Mano Comments on Paterno’s Ref Doll

(RACINE, Wis.) – Sports fans who pick up today’s USA Today will find NASO President Barry Mano quoted on page 1 of the sports section regarding the Penn State football coaches recent home door decoration – a football referee doll hanging from the knocker by a rope around its neck as if depicting a lynching. The USA Today article states: "Penn State football coach Joe Paterno refused twice Tuesday to comment on the effigy of an official that hung by the neck on the front door of his home. The Big Ten and officiating supervisor Dave Parry refused to comment. But Barry Mano, president of the board of directors of the National Association of Sports Officials and publisher of Referee magazine, did. "Coach Paterno was given the opportunity on more than one occasion to disavow he had anything to do with (the doll) … to make a statement about how this kind of thing is beyond the bounds of propriety," said Mano, a 23-year basketball official. "He could have taken the lead, and he chose to pass on that … and that’s sad for a guy of his stature." The effigy was removed, but it’s unclear when. Mano said Paterno has a good relationship with officials, "but (the doll) tarnishes him. It makes no impact on the kind of job we do. I can categorically say that. Officials do not think of that (during games). But in our heart we lose some respect for him."

Also in today’s USA Today is a column by Jon Saraceno suggesting Paterno apologize. The column appears on page 3C. Members can e-mail Saraceno with comments at jons@usatoday.com.