The paw prints of the Nittany Lions are one of the most distinctive elements of the Penn State logo. It is used by its athletic teams — gaining particular prominence with its football program. But the question has arisen are there four or five toes as part of that distinctive and well-known paw print? Local goldsmith, Rick Mahonski hopefully has that answer.

When Mahonski asks fans how many toes are on the Penn State paw print logo, he typically gets two different answers. Some answer with four. They are right! But they are also correct if they answer with five toes. Of course, there’s a good tale behind the question.

According to Mahonski, when Penn State and Clemson Universities met on the football field in 1988, the battle was not simply for the title of the Citrus Bowl. A little known, yet entirely true story involves the clash over the use of the anatomically correct four-toed paw print logo.

Both teams were using similar paw logos, and Clemson contacted Penn State, stating they had the legal rights to the use of the four-toed paw. In response, Penn State simply added a fifth toe, moved forward with the new graphic, and the new design that fans are familiar with was adopted.

When Mahonski began creating his official Penn State Paw Prints jewelry in 1998, the University directed him to use the five-toe design. The first piece Rick designed was personally given to the heralded PSU football coach, Joe Paterno, and the second to his wife, Sue. Photographs and comments from that day helped kick-off Mahonski’s advertising campaign for the Paw Prints collection. Since that time, thousands of pieces of Penn State Paw Prints jewelry have been sold to players, their parents, and fans throughout the nation and across the world.

Mahonski has the exclusive rights from Penn State to create fine, handcrafted 14-carat jewelry with the University logo. His 100-piece collection, crafted over 20 years, all reflected that five-toed choice. However, this year, the University’s new Director of Licensing and Programs contacted him and shared that little-known story of the logo. She explained that Penn State had decided to return to the four-toed paw in their advertising.

Rick personally researched the story and found that not everyone in the Nittany Lion community was excited by the change. There was even a group formed called “Keep Five Alive,” that was focused on keeping the paw in its post-1988 form.

Based on the information Mahonski gathered, as well as input from his customer base, he has decided to continue to offer his CLASSIC five-toe collection, as shown in his Penn State Paw Prints Collection catalog. In addition, every piece offered is now also available with the NEW four-toed design.

He believes it is the right combination of Penn State’s glorious history, combined with their new forward-thinking choice. Penn State has the largest alumni members of any university in the country, and there is always a new generation of students, parents, and fans looking for classic and classy ways to show their Penn State pride.