A Timely Class in Journalism Ethics
From our intern, Emily Kaplan:
Over the weekend, a friend of mine tweeted: Boy, what I would do to sit in on a journalism ethics class at Penn State this week.
I am fortunate to be enrolled in that course this semester—COMM 409: News Media Ethics, a section taught by Malcolm Moran, a veteran journalist and head of Penn State’s John Curley Center for Sports Journalism.
My friend was right—Tuesday’s lesson was never more relevant. When I walked in, I had pretty good feeling we wouldn’t be discussing the assigned reading on the syllabus. Not after a weekend where dubious reporting and social media gone wild resulted in an announcement that the most recognizable face of this university had died—when in fact, he was still alive.
“There’s nothing more important to be right about than if an important figure is alive or not,” Moran said. “Nothing.”
So who better to be a guest lecturer than Mark Viera ’09? He’s the New York Times reporter who dispelled reports that Joe Paterno had passed away Saturday night by simply asking a family spokesman whether the rumors were true.
The class had a meta feel. Moran asked Viera what lessons from the course he has applied to his reporting—and what lessons couldn’t be taught in the classroom. Moran also pointed out the seat that Viera occupied just a few semesters ago. The girl sitting there now has some big shoes to fill. Viera, 24, has been one of the Times’ lead journalists in Penn State coverage over the past two months because of his familiarity with the school and dogged reporting.
But Tuesday, he stood in front of about 50 of us. Everyone seemed attentive as he spoke. I don’t know whether it was respect for Moran, respect for Viera or simply respect for the subject matter, but I didn’t see one person texting under their desk or day dreaming blankly at the wall. (more…)
More Joe, From—and For—the Students
There’s a nice story this morning from the AP quoting Scott Paterno ’97, ’00 about his father’s thoughts and mood in the final days of his life. It likely won’t surprise Penn Staters to hear that Joe’s mind was sharp and his spirit strong even as his body failed him. “He was so positive and so confident at the end of his life that the things that were important about this place would endure,” Scott said. “And that’s why he was at peace. That, and (that) my mother was willing to put up with him all these years.”
Two stories today speak to Joe’s love for Penn State, and its students in particular. Mike Poorman ’82 writes at StateCollege.com about the countless interactions Paterno had with undergrads during his time in Happy Valley. Poorman, who taught “Joe Paterno, Communications & The Media” for four years in the College of Communications, took informal polls each semester and tallied the numbers:
“Out of nearly 250 kids in class from 2008-2011, 107 had a personal JoePa moment. We’re not talking football games or pep rallies or THON appearances, all awe-inspiring for tens of thousands of students. We’re talking students being invited into Joe’s house after singing carols, or sitting down at the Creamery with a Peachy Paterno ice cream cone while the treat’s namesake did the same.”
It’s a terrific piece.
There’s never been any doubt how students felt about Paterno. That admiration will be reflected Wednesday with a student-organized “Guide Joe Paterno Home” event encouraging all Penn Staters to line the route of the funeral procession Wednesday afternoon as it leaves the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center for the private burial service. Onward State has details here, and there’s a Facebook group set up as well.
Ryan Jones, senior editor
Just a Glimpse of Paterno, but It’s Meant So Much
This photo by Sara Platz Brennen '92 shows how Penn State students are honoring and remembering Joe Paterno.
From our intern, Emily Kaplan:
On a cool September Saturday, as Penn State was dismantling an unmemorable FBS opponent, I stood outside the visitors’ locker room at Beaver Stadium late in the fourth quarter. I do this every game. I’m a stringer for The Associated Press, and one of my main football duties is gathering postgame info from the visiting team.
As I waited for the visiting coach’s press conference, gripping my steno notebook in one hand and pen in the other, I heard a rumbling from around the corner. The next thing I knew, Joe Paterno was five feet in front of me in the passenger seat of a golf cart.
Paterno looked at me. Through his Coke-bottle glasses, it appeared, his eyes were fixated on my notebook. As his driver scooted away, Paterno shrugged his shoulders, crocked his head to the side, and smiled as if to say, “Sorry, little girl, I can’t give an autograph right now. I have to go to my press conference.”
