However, when it comes to joking around, we understand there is a fine line between humor and poor taste.

What The Pitt News did yesterday crossed that line. The University of Pittsburgh's student newspaper tarnished the institution of journalism when, in the spirit of April Fool's day, it ran a story entitled "Paterno dies, will continue coaching."

In the article, assistant sports editor Brian Knavish spun a tale about the longtime Penn State coach passing away near his home Wednesday. He then proceeded to mock Paterno and his family, saying that he would continue coaching in spite of his death.

Here's a sample of what was said in the tasteless story.

• "It took Paterno's wife several hours to discover Joe Pa's body. She had mistaken the life-size cardboard Paterno cutout in the family's living room for her husband."

• " 'I don't think it'll be much different than last year,' said one University official. 'He's been all but dead for about a decade.' "

• "When Paterno finally does decide to hang it up, he himself will be hung up. According to the PSU athletics department, Paterno's head will be stuffed and hung like a deer on the wall of the Paterno Library."

A real knee-slapper, right?

I'd call it disgraceful.

I understand that Pittsburgh and Penn State are arch rivals. They always have been and always will be. I also realize that because of the rivalry, those at Pittsburgh cannot stand the sight of someone as successful as Paterno. Nothing angers them more than seeing the 72-year-old coach enjoying another winning season.

Therefore, it's understandable to poke fun at each other's respective schools. We did that earlier in the year when we exchanged football-bashing columns with The Pitt News before the Penn State-Pittsburgh contest Sept. 20.

That exchange was fun. The article in question, though, was sick.

Making light of someone passing away? That's the lowest form of human nature imaginable.

The more you read the story, the more clear it becomes that this is just another jealous Pittsburgh fan crying about how superior Penn State football is to the Panthers year after year after year.

Case in point: "Paterno is best known for padding his schedule with weak teams and choking in big games. These are practices Paterno says he'll continue in his tenure as the first zombie coach. He will also continue to run up scores, deny it, and then whine about the rankings."

Those are real intelligent comments, considering the Big Ten is the toughest conference in Div. I football and that Paterno has led his team to two national championships and a record 19 bowl victories.

Intelligence, however, does not seem to be Knavish's forte. Anyone who thinks mocking the death of a fellow human being is funny has to be lacking something in the mental department.

Knavish's sad attempt to get a laugh is just another blow against the media in today's society. As journalists, my colleagues and I have a responsibility to present the news and sports in a fair and honest manner. People like Knavish, however, undermine this effort with their mindless drivel and create even more hatred against journalists everywhere.

Don't get me wrong. This is not an issue of Chris Masse vs. Brian Knavish or The Daily Collegian vs. The Pitt News or Penn State vs. Pittsburgh. No, this is an issue of someone crossing the line of integrity journalists try to preserve every day.

Replace the schools and the person being mocked and that does nothing to take away how tasteless this story really was. Anyway you look at it, the actions of The Pitt News are deplorable.

On behalf of the Collegian, I'd personally like to thank Knavish and The Pitt News for embarrassing journalists across the nation.

Two words Pitt News -- grow up.