RIP JoePa

[JSM]

While not directly radio related (although I have listened to many a game on radio), just wanted to send out my respects and condolences.


http://news.yahoo.com/amid-scandal-revered-psu-coach-joe-paterno-dies-161527007--spt.html

 

[RockofHBG]

Sadly, an icon has passed. There will never be another Joepa. Penn State Football runs deep in the DNA of Central PA radio. I remember back in the early 80s before there were market exclusivity rights of the coverage. For a least one season and perhaps several, you could Penn State on WHP, WKBO & WCMB!

 

[timmyb]

For may many years in the early years of the Paterno era, WCMB was the local Penn State rightholder. Then there was the year or so when the three outlets you mention all concurrently aired the PSU games. Then until 2008, WHP held the rights. In 2009, the rights switched to WTPA.

Among the commentator crews doing PSU were guys like Mickey Bergstein, Tom Bender, Fran Fisher, Bill Campbell, Lanny Frattare, Gil Santos, Bill Zimpfer, John Sanders, Fran Fisher (again), and Steve Jones. Analysts have included Jim Tarman, John Grant, Scott Fitzkee, George Paterno and Jack Ham. Hosts have included Frank Gardinia, Guy Junker and Roger Corey.

Wondering if Jones and Ham will continue to work PSU football in 2012 after the scorched earth changes to the program.

 

[Bubba Bob]

All the best to the family in the passing of Joe Paterno...a true legend in college football. I had the pleasure of covering Penn State football for years in doing sports talk radio.

 

[JSM]

That's pretty cool Bubba Bob! Did you get to meet and know/talk to Joe at any point?

 

[Bubba Bob]

That's pretty cool Bubba Bob! Did you get to meet and know/talk to Joe at any point?

Yes, I knew JoePa for 25 years and was quite close to Penn State in doing sports talk radio. Some shows were broadcast at the Meadowlands during the annual Kickoff Classic. I interviewed him countless times and played in numerous golf outings at Penn State.