Paterno enshrined in Hall of Fame
editor1 |Jul 19,2008
|
|
|
SOUTH BEND, Indiana (Ticker) -- More than four decades after
taking the Penn State job, Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno
finally was enshrined in the National Football Foundation's
College Hall of Fame.
The 81-year-old Paterno, entering his 43rd season at Penn State,
received the honor Saturday night at the enshrinement dinner and
show. He became the third active coach to be enshrined, joining
Florida State's Bobby Bowden and John Gagliardi of Division III
St. John's in Minnesota.
Paterno was selected to join the Hall of Fame in 2006, but his
induction was delayed for one year after he was injured in a
sideline collision during a November game that season at
Minnesota. He would have been inducted with Bowden and
Gagliardi.
A five-time national Coach of the Year, Paterno has 372 career
victories to rank second behind Bowden (373) on the all-time
list among major college coaches. He has guided the Nittany
Lions to two national championships and five undefeated seasons.
With a postseason record of 23-10-1, Paterno is the all-time
leader in bowl appearances (34) and victories.
"This is right at the top, if not the top," said Paterno, who
owns a career mark of 372-125-3. "I feel good about it. My
kids and everybody have been excited about it. It's been a good
thing for Penn State."
Paterno was enshrined along with 16 former players, including
1984 Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie of Boston College and
1990 Lombardi Award winner Chris Zorich of Notre Dame. Also in
the class are former Minnesota Viking star receiver Ahmad
Rashad, who played at Oregon as Bobby Moore from 1969-71, and
1989 Maxwell Award winner Anthony Thompson of Indiana.
|
|
Print
E-mail
Del.icio.us
Digg
