Paterno family source: Sue Paterno WAS asked to leave campus pool, but we’re negotiating
Nov 25, 2011, 6:03 PM EDT
Reuters There has been much confusion over this recently, but a Paterno family source confirmed today that Sue Paterno was asked to leave a swimming pool on the Penn State campus on Wednesday. Now, however, the university says it’s in discussions to try and find a way to let her to continue to use it. Mrs. Paterno had used the pool in the football building for her daily workouts. But since her husband, Joe Paterno, was let go as head football coach, the family pool pass was rescinded. From the Patriot-News:
Now, the Paternos are talking with Intercollegiate Athletics about their ability to continue using the pool and other facilities in the Lasch football building, Mahon said. Discussions are underway to work out those details.
Our story so far:
- On Wednesday, the Patriot-News reported that a “source close to the family” said that Sue Paterno was asked to leave a swimming pool at Penn State when she arrived for her daily workout. The Associated Press reported the same thing a few hours later, adding that the family “was saddened by the news.”
- Commenters on this blog and elsewhere noted that the Penn State swim complex, called the Natatorium, was closed on Wednesday for the Thanksgiving break. Therefore, they said, the story had to be wrong.
- NBC Philadelphia tweeted that Sue Paterno was not asked to leave the pool, “per #PennState.”
- The Patriot-News, in a followup, confirmed that Sue Paterno was, in fact, denied use of the pool. “Our story was correct. Sue Paterno never even went to the Natatorium. She always works out at the football building’s pool and that is the pool she was asked to leave.”
So The Great Pool Debate (I refuse to call it Poolgate) is settled, for now. Of course this renews a whole different debate over whether spouses and other family members of deposed coaches should be able to continue using college facilities. Remember: Joe Paterno didn’t retire — he was forced out.
Meanwhile, my hot tub is still off limits to the dog.
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Penn State and Sue Paterno working out a plan to use gym facilities [Patriot-News]
Was Sue Paterno kicked out of the Penn State campus pool? [Off the Bench]
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- goforthanddie - Nov 25, 2011 at 8:52 PM
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Well, she’s lost Joe’s credentials. If she has no other legitimate authority to be there, she’s trespassing.
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- lions1980 - Nov 26, 2011 at 4:36 PM
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Sue has always supported the University. Helped raise millions for the library. She tutored countless football players. Let her swim. Everyone needs to use common sense and stop trying to conver their butts. Enough already.
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- crambow - Nov 25, 2011 at 9:32 PM
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The Patriot News reporting has become as tasteless as tofu. Obtaining viral objectives with knee-jerk journalism is just pitiful.
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- sdsnc - Nov 26, 2011 at 12:05 AM
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could she have authority to be there because she is the mother of Jay who is an assistant coach?
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- florida727 - Nov 26, 2011 at 8:42 AM
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Good question. The answer would be based on whether or not facilities usage is limited to “immediate family”, which they MIGHT define as spouse/kids only. Either way though, is this really even worth debating? It’s an old lady swimming for exercise. Can Penn State seriously be that petty that THIS is what they focus on? What a disgrace…
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- koufaxmitzvah - Nov 26, 2011 at 11:01 AM
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I see this as fallout from Penn State choosing not to focus on child rape allegations.
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- Derty Ernie - Nov 27, 2011 at 10:48 AM
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I posted lask week that Jo Pa was fired, all rights are then taken away not thinking that Jay still has a job. Ergo the big question is, who -family wise, gets to use PSU facilities? Ether PSU has rules in place designating this – spouse, children or they don’t.
My take is she probably lost her rights because of his firing and cannot use the facilities as a mother of a coach. I know of zero companies that give benefits to parents why would a college?
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- ezwriter69 - Nov 27, 2011 at 11:19 AM
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In the Paterno world of total entitlement, it was closed for OTHER little people, but NOT to the Paternos… it’s that simple. Until now, at PSU, closed did not apply to a Paterno.
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- Dirty D Fo - Nov 27, 2011 at 3:37 PM
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An old lady would like to swim to get her exercise… in a pool that her husband’s football team and fundraisers have built. Hmmm.
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- Elle - Nov 29, 2011 at 11:52 AM
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Um, isn’t giving people who weren’t technically football staffers access to team facilities (like, I don’t know…showers for instance) what started this whole problem in the first place?
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- tomtravis76 - Dec 1, 2011 at 12:47 PM
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The Paternos should leave Happy Valley. Joe Pa has done enough to disgrace the university.Let Penn Sate rebuild its reputation and recover from this awful mess. No goodwill from the past will ever trump the cover up by Joe Pa. Paterno was involved in a cover up of his friend abusing young boys over decades in favor of keeping his football team out of a scandal. Paternos family will pay for his mistakes, his family is stuck with the name,and that is something they will have to live with, that is their punishment.
Right now, you see Penn State sports on TV, you turn the channel. Nobody wants to even think about Penn State, the mention of Penn State turns your stomach.So much needs to change at that school before it can once again be accepted by everyone outside of its community. They need to shut football down for awhile.
