Statement by the Paterno family on the passing of Joe Paterno:

It is with great sadness that we announce that Joe Paterno passed away earlier today. His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled.

He died as he lived. He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. His ambitions were far reaching, but he never believed he had to leave this Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community.

He has been many things in his life - a soldier, scholar, mentor, coach, friend and father. To my mother he was and is her soul mate, and the last several weeks have shown the strength of their love. To his children and grandchildren he is a shining example of how to live a good, decent and honest life, a standard to which we aspire.

When he decided to forego a career in law and make coaching his vocation, his father Angelo had but one command: make an impact.

As the last 61 years have shown, Joe made an incredible impact. That impact has been felt and appreciated by our family in the form of thousands of letters and well wishes along with countless acts of kindness from people whose lives he touched. It is evident also in the thousands of successful student athletes who have gone on to multiply that impact as they spread out across the country.

And so he leaves us with a peaceful mind, comforted by his "living legacy" of five kids, 17 grandchildren, and hundreds of young men whose lives he changed in more ways than can begin to be counted.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that donations be made to the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania or the Penn State-THON (The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon).

Statement from Mount Nittany Medical Center:

On January 22, 2012 at 9:25 am, Joseph V. Paterno died of metastatic small cell carcinoma of the lung at Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College, Pennsylvania. Joe was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing, and they request privacy during this difficult time.

Statement from former assistant coach Tom Bradley:

Words seem to pale in a moment such as this.  The terms “icon” and “legend” have been often used to describe Joe Paterno.  Certainly, he was both within the world of college athletics.  But to those of us who played for him, to those of us who coached with him and to those of us who had the privilege to call him a friend, Joe Paterno was much more.  

To me, he was my mentor for 37 years and the lessons that I learned from him as a player, coach and friend will live on with me forever.  It was Coach Paterno who saw what I could be and helped me to realize that potential.  He was a tremendous teacher not because he knew all of the answers but because he challenged us to find the answers for ourselves.  He made us better men than we believed we could be – both on and off the field.  And when we lost our way or became unsure of ourselves, it was Coach Paterno who was there to encourage us, guide us and remind us that we must always strive to succeed with honor. 

Coach Paterno never believed that his role as “Coach” ended after practice, or when the fourth quarter wound down or when a student-athlete graduated.  He was a coach for life.  I am deeply grateful to have had Coach Paterno in my life.  He was the epitome of class and his spirit will live on in all of us who had the great honor of knowing him and running out of the tunnel with him on so many autumn Saturdays.    

My thoughts and prayers are with Coach Paterno’s devoted wife, Sue, his son Jay, with whom I coached so many years, and with the entire Paterno family during this sad and difficult time.    

Statement from Trustees and President Erickson on passing of Paterno:


Sunday, January 22, 2012


"Legendary Penn State football Coach Joe Paterno passed away today (Jan. 22) after announcing a month ago that he was diagnosed with lung cancer. Paterno was 85.

The following statement has been issued by the Penn State Board of Trustees and University President Rodney Erickson:

"We grieve for the loss of Joe Paterno, a great man who made us a greater university. His dedication to ensuring his players were successful both on the field and in life is legendary and his commitment to education is unmatched in college football. His life, work and generosity will be remembered always.

The University plans to honor him for his many contributions and to remember his remarkable life and legacy. We are all deeply saddened."

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Statement on Joe Paterno:

WASHINGTON, DC -

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement:

"I was saddened to hear of the passing of Joe Paterno. His long career at Penn State is unrivaled and his accomplishments as the winningest coach in major college football will certainly not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

Tom Osborne statement on Joe Paterno's death:


"I am saddened to hear the news of Joe Paterno's passing. Joe was a genuinely good person. Whenever you recruited or played against Joe you knew how he operated and that he always stood for the right things. Of course, his longevity over time and his impact on college football is remarkable. Anybody who knew Joe feels badly about the circumstances. I suspect the emotional turmoil of the last few weeks might have played into it. We offer our condolences to his family and wish them the very best."

Statement From Paternoville:


It is with great sadness that the thousands of participants and loyal devotees of Paternoville receive the news of the passing of Coach Joesph Vincent Paterno.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Mrs. Sue Paterno and the generations of the Paterno family. Also in our hearts are the players and coaches, past and present, who have had the opportunity to learn from Coach Paterno.

We are proud to continue to represent the Paterno name with pride and respect this coming football season as we continue call our encampment outside Beaver Stadium "Paternoville." We recently announced our commitment to the "Paternoville" name and we are happy and that Coach Paterno himself was aware that we would be continuing this great tradition.

