Joe Paterno Press Materials

For Immediate Release

Contact: Ashley DiSipio, ashley.disipio@snhu.edu

Joseph “JoePa” Paterno Dies at Age 85

State College, PA – On Sunday, January 22, 2012, Joseph “JoePa” Paterno lost his battle with lung cancer at age 85.  Paterno had been admitted to the local hospital where he died on January 12 for treatment related to his lung cancer. Best known as the head coach of the Penn State football team for 44 seasons, Paterno received dozens of awards and honors for his victories and leadership over the course of his career. 

Paterno’s legacy was recently clouded by the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal that broke in 2011.  When Sandusky, who was Paterno’s assistant coach from 1969-1999, was charged with children molestation, Paterno came under fire for not taking more aggressive action when an abuse incident was reported to him in 2001.  In his last interview before his death, Paterno reflected that he could have done more, and said that "...I backed away and turned it over to some other people, people I thought would have a little more expertise than I did. It didn't work out that way."  In November 2011, Paterno announced he would retire at the end of the football season, but was instead fired and was unable to complete his final season as head coach. 

The family released an official statement on Sunday, after unconfirmed reports surfaced on Saturday that Paterno had already passed, which stated in part that Paterno, “…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.”

Paterno leaves behind his wife of 40 years, Susan, five children, and 17 grandchildren.

###

Facebook Post:  Joseph “JoePa” Paterno has lost his battle with lung cancer at age 85.  He passed away on Sunday, January 22 at a hospital in State College, PA.  Paterno experienced a successful career as a college football coach, and was the head coach of the Penn State team for 44 seasons. "He was a man devoted to his family, his university, his players and his community," his family said in their official announcement of his death.  However, his lifetime of accomplishments was tainted during the last year of his life when a child sex scandal broke involving his longtime assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Read the full statement from Paterno’s family here: http://goo.gl/kAB6O0.