Capping the end of the third and final day of public services for beloved former head football coach Joe Paterno, more than 12,000 mourners gathered for the “Memorial for Joe” inside the Bryce Jordan Center on Thursday afternoon.
Former football players from every decade of JoePa’s legendary career and family backfriends honored the coach by sharing memories and sidelines stories, which sparked tears and laughter among fans, family members and alumni from across the country.
At the conclusion of the public memorial, Jay Paterno thanked the Nittany Nation for overwhelming support, as well as staff members at Mount Nittany Medical Center, where Joe Paterno passed away on Sunday morning.
“Joe Paterno left this world with a clear conscience,” said Jay Paterno. “The games he won count the least. Young men came from around this country from different races, creeds and backgrounds to play football and also learn about life.”
While waiting in line to enter the memorial with a coveted entrance ticket to the memorial, which sold out in less than 10 minutes earlier this week, Linda Stroud told 6News it seemed like she had spent more time paying her respects in Happy Valley this week than at her home in Port Matilda.
“I got my precious ticket. I’m emotional already,” said Stroud. “I was up every day. It’s a very emotional time for Penn Staters.”
John Loughlin wasn’t as lucky, and decided to drive more than three hours Thursday morning trying to find anyone who would give away an extra ticket.
“We’re hoping to get tickets. We want to be a part of it. We followed his career for about 40 years,” said Loughlin.
His daughter Christine told 6News that they were disappointed to hear that a few people landed extra tickets and tried profiting off of them.
Officials said some tickets were being posted for sale on eBay.com for more than $90,000 a pair, before the tickets offer was taken offline for violating policy.
“We wrote to eBay to make sure that they would stop selling free tickets to this really special event,” said Christine Loughlin.
Penn State officials estimate that at least 36,000 mourners attended the public viewings on Tuesday and Wednesday inside the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, before Joe Paterno was buried at a local, undisclosed cemetery during a private ceremony.
