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Joe “Pa”, the father of central Pennsylvania football has passed.  A sad time for sure, no matter what opinion you might have formed of Penn State over the past few months.  Joe Paterno was the face of Penn State football for 46 years, a tenure that will likely never be achieved again.  His two philosophies of “Success With Honor” and “Make An Impact” were what he strived for until his death on January, 22 2012.

As a native of Clearfield, I’ve been a Penn State fan all of my life.  I can vividly remember as a ten year old boy watching the 1987 Fiesta Bowl at a friend’s house.  I can remember celebrating when linebacker Pete Giftopoulos intercepted Vinny Testaverde’s pass near the end zone with only seconds left to ensure Penn State’s 14-10 victory and a National Championship.

Eight years later in 1995, I got to see my first live game at Beaver Stadium.  My boss at the time gave me his season tickets (on the 50 yard line) to see the Nittany Lions play the Indiana Hoosiers.  I knew it wasn’t going to be the best of games, but I gladly took the tickets to experience Beaver Stadium first hand.  I remember soaking in all of the pre-game activity and watching the team run onto the field.  But it wasn’t any particular player that I focused my attention toward, it was Joe Pa.  It wasn’t that the team had a lack of talent, as there were ten Nittany Lions picked in the NFL draft the following year.  The reason I focused on him was that it was Joe Pa’s team.  They all reflected him and looked to his guidance and philosophy on the football field and in the classroom.  Penn State won the game 45-21 and it remains one of the best days I’ve had as a Penn State football fan.

In 1996, I seriously considered attending Penn State, but ultimately decided to get out of my comfort zone and attend a small Georgia college.  Nonetheless, Penn State would find me there.  My future wife and her family had moved from State College to Lawrenceville, Georgia only months earlier.  Her dad had taken a position at Georgia State University after working nine years at Penn State.  Sometime after we began dating, her dad told me the story about nearly becoming the most hated man in Happy Valley.  One night near dusk, he was driving home from his office on campus.  While on that trip home travelling down Park Avenue, he nearly ran over a man crossing the street.  He looked up and saw the pedestrian was none other than Joe Paterno.  He continued walking while my future Father-In-Law continued his journey home.  Thankfully, an accident was avoided that day.

Unfortunately, what has transpired over the past few months was no accident.  At the height of the sexual abuse scandal being made known to the public, Joe Paterno was fired.  For me personally, and I would assume many other fans, this was definitely my worst day as a Penn State fan.

At the beginning of the news of the scandal, I was sad for the victims.  Then disbelief set in, that such alleged crimes could take place on Joe Pa’s watch.  Next, I was outraged.  I thought his firing was too soon and that the media’s focus on Paterno as the head coach should have been better placed on the accused Jerry Sandusky.

Then, I felt like I took a beating trying to defend Paterno’s legacy.  Some of my friends had decided along with many media members that Paterno was immoral and a criminal.  In essence they said to me “how could I as a parent even consider Joe Pa’s 40+ years of service to the university, if this is what ultimately had happened.”  That was like asking me to sign a petition to take a wrecking ball to the whole university.  I wasn’t about to do that!  I realize now that his firing was unavoidable.  But I know now, that he told the president of the university and campus police about what he knew.

Finally, I also know by his own accord that he felt some remorse for not going beyond those two measures.  As awful as these alleged crimes are, we are all human.  We are all fallible, but strive toward being the best humans we can be.  And I think Joe Pa realized that when he released that statement, as we all should.

Now I’ve come full circle since the scandal news broke.  I’m saddened again with Joe Pa’s passing this last Sunday.  A book has closed and a new one waits to be written for Penn State.  It should be one written by alumni, students, faculty, staff, family, and fans together.  The new book should begin on the heels of Joe Pa’s philosophies that he set forth in 1962.  “Make an impact” on the world by seeking justice for these victims (no matter what it takes) and restore Penn State University where it can re-achieve “success with honor.”

Joe Pa gave us his vision. Let’s continue to use it.

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