"Penn State would not be the special place that it is without the contributions of Joe Paterno. I am honored to have been associated with the Paterno name as President of Paternoville, and my heart is with the Paterno family at this time." - Paternoville Coordination Committee President John Tecce

Bill O'Brien Statement on the Passing of Joe Paterno:


Jan. 22, 2012

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -

"It is with great sadness that I am compelled to deliver this message of condolence and tribute to a great man, husband, father and someone who is more than just a coach, Joe Paterno. First, on behalf of Penn State Football, we offer our sincerest condolences to the Paterno family for their loss. We also offer our condolences to the Penn State community and, in particular, to those who wore the Penn State colors, our Nittany Lion football players and alumni. Today they lost a great man, coach, mentor and, in many cases, a father figure, and we extend our deepest sympathies. The Penn State Football program is one of college football's iconic programs because it was led by an icon in the coaching profession in Joe Paterno. There are no words to express my respect for him as a man and as a coach. To be following in his footsteps at Penn State is an honor. Our families, our football program, our university and all of college football have suffered a great loss, and we will be eternally grateful for Coach Paterno's immeasurable contributions."

- Bill O'Brien, Penn State head football coach

Governor Corbett Expresses Condolences on Death of Joe Paterno:


Jan. 22, 2012

Harrisburg -


Governor Tom Corbett today issued the following statement upon learning of the death of former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno:

"Susan and I were saddened to learn of Joe Paterno's passing. His legacy as the winningest coach in major college football and his generosity to Penn State as an institution and to his players, stand as monuments to his life. As both man and coach, Joe Paterno confronted adversities, both past and present, with grace and forbearance.
"His place in our state's history is secure."

Big Ten Conference Statement on the Passing of Joe Paterno:

Penn State's Joe Paterno.

Jan. 22, 2012

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Joe Paterno," said Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany.  "His passing marks a tremendous loss for Penn State, college football and for countless fans, coaches and student-athletes.  Our condolences go out to the Paterno family and to the entire Penn State community."

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey  on the death of Joe Paterno:


WASHINGTON, D.C. -

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) issued the following statement this morning:

"I want to send my condolences to Joe Paterno's family and the Penn State community," Sen. Toomey said. "Joe dedicated his life to college athletics and higher education. His enormous role in building Penn State into the institution it has become will never be forgotten."

Thompson Statement on Passing of Coach Joe Paterno:

Washington, D.C. -

U.S. Representative Glenn 'GT' Thompson today issued the following statement on the passing of Coach Joe Paterno.
"Today we lost a true champion, a great coach and mentor, and a gentleman who's commitment to education and college athletics has been unparalleled," said Rep. Thompson. "Coach Paterno's legendary status will live on in the hearts and minds of all football fans, Penn State Alumni, and especially the residents of Happy Valley. My wife and I want to express our deepest condolences to the entire Paterno family. They will remain in our thoughts and prayers."

Message of condolence from the Penn State Alumni Association:

Sunday, January 22, 2012

The Penn State Alumni Association family is deeply saddened by the death of Joe Paterno, legendary coach, educator, mentor and leader. To the Penn State family, and to millions around the world, Joe Paterno is Penn State. It is impossible to think of our alma mater without his guiding presence in our midst.

We send our heartfelt condolences to the Paterno family and pledge to honor Coach Paterno's life and legacy. Coach Paterno was a powerful force in elevating our University in all ways for 61 years - which is nearly 40 percent of Penn State's 156-year history.

He is beloved by our alumni and friends. We will never see his like again. We grieve with our entire alumni family over the passing of the man who, more than any other, was Penn State.

Help the Alumni Association create a Coach Paterno remembrance wall: In this time of sadness, we would like to remember Coach Paterno's incredible life. Please post your favorite JoePa story or memory on the Alumni Association's Facebook wall.

Statement from Penn State Athletics on Joe Paterno:

Sunday, January 22, 2012

The following statement has been issued by Dave Joyner, Penn State acting director of Athletics, on the death of Joe Paterno:

This is a tremendous loss for Penn State and the world. Joe Paterno was a great man who was one of the greatest influences on my life and the lives of Penn Staters. For all of us who played for Joe, he taught us so much. He was a teacher and an educator first. He taught us about self-discipline and paying attention to the small details. He built young men from the inside out. He's famous for saying, "if you keep hustling and plugging away something good will happen" and we all discovered how true that was.

Because of the way he led and taught Penn Staters, the world is such a better place, not just because of his direct influence, but because of the influence he had on so many who have graduated from Penn State to positively impact the world.