It’s funny. As I remember that moment now I can’t help but think: “What if that wasn’t what he meant?” It makes a great story, but what if I made it all up? What if he actually wasn’t staring at my notebook? What if he just shrugged because he had an itch?
Truth is, I didn’t know Paterno. Most current students at Penn State didn’t, either.
Sure, I knew all about him. I’ve read countless features and biographies on the boy from Brooklyn who became a scholar at Brown and legend in State College. I was there for his 400th win. I knocked on his door just minutes after he was fired by the Board of Trustees, one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do as a journalist — and a human. (more…)
Joe Paterno: Memorial Service, Guestbook, and Donations
The Centre Daily Times has released an update on funeral arrangements and plans for a memorial service to honor Joe Paterno:
—A public viewing from 1 to 11 p.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. to noon on Wednesday at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center on campus.
—A private funeral service for the family at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
—A public memorial service at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Bryce Jordan Center.
In the meantime, there are few ways you can honor Joe Paterno’s memory online:
—Sign the guestbook at the Koch Funeral Home website. Posted last night, the guestbook already tops 67 pages.
—Donate to THON or the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania. Directions on how to make a donation in Joe Paterno’s memory are posted on both websites.
Mary Murphy, associate editor
Finally, A Penn State Win over Iowa Wrestling
Morgan McIntosh tangles with Iowa's Grant Gambrill in this Mark Selders photo.
Three bouts into the wrestling team’s dual meet with Iowa on Sunday afternoon, the Nittany Lions had lost all three bouts, one by pin, and were down 12-0. Surely some of the 6,796 fans—the largest crowd in Rec Hall since its reconfiguration—were having flashbacks to last year’s Iowa dual, in which Penn State lost the first three matches—one by pin—and never recovered from a 12-0 deficit.
So was coach Cael Sanderson worried?
“I know Cunningham was,” Sanderson said, using assistant coach Casey Cunningham as a comic foil, as he often does. “I was doin’ all right.”
Spoken like someone who had seven ranked wrestlers—including two guys at No. 1 and two guys at No. 2—coming up to the mat. But it was the guy ranked No. 12—197-pounder Morgan McIntosh, a true freshman—who clinched a 22-12 victory over the Hawkeyes.
McIntosh, facing Iowa junior Grant Gambrall, who finished third at NCAAs last season, got a takedown with 17 seconds remaining in the one-minute “sudden victory” overtime period for a 5-3 victory that gave Penn State insurmountable 19-12 lead with one bout to go.
The takedown also gave Sanderson his first dual-meet victory—as an Iowa State wrestler, Iowa State coach, or Penn State coach—over the Hawkeyes. And it gave McIntosh a loud, long standing ovation. “Coolest feeling I ever felt,” he said. “I’m not going to forget that for a long time.” (more…)
Flags Lowered to Half-Staff for JoePa
Say what you will about Gov. Corbett and whatever role he may or may not have played in the Sandusky scandal, but this is a very nice touch.
Tina Hay, editor
‘Joe Paterno was a Human Being Like the Rest of Us’
This photo by Annemarie Mountz ’84 of public information shows how many came to remember Joe Paterno on Sunday night.
I’m not going to lie—it felt a little odd. Just over two months after I stood on the Old Main lawn along with thousands of students holding candles to remember the victims of child sexual abuse, there I was again Sunday night. Same place, literally, at the foot of the Old Main steps. Same songs by the Blue Band. Many of the same students, I’m sure.
But this vigil was in honor of Joe Paterno.
There were tears again, yes—football players Mike Wallace and Matt McGloin, in particular, choked up as they remembered their coach, who died Sunday morning of metastatic lung cancer. But there was some laughter, too. And a similar feeling of togetherness as the students linked arms and swayed as they sang the alma mater. I wasn’t surprised this time—as I was at the previous vigil—that all of the students know all of the words. That just wasn’t the case back in my day.
