Sports: November 2009 Archives

The Harrisburg Patriot New's David Jones reports that Penn State will be selling seat rights at Beaver Stadium as a means of raking in more cash from the football program.

Essentially, the university is considering upping the contributions you need to make to the Nittany Lion Club in order to buy season tickets.

Jones explains:

"But, on the other hand, this is not a flat, one-time fee with a long-term commitment. It will be annual and people can opt out any year. And the cost can vary depending on one's seat locations, annual level of giving and all the arcane details of the plan. So, in that strict sense, it's not a PSL (Personal Seat License).

"The reported prices I believe are accurate or very close. A $600 annual fee per seat for the best seats between the 40 yard lines; $300-400 annually for each seat between the goal lines and the 40s; $100 annually for those wrapped around the end zones who are not in student or club seating., one-time fee with a long-term commitment. It will be annual and people can opt out any year. And the cost can vary depending on one's seat locations, annual level of giving and all the arcane details of the plan. So, in that strict sense, it's not a PSL.

"The reported prices I believe are accurate or very close. A $600 annual fee per seat for the best seats between the 40 yard lines; $300-400 annually for each seat between the goal lines and the 40s; $100 annually for those wrapped around the end zones who are not in student or club seating."

OK, the university -- my university -- has the right to wring as much money as it can out of the football program. The money it makes from football supports all of the other sports at Penn State. If only the university would funnel some of the money into making the school more affordable for students and working-class families. But I digress...

Jones writes:

"Where I have a real problem with Penn State is part of the product - the pansy scheduling that so transparently reeks of money-grubbing. As a fan of college football, I hate seeing the current trend, not just here but around the country, of power schools scheduling pancakes just in order to get a home game and an extra payout."

Exactly. I think until the Nittany Lions can prove they can beat, oh, the Ohio States and Iowas on a consistent basis, this gouging is outrageous.

Still, I'm reminded of the the words of a friend who's a professor at the university. He always says State College is a drinking town with a football problem.

As a Penn State fan, and alum, I've been following the exploits of fellow Penn Stater Larry Johnson, the running back formerly with the Kansas City Chiefs.

He was a great college player and one of the few Penn State running backs to make it big in the pros. I always thought, if not for injuries, KiJana Carter and Blair Thomas had the most pro potential of any of the great Nittany Lion running backs over the years. But it turned out that Johnson was the one who made it big.

So how does he respond to his success?

By blowing it.

First, he is accused of beating up women. A real man. And then, he is run out of Kansas City after making gay slurs against a coach.

The guy brings shame upon Penn State. If the university ever bestowed a degree upon this nimrod, I would hope it would consider taking it back.

Over the decades, Penn State has built a good reputation for scholarship cohabitating with athletics. The school has a great record for its athletes earning degrees and being successful in areas outside of athletics. For instance, look at a lot of players on the 1986 national championship team. A lot of those guys -- quarterback John Shaffer and linebacker Trey Bauer come to mind -- were very successful even though their lives after Penn State did not include football.

Now, Johnson is available to other NFL teams. Let's hope he can rehabilitate himself and grow up. Let's hope he can make Penn State proud.

I know a lot of you aren't exactly fans of women's soccer, but you have to see this clip from ESPN.

I'll wait while you watch it.

Oh my God.

Just when you think it can't get any worse, it gets worse. Someone really should test that girl for steroids.

OK, how about them Eagles!

They crush the Giants, 40-17, to secure a tie for the division lead. But it is puzzling: How on Earth did this team ever lose to the Raiders?

Then, Sunday night, nothing much to say about the Phillies. They gave it a shot. But in the end, fell to the Yankee's winning pitcher, Brad Lidge. Yes, I know Lidge is the Phillies closer, but his implosion in the ninth doomed the Phillies. Tonight, the Phils try to extend the series with their ace, Cliff Lee. Too little, too late.

There's always next year...