As a retired engineer who continues to view the world of sports analytically, I am frustrated to see the evolving destruction of my favorite spectator sport, American football. I’m a father of two sons and the grandfather of three grandsons. I see with dismay, that my wife and my son’s ...

Name: Terri Henshaw Kelley Age: 50 Residence: Altoona High school: Bishop Guilfoyle class of 1986 College: Slippery Rock My favorite sport: Football I usually attend games with: My kids, Aidan and Mackenzie, if they aren’t participating in the sport Favorite high school team: ...

The walk down historic Bourbon Street towards the SuperDome for the National Championship Game between LSU and Clemson was unlike any other that I have made to a stadium. Tens of thousands of fans wearing purple and gold and orange and white paraded through the French Quarter hoping for the ...

By Eric Olson The Associated Press Six bowls this season had their smallest crowds on record, with section after section of unoccupied seats a yawning indication of just how little buzz there can be for the long, long list of postseason games on the schedule. Half-empty stadiums? Teams with ...

College football’s championship game between Clemson and LSU kicks off Monday night — 15 days since they won their respective semifinals — and that break was probably good for the teams’ health, just as the Monday night timeslot should be good for ratings. Still, a two-week plus break ...

By Tim Frank (Editor’s note: Altoona native Tim Frank worked closely with ex-NBA commissioner David Stern for more than two decades. He offers his perspective to the Mirror on Stern, who passed Wednesday at the age of 77.) When the phone rang, you knew you had to be ready. If ...

There are some really concerning Penn State’s weaknesses — particularly the soft-zone pass-coverage schemes and breakdowns, and the rapidly declining play of Sean Clifford — but I will take this season and be grateful. I predicted 8-4, with a likely bowl game loss. I thought this would ...

All those college football fans who clamor about a Southeastern Conference bias on ESPN might have more reason to complain soon. While ESPN launched and owns the SEC Network, it is also apparently close to securing the rights to broadcast the conference’s best regular season games and its ...

LEMONT — Former Penn State linebacker Gary Gray has taken a trip down memory lane over the past two years, researching the story of his hometown’s 1960 Little League World Series championship squad that he followed along the tournament trail with his father. Gray, a two-year starter for ...

‘Safe tackling’ matter of interpretation Football helmets are almost as old as the game itself and, by now, about as safe as they’ll ever be. The polycarbonate outer shell flexes at impact to redistribute shock, yet remains strong enough to ram a car windshield at 40 mph without ...

After watching the recent Penn State-Mississippi basketball game, I ended up with mixed emotions. After the first half, I said to myself this is the year State gets over the hump. Then ccomes the second half. While leading by 21 points with 16 minutes remaining, I felt the Lions had the ...

Name: Joe Merilli Age: 56 Residence: Altoona High school: Altoona College: Penn State My favorite sport: Football I usually attend games with: My daughter, Miranda, and my brother, Greg. Favorite high school team: Bishop Guilfoyle Favorite college team: Notre Dame Favorite pro team: ...

ATLANTA — Haley Anderson has been through this before. In the lead-up to the Rio Olympics, all the talk about open water swimming focused on the conditions rather than the competition. Now, it’s happening again with the Tokyo Games less than a year away. This time, there is concern ...

I’ve never seen so much whining from we Penn State fans as I have this season. And trust me, I’ve been following it all for years now. Do I sit in front of the TV on Saturdays out here in LA and scream at the TV on any number of occasions? Just ask my wife, who finds something to ...

We’re just a three days removed from Thanksgiving, and there are many reasons to be thankful in regard to sports media and television. Here are a few atop my list: David Feherty: The golf analyst and TV personality conducts the best sports interview program on television. We’re getting to ...

I have been to sporting events all over the USA, from sea to shining sea, and none is more awesome than an on-campus rivalry football game. Super Bowls, World Series, NBA Finals, Stanley Cups, bowl games and NCAA Final Fours are full of excitement, but they can’t top the energy of ...

I watched Saturday’s Penn State-Minnesota game and came away with one firm conclusion: To wit, some coaches are destined to prevail at big moments on grand stages, and some are not. I was stationed in Vietnam in 1968-69 and listened to the Jan. 1, 1969 Orange Bowl game between Penn State and ...

Name: Joseph Dumm Age: 66 Residence: Hollidaysburg High school: Bishop Guilfoyle College: Penn State My favorite sport: A tie, football and baseball I usually attend games with: Chris Seymore, Condrin family and Maryanne Burger Favorite high school team: A tie, BG, Hollidaysburg ...

P.J. Fleck had his team ready to play, and Minnesota outcoached James Franklin and outplayed Penn State. A six-man offensive line leaves one less eligible receiver. Franklin and defensive Brent Pry were clueless, and Minnesota’s receivers were running wide open by 10-15-20 yards with no ...

Name: Ray Riggleman Age: 43 Residence: Bedford County High school: Penn Cambria College: Saint Francis My favorite sport: Football I usually attend games with: My wife and two boys Favorite high school team: Chestnut Ridge Favorite college team: Michigan Favorite pro team: ...