Talking to JoePa

My mom insists my first words were “mama,” so I guess she didn’t hear me say “Joe Pa.”

From a young age I have always wanted to talk to Joe Paterno. I would talk to him about anything. I’d be happy to discuss the weather, school or the football team. Even a simple, random ‘hello’ would suffice.

But I never got that chance

Instead, I got the opportunity to read about him in books, in newspapers, in interviews and on the stone wall behind his statue at Beaver Stadium. 

On that wall is a quote.

“They ask me what I’d like written about me when I’m gone,” the quote says. “I hope they write I made Penn State a better place, not just that I was a good football coach.”

Ask, and you shall receive.

When Paterno accepted the head coaching job at Penn State in 1966 he began the Grand Experiment, a belief that he could build a football program that was number one in athletics and academics, a sort of packaged deal for football players to play at Penn State. 

Paterno’s plan was initially scoffed at. Academics then and now are of little concern to some of the most prominent college football programs.

“I want [my players] to learn art and literature and music and all the other things college has to offer,” Paterno said. “People tell me [you can’t have a great football team] without sacrificing standards. They tell me I’m daydreaming.”

Paterno proved his naysayers wrong for 46 years. He coached five undefeated football teams, two national championship teams, 78 All-Americans, 47 Academic All-Americans, won 409 games and won 24 bowl games, each NCAA coaching records.

But Paterno’s achievements as a coach pale in comparison to his mentoring and contributions off of it.

After winning his first national title on New Year’s Day in 1983 the Board of Trustees threw Paterno and his team a dinner banquet. Instead of partying Paterno gave a speech, one that briefly praised his player’s efforts, but focused on building a new library for all Penn State students to use as the campus’ student body grew. Seventeen years later, in 2000, Paterno’s vision for a bigger and better library for students became a reality, as the school’s library renovations were completed and opened for students.

Today, that library is called the Pattee Library and Paterno Library, formerly known as the Pattee Library.

Paterno also helped build and renovate other facilities at Penn State. The Mount Nittany Medical Center renovations, the Penn State All-Sports Museum, and an interfaith spiritual center were all projects spearheaded by Paterno.

Paterno also enabled students on a more personal level. 

When Brian Milne, one of the nation’s most highly recruited running backs in the early 90s, was struck with cancer Paterno was the only coach out of 75 in the nation that didn’t rescind his scholarship offer. Paterno visited Milne between treatments and told him he’d come to Penn State and get an education whether he played or not. Then, Milne beat cancer and helped lead Penn State’s 1994 team to an undefeated season. He is now a successful business man.

But what about an average, ordinary student?

When a friend of mine knocked on his front door two years ago he answered it and said, “Oh, hey, how are you doin’? What can I do for you?”

She only wanted a picture with him.

“Ok, but what are you going to school for?” he said.

Then, they talked about her for a few minutes and almost forgot to take the picture.

Yeah, that’s what I imagine Joe Pa and I would talk about, too.

We’d talk about me, because he wanted everyone to remember him for being more than a good football coach.