Press Release/Facebook Post

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Beloved Penn State coach Joe Paterno dies at 85

January 22, 2012

Joe Paterno (Dec. 21, 1926-Jan. 22, 2012)
Associated Press Photo| Carolyn Kaster

STATE COLLEGE, PA - Joe Paterno, former Pennsylvania State University head football coach, died this morning at the age of 85 after a battle with lung cancer according to a statement released by Mount Nittany Medical Center. Paterno was diagnosed with lung cancer in November of last year after visiting a doctor for bronchial issues. The diagnosis came mere days after he was let go from his position as head coach, a position he held for 46 years, amid the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse scandal.

Paterno, more affectionately known as "JoePa," was born December 21, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated second in his class at Brooklyn Prep, a high-school that focused on rigorous academics as well as athletics, where he played baseball, basketball, and football. After a short stint in the Army, Paterno enrolled at Brown University where he played quarterback and defensive back for the football team. After graduation Paterno was planning to attend law school at Boston University when his former Brown football coach, Rip Engle, left Brown to coach at Penn State, and convinced him to come with him. Paterno obliged and sixteen years later when Engle retired in 1966, Paterno took over as head coach. Over the course of his career his teams won 409 games which included twenty-four bowl victories, five undefeated seasons, and two national titles.

Paterno was known not only as an iconic football coach, but as an educator and humanitarian, per the words on his statue at Beaver Stadium. Paterno was known for turning out great football players, but also great students. Paterno called this his "Grand Experiment," in which his players would excel not only on the field, but in their classes as well. He took pride in the fact that his players went to class and earned their diplomas, going on to become not only professional football players, but doctors, lawyers, and entrepreneurs. Over the course of his lifetime, Paterno and his wife donated over $4 million dollars to various projects at Penn State.

"His ambitions were far-reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community," Paterno's family said in a statement. He is survived by his wife Suzanne, his five children Mary, Diana, Jay, David, and Scott, and 17 grandchildren.

For more information contact:
Samantha Brooks
xxx-xxx-xxxx
samantha.brooks@snhu.edu

-End-



Facebook Post: "Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things"-Joe Paterno. Today the Penn State community, along with college football fans across the country, mourn the loss of beloved coach Joe Paterno after losing his battle with lung cancer this morning at the age of 85. To read more visit http://brookssamantha.blogspot.com/.


Sources:

Dufresne, C. (2012, January 23). Joe Paterno dies at 85; transformed Penn State into football power. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jan/23/local/la-me-joe-paterno-20120123

Goldstein, R. (2012, January 22). Joe paterno, longtime penn state coach, dies at 85. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/23/sports/ncaafootball/joe-paterno-longtime-penn-state-coach-dies-at-85.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

McCarthy, M. (2012, January 22). Media dead wrong to repeat false report of paterno's death. USA Today. Retrieved from http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/01/media-outlets-dead-wrong-to-jump-the-gun-on-paternos-death-joe-paterno-poynter-cbssportscom/1#.UfsRxG0pjH8

Shapiro, L. (2012, January 22). Joe paterno, former penn state football coach, dies at 85. Washington Post. Retrieved from http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-01-22/sports/35441158_1_penn-state-football-coach-joe-paterno-head-coach