Joe Paterno Passes Away at Age 85
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we inform you
that on Jan. 22, 2012 Penn State lost its most important and prolific icons.
Joe Paterno dedicated half of his life to college football, Penn State and
beyond.
His legacy will forever be carried on and he will
always be in our hearts. Our deepest condolences to the Paterno family and
others that Joe Paterno touched. During this difficult time we will not hold
our heads down, but lift them up and celebrate his life. There will be a candlelight
vigil held later this week so all can pay their respects.
There will never be another Joe Paterno as he
exemplified dedication, longevity, integrity, toughness and love. He will never
be forgotten.
-
Penn State Athletic Department
Facebook Post:
Sports Icon Joe Paterno Passes Away at Age 85
On Jan. 22, 2012, Joe Paterno had lost his battle with lung cancer. The Penn State family has lost one of its most important members but he will never be forgotten. Paterno dedicated his life to football and Penn State. He will ever be forgotten as he will always be in our hearts and his legacy will continue on forever. Paterno exemplified excellence, dedication, longevity, integrity, toughness and love.
Patnero ranks as the most winningest coach in Division 1 football which he achieved during his final victory at Penn State on Oct. 29, 2011. Regretfully, Paterno was let go by the Board of Trustees on November 9th because of the charges filed against former assistance coach Jerry Sandusky. Regardless it will not take away from everything Paterno has done for the university. During his 46 years as head coach he led our program to two national championships, 24 bowl victories and coached five undefeated seasons.
The Paterno Family released a statement Sunday morning:
" It is with great sadness that we announce that Joe Paterno passed away earlier today. His loss leaves a void in our lives that will never be filled. He died as he lived. He fought hard until the end, stayed positive, thought only of others and constantly reminded everyone of how blessed his life had been. His ambitions were far reaching, but he believed he had to leave his Happy Valley to achieve them. He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community.
He has been many things in life- a soldier, scholar, mentor, coach friend and father. To my mother, he was and is her soul mate, and the last several week have shown the strength of her love. To his children, he is a shining example of how to live a good, decent and honest life, a standard to which we aspire. When he decided to forego a career in law and making coaching his vocation, his father Angelo had but one command: Make an impact.
As the last 61 years have shown, Joe made an incredible impact. That impact has been felt and appreciated by our family in the form of thousands of letters and well wishes along with the countless acts of kindness from people whose lives he touched. It is evident also in the thousands of successful student athletes who have gone on to multiply that impact as they spread across the country.
And so he leaves us with a peaceful mind, comforted by his "living legacy" of five kids, 17 grandchildren and hundreds of young men whose lives changed in more ways than can begin to be counted.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family request that donations be made to the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania or the Penn State-THON, The Penn State IFC/PanHellenic Dance Marathon."
Joe Paterno, gone but never forgotten. A candlelight vigil will be held outside of Beaver Stadium Thursday at 7 p.m.
- Penn State Athletic Department
Hi Arie! Great post. It almost makes you forget that he actually accused of horrible things. I thought this was a somewhat difficult assignment for that exact reason though. How could we write a nice and professional press release about someone accused of something so disgusting? I suppose that's what ethical writing is all about though. This was a press release regarding his death not about the crimes for which he stood accused.
ReplyDeleteGreat press release, Ariner! Although this happened two years ago, your post brought me right back as if it happened yesterday. I like that you included a quote from the family. It made the release heart-felt. I also liked that you used specific facts about his life. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed your post. Very well done. I did not know a lot about Paterno's personal life prior to this assignment so I found it interesting.
ReplyDeleteI really like the professionalism of your press release and Facebook post. I know that it may seem like it is not right to talk more about the fact that he was involved in the sex scandal at the school, but to me it has also become a part of his legacy. It is unfortunate that this is the last that we knew of him, but it will not go away and I feel like it is very necessary to talk about.
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