A Closing White-Out: Joe Paterno Thoughts

I've been thinking all day of how to honor Joe Paterno. Trying to think of how to write something heartfelt, but not cliched. Something original, something that shows what he means to me.

In 1989, JoePa was quoted in the New York Times as saying, "what counts in sports is not the victory, but the magnificence of the struggle." This applies to all facets of life as well. It's not what you achieve that molds you, it's the path you take to get there--and Joe Paterno tried to show others the best path.

He molded men, taught them success with honor, made them believe in themselves.

While I never had the opportunity to meet Paterno, I had the privilege of sharing the Beaver Stadium field with him after each home game while I was in the Blue Band. I witnessed victory 400 and 409. Obviously unaware at the time, I witnessed his final game.

I will never forget the mark he left on me as a person. Hearing him speak for 5 years at pep rallies was inspiring. We were listening to a living legend tell stories, give us insight, and inspire us. He talked about growing up in Brooklyn. He spoke of telling President Nixon to "shove-it" when Penn State was passed over for the national championship. He spoke of good sportsmanship toward other teams. He told us not to "boo." He taught us to show class.

How do we remember his legacy? It most definitely isn't defined by the last 12 weeks of his life. Rather, it is shaped by 85 years of life. We remember all the football players he developed, all the men he helped develop. His generous donations to the university, to charity. I've heard numerous tidbits and quotes about and from JoePa--too many to recount here. But one in particular sticks in my mind. A friend of mine saw Joe walking around campus one day and said to Joe, "Have a good day, sir." Joe replied, "No son, you make it a good day."

In the end, Joe's life came to a close like a Shakespearean tragedy.

The epitome of the tragic hero, Joe had his flaws. He was not perfect, none of us are.

The tragic hero was a true Penn Stater and lived his life the way we should all live ours. He believed in the Penn State institution and all the good that is done in Happy Valley. We are one university which we show better than anyone else, especially when we wear white on Saturday's.

Saturday's will no longer be the same at Beaver Stadium. The fall chill and smell of the leaves will not be the same.

But it is somehow fitting that nature produced her most substantial white-out of the season a day preceding Joe's passing. And on the day of his passing, Beaver Stadium's lights lit-up the night sky, reflecting off the low cloud deck.

Illuminating the heavens...lighting the way home.

R.I.P. Joseph Vincent Paterno