Show me the money

By GEOFF DODD
Collegian Staff Writer

Last September, Penn State's football players helped Joe Paterno join the elite ranks of college football coaches by winning him his 300th game. Now, Nike is giving something back to the team.

Nike, Inc. announced last Thursday that it established an endowed scholarship fund to honor Paterno and his wife, Sue. It will help football players who make the grade exceptionally both on and off the field, according to Penn State Sports Information.

As Paterno enters his 50th year of coaching (34th as head coach), he will look to improve on an already impressive record of 307-80-3, with a winning percentage of 79.1, second best among active coaches. With his record, Paterno joins only Eddie Robinson (408), John Gagliardi (353-active), Paul "Bear" Bryant (323), Pop Warner (319) and Amos Alonzo Stagg (314) as coaches with 300 or more wins.

Paterno is also second to Stagg in years coached at one school. This year, Paterno will coach his 400th game, making him just the sixth person to ever do so, according to Penn State Sports Information.

Nike, which would not discuss the financial terms of the scholarship fund because of company policy, is trying to strengthen its already strong relationship with Penn State.

"As far as specifics go, we don't discuss financial aspects of our partnerships," said Dave Mingey, Nike manager of U.S. Corporate Communications. "It's standard policy at Nike that we don't discuss financial terms of our business, in this or similar regards."

Mingey added that when Nike came into the sportswear industry around 28 years ago, it created partnerships with several schools, including Oregon (where Nike co-founder, Chairman and CEO Philip Knight was a runner) and Penn State.

"Penn State is one of the first colleges we ever entered into a partnership with," Mingey said. "And it's one that we've very much enjoyed having and maintaining over the years. Penn State is a very important part of the Nike family."

Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley gave equal kudos to Nike.

"We're very excited and pleased that Nike would establish the scholarship in Joe and Sue Paterno's name," Curley said. "The accomplishment of the 300th win was very special for Joe, his family and the institution. It was a great milestone, and it meant a lot to us."

Curley was also pleased that Nike founded the scholarship based not only on what Paterno has done on the football field, but what Joe and Sue Paterno together have done for the Penn State football program, the community and college athletics in general.

The scholarship will most likely go into effect beginning in the next academic year.