full Penn State Nittany Lions jersey collection.