Joe Paterno demonstrates his moral purpose through his coaching techniques, educational outlook, and family values. He is dedicated to a life of modesty, preaches commitment, and maintains his values despite his reputation or status in the public eye. His career has been marked by achievements both on and off the field; however, the greatest have been a result of his caring and nurturing personality towards people less fortunate than him. Joe Paterno has never been about dollar signs, rather the improvement of society.
The following story is an example of Paterno’s dignity and character. A reporter from Sports Illustrated once visited the Penn State campus to conduct an interview of Paterno and the football program. The reporter’s goal was to write a smear article to expose any wrong doing under the Paterno regime. The reporter stated “I don’t believe that his program can be that good or that his program is that clean. I want to do a story to prove that Joe Paterno is the biggest fraud ever to hit major college sports.” (Bergstein, 1998, p. 132). The reporter failed to find any violations or negative influences on the players. Paterno even asked the reporter, “if you find out any instances where we cheated or are cheating, promise that you’ll tell me about it…I want to get it stopped quickly.” (Bergstein, 1998, p. 133). This obviously demonstrates his sincerity in the morality of the program.
Joe Paterno has weathered the changes of college football, academic standards, public interest, and media pressure, yet still adapts to meets the needs of his organization. His current and continued success is a testament to his ability of foresight. Along the way, he has developed a relationship among his players, who respect him tremendously; his fellow coaches and colleagues, who remain apart of the program despite monetary incentives from other institutions; the fan base, who adore him; as well as the media, who thrive on his charisma and continue to pester him with questions of retirement. Paterno uses these relationships to build a community that strengthens not only the football program, but more importantly, the university. He strives to make himself and everyone around a better individual and is extremely successful at his goal. In my viewpoint, Joe Paterno is a great leader who is worthy of emulating.
References:
Bergstein, M. (1998). Penn State Sports Stories and More. Harrisburg, PA. RB Books Seitz & Seitz, Inc.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Leadership Qualities - 2nd Post
The leadership qualities that Joe Paterno demonstrates are dedication, perseverance, inspiration, and providing a moral foundation through both academics and athletics. He has devoted himself to the university for 59 years despite numerous opportunities to leave for more money at the professional level. Paterno's strengths would fit the developer and discipline characteristics. As a developer, he sees great potential in all of his coaches and athletes and strives to make them better individuals in all aspects of life. His discipline is allows him to consistently demonstrate to his players that he is a model for them to follow.
Paterno has persevered through stages in his career in which his team had four losing seasons in five years. This created a response among many fans that wanted him to resign or be fired. Websites, t-shirts, fliers, and other propaganda were distributed to fans all over the country to push for Paterno's firing. The school administration provided him the opportunity to prove himself and he responded valiantly. In 2005, Joe Paterno coached his team to a conference championship and a victory in the Bowl Championship Series, Orange Bowl game in Miami, Florida. Since then his teams have had winning seasons in each year including another conference championship in 2008. At the same time, Paterno has maintained his sense of ethics and morality while coaching his student-athletes. He demands that his players represent the university in a respectful and mannerly fashion. His players also contribute to one of the highest graduation rates among student-athletes across the country.
Joe Paterno has faced adversity and criticism throughout his career. In the early days of his coaching, his team did not receive national recognition despite having several undefeated seasons. However, neither he nor his fellow coaches and athletes gave up. Penn State is now one of the elite college football programs and they continue to produce successful teams and develop students into productive members of society.
References:
Rath, T. (2007). Strengthsfinder 2.0. New York, New York:Gallup Press.
Paterno has persevered through stages in his career in which his team had four losing seasons in five years. This created a response among many fans that wanted him to resign or be fired. Websites, t-shirts, fliers, and other propaganda were distributed to fans all over the country to push for Paterno's firing. The school administration provided him the opportunity to prove himself and he responded valiantly. In 2005, Joe Paterno coached his team to a conference championship and a victory in the Bowl Championship Series, Orange Bowl game in Miami, Florida. Since then his teams have had winning seasons in each year including another conference championship in 2008. At the same time, Paterno has maintained his sense of ethics and morality while coaching his student-athletes. He demands that his players represent the university in a respectful and mannerly fashion. His players also contribute to one of the highest graduation rates among student-athletes across the country.
