Some fans organizing 'Joe-out' for Penn State game against UMass
With the bowl ban and NCAA scholarship sanctions for the Jerry Sandusky scandal now officially in the past for Penn State, some fans are organizing a tribute to former coach Joe Paterno during Saturday's game at UMass.
A small group wants to organize a "Joe-Out" before and during the game. What does that mean? Well, it means tributes to Paterno, whether it be dressing like him, bringing pictures or something else.
“He will forever stand as a great founder of our university, shoulder to shoulder with Atherton, Beaver, Pattee, Sparks and more. There will be other coaches, other presidents, other trustees and great men in Penn State’s future, but that does not mean we should forget this one man, who made Penn State great. My family and I eagerly await the future — but we will never forget to honor Joe,” Susan Beck Wilson said (Via CentreDaily.com.)
Paterno had an NCAA-record 409 wins as a head coach but as part of the sanctions against the university, 111 of them were taken away. Paterno was fired in November 2011 as allegations surrounding Sandusky's crimes became public. Three university officials are awaiting trial for their role in the cover up.
Sandusky is currently serving life in prison after being found guilty on 45 counts of sexual abuse. In 2001, Paterno was told of an incident involving Sandusky and a boy in the showers at Penn State's football facilities. He passed the report on to Penn State officials and has been criticized for failing to take the matter to police.
Shortly before the sanctions were announced against Penn State in 2012, the statue of Paterno was taken down.
The "Joe-Out" is far from a mass movement. According to PennLive.com, there were 339 attendees on Facebook as of Tuesday morning. It's doubtful there will be a stadium full of Paterno lookalikes on Saturday. However, those behind the event are wanting to be known. It's a take on the white-outs and blue-outs the school organizes for fans.
“We want to make an impact, as Joe would say,” Laurie Anne Stannell told Centre Daily.
For more Penn State news visit BlueWhiteIllustrated.com.
- - - - - - -
Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
