As we all know, this past week, the Penn State community was dealt another severe blow with the death of former football coach, Joe Paterno. While the circumstances of Paterno's passing were heartbreaking, to say the least, his death also signified, not only his greatness as a person, but the significant impact he had on so many people. Immediately following the news of his passing, kind words of condolence, images, videos and even events could be found on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. In essence, Paterno's passing acted as a rhetorical exigence, which drew people in and inspired them to respond in their own respective ways.
On Facebook, students created events such as the candle light vigil at Old Main, "Guide Joe Home" along Curtin Road and "Last White Out for Joe Paterno" on the Monday following his passing. It was clear that it did not matter if students knew Paterno personally, met him once before on a whim, were avid football fans or never even attended a game. To the Penn State community, there was an "issue" that need to be addressed: How can we honor Joe Paterno? What was more astounding was how many people attended all of these events, not to mention the two public viewings held in the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. A shockwave quickly moved throughout the community to find any and every way to honor our beloved coach. More importantly, there was a sense of urgency for the Penn State community to unite and mourn as a family. Through coming together as one, we're able to lift one another up during this troubling time. It's great because this sense of family seemed to be very important to Mr. Paterno.
Speaking from personal experience, I didn't come to Penn State for football. I've never really been much of a football fan and to be honest, I never even attended a football game during my first semester. Yet, even I was deeply moved by the passing of Mr. Paterno. As I walk from the Pattee and Paterno libraries, or attend honors classes in an effort to become a Paterno Fellow, I'm reminded of the investments Mr. Paterno has made in this university beyond being a football coach. Although at first I did not want to attend the processional, I was so glad that something within me moved me to stay to see Mr. Paterno's hearse drive by. There was something within me that made me want to "respond" to call to honor Mr. Paterno. And quite honestly, I am so honored that I did.
What were some of the ways you honored Mr. Paterno? What were your reasons for participating in these events? Were you a football fan or moved by the circumstances of his passing as I was?
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| Photo taken by Ben Jones of SN Nation Newsletters |
The response to JoePa's death was overwhelming and incredibly touching. While I am a football fan and appreciate who he was in that respect, the person that he was beyond the field is what made him the hero of our campus. In that respect, it was very upsetting when he passed because he had done everything in his power to give the students at the university he loved a chance at a great education. This is why I went to events such as the vigil and the processional as well as made statuses and tweets in his honor, because he emulated what I thought to be the ideals we all strive for.
ReplyDeleteThe passing of Joe Pa was a truly sad moment but the way the school, students and community united was beautiful. He was an amazing football coach but what he has done off the field for the school has been his greater achievement. He put Penn St on the map and has done everything he could to improve the school. I was honored to take part in the different ceremonies last week to honor Joe Paterno.
ReplyDeleteThe way the school came together in this time of sorrow was a huge indicator of how much pride we have. Joe Paterno is a symbol of everything Penn State stands for. It seems like part of the love for this school goes along with a love for Joe Paterno. No one at this schools disliked him, if they did, the negative consequences would be pretty hefty. I felt like apart of the community attending the events this past week, and I felt like it was about something much bigger. I like the football games, but I think part of it was because of Joe Paterno, because he meant more to the school the football program did
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