All week, WGAL has been honoring our longtime sports director Pat Principe, who is set to retire.

We have one final farewell message coming from Jim Stone, the sports director that Pat replaced many years ago.

“Hi Pat, from the Rocky Mountains to you in Lancaster. Hey, I wanted to welcome you to the retired sportscasters club. A very distinct group. There’s no age restriction, no membership fee, all you have to do is have a great career during WGAL’s 75-year history, and you have done that, my friend. It was a pleasure working with you, alongside way back when. And it is a pleasure now to welcome you into that exclusive club of retired sportscasters. My advice, just enjoy your time with your family and friends. It is so important and so wonderful. Congratulations to you, I’ll talk to you soon,” Stone said.

All this week, WGAL is saying goodbye to our longtime sports director Pat Principe, who is retiring.

In this edition of farewell messages, we hear from current News 8 sports anchor and reporter, Jacob Hall.

"Pat, congratulations on a well-deserved retirement. I know everyone starts their career somewhere, and I thank you and others for helping me start at WGAL in Lancaster. I know every time we were at games over the years, everyone would be like, hey, there's Pat Principe. And even when I was outside by myself, people would ask where is Pat? I hope you feel how loved you are in this community, and also just how much of an impact you made," Hall said.

All this week, WGAL is saying goodbye to our longtime sports director Pat Principe, who is retiring.

In this edition of farewell messages, we hear from Bryan Helmer, vice president of hockey operations with the Hershey Bears.

“Hey Pat, Bryan Helmer from the Hershey Bears. I just want to congratulate you on a heck of a career. Forty some years is amazing. Thank you so much for covering the Hershey Bears throughout the 40 some years in the big games, in the Calder Cup games. You’re a great reporter, but even more, you’re a great person so just wishing you all the best in the future and enjoy,” Helmer said.

All this week, WGAL is saying goodbye to our longtime sports director Pat Principe, who is retiring.

In this edition of farewell messages, we hear from former sports anchor and reporter John Repetz.

“Congratulations on your retirement, Pat. I don’t know who could do what you did, how you did it, and as long as you did it. You’ve helped elevate local sports coverage to a whole new level. And because of that, I think everybody, the players, the coaches, the fans, your viewers owe you a big thank you because we benefitted from watching you and from knowing you. So, now, as you head off to the ultimate off-season, I wish you all the best in what lies ahead,” Repetz said.

All this week, WGAL is saying farewell to our longtime sports director, Pat Principe, who is retiring.

In this edition, we hear from Penn State football head coach James Franklin.

"This is Penn State football coach James Franklin. I'd like to congratulate Pat Principe on a great career with WGAL and wish him nothing but the best in his retirement," Franklin said.

All this week, WGAL is saying farewell to longtime sports director Pat Principe, who is retiring at the end of the week.

Sticking with the coaching theme, the latest farewell message is from Manheim Central graduate and current Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.

"Hey Pat, congratulations on your retirement and the 40 years at WGAL. Crazy to think back 30 years ago when we were doing our first interview, me as a high school junior for the Manheim Central Barons, to 28-30 years later, doing our final interview together at the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles. You've been amazing to Lancaster County and Lebanon County, and we appreciate everything. We wish you nothing but the best here moving forward and take care," Nagy said.

All this week, WGAL is saying farewell to our longtime sports director, Pat Principe, who is retiring.

On Thursday night, we hear from another former member of the News 8 sports team, Jeff Shurilla.

"Pat, congratulations on a fantastic career. From a Football Friday packed with high school highlights to covering all of those Penn State games, you've been the preeminent sports voice in the Susquehanna Valley. It was a privilege and an honor to work with you. All the best, congratulations," Shurilla said.

An exciting week as we continue to say farewell to our longtime sports director Pat Principe.

All week, we are sharing farewell messages for Pat.

On Wednesday night, we hear from former Bishop McDevitt and Philadelphia Eagles player, LeSean McCoy.

