Those interviewed expressed mixed feelings about the latest developments in the Penn State saga. See PHOTO GALLERY and take NEWS POLL.
With Joe Paterno's bronze statue being plucked from outside Beaver Stadium and
NCAA sanctions looming against Penn State's football program, Sunday marked a
trying day for residents with ties to the university.
Hellertown resident Peter Kurecian, a Penn State alum and Nittany Lions football season ticket-holder since the 1970s, said he spent much of the morning on the phone with friends and fellow alumni after news broke of the statue's removal.
"We don't see the reasoning," said Kurecian, a Freedom High School graduate. "How does taking down the statue help anything?"
Kurecian, however, said he acknowledges the statue has become "a lightning rod of controversy" for many.
"The administration had a decision to make," he said. "In my opinion, the statue was removed to placate the NCAA. We don't agree with it, but if that's what they needed to do to try to help with the NCAA penalties, I understand."
Penn State senior 21-year-old Kaila DeRienzo said she recognized the statue's removal was a possibility but was still upset by the decision.
"It's hard to deal with as a student," she said. "Basically, my thought is, you can take the statue away, but you can't take away his legacy. Over the past eight or nine months, it's just been overwhelming for us, one disaster after another."
DeRienzo said she does feel the statue needed to be moved, albeit for security reasons.
"It would've constantly been a target out there (by the stadium)," she said. "I think it'd be a lot better off in the All-Sports Museum or the Paterno library."
Kurecian echoed that sentiment, saying he hopes the statue will find a permanent home somewhere at Penn State.
"We'd like to be able to go 10 years from now and see the statue on campus," he said. "Joe Paterno did so much for the university."
Gene Haplea, of Clinton Township, whose son, Kevin Haplea, plays tight end for the Nittany Lions, said he isn't firmly on either side of the debate over the statue's removal but thinks "it's a sad circumstance that Penn State students have to deal with all this."
With the NCAA planning to announce sanctions against the football team this morning, both players and parents have been edgy, Gene Haplea said.
"I think everybody is anxious," he said. "It's a difficult time. As they say, waiting is the hardest part. But everyone just has to sit back and relax."