Three more years ... ugh
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Three more years ... ugh
So I finally get a normal day off and my wife and I are on exodus from our two sons. We've just finished some Christmas shopping and we're going to some swanky restaurant for dinner. All is good ... my cell phone rings. It's a fellow Penn State beat reporter. I ignore it. It rings one minute later. Same guy. I answer it. Did you hear Paterno got a three-year contract extension? F---. I check my cell again. I have four missed calls. Doh! I check my office voicemail. Four missed calls. Why don't I have a Blackberry? Oh, right, I work for a newspaper.
I call the missed calls back and all my other sources. No one's answering. Heck, I'm going to dinner. I have the best Striped Bass I've ever had. We're driving home. My editor calls. Did you hear? Yeah, I'm (kinda) working on it. Penn State just released a statement. OK, I'll be home in an hour. I'll have the story to you asap. (Here's the end result, this morning's story.)
Another great day off.
This is what it's like covering Penn State football. I'm not complaining (sorta). I love it. But I'm not sure if I can take another three years of the Paterno watch, because that's what it's going to be (By the way, there are several reporters who have been on this beat for years, God bless their hearts). When you cover Penn State you are, of course, covering the team, but more important, you are covering an icon. His every move is followed like he's the President. His every move is diagnosed like a Beatles cover album. You're always on call. The Internet hasn't helped. But you get to cover an legend, godangit. It's a blessing and a curse.
So what does this extension mean? No much really. Every one knew he was getting it. Well, we thought he'd get the one year, maybe another. The other two? They're just for show. They're for the recruits. Of course, who here thinks Joe -- barring unforeseen events -- doesn't last those three years? Raise your hands. Didn't think so. The clause in the contract that says both sides can re-evaluate the contract, perhaps cutting it short or adding years was at the behest of the administration. They need an out in case Joe gets sick, insane, says something crazy in public ("Ahh, a girl knocks on your door ..."), ten players get arrested for rape in one weekend spree or the team goes 0-12 next season. Those are about the only things that could keep Paterno from not finishing out the contract.
So it's three more years -- at least (!). I thought I could outlast him. Many reporters felt the same way. They could not. I'll try my best. But it should be an interesting three years. Hope my marriage survives.
"Why don't I have a Blackberry? Oh, right, I work for a newspaper." Hee. Amen.— Nutburgers- honestly one of the funniest posts I've ever seen on philly.com - keep it up, you could have gonzo's job in a year— main liner
Comment removed.- Nothing personal against Joe Paterno, but I'm ready for the new coach to step in. I love JoePa and he's done an amazing job at PSU and college football in general. However, it would really infuse some needed excitement in the Nittany Lion kingdom if a new coach was named. Actually, maybe I'm just very curious about who the new coach might be.— MrPhillie
- Could you be more of a little girl? "Oh no it is so hard to cover one the most storied Football programs in the country. With a living legend as coach". Life is too short to do something your hate and from the tone of your recent articles you hate doing this. I understand that the money and traveling probably sucks for this job. Probably because everyone wants to do it, but your article is not the forum you should be complaining about it. Get in line and join the 9-5 rat race and you will be begging for your days covering football practices.— TitleTown19148
- Jeff....enough!...never repeat any line about needing a day off. It's impossible for any of us to feel sympathy, you are in the sports world!!!! Playland, funland, entertainment, day dreamin' for us!!!!!! You are very good at your trade but you must ignore the fatigue stories. Just go home and nag your wife be/ you're tired. That's her duty being married to a sports writer. keep at it and just keep getting better....and purchase your own blackberry as an investment in your career and future. I am 65 and wish I had a job like yours. Believe me, you can be fatigued and very bored and angry/indifferent/frustrated with plenty of jobs in "the real world". Remind yourself often that this is the job you love!!!!! Life is very short, enjoy all of it!!!— stoneman
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This season is Joe's fourth season on the paper's Penn State beat. He previously covered the Nittany Lions for United Press International from 1976 to 1984.
Emily Kaplan is the Inquirer’s fall intern covering the Nittany Lions. She is a senior at Penn State and has covered a variety of sports for the university’s student-run paper, The Daily Collegian. Over the last two years, she has reported for The Associated Press from State College.
A Montclair, N.J. native, she has also interned at MLB Network, NHL.com and covered the 2012 Olympics in London. Follow her on Twitter here @EKaplan24.
