Forbes released its annual standings for football programs and their value. I find the results to be exceptionally disturbing.
It angers me to the highest degree possible. PSU is going to raise ticket prices, as we all know, or the donation at the least. What I want to know is why.
If PSU is No. 3 and generates more than any other Big Ten school and for that matter more than all but two other schools in the country, why do they need to jack up prices even more?
It seems like it is all based on greed. If other schools can manage to have the same programs that PSU has without having to jack prices up so high, it makes it impossible for some to carry on being season-ticket holders while maintaining the same athletic programs, then why does PSU need to go above and beyond to milk its loyal fans for every red cent it can?
It's not as though the country or the region is in some kind of en economic boom, opposed to a recession, in which things like health care, cap and trade which will raise energy prices and the inevitable increases in fuel prices, which will be hitting as always.
It seems simply incredulous that PSU would decide to raise ticket or donation prices during the first season in almost a decade where a quality opponent comes into soon to be not-so-Happy Valley. This is obviously well timed, planned out and poorly rationalized.
The PSU football program cannot and should not be expected to foot the bill for all of PSU intercollegiate athletic programs. If they can't find a way to delve out the money that is already being generated then maybe, just maybe, there is a problem with accounting and budgeting opposed to a shortage of funds in general.
Other programs are not in the same boat PSU seems to claim it is in, so why, are we expected to pay for what over 100 other programs do not charge?
I've gone to games since I was a kid, and to be honest, if I have to give up my tickets I'm not going to be much of a PSU fan anymore period. If the greed of this program forces out longtime diehard fans in exchange for deep-pocket, less-enthusiastic fans, there is no reason for me to root for them anymore.
This is simply disturbing if not disgusting.
The program is program led by a coach who has for decades preached morality and ethics. He refuses to run up scores even if it means losing position in rankings and hurts national title hopes. Then Penn State turns around and in the face of the morality and ethics the program has stood for throughout half its existence and jacks up ticket prices to a level that is even higher than some pro teams.
It's simply astonishing.
Don't take into account troughs in the men's rooms, a non-smoking stadium with no smoking areas, a stadium that crams people together like sardines, metal bleachers reminiscent of a high school field, and the banning of bottles for tailgating.
If you do take those into account, where has the money been going anyway? It hasn't been going to the fans or upgrading of the facilities. Raising ticket prices would make sense if they provided smoking areas, upgraded seating to provide a more comfortable experience more in line with the pros and upgraded restrooms.
Then it would be more like a pro stadium and maybe would be worth paying more for.
Ben Thompson
Williamsport
B-A tailback slighted
Congratulations to Philip Cmor.
Somehow he managed to keep Bellwood-Antis tailback Zack McCaulley off the area all-star team. This is quite an accomplishment, considering McCaulley led the area with 27 touchdowns and was second in rushing.
How can the leader of the best team in the area not be included on the area all-stars?
McCaulley also did not make the Mirror's Athlete of the Week for the last two years, even though he had 15 100-yard games.
Again, quite impressive.
I can't believe Cmor actually printed the stats right below the all-star results. Was he hoping nobody noticed the glaring mistake? If this team was picked after the Bellwood-Portage game, surely Cmor did not attend.
The Bellwood tailback had 122 yards and three touchdowns, and the Portage back had 30 yards and zero points. Zack also scored three touchdowns against Tyrone and the Johnstown all-star team (Bishop McCort), something no other player accomplished.
I know there are other criteria, but did Cmor honestly think nobody would notice? However, no matter what is printed, no one cannot take away from the tremendous accomplishments of the 2009 B-A team.
Brandon R. Oswalt
Tyrone
(Note: McCaulley was a second-team running back on the Mirror's regional all-star team and a first-team Blair County selection, published Sunday, Dec. 20. Cmor covered the Bellwood-Portage playoff game).
PSU should join ACC
Try this on for size: Penn State leaves the Big 11 and finds a way to get invited to join the ACC.
All of Penn State's problems are solved. We play quality teams that we could actually get excited about in an area ripe for recruiting. Same time zone makes for good time slots and let's not forget the crowds. And the big plus is we play either in warm weather or the heavyweights occasionally have to come up and play in the snow. It's a win-win.
And there's the basketball. Could we start a petition?
John Peterman
Patton
