It was first learned back in February that Pittsburgh-based firm Mind Over Media's "Penn State Football Story" would not be retained for 2012 and beyond. On Wednesday, Penn State announced the show's replacement, "Penn State Football 2012 -- The Next Chapter," will first air on September 2, the day after the Nittany Lions' home opener against Ohio. The show continues Penn State Athletics' partnership with Penn State Public Broadcasting to produce a weekly show of highlights and features of Penn State football-- this year with Bill O'Brien at the helm.
Yesterday, it was announced that two Penn State football players, senior CB Mike Wallace and OL Luke Graham, will be leaving the program, although neither departures appear to be scandal related and both intend to stay at Penn State.
Bill O'Brien kicked off his first Penn State Football media day this morning with a press conference in front of a couple hundred reporters. The first question centered around the mood of the team after the first few days of practice following the NCAA sanctions and subsequent transfers. The response from the first year head coach? "The morale has been excellent."
"Black Shoe, Basic Blues, No Names, All Game." The third segment there is no more as it was announced this afternoon on the Penn State Athletics website that football uniforms will feature names on the back.
As an avid Penn State fan, I know that it's a tough feeling when we see one of our own leave, in any sport, whether they graduate, get injured, or end up transferring. Sometimes it's just sadness because you're going to miss them. Sometimes it's sympathy because you wish they could play, but their injury leaves them on the sidelines. Lately, though, it's been pure anger because we feel betrayed.
We've got to learn to let go.