A show of support for an ailing coach
Photo posted January 22, 2012 in
News, Joe Paterno by Jill Knight, Chloe Elmer and Tom Ruane
More than a hundred people gathered outsisde Beaver Stadium Saturday evening as news spread that legendary former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno was near death. The crowd was mostly students, but also included people from the State College community.
A memorial of candles and memorabilia was placed at the base of the statue and the crowd quietly sang the Alma Mater. They were prepared to hear the coach had passed away, but Paterno's family told reporters that the former coach is still alive. With temperatures hovering at 17 degrees, the crowd dwindled and most people had left by midnight.
Students stand next to an impromptu shrine created at the base of the Joe Paterno statue outside of Beaver Stadium Saturday evening amidst rumors of the legendary football coach's imminent demise. The Paterno family said Paterno is still alive, but he is hospitalized and his health is fragile. / Photo by Jill Knight
Penn State senior Mary Quayle places her California license plate at the feet of the Joe Paterno statue on Saturday night amidst false reports that the former coach had passed away. This photo was first published in the Daily Collegian / Photo by Chloe Elmer
Kat (Katherine) Dennis, 4, and her mother Amy, of Waynesboro, Pa., light a candle at the feet of the Joe Paterno statue on Saturday night after false traveling to campus when false rumors of Joe Paterno's death were reported. This photo was first published in the Daily Collegian. / Photo by Chloe Elmer
A student adds a candle to an impromptu shrine created at the base of the Joe Paterno statue outside of Beaver Stadium Saturday evening amidst rumors of the legendary football coach's imminent demise. The Paterno family said Paterno is still alive, but he is hospitalized and his health is fragile. Photo by Jill Knight / Photo by Jill Knight
Students stand quietly during an impromptu vigil next to the Joe Paterno statue outside of Beaver Stadium Saturday evening. About a hundred people braved 17-degree temperatures to gather amidst rumors of the legendary football coach's imminent demise. The Paterno family said Paterno is still alive, but he is hospitalized and his health is fragile. / Photo by Jill Knight
A community member reaches out to grab the hand on the Joe Paterno Statue Saturday evening during a gathering after news of Paterno's declining health was announced. / Photo by Tom Ruane