Speaking
of Sports 

by
Bernie Fratto

 
Joe Paterno:
Sometimes blessed,
sometimes cursed

January 26, 2012

When Joseph Vincent Paterno graduated from Brown University in 1948, instead of becoming a lawyer like his father wanted, he made the decision to become a football coach. At first his parents were disappointed, but when they all agreed that's where he believed he could have the most positive impact on people, they gave him their blessing.

For the next 62 years, JoePa graced the sidelines at Penn State and for 46 of them he was the Head Coach.

During his tenure he won 409 games, the most in college football history. He took the Nittany Lions to 37 Bowl Games, and his 'Grand Experiment'-- a concept that combined superior academics with elite athletics resulted in 87% of his players graduating.

In addition, under Paterno's watch, Penn State was never on probation, nor the subject of NCAA sanctions.

Along the way JoePa and his wife Sue donated over $4,000,000 to the University, helping to create the library that bears their name.

But in spite of an incredible track record, not all stories have a happy ending, not even in Happy Valley. By his own admission, Joe Paterno wishes he would've done more. There's an old saying, "True courage falls extinct when those with vision fail to seek." The very values he taught his student-athletes about honor, commitment, and dedication, fell short back in 1999.

Paterno knew it, too.

In the end, Joe Paterno was really just a regular guy. Perhaps that's why he connected with people so well. His phone number was in the book. You could ring his doorbell and he would answer. In the end, JoePa was simply a lot like the rest of us…

Sometimes blessed, sometimes cursed…

(c) 2011 Novi Information Network
www.novi.org

Bernie also hosts a regular podcast, Inside the Frattohouse, on the Internet. Click here to listen to his new feature, updated weekly.