By Josh Barnett
Chair, APSE Regions committee
Executive Sports Editor, Philadelphia Daily News
New Penn State football coach Bill O'Brien will highlight the lineup of speakers at the APSE Mid-Atlantic regional meeting on April 10 in State College, Pa.
O'Brien, the former offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, was hired in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse scandal. He will speak from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
The scandal and its far-reaching effects will be a featured topic throughout the day at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center. Other speakers include Harrisburg Patriot-News reporter Sara Ganim, who broke the initial story and many of its developments; Washington Post columnist Sally Jenkins, who had the only interview with Joe Paterno before his death; and Penn State professor emeritus John Nicholson, chairperson of the Coalition of Intercollegiate Athletics; member of the football coach search committee.
APSE third vice president Ben Brigandi, the sports editor of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette will moderate a panel especially for smaller paper sports editors on monetizing ideas and best ideas. The annual "Reverse Panel" also will be part of the session with students from Penn State's John Curley Center for Sports Journalism.
Registration is from 9 to 9:30 a.m. The cost is $25 per person, which covers a continental breakfast and lunch. Sessions will end by 5 p.m.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Mid-Atlantic Region chair Paul Vigna, sports editor of the Patriot-News, by April 3. You can reach him at 717.255.8404 or pvigna@patriot-news.com.
No hotel rooms were set aside, but you can reach the Penn Stater at 814-863-5000.
