I have kept quiet for over a year now about Joe Paterno's passing and the whole
scandal that has rocked my beloved university.
Time to break the silence.
This video speaks volumes about Joe Paterno.
The poem is IF by Rudyard Kipling which also happened to be one of JoePa's favorites.
If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!
Rudyard Kipling
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet JoePa.
Not once but twice.
Right after a game as he was walking home.
Yes, walking. (which is a bit of a hike back to his house)
I was not sure if I should say anything to him.
My friend dared me so I yelled out, "Hey Coach."
He stopped, looked up and said, " Good evening ladies."
We chatted for a good ten minutes before he stated he had a party to get home to.
Honestly, he took the time to talk to us about our studies.
I cherish my memories of talking to him and call still hear his voice in my head. :)
We have been asked by the university to move on.
HA!
I am sorry but the way they treated him in the end is a total disgrace.
It is not who WE ARE.
The amount of love and respect he and his family have placed in
Penn State deserves more.
We have never been able to mourn his loss properly.
We have not been able to pay tribute to the man.
Instead they have done everything to wipe him from the university.
Took down his statue.
Removed his photos.
Success with Honor statements removed.
Disgraceful.
To the BoT -
DO NOT underestimate the power of those who have
graduated from this fine institution.
We are strong in number and we will right the errors made by you.
A link to share - really hits home with my feelings.
There will never be another like JoePa.
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