JoePa, coach K to get together for ESPN taping at Penn State
It's sure to be a special day June 20 when Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski come together for the taping of an ESPN special at the Eisenhower Auditorium on Penn State's main campus.
Call it "Meeting of the Minds" or "Clash of the Titans."
Whatever the case, it's sure to be a special day June 20 when Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski come together for the taping of an ESPN special at the Eisenhower Auditorium on Penn State's main campus.
The show, hosted by ESPN college football and basketball studio host Rece Davis, will be taped at 1:30 p.m. that day in front of an invitation-only audience for telecast on June 30.
An hour-long show entitled "Difference Makers: Life Lessons with Paterno and Krzyzewski" will be shown at 8 p.m, on June 30 on ESPN. The taped Paterno-Krzyzewski interview will continue at 9 p.m. on ESPNU, featuring questions from Penn State and Duke students for the coaches.
The show also will include guests such as Penn State football players Matt Millen and Michael Robinson, and Duke basketball players Jay Bilas and Jay Williams.
A release issued by Penn State athletics included statements from each coach:
Paterno: "I'm looking forward to working with Mike Krzyzewski and participating with students from Penn State and Duke. Hopefully we can create something meaningful for others."
Krzyzewski: "Certainly, I am humbled to share the stage with one of the greatest coaches of all-time in any sport and at any level. I have ultimate respect for Coach Paterno and everything he's accomplished at Penn State. Beyond all the victories and accolades, he is a great leader and teacher. I look forward to spending time with him, and learning from him, at such a special event that involves students from both campuses."
The interview with the two coaches will include questions from the audience at Eisenhower Auditorium, and from those watching the taping on the Duke campus in Durham, N.C.
The Penn State release said seating arrangements inside the auditorium have not been finalized. Once they have, ticket information will be announced, but it is not certain how much, if any, public availability there will be.
Davis said he looked forward to hearing how the two coaches "have adapted to the times in terms of motivation, leadership and team-building. I'm honored to be part of what I'm certain will be a thought-provoking and entertaining discussion between two guys who define class, winning and integrity."
The event is being sponsored by the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism, housed in the College of Communications at Penn State, and made possible with cooperation from Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics and Duke Athletics.
--Joe Juliano