Men’s Basketball Hosts First Ever ‘Shrews’ Slamma Jamma’
The Penn State men’s basketball team created the first ‘Shrews’ Slamma Jamma’ as part of their mission to bring hype around the 2021-2022 season.
The event was located outside of the Findlay Commons building, where the outdoor basketball court is laid out. Activities included a skills competition, a game of knockout, and free pizza alongside the players and coaches.
Head coach Micah Shrewsberry and the rest of the team came out to the event to help. The Nittany Lions threw t-shirts out to fans as they were introduced and joined in on the contests.
The first-year head coach said the idea hit him in the head. “This is kind of a last-minute idea I just had in my head,” Shrewsberry said.
Jon Flatley, a fourth-year security risk analysis major and president of the Legion of Blue student section, worked with Shrewsberry to put the event together. “He brought it to us,” Flatley said. “[Shrewsberry] said he loves to have the Legion of Blue and all of the students out there and just get everyone going.”
In the wake of practices and media availability, Shrewsberry wants to be a part of the fan engagement process.
“We’re coming here to meet you guys to see what you’re about,” Shrewsberry said. “I want us to come here. I want us to do it out here.”
Back in 2011, former head coach Pat Chambers used to organize “Hoops Madness” at Rec Hall to kick off the preseason for the men’s basketball team.
The event, which had rappers coming into town like Big Sean and a dunk contest between the players, ceased to exist since the 2012-2013 season.
Other programs, such as Duke and Kansas host Midnight Madness events to bring fans to the stands as their season approaches. Penn State has not followed in its footsteps.
Flatley, however, wants a unique event to increase fan engagement into the program.
“I don’t know if I’d say replacing it, but starting our own kind of tradition,” Flatley said. “We’re trying to blaze our own path and start something new here. I hope to see it back next year.”
As a message to the fans, Shrewsberry wants an environment to overtake the best that college basketball has to offer.
“Let’s rally this place up together,” Shrewsberry said. “If people don’t start talking about Penn State as one of the toughest places to play in the Big Ten, I’m going to take that personally.”
The Legion of Blue wants to join that cause and rise to the occasion.
“We’d love to see as many students at those games as possible,” Flatley said. “We want the Bryce Jordan Center going this year.”
The Nittany Lions tip-off their regular season on Wednesday, Nov. 10, as they welcome the Youngstown State Fighting Penguins to Happy Valley.
Jonathan Draeger is a second-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. You can contact him at jrd6052@psu.edu.
