It’s been over four years since Penn State University severed ties with the late Coach Joe Paterno.
Paterno, fired in November 2011 amid PSU football’s child sex scandal, was linked to former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Sandusky was indicted on Nov. 4, 2011 on 40 counts of sex crimes against young boys. Since having been found guilty, Sandusky, who groomed victims through The Second Mile charity organization, has appealed his conviction.
PSU’s alumni, student body and greater community has continually expressed mixed emotions. Torn between disappointment in Paterno’s lack of judgement, and trust that Paterno did do all that he could do, the university triggered yet again the great divide Thursday, Sept. 1, when the university released its promotions schedule that coincides with home football games.
It didn’t take long before word spread that Paterno, and the commemoration of his 50th anniversary of his first football game as head coach at PSU, was included. Paterno’s first game was on Sept. 17, 1966. During the Penn State vs. Temple football game Saturday, Sept. 17, there will be on-going activities honoring Paterno.
Following the initial three-year investigation, Paterno said, “It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.”
Should Penn State honor Joe Paterno on the 50th anniversary of his first PSU football game?
