Bringing BackTV Quarterbacks
Some things change. Joe Paterno does not.
Forty years ago was the era of no 24-hour cable sports channels. No extensive game analysis – no sports news shows – no Big Ten Network. Penn State Football games may have received national television coverage a few times a year. But, Penn State Public Broadcasting, in partnership with Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics, offered a weekly television program, starring Coach Joe Paterno. It was called “Joe Paterno’s TV Quarterbacks” and it featured game highlights, player interviews and Coach Paterno’s expertise along with his trademark sense of humor.
The television show was created in 1965 and originally called “Wednesday Quarterbacks,” during Rip Engle’s final season as Penn State’s head football coach. When Paterno took over as head coach the next year, the show was shaped in his image and took on his personality. Over the years, “Joe Paterno’s TV Quarterbacks” gave Nittany Lion fans a chance to meet players of every level – from the All-Americans to the walk-ons. Legendary local broadcaster, Fran Fisher, hosted the show for 18 years. He made players feel comfortable with his laid back and personable approach.
Buy the DVD Set
The 2-disc DVD set contains twelve full Joe Paterno’s TV Quarterbacks episodes as they originally aired years ago.
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