Joe Paterno: It is the sincere hope of Penn State fans everywhere that you will lead our football team to one last national championship before you retire. Additionally, a significant number of us would like to see the basketball team return to competitive levels. One student, currently attending Jeannette High School in western Pennsylvania, might miraculously fulfill both desires.

High school junior Terrelle Pryor has publicly announced his wish to play both football and basketball at the collegiate level. Coming from an athlete who has been compared to both Vince Young and Dwyane Wade, this request does not strike us as outlandish.

While we know that you would ordinarily never allow a football player of Terrelle's caliber to risk his body in another athletic pursuit, we ask you to make an exception in this case.

If he was told never to pick up a basketball again, perhaps the promise of playing with veteran stars and for a legendary coach would still be enough to persuade Terrelle to sign his letter of intent with you.

But we believe that Terrelle will almost certainly commit to Penn State if he is allowed to join the basketball team.

It would be a wonderful gesture to Coach Ed DeChellis, who has extended an offer to Terrelle and has inspired his team to play hard throughout a particularly disappointing season.

Terrelle would have an immediate impact on the basketball program, making Penn State a true two-sport powerhouse.

Mr. Paterno, we cannot express our excitement with your rejuvenated program; you have brought this campus to a frenzy. We realize we are in no position to ask you for anything more. But we hope you can spare us one basketball player.