Joe Paterno has faced adversity and criticism throughout his career. In the early days of his coaching, his team did not receive national recognition despite having several undefeated seasons. However, neither he nor his fellow coaches and athletes gave up. Penn State is now one of the elite college football programs and they continue to produce successful teams and develop students into productive members of society.
References:
Rath, T. (2007). Strengthsfinder 2.0. New York, New York:Gallup Press.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Leader Introduction (1st post)
In this day and age, I realize that there are few sports figures that a person can look to as a role model. Either driven by greed or self-indulgence, many extraordinary coaches and athletes have proven to be less than reputable citizens. Joe Paterno, on the other hand, is a leader who has dedicated himself to developing young athletes and students into upstanding and educated individuals. Without his guidance, perseverance, and loyalty, I do not believe that the Pennsylvania State University would be as highly regarded of an educational institution. Joe Paterno has created one of the most successful programs in college football history, while at the same time fully dedicating himself to his community, political views, educational beliefs, and most importantly, his family.
As head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, Joe Paterno has guided his team for forty-three years, with an additional sixteen years as an assistant coach prior to 1966. He has the most wins of any coach in major college football history, and continues build upon his coaching records at the age of 82 (Nardy, 2007). Joe Paterno has played an intricate role in maintaining the integrity, sportsmanship and academic standards of college football and its athletes. Along with his illustrious coaching career, he and his wife , Sue, have personally contributed over $4 million dollars to Penn State University and have assisted in raising millions more (Nardy, 2007).
The reason I chose Joe Paterno for my leader is because I see admirable, conscientious, and noble traits in all he does. He not only motivates his players to compete at the highest level of competition, he also energizes millions of fans who support the institution and want to become apart of, or more involved in the success he breeds. I have a great respect for his educational, community, and family values. I also admire his perseverance to continue coaching at an age which most Americans have long since retired. He loves his job and has made it an obligation to make those around him better so that they, in turn, may do the same for others.
References:
Thalman, L.B. (2000). Quotable Joe: Words of wisdom by and about Joe Paterno, college football's coaching icon. Nashville, Tennessee: Towle House Publishing.
O'Brien, M. (1999). No Ordinary Joe: The biography of Joe Paterno. Nashville, Tennessee: Rutledge Hill Press.
Nardy, V.J. (2007). Joe Paterno. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://www.pabook.libraries.psu.edu/
As head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, Joe Paterno has guided his team for forty-three years, with an additional sixteen years as an assistant coach prior to 1966. He has the most wins of any coach in major college football history, and continues build upon his coaching records at the age of 82 (Nardy, 2007). Joe Paterno has played an intricate role in maintaining the integrity, sportsmanship and academic standards of college football and its athletes. Along with his illustrious coaching career, he and his wife , Sue, have personally contributed over $4 million dollars to Penn State University and have assisted in raising millions more (Nardy, 2007).
The reason I chose Joe Paterno for my leader is because I see admirable, conscientious, and noble traits in all he does. He not only motivates his players to compete at the highest level of competition, he also energizes millions of fans who support the institution and want to become apart of, or more involved in the success he breeds. I have a great respect for his educational, community, and family values. I also admire his perseverance to continue coaching at an age which most Americans have long since retired. He loves his job and has made it an obligation to make those around him better so that they, in turn, may do the same for others.
References:
Thalman, L.B. (2000). Quotable Joe: Words of wisdom by and about Joe Paterno, college football's coaching icon. Nashville, Tennessee: Towle House Publishing.
O'Brien, M. (1999). No Ordinary Joe: The biography of Joe Paterno. Nashville, Tennessee: Rutledge Hill Press.
Nardy, V.J. (2007). Joe Paterno. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://www.pabook.libraries.psu.edu/
Monday, January 19, 2009
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