When I was tasked to write about myself, I walked over to my record collection and grabbed The Replacements 1987 classic “Pleased To Meet Me.” I needed something to level me out on how I would want someone to meet me.
All-in-all, I am the Fatman in the dynamic podcasting duo of “Joe and the Fatman,” you could pick up on my gregarious attitude on a wide array of subjects, but me is so hard to figure out.
So let me try to figure a way to introduce myself and shed some light on me.
What Is My Writing Story?
I have contributed to various outlets over the years, primarily with Mike Farrell Sports where I do a lot of national columnist work and have covered the Nittany Lions. I have bylines for Bleacher Report, College Football Dawgs, and The Sporting News. I am a proud member of the FWAA, PFWA, and Maxwell Football Club.
What Was My Favorite Assignment?
I doubt I will ever have the journey that I experienced covering the 2024 Fiesta Bowl between Penn State and Boise State then driving back to Los Angeles to cover the 2025 Rose Bowl. When my hotel in Los Angeles gave my rental car reservation away, think of the classic Seinfeld episode there, the adventure of finding a rental car in Los Angeles for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day was a trip. I left my hotel at 5 am New Year’s Eve, drove to Glendale for the Fiesta Bowl and filed my story there then drove back to Los Angeles and covered the Rose Bowl the next day, slept a whopping three hours.
New NSN contributor Kyle Golik on the field in the fourth quarter of the 2025 CFP Quarterfinal between Ohio State and Oregon in the Rose Bowl
Favorite Music?
I love all kinds of music. My favorite artists are Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Clash, Miles Davis, and Pearl Jam. Favorite genre is either jazz or alternative rock.
The Beatles Or The Stones?
If my many debates with my colleague Joe Smeltzer (diehard Beatles fan) and my previous response don’t give it away, I don’t know what to tell you. (The Stones, by the way).
Favorite Rocky Movie?
Rocky is my favorite, though the Rocky IV cheesiness of Ivan Drago being able to punch 2,000 PSI and Rocky being able to withstand that damage is pure comedy.
Favorite Penn State Team?
Two football teams own my heart. 1994 because of their sheer dominance. My favorite play is Ki-Jana Carter’s Rose Bowl run. When you combine the greatest setting in college football (Rose Bowl), with Ki-Jana and Keith Jackson on the call, you got gold. 2012 because of how they bonded and overcame obstacles to field a winning team. Lou Prato’s book really exemplifies why they will always be up there.
Favorite Piece Of Sports Memorabilia I Own?
My Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl credentials from the story above is probably it. So much invested in those two pieces of plastic. My Green Bay Packers ownership certificate is probably the other. My favorite Penn State memorabilia is a mini helmet I got signed by both Jack Ham and Shane Conlan.
My Favorite Penn State Creamery Flavors.
Death By Chocolate is my go to, sounds cliche. I am not the biggest Peachy Paterno fan. I miss the Blueberry Cheesecake flavor. Cherry Quist and Grilled Stickies are my top alternatives.
What Will I Bring To Nittany Sports Now?
My hope during my time here is to create a connection with you the reader and try to ask the questions you want to know. I know it sounds cliche. Part of why I hopped into being a writer is I wanted to ask the questions that never get asked, tell the stories that need to be written. The journey is a long one, hopefully I can create an experience with you that we connect and I take you to the places you always wanted to be.