What stood out the most to me were the words of Stefen Wisniewski, a former All-America offensive lineman (and Academic All-America) from one of those storied Penn State families; his father and uncle played for Paterno, too. Now a lineman for the Oakland Raiders, Wisniewski was the vigil’s last speaker. This is what he said:
A lot has been talked about today about Joe Paterno’s legacy, and unfortunately, a lot has been said about how the recent events that have taken place over the last few months might affect that legacy. A lot of supporters of Joe Paterno say that he really didn’t do anything wrong and that it shouldn’t have any effect on his legacy. Others say that all the good he has done and his time at Penn State should overshadow what he may have done wrong.
In my opinion, what happened in the recent events and the firing of Joe Paterno is that this figure who we looked up to as this super-human figure, this super legend, that he was kind of reduced to the level of a human being, like the rest of us. And that’s why we hated to see it. But the reality is, Joe Paterno was a human being like the rest of us. He did make wrong decisions. He did maybe fail to make right decisions. Like the rest of us do. Like the rest of us do, he’s done things in his life that require forgiveness, and he’s done things in his life that require redemption.
But when I think back over Joe Paterno’s legacy, the events that have happened over the last three months won’t even cross my mind. When I think back on Joe Paterno’s legacy, I’m gonna remember sitting at his kitchen table as he recruited me five years ago, eating cookies made by SuePa. And I remember leaving that meeting both excited about the prospect of playing at Penn State for Joe Paterno and simultaneously terrified at what he might do to me if I didn’t go there, the same place where my father and uncle both played.
I’m also going to remember …. Whew, so many memories. I’m also going to remember when Coach, at age 82, got down in an offensive lineman stance and showed me how to snap a football. Because I was terrible at it. I’m better now.
I also remember, as a Penn State student, walking through Paterno Library, a library that exists only because Joe Paterno loved the university enough to donate millions of dollars for it to be created. Because he was committed, not just to Penn State football, but to Penn State as a university. He was committed to education. He loved his place, and all of us who are part of Penn State are better as a result.
I also remember as a player, two years ago, playing against Northwestern, being down three touchdowns, coming back to win JoePa’s 400th victory. Watching players carry him off and seeing that No. 400 up on the screen. A number that is never gonna be touched by any coach ever again because no one has the commitment that Joe Paterno does.
I also remember that Joe Paterno taught us about success with honor and that it wasn’t enough for him just to win football games. He wanted to do it the right way. He wanted to do it with players who were going to graduate and players who would go on to be leaders in their communities and great husbands, great fathers. And he really did care as much about his players’ character as he did about what kind of football players they were going to be. Because he knew that our football careers were very short, but that we’re going to be husbands and fathers and leaders the rest of our lives.
And finally, when I think of Joe Paterno, I’ll remember that after every game he ever coached, whether it be a great loss or a great victory, that Joe Paterno knelt down with his players after the game and prayed the Our Father with us. We love you, Joe. And it’s my prayer that that father God you prayed to after each and every game will grant you rest and let his eternal light shine upon you.
Lori Shontz, senior editor
‘There is So Much to Mourn’
That was the simple caption that my Penn State colleague Sara Platz Brennen ’92 wrote when she posted this photo to her Facebook page tonight. Click to see the image bigger.
