Penn State has announced that it will honor Joe Paterno 15 years after his coaching career ended in disgrace with a new exhibit inside Beaver Stadium.
On September 3, the university will open a new football exhibit called the Paterno Family Football Experience Room. The school calls it “a permanent museum experience celebrating more than a century of Penn State Football history.”
The display will feature the “Coach Joe Paterno Exhibit.” It will include Joe Paterno’s original office desk and workspace, personal artifacts and a curated timeline documenting significant moments from his more than six decades at Penn State.
“Penn State Football’s history belongs to generations of student-athletes, coaches, staff and supporters who helped build this program,” said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Pat Kraft. “This room gives us an opportunity to preserve that history, present it thoughtfully and create an experience that connects the proud tradition of Penn State Football with its future.”
Fourteen years ago, Penn State took down Joe Paterno’s statue outside Beaver Stadium. In 2011, the Penn State Board of Trustees fired Paterno after former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky was charged with child sexual abuse. During the criminal investigation, several reports and court documents alleged that Paterno turned a blind eye to Sandusky’s crimes.
On June 22, 2012, that a jury found Jerry Sandusky guilty on 45 of the 48 counts against him, including indecent assault, unlawful contact with minors, corruption of minors, and endangering the welfare of children.
Numerous football fans are disgusted with Penn State honoring Joe Paterno
On social media, many fans expressed anger and disgust at Penn State’s decision to honor Joe Paterno. Hundreds of negative comments flooded the announcement on X.
“No matter how hard you try to rewrite, whitewash or gloss over history, that name will forever be an asterisk and a stain on the institution,” read one comment on Penn State’s announcement.
“I get you want to honor your history – rightfully so. I get you want to include Paterno, the greatest coach in PSU history. Those are both fine,” another fan wrote. “To name it what you’re naming it is completely tone deaf, and you deserve whatever smoke you catch if you don’t change the name.”
“Jesus, Penn State, will you ever learn?” someone else asked.
“I think the kids that already got the ‘Paterno Family Experience’ want nothing to do with your school ever again,” commented another fan.
“Will this be next door to the Larry Nassar US Women’s Gymnastics experience?” read another comment.