Darr left mark on Curve and its fan base

June 24, 2023

By Jim Caltagirone For the Mirror I have the Altoona Curve to thank for my introduction to George Darr. For as long as I can remember, George was an attendant in a parking area south of the plaza at Peoples Natural Gas Field. He was one of those people who always left a favorable impression. George was blessed with a quick wit, an engaging smile and an upbeat disposition. If George had cares, he never displayed them on the job. It was obvious that he was a proud ambassador of the Curve and that he enjoyed interacting with patrons. He always made me feel special and added ...

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May 13, 2023

With Lestochi’s hiring, time for BG to turn page One of the darkest chapters in the annals of Bishop Guilfoyle ended with the hiring of Ryan Lestochi as boys basketball coach. Only those privy to the behind the scenes maneuvers know how many others were offered the position before Lestochi accepted it. The unacceptable dismissal of Chris Drenning and his loyal, dedicated assistants came as shock and complete surprise to the Bishop Guilfoyle community but not to a select few school board members, administrators and I have to assume my friend and athletic director Joe ...

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May 6, 2023

Clifford beats odds by getting drafted Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst did the unthinkable last weekend. He selected Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford in the fifth round with the 149th pick. I thought Clifford maybe would go in the seventh round, at best, and was more likely a free agent. Clifford will now become Jordan Love’s new best friend. Clifford throws well on the run, and NFL teams love his toughness and smarts. But I think his decision making and ball placement are too inconsistent for what is required at the next level. Oh, well. ...

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April 22, 2023

Altoona loss shouldn’t be blamed on field I read the Mirror article “Defense collapse causes another Altoona defeat,” stating that playing at Juniata contributed to the Mountain Lions’ loss to State College on Thursday. Juniata Sports Complex is run by a non-profit 503-C with a very limited budget that comes from selling advertising signs that surround the ballfield, grants and a few donations from local supporters. The groundskeeper, Kirk Beichler, dedicates many hours researching how to improve the field and its structures on this limited budget. And he also dedicates ...

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April 15, 2023

Pirates’ absence from local radio is a huge void I am writing in reference to why the Pirates were not picked up by any local radio station. I get KDKA-AM (1020) out of Pittsburgh, which is in this area, but it fades in and out. I know the Pirates have not been contenders so the stations may not have gotten enough sponsorship, and they jumped off the bus. It is convenient to listen to them in the car or while out in the yard. This is about as stupid as Bishop Guilfoyle firing basketball coach Chris Drenning. I’m asking the local radio station that carried them to ...

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April 8, 2023

Sanderson should write own ticket I read Todd Irwin’s recent column about Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson. It is a good one, and I couldn’t agree more with Irwin. Sanderson really is the only current Penn State coach who should get what he wants. I wanted them to do the right things to keep Micah Shrewsberry. However, he was only in Happy Valley for two years. If Sanderson is not the highest paid wrestling coach in the country, there is something wrong. I would hope and would like to see athletic director Pat Kraft be proactive rather than reactive with ...