Tina Hay, editor
Remembering Joe Paterno—on Twitter
Adam Taliaferro ’05 posted a photo of his “Air Paterno” sneakers. Many other former and current players, and others who knew Joe Paterno, have posted comments about him on Twitter in the past 24 hours. Here’s a small sampling:
Oct 102005 when I committed to penn st. The #1 thing you said is that I will get my degree look what you did —defensive end Eric Latimore ’11
I committed to Penn State May 3 2009. Thank you for the AMAZING opportunity to become a better man. —tailback Silas Redd
I committed to PSU June 18th 2003 and became the man i am today because of Joe! Thanks for everything Coach! —center AQ Shipley ’08
You have played a huge part in making me the man I am today. Took an average walk-on and made my dreams come true —wide receiver Graham Zug ’10
As I’ve said before, I am proud to say that I had the opportunity to play for one of the greatest coaches to ever coach. —cornerback Adrian Amos
One can only hope to impact as many lives as Joe did. His spirit will carry on through all of us and will never be forgotten —Miami Dolphins defensive end Jared Odrick
At a loss for words… One of the most influential men in our nations history. By his passing PSU nations grows even stronger. Love you Joe —Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jordan Norwood ’08
R.I.P Coach. I owe you so much! My prayers are with the Paterno family and the Penn State Family. —former assistant coach Kermit Buggs ’06g
A morning I will never 4get. Thoughts/Prayers go out to the Paterno family. Thank u Joe 4 helping me become a man. —Seattle Seahawks running back Michael Robinson ’06
Rest in peace joe paterno —Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould ’05
R.I.P Joe..thank you for helping shape me into man I am today..will always be missed.. —St. Louis Rams cornerback Justin King ’07
I love you coach.. Thanks for believing in me —quarterback Daryll Clark ’08
We should not be discourage by his death but encouraged by his life…it would be a blessing to impact others the way he did R.I.P Coach —defensive tackle Devon Still ’11
My heart mourns for the #Paterno family. Learned so much from him. More than just football. About life. I can speak volumes about him —Houston Texans wide receiver Bryant Johnson ’05
Laid my gloves from the Illinois game & my whistle from this season at the statue. The least I can dedicate to a man who gave so much more. —drum major Ian Kenney
Penn State will never be the same and neither will I. Goodbye, dear friend. Give George a hug for me. —former radio play-by-play man Fran Fisher
There will be a candlelight vigil in Paterno’s memory on the Old Main lawn tonight.
Tina Hay, editor
Some Poignant Reactions to Joe Paterno’s Death
(Photo by Annemarie Mountz ’84)
It’s by no means an exhaustive list, but I’ve been collecting a handful of the reactions I’ve seen about the loss of Penn State’s legendary football coach Joe Paterno.
One news article I highly recommend is this one by Dave Jones of the Harrisburg Patriot-News. In it, Jones tells a wonderful story from 2004 of the late sports reporter Jerry Kellar doing his spot-on Joe Paterno imitation—to Paterno’s face—and Paterno playing along.
Next thing you knew, it was an interview. Except Joe was asking the stupid questions and Jerry was flicking them away dismissively with a wave and a nasal backhand insult. The more persistent questions Joe asked, the funnier Jerry’s Paterno answers became.
Within minutes, the old coach was crying he was laughing so hard. If I had a tape of it, it would get 20 million Youtube hits.
Striking an even more poignant note is this piece by Philadelphia Inquirer sports columnist Phil Sheridan, called “Requiem for the Soul of Penn State.”
Many of Joe’s coaching colleagues across the country have issued tributes to the man; you can read what Steve Spurrier and Nick Saban had to say in this article at ESPN.com.
Finally, there is this praise from former Penn State defensive coordinator and former interim head coach Tom Bradley ’78, ’86g:
Words seem to pale in a moment such as this. The terms “icon” and “legend” have been often used to describe Joe Paterno. Certainly, he was both within the world of college athletics. But to those of us who played for him, to those of us who coached with him and to those of us who had the privilege to call him a friend, Joe Paterno was much more.
To me, he was my mentor for 37 years and the lessons that I learned from him as a player, coach and friend will live on with me forever. It was Coach Paterno who saw what I could be and helped me to realize that potential. He was a tremendous teacher not because he knew all of the answers but because he challenged us to find the answers for ourselves. He made us better men than we believed we could be — both on and off the field. And when we lost our way or became unsure of ourselves, it was Coach Paterno who was there to encourage us, guide us and remind us that we must always strive to succeed with honor.
Coach Paterno never believed that his role as “Coach” ended after practice, or when the fourth quarter wound down or when a student-athlete graduated. He was a coach for life. I am deeply grateful to have had Coach Paterno in my life. He was the epitome of class and his spirit will live on in all of us who had the great honor of knowing him and running out of the tunnel with him on so many autumn Saturdays.
My thoughts and prayers are with Coach Paterno’s devoted wife, Sue, his son Jay, with whom I coached so many years, and with the entire Paterno family during this sad and difficult time.
If you’ve seen other tributes you’d recommend, please let us know in the comment section after this post.
Tina Hay, editor
Subscribe
