Posted on 07/24/2004 5:42:54 PM PDT by The Anti-Democrat
I was the editor/writer/photographer for a Senior Newspaper in Southcentral PA. I called Joe's secretary to get an appointment to interview him. She said you will be getting a call.
One day I answered the company phone in my house and the person asked for me. After I acknowledged who I was he said, "This is Joe Paterno". My reply, thinking it was a joke was, "your shxting me". He gave me the appointment for an interview.
When I got to State College, Cheryl (the secretary) told me Joe just phoned in and would be 10 minutes late. He didn't have to do that.
After the interview he asked Jerry Sandusky (defense coordinator at the time) if he would show me around campus, the weight room and to meet with several players.
I never went into politics with Joe. Was not my job.
My point in posting this is just to say that I think the world of Joe. What a class act. Thankfully he is a Republican. Bill in Hershey
Well.....I'm a Maryland Terp, but I salute Joe Pa for this!!
Verry, verry interisting. Let me tell you what I know living here in Harrisburg.
This has been brought up for consideration by the powers that be here. George Gekas and I (at a diner) had a conversation on this just a few months ago and George indicated that they just can't get Joe to stop coaching football.
A few years ago the timing was right with Ridge in office but not as good with Rendell.
Yes, its all about politics. But Spanier has to go. Period.
Joe Paterno was gracious enough to tape a congratulatory video for my father, who retired at age 80 after 59 years at General Electric. Dad sent him a thank you note. JoePa returned it with a note written on it in his own handwriting, that maybe he'd shoot for Dad's record. Fine man, and I'm glad he's helping Dubya.
Good story. Thanks for posting.
I found it by searching "YORK BUSH CAMPAIGN"....but if you click on left menu, ROAD TO WHITEHOUSE, there should be something at top of page with arrows that you can click till you get to the KERRY EDWARDS lovefest and Bush starts at about 36:00 minutes. You will need Real Player to view.
Thanks for the ping!
Congratulations to your Dad, and I hope he enjoys a looooong retirement!
By sheer coincidence, I was in State College today. My son played in a state championship baseball tournament nearby (Milford). It was my first trip back to State College since I left there in the summer of 1976 after living there for five years (and graduating). The place has changed dramatically, but there was still lots that hasn't changed at all. It all came back to me.
It was an amazing trip down memory lane.
Regards,
LH
Did your son's team win?
Dad's 85 now, and has been called back by GE several times as a consultant. We're taking him to the Purdue game. We've been back to Happy Valley annually, but always see it first through our youthful memories. Sheesh, Paterno was one of the country's youngest Div. I coaches back then.
Rep. Tom Osbourne could pick just about any office serving Nebraska and it would be his for the asking. He's still worshipped in that state like JoePa is around Happy Valley.
Tommy Lasorda is another standup conservative.
Rush pointed out a couple of years ago that more and more NFL players were/are becoming conservatives(at least fiscally) because they saw their contracts being shredded by liberal taxation.
Mike Krzyzewski is another up-front conservative guy. And as a group, golfers are about as Republican as you can get. I agree with you, there is something about seeing your paycheck obliterated by taxes from which you receive no benefit that can make an otherwise apolitical athlete a Conservative. Also, I think the emphasis on achievement makes athletes naturally right-wing, whether they are even aware of it or not. I had forgotten, although someone pointed out here, that Doug Flutie is one of the few genuine liberals among athletes -- a big Hillary Clinton supporter. Hard to believe. The only other liberal athletes I can think of from the past were people who were emotionally maladjusted, like Jim Bouton or Bill "Spaceman" Lee.
That's a wonderful story, Ntnychik!
Here's a question maybe you can help answer: Why does the Board of Trustees support Spanier to the extent that they do?
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