Sept. 12, 2006
College Affixes John Curley's Name
to Center for Sports Journalism

The College of Communications’ Center for Sports Journalism, which was launched in 2003, now bears the name of one of the country’s most distinguished professionals.

The John Curley Center for Sports Journalism explores issues in sports journalism through instruction, programming and research.

Curley was working part-time at the Express in Easton, Pa., by age 14 as a sportswriter. Now more than a half-century later, he is professor of journalism and distinguished professional in residence in the College’s Department of Journalism.

He is a master teacher of newswriting, specialty reporting and media management—drawing from his five decades of work as a reporter, editor, publisher and, ultimately, president, CEO and chairman of the Gannett Co., to provide insightful instruction to students in his classes. His abilities as a teacher and his leadership of the Center have helped steer its development and growth.

Curley, who earned degrees from Dickinson College and the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University, was a founding co-director of the Center. He was also the first editor of USA Today.

“It is appropriate and natural to affix John’s name to the Center, “ Dean Doug Anderson said. “He possesses one of the country’s most impressive journalistic pedigrees. He loves sports. He is a terrific professor. He is loyal to Penn State and the College. And he’s a wonderfully supportive benefactor. We’re elated that he agreed to the naming.”

More than 170 students are enrolled in the Center, which is supported by a 24-member advisory board chaired by Anne Riley, a member of Penn State’s Board of Trustees.

“Naming the Center for Sports Journalism for John Curley, its co-founder, is exactly right,” Riley said. “John has brought to Penn State zest for good journalism and a remarkable willingness to share with the College the professional experiences of his brilliant career. He’s a great teacher and a wonderful role model for our students and faculty.”

The Center’s classrooms are located throughout campus and beyond—from work spaces in front of computers, to libraries, to press boxes, to sidelines and locker rooms.

The Center facilitates or provides courses in sports writing, sports broadcasting, sports media relations, and sports, media and society. Complementary programming includes: lectures, panels and workshops on sports journalism topics, including the role and impact of sports on society; mentoring from working professionals and full-time faculty members; and research on sports journalism topics.

The Center also emphasizes the placement of students at newspapers, magazines or electronic media and on-campus work at the student-run newspaper, The Daily Collegian; Penn State’s Athletic Communications; and ComRadio, the College’s Webcasting station.

“John Curley is one of the great legends in journalism because of his career of leadership with Gannett but also because of his reputation for integrity, his commitment to higher education, and his personal philanthropy,” said Penn State President Graham Spanier. “Given his lifelong passions for both journalism and sports, it is fitting that the Center is now named for him.”

Tim Curley, Penn State’s director of athletics, and Rod Erickson, the University’s executive vice president and provost, agreed.

“John has provided dynamic leadership in the creation and implementation of the Center,” Tim Curley, who is no relation, said. “John has brought great integrity and vast experience in journalism to Penn State and has been a mentor to many of the young journalists who are graduating from the program and making their mark in the communications field.”

Erickson noted: “The John Curley Center for Sports Journalism will position Penn State as a leader in a rapidly growing and highly visible segment of media and culture. As a distinguished professional, outstanding faculty member and generous benefactor, John Curley’s name and reputation will add luster to the Center and will reflect the multitude of ways in which John and his wife Ann have contributed to the College and the University.”

Curley joined Gannett as an editor in Rochester, N.Y., in 1969 after working for the Associated Press in New York and New Jersey and for newspapers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He ran Gannett News Service in Washington from 1974 to 1980. Under his watch, GNS won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. He then became publisher of the News-Journal in Wilmington, Del., before returning to Washington in 1982 to become the first editor of USA Today.

“Most of us mere mortals in the journalism business can never hope to receive credit for the start of one institution,” said Malcolm Moran, the Knight Chair in Sports Journalism and Society, who took the baton from Curley and now directs the Center. “John’s role in the care and feeding of USA Today has been well documented. His contribution as founding co-director of the Center that now bears his name was built upon the same expertise, commitment and watchful attention.”

In 1983, Curley became the president of the Gannett Newspaper Division and a member of the Gannett Board of Directors. A year later, he became president and chief operating officer of the company and in 1986 he became chief executive officer of Gannett, continuing as president. When the chairman Allen H. Neuharth retired in April 1989, Curley became chairman, president and chief executive.

When Curley retired from Gannett in February 2001, the company published 74 daily newspapers in the United States, including USA Today. Gannett also owned a variety of non-daily publications and USA Weekend, a weekly newspaper magazine. Newsquest plc, a wholly owned Gannett subsidiary, was acquired in mid-1999—one of the largest regional newspaper publishers in England with a portfolio of more than 180 titles.

At the time of Curley’s retirement, Gannett also operated 22 television stations and served as an Internet leader with sites sponsored by most of its TV stations and newspapers. Curley served as a member of Gannett’s Board of Directors from 1983 until his retirement.

In May 1996, he was selected as chairman of the Newspaper Association of America and in 1999 he was made an honorary alumnus of Penn State.
He started teaching in the College in August 2001.

“It’s always been a thrill for me to work with John,” said Professor Marie Hardin, the associate director for research of the Curley Center. “He brings a tremendous national reputation and leadership to the Center, and his vision, energy and support have propelled us forward. It will be an honor to work under the name of someone who has been such a motivator and mentor for students and faculty since he arrived.”

Curley was presented the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the organization’s 81st annual dinner in November 2005.

Contact information:
Steve Sampsell
Coordinator of College Relations
Phone: (814) 865-8801
Email:sws102@psu.edu