Mailbag

February 4, 2023

PSU Altoona basketball team is ‘filling it up’ I went down memory lane on a recent Saturday at Penn State Altoona’s Adler Arena. Dean Smith’s four-corner offense came to mind, not for the reason you might expect. The shot clock ended that offensive keep-away strategy years ago. One of the best ticket values in the area is a Penn State Altoona men’s basketball game. The cost of one gallon of gas is $3.89 as I write this, and for $3 a ticket, you get two hours of entertainment in your backyard. The lion mascot can be seen mingling with the fans, and if you get ...

Mailbag

January 21, 2023

PSU basketball needs wrestling’s mentality The question in the Mirror was asked last week if Penn State’s men’s basketball team will make it to the Big Dance, and the answer is no. Again, this year’s team is like any other Penn State basketball team — poor coaching and not enough talent. They are playing a Big Ten schedule now, and the losses are coming. There is no big man to go to when a game is on the line. Penn State lacks big talent and a big-time head coach. Remember, history will tell you PSU will never be big in men’s basketball. This school is ...

Mailbag

January 14, 2023

Rose Bowl brings back best vibe since 2016 The feeling that I had — and still have — after the Rose Bowl win caused me to wonder, “When was the last time that I felt that good from a Penn State win?” I realized that it was the win over Ohio State that led them to their last conference title in 2016. That same team played a great, exciting Rose Bowl game vs. USC but lost. It was that Ohio State game — that was the last time I felt this good. That’s quite a while, which made this year’s Rose Bowl win feel that much better. Geoff Jacobs San Marcos, ...

Mailbag

January 7, 2023

Showcase of Central success appreciated I just wanted to commend the Mirror sports staff on the coverage it has given Central High School’s teams in 2022. The Dragons have had a tremendous year in baseball and football and are very competitive year in and year out. Our community is very proud of many things when it comes to our sports programs, our coaches, our parents and especially our players. Their parents aren’t from another area. They are basically from the Martinsburg, Roaring Spring and East Freedom area. The parents and coaches start these kids thinking of ...

Mailbag

November 26, 2022

Band performance requires discipline As a longtime professional musician, I was very happy to see that Neil Rudel picked music and the Blue Band as his favorite PSU traditions in Thursday’s point-counterpoint. I lived in State College as a PSU MuEd Major 1972-76. Had I gone straight from Altoona Area High School, I would likely have been in the marching Blue Band. However, by the time I got there, I was almost age 23, having served as an Army Bandsman. I already had plenty of marching experience and felt that I was a little aged out for the antics of a college marching ...

Penn State program needs more discipline

November 5, 2022

The next time James Franklin reviews video with his team, he may want to point out that you only get six points for a touchdown. There are no extra points added for somersaulting into the end zone or for flexing, posing or waving a finger to the crowd. There are no style points given. What it ought to get a player is a seat on the bench. If you succeed on the field, go to the bench and be grateful you helped the team. But then I guess times have changed. Big games are either won or lost by being disciplined and respectful. Nowadays, it is all about me or NIL. Denny ...