The face of Penn State University is remembered for academics on and off the field

By Bethany Harker

Joe Paterno spent the last 46 years of his life being the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions he had over 400 wins through-out his career and was best known for his game-day image: coke bottle glasses, khaki pants, and blue Penn State windbreaker.

Paterno attended Brown University and was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, also known as Upsilon Chapter. He became assistant coach of Penn State in 1950 with Rip Engle as head coach. He married Suzanne Pohland, and they had five children who are graduates of Penn State.

Paterno’s position as head coach was dismissed by the Jerry Sandusky scandal when he was fired in November of 2011. Many will remember him as part of the Sandusky scandal, but he was more than that: he believed that academics were important, and money wasn’t the ultimate goal; coaching was. Paterno was the least paid coach from the Big Ten league and donated over four million dollars to the university over the course of his years at Penn State.

When Paterno first started at Penn State the student count was barely ten thousand, and by the end of his career University Park reached forty-five thousand students and is now known as one of the top schools of research. Paterno helped increase students athletics and academics through achievements and activities. Paterno believed academics came first then athletics then a social life. Paterno and Pattee library is located in State College, Pa and encouraged students to study and get good grades. Paterno valued a quality education, even though he did not use his law degree from Brown University.

In theweeks preceding his death, Paterno did not have any hard feelings toward anyone and accepted that his position was filled by Patriot’s offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. Joe did not live a millionaire’s life, but he did take blue collar State College to a Powerhouse with his iconic views. The Paterno family encouraged the public to make donations to THON and the Special Olympics because they were close to Paterno’s heart.

Paterno was a great man shamed by an ugly scandal that may have humiliated his legacy and career. People should remember Paterno for what he did for Penn State: donated millions and encouraged academics not what he should have done in the light of the scandal in 2002 when Sandusky’s actions were reported to him. Paterno will forever live as a part of the Penn State atmosphere.