Paterno family adjusts to new era at Penn State

STATE COLLEGE, PA. (AP) - Penn State’s season opener this Saturday will be the first since 1949 not featuring someone with the last name Paterno on the coaching staff. They’re out of the picture, like the campus statue of the family patriarch; erased like his coaching records.

But the family will be in Beaver Stadium in spirit, if not watching from a skybox _ a sign that through the turmoil of the past few months, life goes on for the clan that was synonymous with Penn State for decades and remains firmly rooted in a supportive community.

Scandal tarnished the legacy of the late Joe Paterno, the Hall of Famer who coached the Nittany Lions until his firing in November days after former assistant Jerry Sandusky was arrested on child sex abuse charges. Son and former longtime assistant coach Jay Paterno no longer tutors the quarterbacks.

Jay Paterno, one of Joe and Sue Paterno’s five children, has been traveling and writing columns at a time when he’s usually used to getting ready for the season opener.

“It’s such a change in your lifestyle. Credit to Jay. Jay has kept himself busy. He’s smart enough, savvy enough,” said Tim Sweeney, a businessman and former player who is head of the Football Letterman's Club. Sweeney, who said he can relate as a former high school coach himself, briefly saw Jay Paterno at a charity golf outing in early August.

“Still, their hearts will be at Beaver Stadium on Saturday,” said Sweeney, referring to Jay Paterno and the other veteran assistants who left after the arrival of Bill O'Brien, Paterno’s replacement as head coach.

The family, as part of Paterno’s employment agreement, received use of a Beaver Stadium suite for 25 years. Family members intend to attend the season opener against Ohio University on Saturday, but only to show their support for the new regime, family spokesman Dan McGinn said.

“The family doesn’t want to do anything to distract from the game this weekend,” he said.

Affixed to the front screen door of the Paternos’ modest ranch home is a copy of a blue and white sign also on display in the windows of most downtown businesses, some homes and even cars. The message on the sign reads: “Proud to Support Penn State Football.”

Members of the Paterno family either did not return calls or would not comment for this article. But the community of State College, often known as Happy Valley, appears to remain protective of the closest thing it has to a royal family.

Neighbors said that while Sue Paterno might venture out a little less than before the scandal hit, grandchildren, other relatives and friends still stop by the house regularly. Well-wishers, strangers among them, drop off Penn State paraphernalia or other messages of support in the front yard or doorstep.

Most in the broader community who talked to The Associated Press said what happened was tragic and they’re sympathetic to the sex-abuse victims, but they perceived a rush to judgment about Joe Paterno’s role in the scandal.

Sue Paterno continues to volunteer with Special Olympics, a charity she has long championed. A new Catholic student center across the street from campus bearing her name appears near completion.

“We are so grateful to her and the entire Paterno family for their dedication, prayers, and support,” the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown said in a statement. “Because of Mrs. Paterno and so many others, Catholic students at Penn State will soon have a place to call their very own.”

Sue Paterno stayed mostly out of sight at a summer pep rally for the team, save for a brief appearance at a side door of Penn State’s football building. Unseen by most of the dozens of fans at the early morning rally, she was there and gone _ quickly.

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