End of an era

We've all heard the stories of how Joe Paterno, despite the fame, despite the national titles and undefeated seasons, was a regular guy.

Some doubt it. Others swear by it.

It's common knowledge that for many years, he walked to 'work' from what has been described as a modest State College home.

He was a Brooklyn guy who related to the common man and promoted the virtues of hard work, education and integrity.

It's always been said that Paterno's home phone was listed in the phone book. No private number necessary.

Former News-Item and (Hazleton) Standard Speaker sports writer Marion Valanoski related a story Sunday afternoon that backs up just how accessible the coaching icon was, at least during his early years as head coach.

During the mid-70s, Valanoski, while a student at Lycoming College, was a sports intern at The News-Item.

Assigned to do a story on Lourdes Regional graduate Dennis Zmudzin, a Penn State defensive end who was about to play in the Sugar Bowl, his third major bowl game, Valanoski made arrangements through the university for Paterno to call him. Through a mixup, he missed the call Paterno made.

So, despite it being Christmas Eve, Valanoski took a chance and called the Paterno home. He explained the situation, how the missed call happened, and got his interview.

The story, complete with Paterno's quotes, appeared in the Dec. 31, 1975 edition of The News-Item.

Certainly, as the program became more and more successful and college football overall grew into the enormous business it is today, those private audiences, in person or by phone, became tougher to come by.

Still, that he would even take that call speaks to the man whose legacy remains in question due to the circumstances of the past few months.

Right now, there is little middle ground.

Those who admire the coach will continue to do so. Those demonizing him aren't likely to change either.

Time will ultimately prove to be the determing factor.

Until the courts decide the case against Sandusky, until the scandal is no longer fresh in everybody's mind, it's tough to get a read on exactly how Paterno will be remembered.

Strictly from a football standpoint, the coach played by the rules. He won games while graduating players and avoiding the violations and related penalties that seem rampant in collegiate sports.

Almost to a man, his players and former players have been unwavering in their support.

His statue outside Beaver Stadium has turned into a shrine. The school's library bears his name.

The other side feels Paterno dropped the ball at the worst time of all, that what they perceive as his one big failure eclipses all the good.

So how will Paterno ultimately be remembered?

It may be years before anyone can get a good read on that.

(Roth is sports editor of The News-Item.)

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