Boy Scouts’ Community Impact Award Named After Joe and Sue Paterno

Time heals all wounds, as they say, and that certainly seems to be the case for Joe Paterno’s reputation.

The late Penn State football head coach has had a good week, being inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday and having an award named after him on Tuesday.

The Boy Scouts of America’s Juniata Valley Council, provides programs and services to nearly 2,000 kids, announced a name change for its Good Scout Award, which is given annually to someone who “exhibits the ideals and values of the Boy Scouts.”

That award will now be called the Joseph and Suzanne Paterno Community Impact Award as part of an effort to “make the award more recognizable to the Centre County community,” according to a press release from the council.

“The [name change] is so appropriate,” said Brent Pasquinelli, Good Scout dinner committee member. “It fits so well because Joe and Sue devoted their lives to serving young people beyond raising five kids and 17 grandchildren. They have touched the lives of thousands of youth, serving as a role model and inspiring them to reach higher.”

Paterno himself was the first person to receive the award that now bears his name in 1974. His wife, Sue, was honored as the recipient in 2007.

“Joe and I were both Scouts and know the Scouting world and what it can do for young people,” Sue Paterno said. “We want the Scouting world to continue to help young people become the best they can be.”

The first ever Joseph and Suzanne Paterno Community Impact Award recipient will be announced at the start of 2016 and honored at the annual award dinner in the spring of 2016.