Joe Paterno: How His Legacy Should be Remembered
Normally my site is dedicated to my hobbies, but this has been a very emotional two days for me. As most already have heard, Penn State’s Joe Paterno has died this morning at age 85. Due to one of the Penn State FB feeds, many of us thought he died last night, but this was incorrect. He has been struggling with lung cancer in the last few months. Some say he’s died of a broken heart because of the Sandusky Scandal that has caused so much turmoil.
The reason I wrote this post is because I want to speak my peace about JoePa and it’s been a struggle. First of all I’m not always well spoken. Secondly there are those who are “hating” on Joe Paterno for his involvement in the Sandusky Scandal. It’s understandable that people would feel conflicted. I get that. There was a horrendous crime committed and it turned out to be covered up for some time by a large number of people. People who had much authority. I could recap the entire scandal piece by piece, but I’m not going to do that.
My view is the same as it was when JoePa was alive and will be now that he’s gone from our world. Things can’t be summed up so quickly, but I feel that him going to someone of higher authority and reporting what he heard second hand was what he should have done. Through different media sources I read that he had reported the issue to his boss and the head of police. He is not one to run and hide or blame others. He simply said he wish he could have done more. I could go back and forth about the matter and all the haters throwing stones who still thinks he did nothing will never understand my feelings. That’s fine.
To quote an online news source who interviewed him for the last time: ”Joe reported the matter to the head of police and his boss. He reported a matter on which he received very few details and for which he was not a witness. God bless the many of you who insist you would have done so much more when presented with an unclear account.”
A candle light vigil was held at Old Main tonight and this was my little vigil to honor JoePa
Now to move on, I want to share the bit of personal info with you. I am a PSU alumni and have always been proud to say so. I loved being there even though I was a shy kid and didn’t have many friends. I loved doing everything there was to offer in State College, including going to the football games. The times I had were some of the best in my life and you’ll find that many other PSU alumni feel the same way. JoePa was a huge part of Penn State. In my eyes he held values that are rare to find these days: honor, determination, modesty, class & a strong heart. He always held onto his values and traditions despite what others did. He was much more to the students & staff than just a coach. He was like a grandfather who shared hints of wisdom. Despite his successes he always lived modestly. His address & his phone number were always publicly listed in the phone books and it is the same home he purchased back in 1966. A friend and I would always take walks in Joe’s neighborhood to see the beautiful foilage and to visit the small park that was there. Of course we got a little star struck seeing his home and knowing he lived right there, just like everyone else.
The one time I met Joe Paterno was probably an unusual moment. :) Another friend and I would ride our bikes around town for fun. We decided to head behind the agriculture area of the school and go down some dirt roads. There were fields here for research and study. I remember it being sunny and hot out. We had stopped for a minute to take a drink of water and suddenly see a figure in the distance. It was down the dirt road we had just taken and the heat was doing that thing on the horizon where it looks there are invisible waves making the road blurry.
My friend said, “That’s coach Paterno.” In disbelief I said, “No it’s not.” He said, “Yes it is!” I said, “No, it’s not!” After a few moments the person gets closer and I’m shocked to see it’s him! It’s freakin’ Joe Paterno, jogging down the road in 87 degree heat , wearing no shirt! The only thing we thought to say was, “Hello Coach!” He says, “Beautiful morning isn’t it?” and just keeps jogging.
It was such a quick, but nice moment with him and I’ll never forget it.
I don’t believe in my heart of hearts that after 85 years of positively impacting everyone around him and all he gave back to Penn State that he should be dishonored like he was in the end. Just knowing his character that’s only grown over time… I don’t see that this scandal defines him or that he was the face of it like the media has painted. Be careful what you take away from the media. I myself can’t claim to know everything. Since I don’t work for the FBI or the police department and since this is my personal site. I will tell you that at this point I have to go with my heart and my instinct.
I thank you Joe for making Penn State a better place for me to be and for all of the inspiration. In fact, when I was unemployed and feeling down, my boyfriend printed out your quotes and put them up all over the house to help motivate me. I loved those quotes. I left my favorite one up on my work bench:
To me Joe Paterno IS and always will be Penn State!
-Kat
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