Joe Paterno Could be New Namesake of Penn State Nittany Lions’ Field; Trustees Pushed for it in 2 Private Meetings

Former longtime head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions Joe Paterno is in talks to be the new namesake of the Penn State football field.

There were two private January meetings that included Penn State trustees and high-ranking university representatives in which the naming of the field after Joe Paterno was discussed, according to what three people with direct knowledge of the conversation told SpotlightPA.

In an article from SpotlightPA, a Penn State Nittany Lions spokesperson released a statement via email.

“​​The Administration and the Board of Trustees have embarked on numerous change initiatives based on President Bendapudi’s vision and goals and are focused on these priorities to continue to provide a world-class academic and student experience for years to come.”

Former Penn State Nittany Lions HC Joe Paterno’s Statue was taken down

Joe Paterno was the head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions for 46 years before being fired amidst the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Sandusky was convicted of 45 counts of child sex abuse and Joe Paterno was reportedly knowledgeable/complicit.

The Penn State Nittany Lions former athletic director and vice president served jail time as a result of the scandal, but Joe Paterno died of pancreatic cancer in 2012 before he could be charged.

Joe Paterno’s allowance of the crimes resulted in an uproar from the public. This uproar resulted in Joe Paterno’s statue being taken down. In an article from NBC News, Penn State president Rodney Erickson explained why the statue was taken down.

“I now believe that, contrary to its original intention, Coach Paterno’s statue has become a source of division and an obstacle to healing in our University and beyond. For that reason, I have decided that it is in the best interest of our university and public safety to remove the statue and store it in a secure location.

“I believe that, were it to remain, the statue will be a recurring wound to the multitude of individuals across the nation and beyond who have been the victims of child abuse,” Erickson said.

Joe Paterno was a legendary Penn State Nittany Lions coach before the scandal

Joe Paterno began as the head coach for the Penn State Nittany Lions in 1966. He amassed 409 wins in his 46 years as the head coach. He was fired at 8-1 in his final year.

Joe Paterno only failed to make a bowl game in eight full seasons as a head coach. His 37 bowl appearances are an NCAA record He was the first ever coach to win the Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Cotton Bowl.

Paterno brought home two national championships for the Penn State Nittany Lions on top of four undefeated teams that won major bowl games but did not bring home a championship.

Penn State Bowl Countdown
#19

1983 Sugar Bowl

“The Catch”

Todd Blackledge (@Todd_Blackledge) uses play action to perfection and drops a 47-yard dime to Gregg Garrity in what would ultimately be the game winner and bring home Penn State’s 1st National Championship #WeAre pic.twitter.com/SREQIGECQR

— Basic Blues Nation (@BasicBlues) December 18, 2023

Joe Paterno won the Big Ten Championship Game three times after the Penn State Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten in 1993. Joe Paterno led the Penn State Nittany Lions to 29 top-10 finishes.

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