NOTE: This is the latest in a continuing series of offseason essays highlighting Penn State football's history of unique student-athletes. It is in response to Coach Matt Campbell and his staff reconnecting with the Penn State football alumni. The first essay  covered the great linemen at Penn State, and the next essay covered family legacies at Penn State. Last week's essay covered the great linebackers and tight ends at Penn State. These essays are designed to highlight hi

NOTE: This is the latest in a continuing series of offseason essays highlighting Penn State football's history of unique student-athletes. It is in response to Coach Matt Campbell and his staff reconnecting with the Penn State football alumni. The first essay covered the great linemen at Penn State, and the next essay covered family legacies at Penn State. These essays are designed to highlight history beyond the current generation and include great players and stories that

NOTE: New coach Matt Campbell and his staff have made it a priority to connect with Penn State's former players and the history of the program. This is the second in a continuing series of offseason essays highlighting Penn State football history focusing on the players. It will also include some stories about our unique community of fans.   In our first essay we talked about Penn State’s great history of linemen on both sides of the ball. That is the foundation of any great

For many of the Penn State Football Alumni, there have been numerous encouraging signs from new Coach Matt Campbell.  Many former players were glad to hear him talk about the importance of developing young men and a commitment to academics.   Campbell also stated that he wants his players to understand the history of Penn State. In college football, there is a value in tradition, in wanting to be part of something bigger than yourself. Penn State existed long before this gene

Early Tuesday morning, we lost our dog Penny. It was a sad and unexpected ending, even though we suspected the end was not far off. She was family. And along the way she left enduring footprints that will never fade from my life’s journey. Penelope Sunday December 11, 2011, my wife Kelley, in league with our veterinarian Fred Metzger had found a dog for us. Our first dog Rosey had passed a little less than two years before. But Kelley and Fred knew that given what was going o

Wednesday Afternoon Practice in Beaver Stadium This weekend Hockey Valley explodes into the national consciousness as the college hockey world turns its attention to Penn State. And while some may not love the cold weather, the snowy winter wonderland has made this valley a picture postcard perfect backdrop for a dramatic weekend of hockey.   It’s a big weekend series for the #4 Penn State’s men’s team as they host #2 Michigan State. And on Friday afternoon Penn State’s #4 Wo

1 st Down: SEC Bias has Company Going Forward: The confetti has fallen, the trophies have just barely made it back to Bloomington and already the talk has turned to the “Way Too Early Top 25” rankings for next year as well as the talk of a 16-team playoff or even a 24-team playoff. ESPN posted a way-too-early Top 25 that is loaded with SEC teams. But they also threw in an equal serving of Big Ten teams. There are no non-Power 4 conference teams in these rankings even thoug

Pre-Game Warm-ups: On Campus Quarterfinals: While the announced attendances for the quarterfinal games would indicate that the crowds were good, the images on TV suggested some softness. That's likely a function of asking fans to travel to three bowl games. Assuming a National title game run, this is how it breaks out in air miles traveled for fans of the four semifinalists. The Ole Miss path winds from New Orleans, to Glendale, AZ and to Miami. That’s 4,828 roundtrip miles.

Pre-Game Warm-ups: Notes: Opt Out Impact: A number of the bowl games we’ve seen have featured sloppy play in the first half followed by improved play in the second half. Why is that? Part of that is how opt-outs impact the performance of a team. These teams find out where they’re going and who they’re playing less than three weeks before they have to play the game. Then they have to navigate the slow drip of which players are opting out, which ones are entering the transfer

This year's Pinstripe Bowl Playlist: Baby, It's Cold Outside, White Christmas, Let It Snow and Jingle Bells (Dashing through the snow)...... 1st Down: Imagine Meeting You Here: The Pinstripe Bowl Penn State (6-6) vs Clemson (7-5) 12:00 ABC: There were a lot of people who thought Penn State and Clemson would meet in the postseason ---just not in New York City and not in the Pinstripe Bowl. Penn State was the preseason #2 team in the AP Poll and Clemson was #4. Penn State re