The ABCs of Joe Paterno
A is for All-Americans. 47 Academic.
B is for Brooklyn, where Coach Paterno grew up, for Brown University, where he studied and played quarterback from 1946-1949, and for Beaver Stadium, where he roamed the sideline every home football Saturday.
C is for Coach of the Year, which Paterno won numerous times from numerous different organizations.
D is for Delta Kappa Epsilon, Joe’s fraternity at Brown.
E is for Rip Engle, the man who brought Joe Paterno to Penn State in 1950.
F is for Fiesta Bowl, where Paterno won his second championship over Miami on January 2nd, 1987.
G is for Graduation rate, where Joe’s football teams always excelled.
H is for the College Football Hall of Fame, where Coach Paterno was inducted in 2007.
I is for Illinois, the team against which Paterno coached his final game and earned his final win, and for interceptions — the record Paterno still holds at Brown from his playing days.
J is for John Cappelletti, the only Heisman Trophy winner to play under Joe Paterno.
K is for Kerry, Ki-Jana, Kyle, and the 1994 offense that may have been the greatest in college football history.
L is for the Paterno Library, which Joe and Sue Paterno donated over $4 million towards.
M is for McKee Street, which Paterno called home.
N is for the New England Patriots, the team that nearly (OK, maybe not nearly) pried Joe away from Penn State in the 1970s.
O is for Old Grand-Dad Bourbon, Paterno’s favorite drink.
P is for Peachy Paterno ice cream at the Berkey Creamery.
Q is for the Quotes we’ll always remember.
R is for the Records Paterno set, such as the most bowl wins, with 24.
S is for Joe’s wife Sue, the First Lady of Penn State football.
T is for Harry Truman, who was President when Joe Paterno came to Penn State in 1950.
U is for Coach Paterno’s five Undefeated seasons, which occurred in 1968, 1969, 1973, 1986, and 1994.
V is for the Values that define the “Paterno Way,” and “success with honor.”
W is for being the Winningest coach in college football with a total of 409 wins.
X is for the six eXpansions of Beaver Stadium during his tenure at Penn State.
Y is for 61 Years of coaching.
Z is for the Zordich family, and every other family that Joe coached multiple generations of.
Kevin Horne, Shawn Inglima, Evan Kalikow, Greg Pickel, and John Tecce contributed to this post.
Your ad blocker is on.
Please choose an option below.
Purchase a Subscription!