The most prominent word I would use to describe Cory Isenberg is “dedicated.”
Throughout her sportswriting career, Cory was exactly that and so much more. And that is why the news of her passing on Wednesday night was met with a wealth of fond memories and admiration for the longtime Johnstown Tribune-Democrat scribe.
Cory died at age 64 after courageously battling cancer for the third time in her life.
I didn’t know her that well outside of the sports media world, but I always enjoyed the moments and events when our paths crossed.
At the state track and field championships every May, Cory and I would usually sit near each other under the media tent at Shippensburg University, as I regularly covered the first day of the meet for the Bedford Gazette. We never planned it that way, it was just one of those quirky things that you tend to sit in the same place each year. I’ll always remember her pleasant, upbeat attitude whether we were discussing the day’s happenings at the state championships or local district playoffs in baseball and softball that also take place in that same timeframe.
One other quick story about Cory comes from the 2012 Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference football media day. It was held at Greater Johnstown High School, and was just a day or two after Clearville native Natalie Dell (O’Brien) had won a bronze medal at the London Olympics, of which I had written a front page feature for the Gazette. I can’t remember Cory’s exact words upon greeting me, but she was so elated for Natalie and for me as well to capture that moment even though it wasn’t her story or one in her coverage area. She always displayed that positive attitude and was just a pleasant personality to chat with and share interview time with coaches and athletes.
And Cory wasn’t a great female sports reporter, she was a great sports reporter. Period. Man, Woman, it does not matter.
That said, she was a trailblazer for female sports media personalities in this area. Go back just a few years and see how many women were (and many still are) involved with one of either the newspapers or television stations that cover District 5 and 6 schools. I won’t list them because I would probably forget someone, but I’ve always thought it was pretty impressive to have so many females covering sports, and all very well I might add, from this part of Pennsylvania.
And Cory was a big part of the beginning of that, whether she wanted the accolades or not.
In my full-time sportswriting days, I felt like I had the passion and dedication similar to what Cory displayed. And yet I only made it to about a third of the time as her 35 years in the business. Why?
Simple answer: There will never be another Cory Isenberg.
My prayers and thoughts are with Cory’s family, friends, and colleagues at the Tribune-Democrat.
