A nearly three-decade tradition at Penn State will come to an end April 24 when coach Joe Paterno does not work as color commentator for most of the Blue-White Game, the annual scrimmage that marks an end to spring practice.Paterno, 83, will participate in the broadcast, but only on a limited basis. He'll also appear on TV as ESPN2 broadcasts the game nationally.
The game begins at 2 p.m., and the A-list TV crew for the assignment includes Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and Matt Millen. With a two-hour window for coverage, expect the visit from ESPN2 to focus on college football in Happy Valley in general and on the game itself.
In fact, more of the former would not be a surprise. With Penn State regularly attracting 75,000 fans for its spring game, a focus on the atmosphere and, when Paterno's in the booth, the state of college football would not be a surprise.
On the field, Penn State has a quarterback battle (Kevin Newsome, Matt McGloin, Paul Jones) and one of the nation's best running backs (Evan Royster), and those storylines might merit some focus and prompt some interest. But it's not as if every play (or any play, unless someone gets hurt) matters in a spring football scrimmage.
That's just what makes Paterno's absence on radio a loss, though. He made the spring game entertaining, and he made it matter.
Paterno had worked the radio side of the final spring practice scrimmage annually since the late 1970s. At one time, when his brother George was alive and working as the regular color commentator for the broadcasts, the spring games were must-listen radio.
In fact, many of the media members who cover the team on a regular basis would come to the Blue-White Game prepared with a small radio and ear buds to keep an ear on the broadcast while they watched the scrimmage themselves. The brothers' banter was always entertaining because they were not afraid to contradict or question each other about what was happening or what the on-field action meant.
It might have been difficult at first for non-discerning listeners to tell the difference between the two Brooklyn born and bred brothers, but the comments eventually made it obvious.
Even without his brother at his side in more recent year, Joe Paterno was always the highlight of the Blue-White Game on radio. He was honest in his assessments, insightful and opinionated. Despite his sometimes obvious disdain for the media, Paterno was great as a media member with the once-a-year assignment.
Plus, his presence provided an extra personal connection to both him and the program. Fans and listeners got better insights into the team, because Paterno almost always said what he was thinking -- and you could hear either the appreciation or irritation in his voice, depending on what had happened on the field. Those listeners also got an extra insight into the coach himself, and his personality.
The move comes in part because it's a busy weekend at Penn State, with the kickoff of a major fundraising campaign where Paterno will be front and center as some events. The TV presence also plays a part, because when ESPN2 shows up it expects to have access to the coach. And nearly 1 million people (based on viewership for ESPN2's spring games last year) will tune in to watch the Blue-White Game.
Those who tune in on radio will be at a loss without a full game of the coach's comments, though.