My kids with Joe

Some people do not understand it, others think I/we are crazy, but losing Joe was hard. He was more than a coach, a public figure, and an educator…he was part of the family.

After watching the Joe Paterno memorial yesterday one thing was made very clear – we the Penn State community are one big family. Sure – we have our problems, but what family – especially such a large family – does not? Seeing everyone together, supporting one and other, and sharing memories about Joe was pretty amazing and finally made me feel a bit more at peace.

A big thanks to the Big Ten Network for airing it!

http://www.butter-krust.com/movies/MilanoItaliannew.htm

I had been waiting for the call since November 9th, 2011 when everything started to unravel. I went over the conversation in my head over and over. Sometimes nasty – other times supportive. When I saw “Penn State University” on the caller ID last night as the phone rang I was not sure what I would say or how the conversation would go.

I generally get these calls a few times a year by current students looking to raise money for the school. I have been donating money to Penn State since I graduated and look forward to talking to the students on the phone to hear what they are studying, doing, etc. I at first did not know which way the call was going to go until I, in an instant, realize I had two ways to play this out: 1. act out of response to others (Penn State current leadership) or 2. act out of response to what really matters and be true to the core of our being (Joe). At that point I decided I would spend a few minutes talking to this student about his well being and his thoughts/feeling about all of this and what it means to be a Penn Stater. I told him I would be happy to give to the Paterno library fund.

Lesson learned: as Penn State alumni/students/staff – we need to stick together and show people who we really are. It is and always has been more than football. The media and some of the general public just do not “get it” and that is understandable. I am hopeful that living by example will show eventually show everyone what Joe Paterno taught us and what it truly means to be a Penn Stater.

Jay Paterno did a nice job with this interview. I wish him and his family well.

We get together almost every Saturday in the fall in our Penn State gear, ready to cheer on our team. We come to Beaver Stadium over 100,000 strong banded together by one thing – pride in our University. We can put our differences aside and cheer together. We need to do the same now and stand together – supporting each other. We are Penn State strong. We need to learn from the situation and move forward. Most important of all need to protect others while not forgetting to also protect ourselves.

We are…Penn State and regardless of what shakes down in the next few hours/days/weeks – we need to remember – together we are an amazing group of individuals who share an experience like no other. We can and need to join together to make sure our great University continues on with pride and tradition…it is what Joe would want.

So do I think one person defines an institution? If you were to ask me a month ago I would have said yes – thinking specifically of Joe Paterno and Steve Jobs. After Steve Jobs died and all of this came out about PSU – I have changed my mind. One person can make an impact, but it is the community at whole which defines an institution.

So far – it will be me and Amy, Amy G, Casey, and I promised at least one Wessner – so hopefully I can pull that off. Parents/friends are welcome. We plan to get some sort of tailgating action together so hopefully we can enjoy some time together while talking about how we cannot believe it has already been ten years. Ken – you will be there, right?