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The Story
- Time Together: Joe Paterno met Sue at the Penn State library while he was an assistant football coach, and she was a freshman in Happy Valley. Joe Paterno married Sue Paterno in 1962, the year she graduated from Penn State. The couple has five children together, and seventeen grandchildren. One of their children, Jay Paterno, has served as an assistant coach for JoePa's Penn State Nittany Lions football squad since 1995.
In an interview with The Patriot-News, Sue described what it was like raising five kids with a football coach:
Joe never went to training table. He came home every night for dinner. We didn’t eat till 8:15 p.m. some nights, but that was OK. I just gave the kids a snack earlier, and they ate in their pajamas. That was their time with him.
Sue Paterno has played a major part int he community since their marriage. The couple has contributed over $4MM to charities through the years. Sue has been honored by having a student center named after her at State College, by the Catholic Diocese.
Many of Joe's players are tutored by Sue who at one point taught English at a local high school. Former player Troy Drayton called her his inspiration and mentor during his time at State. We could continue this list endlessly, but rest assured, Sue Paterno is an amazing force in the community. - Fun Facts: JoePa's rolled up pants came from Sue. In order to prevent him from getting mud on his wool slacks, Sue insisted he began rolling them up, which has carried on today as a superstition.
11.11.2011
Next to my mom, Sue is the most Saintly lady I have ever met. My wife was the former asst gymnastics coach here and got sick in 2000, and Sue's comfort and help during that time was something that someone never forgets. Joe may have 409 wins, but his biggest win is even on that list and that is the day he married Sue.
On a side note, this a great family and someone the Bastardi's are better off for knowing
11.13.2011
Seems several were "asleep" at the wheel! Know it is not her burden, but if there was a meeting in Paterno's home concerning Sandusky, I would hope that if I were in her "shoes" I would have a woman's "Intuition" that something wasn't right.
Would hope that my Husband would confide with me if he was "Troubled" over something -- be it small or large! Then I might give him my "2 cents" worth that just might lead to a different conclusion.
11.24.2011
Many thanks to Sue for all that she he has done!!!Thoughts with the Paterno family through these times...
1.15.2012
I am deeply saddened by what the Paterno family has had to endure. They are people of integrity. To say they covered something up (of this magnitude) is absurd.
Perhaps the university should consider knocking down the library they built.......or pay back the millions they contributed. I am so angry !
God Bless the Paterno family.
7.19.2012
god bless the paterno family