"Pat, it's me, it's me. We've had some history together, man. For quite some time and I hear you are retiring. I just want to say congratulations, enjoy retirement, and now we are both retired. You had an amazing career and I'm thankful to know you. You know, for all these years, man, even when I was a youngster watching you, once I got the chance to meet you, so congratulations. I hope you enjoy your full retirement," McCoy said.

All this week, we are saying farewell to our longtime sports director, Pat Principe, who is retiring.

On Wednesday night, we have a few farewell messages from Minor League Baseball teams, the Harrisburg Senators, York Revolution and Lancaster Stormers.

"Congratulations, Pat, on your many years of covering the Harrisburg Senators. We'll miss seeing you at FNB Field. Enjoy your retirement from the Harrisburg Senators," Senators broadcaster Terry Byrom said.

"Pat has been great having you here with us at WellSpan Park covering the Revs all those years, have a great time in your retirement," Eric Menzer, president of York Revolution, said.

"Pat, it has been a pleasure getting to know you over the years here at Clipper Magazine Stadium with the Lancaster Stormers. We really do appreciate all of the support you have given to the organization, the team, and to myself. We appreciate all of the support and love you've provided us. Congratulations on your retirement, definitely going to miss you at the ballpark," Stormers president and general manager Mike Reynolds said.

All this week, we are saying farewell to our longtime sports director, Pat Principe, who is retiring.

On Tuesday night, we have a farewell message from former Franklin and Marshall basketball coach Glenn Robinson.

"Congratulations on a long and distinguished career. I'll never forget the time you called to talk about our NCAA bid and you became the one that informed me that we were in and hosting. Became one of our final four teams. Enjoy retirement. We will all miss your enthusiasm and professionalism," Robinson said.

All this week, we are saying farewell to our longtime sports director, Pat Principe, who is retiring.

On Tuesday night, we had a farewell message from Pennsylvania Hall of Fame coach Jim Cantafio.

"Everybody needs to know: Pat is a diehard New York Giants fan, and so am I. That's the one common bond that we do have. I just want to tell you how much I appreciate all the great coverage you have given me over the past 45 years. I've been in Lancaster County for almost 45 years, and Channel 8 has been fantastic and, because of you, first-class in every which way. You and I have been good friends for so long, and I have to tell you something, and I really mean this: Channel 8 will never be the same without Pat Principe, the head of the sports department. I wish you the best, and hopefully, someday, we can meet up in Florida and vacation together. Good luck, Pat."

All this week, WGAL is saying farewell to our longtime sports director, Pat Principe, who is retiring.

In this edition, we have a farewell message from former WGAL sports anchor Mike Straub.

"Prince, man, I have to say you set the gold standard of what local sports guys and sports directors do. Trust me, when Pat Principe walks into a gym or walks onto a field or into a stadium, the entire vibe, the entire feeling of the game changes. Everybody knows that is a big game. The players, the refs, the fans, the coaches, everything changes, believe me. And I know that personally, I have to thank Pat for believing in me, and bringing me to this market, and making this my home. I personally can't thank him enough for what he has done for me and my family in that respect. And really, we all owe Pat Principe a huge debt of gratitude because he has made this community a better place to be because of his commitment to sports and all of our communities here. So, thank you, Pat. We wish you absolutely nothing but the best," Straub said.

All week, WGAL is saying farewell to our longtime sports director, Pat Principe, who is retiring.

In this edition of farewell messages, a former member of the News 8 sports department, Pete Gilbert, who now works at our sister station, WBAL in Baltimore.

"I had the privilege and pleasure to have a cup of coffee in the WGAL sports department 20 years ago and in that seven-month window, I learned a ton from Pat Principe. What struck me the most is how he gave every story his all. Whether it was an Eagles or Ravens playoff game or a Susquehannock soccer match, the storytelling excellence remained the same. His passion for sharing stories of Susquehanna Valley sports figures, incredible, and it will be missed. Pat, you're the best. Enjoy retirement. So well earned, and we'll do our best to carry your legacy forward,” Gilbert said.