Most Penn State alumni at King of Prussia meeting upset about Joe Paterno

Penn State Alumni gathered in King of Prussia Thursday night to talk about the child sexual abuse scandal and future of their alma mater.  Another meeting was held in the same hotel by famous graduate Franco Harris.

Denise Reinhoffer told the crowd of 600 she has lost confidence in those running Penn State. “I personally call for the alumni in this room and across the country to send a message to the board telling them we do not have confidence in their ability to meet their obligations,” said Reinhoffer. Penn State President Rodney Erickson called for alumni to have faith in the university. “Under my administration I will not allow this great university in its long historic legacy as a leader in higher education to be defined by this horrible tragedy,” said Erickson. Anthony Lubrano, like many of those who spoke, demanded an apology for fired football coach Joe Paterno. “Don’t think we can heal as a university until we say we are sorry to him, and you know he’s such a great man that’s all it will take with him,” said Lubrano. Penn State and Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris held a meeting in the same building a floor below the main event.  Harris said Coach Paterno should not have been fired and the entire Penn State board should step down.  He thought the university should even bring Paterno back.

 

“I know myself I feel that they should hire Joe Paterno for the first four games of the 2012 season, and then for him to pass the reins over to the new coach,” said Harris.  “If there is no closure with Joe there is no way to have a new beginning in a lot of different ways.”