A man who has been part of the Penn State sports community for decades is stepping down this week. No, not Joe Paterno. Longtime WJAC sports anchor Tim Rigby.
WJAC, the NBC-affiliate for the Johnstown-Altoona-State College market, decided back in August not to renew Rigby’s contract so tonight will be his final newscast with the station.
“Obviously I’m disappointed,” Rigby told The Tribune-Democrat recently. “When I was told of the decision in August, I said that I have been given worse news in my life and everything worked out. I just have to have faith and everything will work out again.”
Rigby, 53, began his career at WJAC in 1981 as a reporter and weekend sports anchor. Shortly after joining the station, Rigby moved to the 11 p.m. weekday newscast, where he has been a fixture ever since. He currently serves as the station’s sports director, appearing on both the 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts.
In a statement to The Tribune-Democrat, WJAC said that Rigby’s departure is “a result of the economic reset that has occurred in our industry.”
“The thrill of covering sports is the thrill of covering all the local athletes and coaches,” Rigby, a native of the Johnstown area, said. “That’s my true love… Unfortunately, what’s happened to me has happened to a lot of people around here.”