STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State president Rodney Erickson says he plans to attend a memorial service for former university football coach Joe Paterno but won’t play an active role.
Erickson said at a Faculty Senate meeting Tuesday that he doesn’t have a lot of details about the Thursday memorial at the university’s basketball arena, and that Paterno’s family is arranging the service.
Erickson also said the school is planning other ways to honor Paterno, who died from lung cancer Sunday. He says Paterno “left a great legacy for the university.”
Some alumni have criticized Penn State trustees for firing the longtime coach after child sex abuse charges were brought against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Trustees say Paterno should have done more to report allegations to police.
Sandusky has maintained his innocence.
