The CDT was the paper where I started my professional career, shortly after graduating from Penn State in 1982. I worked for two years from the tiny State College bureau across the street from Borough Hall; the newsroom and all its other departments lived out in Dale Summit. Ron was one of a few sports writers at the paper, and one I read regularly. I can't say I knew him, or him me. But I thought he did a solid job of covering Penn State sports, especially football. Not a homer, like so many hometown sports writers, he was probably as cranky as he described Paterno. But his reporting mattered -- at least as much as the guys doing it at bigger papers in Philly and Pittsburgh for a little more money. Thanks for taking the time to write about him in such a fitting way.
I am so happy to know that you knew Dennis. He was one of a kind. I will be going to State College later this month to attend an event, and I believe some of his colleagues from the CDT and Mirror will be there as well. Looking forward to hearing all the old stories.
As a State College native the same time as you, I definitely remember Ron Bracken. I remember my dad not having a great relationship with him because of what my dad thought was a bias against State High when it came to wrestling (Bracken was a Bald Eagle High alum; they were a local wrestling power back then). Sad to hear of his passing, as he was a local institution. Him, Doug Macdonald and so many others. I was even a substitute delivery boy for the CDT for one of your fellow State High grads (I credit him for getting me into REM in the mid 80’s, but I digress). I also remember looking forward to the Mini Page on Saturdays when I was little. I remember the CDT as an afternoon daily before it went to mornings. Ah, the memories…
My brother, Dennis Gildea, worked for the Mirror, or the sheet, as he called it, in State College until it closed in 1971. He then joined CDT, or the other sheet. Dennis covered sports and many different areas, as is common in a small-town newspaper. Dennis left Penn State a year before Ron Bracken joined the paper. According to my sister-in-law, Ron may have made a stab at taking over a column Dennis wrote, "T. Wes Brillig," a character who lives on Mount Nittney with his wife, Mimsey. Brillig constantly criticized the football team, always predicting they would lose, much to Paterno's and the team's annoyance. The author's identity was not revealed until a few years ago. Dennis went on to receive his Ph.D. in communications and taught at Springfield College, where he established the School of Sports Journalism. Those wonderful local newspapers are becoming a thing of the past now. They and the many talented writers they allowed to develop will be missed.
Hi Mary: Dennis was one of my first journalism teachers at Penn State. Years later--even though I wasn't a particularly memorable student as a college freshman!--he discovered my work and invited me up to Springfield to speak to his class. He was a great guy, and I'm glad I had the chance to reunite with him.
The CDT was the paper where I started my professional career, shortly after graduating from Penn State in 1982. I worked for two years from the tiny State College bureau across the street from Borough Hall; the newsroom and all its other departments lived out in Dale Summit. Ron was one of a few sports writers at the paper, and one I read regularly. I can't say I knew him, or him me. But I thought he did a solid job of covering Penn State sports, especially football. Not a homer, like so many hometown sports writers, he was probably as cranky as he described Paterno. But his reporting mattered -- at least as much as the guys doing it at bigger papers in Philly and Pittsburgh for a little more money. Thanks for taking the time to write about him in such a fitting way.
Thanks, Justin. It’s fascinating to realize how many of us took the same path (and how that path no longer exists).
I am so happy to know that you knew Dennis. He was one of a kind. I will be going to State College later this month to attend an event, and I believe some of his colleagues from the CDT and Mirror will be there as well. Looking forward to hearing all the old stories.
As a State College native the same time as you, I definitely remember Ron Bracken. I remember my dad not having a great relationship with him because of what my dad thought was a bias against State High when it came to wrestling (Bracken was a Bald Eagle High alum; they were a local wrestling power back then). Sad to hear of his passing, as he was a local institution. Him, Doug Macdonald and so many others. I was even a substitute delivery boy for the CDT for one of your fellow State High grads (I credit him for getting me into REM in the mid 80’s, but I digress). I also remember looking forward to the Mini Page on Saturdays when I was little. I remember the CDT as an afternoon daily before it went to mornings. Ah, the memories…
Sheesh, the Mini Page. That transported me.
My brother, Dennis Gildea, worked for the Mirror, or the sheet, as he called it, in State College until it closed in 1971. He then joined CDT, or the other sheet. Dennis covered sports and many different areas, as is common in a small-town newspaper. Dennis left Penn State a year before Ron Bracken joined the paper. According to my sister-in-law, Ron may have made a stab at taking over a column Dennis wrote, "T. Wes Brillig," a character who lives on Mount Nittney with his wife, Mimsey. Brillig constantly criticized the football team, always predicting they would lose, much to Paterno's and the team's annoyance. The author's identity was not revealed until a few years ago. Dennis went on to receive his Ph.D. in communications and taught at Springfield College, where he established the School of Sports Journalism. Those wonderful local newspapers are becoming a thing of the past now. They and the many talented writers they allowed to develop will be missed.
Hi Mary: Dennis was one of my first journalism teachers at Penn State. Years later--even though I wasn't a particularly memorable student as a college freshman!--he discovered my work and invited me up to Springfield to speak to his class. He was a great guy, and I'm glad I had the chance to reunite with him.
I, of course, remember Ron Bracken as well. I didn't know you interned at the CDT. Who was the SCAHS teacher who inspired you to do so?