Former Penn State Football Coach Joe Paterno will be laid to rest on Wednesday.
The 85-year-old Paterno died Sunday morning, less than three months after being diagnosed with lung cancer – and being fired.
A 10-hour viewing session will be held today starting at 1:00PM at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center on the Penn State campus. Another viewing will take place Wednesday 8am to noon. A private funeral service for family and friends is scheduled for 2:00PM Wednesday.
A public memorial service will be held Thursday at 2:00PM at the Bryce Jordan Center.
A ticket will be required for admission, and all tickets are free. A limit of two tickets per person will be available starting at 10 a.m. this morning. Those who wish to attend are encouraged to order tickets online at https://www.gopsusports.com/ Those who order tickets online must use the “Print at Home†option. Ticket confirmation of online orders will be emailed by 5pm today. This confirmation also will provide the “Print at Home†instructions.
Tickets can also be secured by phone, beginning at 10 this morning by calling 1-800-NITTANY.
Obama Offers Condolences to Paterno’s Family (AP)
President Barack Obama has offered his condolences to the family of legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, who died Sunday of lung cancer.
The White House says the president spoke with Paterno’s wife, Sue, and son, Jay, on Monday to express his condolences. The White House says the president recalled fond memories of when he first met Coach Paterno and said he and first lady Michelle Obama would keep the Paterno family in their prayers. Penn State is planning a memorial service on Thursday for Paterno, who was fired in November after he was criticized over his handling of child sex-abuse allegations leveled against his former assistant coach, Jerry Sandusky.
Paterno won two national championships and 409 games — the most in the history of major college football.
PA Lawmakers Honor Paterno (AP)
Pennsylvania state lawmakers are remembering the late Joe Paterno, recalling his commitment to students.
State senators and House representatives each held a moment of silence in their chambers Monday and listened to remarks from two Penn State alumni in honor of the legendary football coach.
House Speaker Sam Smith told colleagues that he’ll remember the class, dignity, and humbleness of a man who turned down the riches of an NFL coaching contract so he could make a difference in the lives of Penn State students. Senator Jake Corman called Paterno a coach, educator and humanitarian who took an interest in young people’s lives, not just what they could do on the football field.
He says that if people remember Paterno’s commitment to excellence, he’ll never truly be gone.
Paterno’s Son: JoePa Upbeat, Fought Cancer to End (AP)
Joe Paterno’s son says that as recently as last Wednesday his father was anxious to leave the hospital and start planning a vacation with his wife, Sue.
Scott Paterno said in an interview Monday with The Associated Press that his father remained upbeat to the end, but by Friday afternoon his health had worsened. The family announced Saturday that the former Penn State football coach was in serious condition. Paterno died Sunday morning. Scott Paterno says that despite getting fired in November, his father still loved the school and his lasting message would be, “Let’s build this thing up.”
He said his Dad was confident until the end and did not die broken-hearted.
