The Paterno family, along with a handful of Lettermen, hosted a reunion in honor of Joe Paterno on Friday night.
It was a celebration for the 50th anniversary of Joe Paterno’s first game as the University’s head coach.
Guests included former coaches and football staff as well.
Media was not invited in for the private event, but WTAJ did speak with Penn State Lettermen.
Buddy Tesner, Penn State Lettermen class of 1975, said he helped plan the gathering and the main message was “to celebrate the Paterno legacy and the Paterno years of football.”
He said the environment is a refreshing time for everyone, in light of the Sandusky scandal.
“All the controversy that everyone is aware of has been very confusing for all of us…All of us basically here have a lot of common feelings that we can share with each other that sometimes it’s difficult to say with friends and acquaintances,” Tesner said.
Tesner added it’s a time to enjoy memories and stories, not for politics.
“We’re not talking about guilt or innocence or anything other than our experiences at Penn state as a team, as a group of lettermen,” Tesner said.
Tesner’s former roommate and fellow Lettermen, Richard Caravella, class of 1976, acknowledged conflicting perspectives in regards to the controversy.
“It’s hurtful because you have so many people pulling in so many different ways and that was never what we were taught,” Caravella said.
And for those unsure of whether or not to honor Coach Paterno, the former Nittany Lion said it’s all about the bigger picture.
“We are all Penn Staters and Penn State will always be bigger than any controversy bigger than any athletic team and bigger than any strife that you might have,” Caravella said.
Coach Joe Paterno will also be honored at Saturday night’s game.
In addition to the anniversary, a national report indicated the University has received pressure from donors, who said they won’t give any money until Joe Paterno is honored.
To see the video released by the Paterno family, commemorating Joe Paterno, click here.