STATE COLLEGE, Pa., Jan. 22 (UPI) — Joe Paterno’s legacy has changed in the year since his death, but State College, Pa., has not forgotten him, residents say.
Paterno, longtime Penn State football coach, was fired in the first days of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal, and died two months later.
His likeness still greets patrons at Legends, a hotel restaurant. Bumper stickers with his initials, or “409”, for the number of his victories before they were vacated by the NCAA from his lifetime record, can be seen on cars. A candlelight vigil will be held in his honor, marking his death. His supporters remain, the State College, Pa., Centre Daily Times said Tuesday.
Stephanie Ansalone, a 2005 Penn State graduate, said in an email to the newspaper her brother invited Paterno to his high school graduation, and received a hand-written letter of regret that Paterno could not attend the ceremonies, with added good wishes for the future.
“It enabled us to make a connection with Joe we’ll always remember and about which we will always smile.”
Later this week a documentary on Paterno, “The Joe We Know,” will be screened in a local theater.
Copyright 2013 United Press International, Inc. (UPI).
