The event became a turning point for the Hannum family, and rightfully so.

In 2002, Josh Hannum played for Penn State as a promising wide receiver. Although the Nittany Lions are historically known for their running backs, the next season seemed different. Senior running back Larry Johnson just ended his career and Hannum came off his redshirt freshman year. It looked like the receiving corps would be the ingredients to keep Penn State football alive.

Life seemed good for Hannum. But with one phone call in February 2003, everything in Hannum’s life became more complicated. He learned that doctors diagnosed his father, Bill, with kidney cancer. Bill Hannum underwent numerous surgeries to remove his kidney to alleviate the pain, but doctors ultimately concluded that the cancer will be fatal.

‘They can give you a new heart, but they can’t give you a new kidney,’ Bill Hannum said. ‘It’s like sitting on a hand grenade and the pin is pulled.’

Ten months later, Bill Hannum suffered from multiple sclerosis, a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that can cause muscle weakness and loss of hand-eye coordination.

Hannum had enough on his agenda to keep his daily routine full. He woke up at 5 a.m. to run and lift weights, then attended classes and practice afterward. Add the Saturday football games and the travel time, and it was evident Hannum was a busy man.

The news regarding his father only made it more hectic. Hannum didn’t have an added activity on his schedule, but the anxiety consumed him. As much he continued to perfect his routes and try to ease his way into the receiving corps, his father’s health always crept in the back of his mind.

‘That’s the thing that I knew wasn’t working – when I couldn’t go home,’ Hannum said. ‘It was good for my mental health to come home. Once family life creeped into this whole aspect, it was time to turn the page over for a whole new chapter.’

Hannum’s parents always made the four-hour trip from Wallingford, Pa., to State College each week for PSU home games. But Josh wanted to see his family more than just after games. When no one knew for sure how long Bill would be around, Hannum wanted to be near him to show support.

The distance from home and commitment to Penn State made that nearly impossible. But an interesting thought popped into Hannum’s mind: transfer. Leave the prestige and glory of the Nittany Lions behind and worry about more important things.

Hannum considered joining Villanova or Delaware because the distance from home would be shorter. But the same dilemma lingered. Even at a Division I-AA school, the commitment would prove detrimental to seeing his father any time he wanted to. Then Hannum mentioned Ursinus – a Division III school in Collegeville, Pa., with a 3-7 record in 2003. Initially, he meant Ursinus as a joke but, after some thinking, seriously considered it.

Athletically, the switch from Penn State to Ursinus seemed illogical. But given Hannum’s circumstance, it made complete sense. Close friends from his Strath Haven High School team attend and it’s only 20 minutes away from Hannum’s home. Before he could make any plans, though, he had to alert his parents about his decision.

‘I wanted him to concentrate on things up there and not worry about things down here,’ Diane Hannum, Josh’s mother, said. ‘He’s the one going to school. He’s the one who has to make it in his way through life. I wanted him to be certain that this is the right decision. I didn’t want him regretting anything. I really wanted him to think it through. He was so confident and sure of himself that it made me (feel) OK.’

Bill and Diane Hannum said Hannum’s decision to transfer rested squarely on his shoulders. Although both say they were surprised at the idea, they never attempted to lean him a certain way. They just wanted Hannum to think the decision through by weighing the positives and negatives behind his choice.

Hannum said telling Paterno his desire to transfer was ‘the hardest dialogue, to look someone in the eye who gave you a scholarship and who is a legend of the game.’

As a coach who granted Hannum permission to miss part of spring practice in 2003 to visit his parents, Paterno understood since Hannum didn’t choose to leave Penn State because he was unhappy with the team. He just wanted to be near the person who mattered most to him – his dad.

From that point on, the relationship between Hannum and his father shifted. It went from a father-son bond to a best friend type, a relationship that has included hobbies like fishing, hunting, watching sports and shooting pool, in addition to extra comfort speak their minds.

‘(Sometimes I have) felt really, really down and tired of worrying about kidney cancer,’ Bill Hannum said. ‘If I get thinking like that, I can put a call to (Josh) now. I just talk to him and it brings me out of the pity party and makes me look forward to his next game.’

On the field, Hannum suffered a hamstring injury and Ursinus struggled to a 1-9 record in 2004. This season, it stands at 3-3. But Hannum said he and the team are making strides.

More importantly, Hannum’s dad can now see every football game. The family can go out to eat and Hannum can pop in anytime he wants to see how his dad is doing.

‘Every day, I thank God one day he’s given us,’ Hannum said. ‘I pray for the next day. It’s a day-by-day thing. I always try to take every day no matter what happens.’

Cincinnati (+5) at Syracuse

Saturday, Noon, ESPN Regional

The same storyline will continue as the Orange will have trouble running its West Coast Offense and controlling possession. SU’s strong secondary will yet again show poise, only to feel disappointed and exhausted to come back on the field four plays later.

Pick: Cincinnati 21, Syracuse 14

No. 13 Boston College (+14) at No. 3 Virginia Tech

Thursday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Syracuse fans may hate to admit it, but Boston College has fared well since joining the ACC this season. The Eagles stand 6-1, but as nicely as BC transitioned to a more competitive conference, the Eagles still aren’t ready for Virginia Tech. The Hokies remain undefeated at 7-0 and can lean on Marcus Vick anytime to give them success.

Pick: Virginia Tech 28, Boston College 14

No. 4 Georgia (+6) at No. 16 Florida

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBS

Georgia suffered a heavy blow Saturday in its 23-20 win against Arkansas when quarterback D.J. Shockley injured his knee. His absence proved noticeable as the Bulldogs recorded only 217 total yards against the Razorbacks, a team that normally gives up twice that amount. Without Shockley, the Bulldogs will put up those types of numbers again, which will end their undefeated season.

Pick: Florida 17, Georgia 10

No. 12 Ohio State (-6) at No. 22 Minnesota

Saturday, Noon, No TV

Minnesota comes off a bye week after a sour 38-34 loss to Wisconsin on Oct. 15. Meanwhile, Ohio State knows how to stop the run, an important skill in stopping Gopher running threat Laurence Maroney.

Pick: Ohio State 28, Minnesota 20

No. 25 Michigan (-3) at No. 21 Northwestern

Saturday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2

After its 49-14 upset against Michigan State, Northwestern is now ready to take out its archrival. Leading the Big Ten in offense, Northwestern moved into the national Top 25 this week. Senior Brett Basanez threw for 331 yards, totaling 1,850 yards and 10 touchdowns for the year. The Wildcats won’t disappoint this week with a fourth straight win.

Pick: Northwestern 35, Michigan 25

Published on October 24, 2005 at 12:00 pm