Posts tagged ‘Washington Post’
Ed DeChellis Settles in at Navy
Penn State basketball fans have been focused on the future since since Patrick Chambers took over the program last month. That’s understandable, but a couple of stories this week are keeping the Nittany Lions’ recent past in the headlines.
When he resigned unexpectedly in May to become head coach at Navy, Ed DeChellis ’82 said the move was all about what the Naval Academy could offer and had nothing to do with any issues he had at his alma mater. He reiterates and expands on his reasons in these profiles in the Washington Post and Washington Times. There’s interesting stuff about DeChellis adjusting to the military requirements his players deal with (and how they limit his ability to work with the team), and how the 2007 death of his friend and fellow coach Skip Prosser impacted his decision to leave Penn State. Both are worth a read.
Ryan Jones, senior editor
A Great Day for Nittany Lion Soccer Alumni
The 2011 Women’s World Cup got underway a few days ago, and the U.S. team stands among the tournament favorites. One of the standouts on the U.S. roster is Ali Krieger ’07, the former All-American who started and played all 90 minutes Tuesday in the Americans’ opening 2-0 victory over North Korea (you can find match details and video highlights here). It was a terrific game for Krieger, who had a hand (or more accurately, a foot) in both U.S. goals. As this recent Washington Post feature explains, Krieger probably appreciates her success more than most: Five years ago, after her junior season at Penn State, she was diagnosed with blood clots in her lungs; without quick medical intervention, she might’ve died.
The Post produced a short video to run with the Krieger piece that includes an interview and some great footage of her playing as a kid. It’s worth checking out.
Corey Hertzog had a pretty good night Tuesday, as well. The former Penn State marksman and current New York Red Bulls rookie, who is featured in our July/August issue, scored his first goal as a professional, notching the tying goal in an eventual 2-1 Red Bulls win Tuesday in the U.S. Open Cup.
Ryan Jones, senior editor
The Fallout From State Patty’s Day
State Patty’s Day was celebrated in State College on Saturday, and the effects are still being felt. The fourth annual “holiday” attracted national media attention, with the likes of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Washington Post, and U.S. News & World Report covering the event. The news leading up to this year’s party seemed to imply a toned-down affair—downtown bars agreed not to open early for the revelers, the undergrad who helped start State Patty’s Day announced he was disowning it, and at least two local bars, the Lion’s Den and the Shandygaff, didn’t open at all — but the post-party numbers told a different story. Local police announced 430 reports over the weekend and made 160 arrests — more than half of them of non-students and “visitors” who apparently came to town last weekend solely to party.
I’m sure that plenty of students — probably a large majority — enjoyed the day and didn’t get out of hand. Like a lot of locals, I avoided downtown on Saturday, so I can’t account for how crazy it actually was. Reading accounts of a hit-and-run DUI and the State College cop who was punched in the face, however, I think I made the right choice.
Ryan Jones, senior editor
More on Rick Santorum’s Political Plans
Senior editor Ryan Jones mentioned yesterday that Rick Santorum ’80, ’86g is popping up in the news more and more lately as a possible presidential candidate in 2012. Today’s Washington Post contains yet another story on the subject. Columnist Kathleen Parker profiles Santorum, quoting him as saying, “I have no great burning desire to be president, but I have a burning desire to have a different president of the United States.”
Tina Hay, editor
Ann Gerhart on Dave Brubeck
Jazz legend Dave Brubeck, who turned 89 today, is being honored at the Kennedy Center in Washington tonight. The Washington Post‘s Ann Gerhart ’77 delivers a lovely profile of Brubeck in today’s edition.
Tina Hay, editor
A New Book from Diane Ackerman
Diane Ackerman ’70 has never been a writer defined by genre. Known to many for her poetry, Ackerman’s previous book was the 2007 best-seller The Zookeeper’s Wife, a historical look at a little-known story from World War II. Her latest book, apparently, is about the first thing in the morning. Dawn Light is about just that—and more broadly, this Washington Post review tells us, about learning to seize and appreciate life through the quiet, still moments at each day’s beginning. Sounds like inspiration for everyone I know.
Ryan Jones, senior editor
Another Tribute to Bill Cahir
Yesterday’s Washington Post contains this lovely, touching account of Monday’s funeral for Bill Cahir ’90 at Arlington National Cemetery.
Tina Hay, editor
More on Bill Cahir
Bill Cahir ’90, who was killed Aug. 13 in Afghanistan, was buried yesterday at Arlington National Cemetery.
The Washington Post had a story yesterday and the Centre Daily Times has one today. In addition, you can hear an NPR piece on him here and see NBC’s Brian Williams pay tribute to him here. I was especially moved by the grief on the faces of his family in the NBC video; my heart just aches for them.
Anyone interested in making a memorial contribution can visit the Web site of the Bill Cahir Memorial Fund.
Tina Hay, editor
And in Food News…
One of our freelance writers, Mike Weinreb ’94, mentions on his Twitter feed that the Washington Post has an interesting story today about D.C.-area convenience stores: specifically Sheetz vs. WaWa. Who knew that you could get a 3,000-word magnum opus out of convenience stores? But it’s an interesting read.
Sheetz is a Pennsylvania-based chain but has since spread out over the mid-Atlantic states. It was founded by Penn Stater Steve Sheetz ’69 (who, with his wife, Nancy, recently gave a record-breaking gift to Penn State Altoona).
Also today, a colleague over in the College of Engineering, Curtis Chan ’94, called my attention to yet another story in today’s Washington Post. This one is on Penn State entrepreneurs Casey Patton ’03 and David Mazza ’01, who are getting some nice attention for their new restaurant, called Taylor Deli. They renovated a rundown old building and turned it into something beautiful. You can see some of the other media attention Patton and Mazza garnered by checking out their blog.
Speaking of Twitter, you can follow me on Twitter and catch lots more Penn State-related nuggets that don’t always show up on our blog.
Tina Hay, editor
What’s Sonia Sotomayor Really Like?
“She likes to turn her full charm on her most intensive questioners, and she is a big toucher,” reports Ann Gerhart ’77 of the Washington Post. Gerhart has been attending the confirmation hearings for the Supreme Court nominee and filed this report on Sotomayor’s demeanor, her speaking style, even her choice of carbonated beverage.
Gerhart, a longtime staff writer for the Post, is the author of the 2004 book The Perfect Wife: The Life and Choices of Laura Bush.
Tina Hay, editor
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