KEY REPORTER — Working out of State College, Heather Dinich writes about Penn State football and the legendary head coach, Joe Paterno.

Ten, nine, eight— buzz!

Time out was signaled. The stadium lights glared on the huddled players. Pressing a dripping ice bag to his bruised knee, the Penn State quarterback winced in pain.

Only a coach, his players and the journalist covering the game can capture all the emotion of a team huddle.

Many PAHS students enjoy reporting or writing and pursue journalism as a career.

However, few sports reporters receive opportunities to interview the stars of professional games and write stories about famous players.

Heather Dinich remains one of these exceptions.

Graduating from PAHS in 1997, Dinich actively participated in the high school’s publications. She advanced through many editorial positions, including Editor- in- Chief of Tide Lines and sports editor of the HI• S• Potts yearbook.

“I was born outside of Pittsburgh, so I grew up listening to Pirates and Steelers games. I also ran track in high school. Sports were always an influence on my life and that is a big part of why I wrote about them so much,” Dinich said.

Dinich also received the Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year award in 1997, her senior year of high school.

“That award meant so much to me and it is an honor I still cherish. It was worth all the long nights in the Pub Room,” Dinich said.

The first job she took in journalism was as a sports reporter for the Pottsville Republican.

“(Publications adviser) Mrs. (Kathleen) Zwiebel helped me get hired at the Republican and I learned the bulk of what I needed in the PUB Room,” Dinich said.

Dinich then attended Indiana University and studied journalism for four years.

College provided numerous opportunities for her, including working at the Reading Eagle, the Kansas City Star and the Washington Post.

Working on a two year internship for the Washington Post, Dinich had the opportunity to experience working on big stories.

“Working for the Washington Post was hard. I was responsible for the coverage of every sport played in 17 different high schools. At the same time, I would write about an Orioles game or do a Redskins sidebar,” Dinich said.

Currently employed in State College at the Centre Daily Times, Dinich continues to report and write about various sports.

“I am the Penn State football beat reporter, meaning I cover all home and away games and everything that happens in between. I will also cover the basketball team, but only home games, for budgetary reasons,” Dinich said.

Reporting on various college sports activities, Dinich uses a system to cover all these events and remain organized.

“On Monday, I joined a Big East conference call to talk to the Temple coach, since that is who Penn State was playing in the pre- season opener Saturday. I wrote a Temple story and another one on Penn State’s starters. Every Tuesday I go to Beaver Stadium for a press conference with Joe Paterno (Penn State head coach) and a few players. I will write something for Wednesday from the Tuesday press conferences, work on other feature stories and finish with a straight game preview for Saturday’s paper. Then it’s game time. It’s the same cycle every week,” Dinich said.

Similar to college internships, the Centre Daily Times also provides Dinich with opportunities to meet and work with diverse sports celebrities.

The first time Dinich became involved in writing a national story involved an article addressing Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight losing his job.

“Knight invited my editor and I to his house for two days of interviews and I remember biting my nails on the car ride there,” Dinich said. “I was so nervous because I did not know what to expect.”

She recently published an article about Coach Paterno. Dinich and her editor entered Paterno’s office prepared for an interview involving mostly off-field issues.

“A Penn State football player is being charged with sexual assault and another player got caught drinking. Paterno has been known to reprimand players for minor thing although he did allow the player to compete in a bowl game. He received criticism for this and I wanted to ask about the issue,” Dinich said.

She also attempts to avoid feeling overwhelmed when she works with sports stars. Dinich tried to portray a down to earth attitude in her writing.

“I have gotten to the point where I have convinced myself these people are just your ‘average joe’s,’” Dinich said. “I guess if you make these people out to be more than they are, it could come across that way in your writing. The last thing you want to be is a fawning reporter.”

Despite the constant exposure to fame, Dinich prefers writing human interest stories.

“My favorite story I have written was for the Washington Post. It was about a high school football coach who has severe diabetes and the challenges he faced as a coach,” Dinich said.

From Pottsville High School football to Joe Paterno, Dinich will continue to cover sports and advance in her career in journalism.

“I really love sports. I am glad to be where I am,” Dinich said.

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