Penn State is set to honor former head football coach Joe Paterno with the unveiling of a new exhibit inside Beaver Stadium on September 3rd. The Paterno Family Football Experience Room represents the university's most prominent recognition of the coach since his dismissal during the 2011 season.
Paterno, who joined Penn State in 1950 and became head coach in 1966, was the nation's longest-tenured coach. His tenure ended abruptly when the university's Board of Trustees terminated his contract following revelations that top officials had concealed child sex abuse allegations against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.
After Paterno's death in January 2012, the university removed his statue from outside Beaver Stadium six months later. Since then, the university's approach to acknowledging the former coach has been inconsistent. In 2024, an attempt to name the field at Beaver Stadium after Paterno was withdrawn, and the following year, naming rights to the stadium were sold to West Shore Home.
Some former players, like ex-quarterback Matt McGloin, have publicly stated the school appeared to be attempting to "erase" Paterno's memory.
The new exhibit aims to preserve a significant portion of Penn State Football's history. It will feature a recreation of Paterno's "original office desk and work space" alongside other "personal artifacts." Additionally, the room will include a timeline chronicling Paterno's six decades with the program, highlighting key moments such as John Cappelletti's Heisman Trophy win in 1973.
"Penn State's Football's history belongs to generations of student-athletes, coaches, staff and supporters who helped build this program," Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft said in a statement. "This room gives us an opportunity to preserve that history, present it thoughtfully and create an experience that connects the proud tradition of Penn State Football with its future."
Paterno amassed 409 wins during his nearly 46 years as head coach and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2007. The exhibit is scheduled to open at 10 a.m. on Thursday, coinciding with the Nittany Lions' season opener against Marshall on Saturday.