Penn State Athletics Department
University Park
State College, PA 16801
Press Release
-For Immediate Release-
1/22/12
STATE COLLEGE-- Longtime Penn State football coach Joe Paterno has died at the age of 85. Paterno passed away Sunday morning from complications with his ongoing battle with lung cancer. Penn State offers its sincerest condolences to the Paterno family, and sincerely thanks “JoPae” for all his generous dedication to our student-athletes and this community over the many years he worked at the university. His family was with him at Mount Nittany Medical Center and released a statement on his passing.
"He died as he lived," the family said. "He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community."
Paterno started coaching at Penn State in 1950 as an assistant coach with the football team, and was named head coach in 1966. He led the team to five undefeated seasons and two national championships (1982, 1986) while head coach. In total he took the Nittany Lions to 37 Bowl Games in which they won 24. In all, Paterno and his teams collected 409 wins under his leadership. More than 250 of his players went on to play in the National Football League.
Paterno leaves behind his wife, Sue, and their five children. Information regarding a public memorial service will be released later in the week.
###
Facebook post: My facebook post would be simple and straight forward. I would not try to write a creative or catchy headline in hopes of getting web hits and likes. When dealing with death and tragedy its best, and most ethical, to be straight forward and not try to capitalize on the tragedy. It's disturbing to me when news organizations use that tactic.
I would simply post the link and write, "Very sad news to report today. We are greatly saddened to pass along that coach Joe Paterno has died. Penn State offers its sincerest condolences to the Paterno family, and we thank "JoPae" for his many contributions to our university over his long tenure with us."
I really like this post. I like that you presented the blog from the family's point of view. I must ask if it is because you are a fan of Penn State and Joe Paterno? I think that football fans will be more willing to look past his mistakes and remember his accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteI wrote it like this because I was doing so from the University's prospective. It's a release from Penn State. So, if I was them I would write it without the controversy and what I would do as their PR people. It's up to the media to take what they want from the press release and use it in their own story. Most press releases have a bias or could be considered one-sided, but it's a press release, not a news article from a journalist...
ReplyDelete