A recent poll of Pennsylvania’s registered voters shows that 46 percent of the state’s citizens support renaming Penn State’s Beaver Stadium to “Joe Paterno Stadium.”
Joe Paterno died in January after he was fired as the football teams head coach following the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal.
According to the Quinnipiac University survey 46 percent of the participants polled believe the stadium should be renamed while 40 percent were opposed to the idea.
Survey takers who strongly backed the idea described themselves as “very or somewhat interested” in college football.” Survey takers 65 and older also favored the name change.
As it stands at the moment Beaver Stadium is named after former Pennsylvania Governor James Beaver who served on the school’s board of trustees in the late 19th century.
The survey was given to 1,300 registered voters during six days in early February. According to the poll there is a plus or minus 2.8 percent margin of error.
Joe Paterno served as the head coach of the Nittany Lions for more than four decades and the Paterno family name is already attached to the schools library and spiritual life center.
University officials have already said they plan to memorialized Joe Paterno following his death from lung cancer.
While Paterno was fired from his position in November he was never formally charged with any crimes and he has never been considered a target for prosecutors.
In the meantime the Jerry Sandusky trial now looms with the 68-year-old heading to court in May to face charges that he molested 10 boys over a 15-year span.
Do you think Beaver Stadium should be renamed in honor of Joe Paterno?
They can name the stadium anything they want, but they should be aware a lot of people couldn't care any less about football, Penn State, or Joe Paterno, so they'll only see that a stadium is being named after a man who enabled a child rapist http://www.zombielogicblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/dr-strangedog-phil-knight-and-joe.html.
Go ahead a change the name…you have already proven to the children you can't protect them…
Absolutely. Poor Joe took the heat for the sex abuse scandal and Sandusky, I'm afraid, will get off scott free. Joe Paterno was a great man.
Meh… In terms of what he did for the school and the football program, surely! In terms of PR… No, don't even think about it.
Meh… In terms of what he did for the school and the football program, surely! In terms of PR… No, don't even think about it.
If he gets off, what are the chances he moves out of the country? He could be the most hated human being in this country right about now.
Don't think so.
I'd vote yes.
He was a wonderful man and gave a lot to the school. All the good he did shouldn't be brought down by Jerry Sandusky. Definitely they should change the name to Paterno Stadium,
he deserves it…
Joe Paterno committed one of the worst crimes by not stopping this man from abusing children! Why would he not DO anything SAY anything to stop this man, to protect children from being raped by Sandusky? Not even report it so it could be investigated? He actually worked and associated with this man after it was reported to him that Sandusky was caught raping a child in the shower! I would have Respect and Admire a person who would PROTECT children more than I would a Person who doesn't care enough to even investigate an accusation let alone try and stop it! I am afraid Joe Paterno was NOT the person so many wish he was…..
JoePa was not at fault in any of this. Blame Curly, Schultz, and Spanier who don't appear to have followed through on the information given to them. Infact, throw some blame Corbett's way. He was a Pennsylvania AG who didn't follow through with the investigation of Sandusky the first time around in the late 90's.
Yes it should carry his name. He made Penn State football what it is…If Penn State really dislikes Joe Paterno maybe they should remove all the trophies he put in the school. Like that would happen..He did nothing wrong…He was a great man. He should have never left this world with a heavy heart…Penn State officials stole Joe P. pride from him…Shame on them….
Well, Ok, but "Child-Rape-Facilitator Stadium" doesn't have much of a ring to it…
Abso-freakin-lutely! He did absolutely nothing wrong. Put the blame where it belongs – on Sandusky, McQuery, Curly, Schultz, Spanier and the damn trustees who gave Sandusky free reign of the facility 12 yrs. after he no longer worked there!
There are few men you can name who displayed such character consistently for decades. When assessing a flawed human, you MUST take into account what they displayed. Joe Pa displayed like few in history… PLEASE rename that stadium, for Joe, for the students, for the alumni… for good.
uhmmm … uhhhhhh … yikes
I think the scandal and firing was the direct cause of his death. the least they can do for a man who gave his entire life to Penn State is name the stadium after him.
Penn State should not name its stadium after anyone who is remotely connected to that monster, Sandusky.