The father their relationship is often strong. The son looks to the father as the prime example of how to live his life. The father is honored by the son’s devotion and takes more pride in his son’s achievements than in his own. This story is played out every year across the United States, but in the world of college football, no place sees more of a father-and-son story than Penn State. Family connection runs deep at Penn State. A person looking at a current Nittany Lions roster will recognize some of the last names.
The two most prominent names are Suhey and Shuler. The Suhey family is much loved at Penn State. Current fullback Joe Suhey’s father, Matt, played for the team in the late 1970s. Matt’s brothers Larry and Paul also played for the Nittany Lions. Matt, Larry, and Paul’s mother’s maiden name was Ginger Higgins. Ginger Higgins married Steve Suhey, who played for Penn State coach Bob Higgins. Bob Higgins was the head coach from 1930 to 1949. And a little more fun to the Suhey family story is that when Joe Paterno first came to Penn State as an assistant coach, he rented a room from the Suhey family. . Although he lives in the Chicago metropolitan area, he doesn’t expect to see Matt being placed in a Chicago assisted living facility any time soon. He’s quite happy walking down the Penn State bench to see Suhey’s legacy unfold.
Another dad enjoying the Penn State bench again is Mickey Shuler, Sr. Mickey, Jr. is tight end for the Nittany Lions. Shuler’s story is a bit similar to Suhey’s story. Both sons are playing their father’s positions. Maybe Mickey, Jr. can follow in dad’s footsteps in the NFL. If he does, we hope that, like his father, he can avoid having to use Chicagoland health insurance when he plays the Bears.
The only man in this Penn State story who is not only a father, but also a father figure, is Joe Paterno. Although Joe has been a head coach for 44 years, he won’t be visiting a Chicagoland hospital anytime soon. He is very happy training. He looks forward to seeing him coach more of the sons of former players in the future. We can understand the devotion his players have to him through a response he gave after winning the national championship in 1986. Joe was asked if he was the best team he had ever coached. Joe responded by saying that the reporter should tell him where his players were in 25 years, then he would respond. Joe understands that college football is a game, but the education that Penn State provides is a means to a good and productive life. This is why so many parents entrust their children to the Penn State football program.