When people say that Joe intimidated the Admin or controlled things, we can easily point to PSU initiatives such as the baseball stadium to point out that Joe did not always get his way. He was often asked for input (who wouldn't go to him for advice, given his record of success?), or offered input, but his batting average on seeing things done his way was nowhere near where his detractors think it was.
Here's a story I heard very recently that I had not heard before. Maybe some of you have. The source was someone who was intimately involved with PSU athletics.
When the discussions began about building what was to become the BJC, Joe was concerned about the proposed high dollar capital outlay going for something strictly for athletics. I think the proposed budget was maybe $40mm or something - I forget exactly what was said now wrt the initial budget. Anyway, JVP suggested using half the budgeted amount to expand and modernize Rec Hall... raise the roof, expand the usable square footage for teams areas and coaches' offices, etc. He also suggested building a parking deck across Atherton Street, roughly where the White Course practice putting green is, and building a walkway over Atherton to Rec Hall.
A number of Admins laughed at this, and insisted that PSU needed a new arena (and we did, and the original plans for the BJC would have given us an awesome venue). They also laughed off the proposed walkway over Atherton, saying that in no way would the borough ever go for that, it wouldn't fit aesthetically, etc. Of course, years later, the IST walkway looms over Atherton, looking modern and stylish (imo). So, JVP held no sway in that major decision.
Another one that I had not heard....
Joe, as AD, was about to hire Rene Portland as women's bball coach. He needed to pay her somewhat more than her predecessor. But, despite what many think, Joe wanted PSU to be a competitive factor in both men's and women's bball (Dick Harter - a big name in men's hoops - had recently been hired a couple years before) so he wanted / needed to be competitive in salary. So in discussing the coaches' salary budgets with someone in Finance, Joe said that with Rene as HC, PSU women's hoops would thrive and we would even sell out Rec Hall for a couple games. The Finance guy laughed at that notion and told Joe, "If we ever sell out a women's game, I'll kiss your ass at midcourt at halftime of a game." Sure enough, within a few years, a game was sold out (aside: I have no recollection of that myself). Joe remembered what this Finance guy had said a few years prior to that, called him, and said "So... what game should I meet you at midcourt?"
Even when it came to upgrading things in Lasch, Joe put academics first. The reason we were behind the times in some areas was because Joe was ok with sacrificing coaching needs for academic needs. Money designated for football was at tomes put back into the academic support areas for football and other sports, at Joe's request. I think he knew the next guy would not have to make such requests if the academic side was in great shape; the next guy could concentrate on getting the money and support for football-specific and overall athletic initiatives. My opinion.
There are plenty of examples of JVP's input or suggestions not being implemented, and plenty where his ideas were implemented. About right for anyone of his stature on any campus or even in some businesses.
