It’s hard to hear yourself think in the 107,282-seat Beaver Stadium, let alone call plays, and it’s only going to get worse (or better) depending on which team you’re cheering for.
Penn State University football fans are using their "outside voices" in an attempt to improve the Nittany Lions record at home -- it’s all very scientific.
At the request of PSU branding director Guido D’Elia, a group of graduate students have been studying stadium acoustics, according to the Inquirer.
"Somebody mentioned what a great acoustics lab we have, and I said: 'Well, all right then. We'll put it to use,'" D’Elia told the paper.
So in 2007, the group began its research by gathering data during games as well at times when the stadium was empty. And what they’ve discovered is not surprising -- the stadium is loud, so loud, in fact, that when an opposing team’s quarterback is calling a play, the roar from the PSU crowd can reach 110 decibels, reported the Inky.
What is surprising is what Penn State is doing with the information.
Team officials are using the study to rearrange student seating in an attempt to maximize the stadium’s acoustics causing major hearing problems for the opposition and hopefully improving the home team’s record.
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The move would take place sometime next year.
