Paterno Loses Name on Trophy
The Big Ten said the events occurring at Penn State University which led to the Paterno’s firing as coach Wednesday night prompted the decision to remove his name from the Stagg-Paterno Championship Trophy.
"We believe that it would be inappropriate to keep Joe Paterno's name on the trophy at this time," said Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany. "The trophy and its namesake are intended to be celebratory and aspirational, not controversial. We believe that it's important to keep the focus on the players and the teams that will be competing in the inaugural championship game."
The Big Ten will hold its first ever conference championship game on Dec. 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Paterno, the most successful coach in college football, was fired last week over allegations he did not do enough about child abuse allegations against Sandusky, who faces 40 criminal charges.
The trophy was to be called the Stagg-Paterno Trophy to honor Paterno and Amos Alonzo Stagg, the coach of the University of Chicago when it was a founding member of the Big Ten. Amos Alonzo Stagg won 319 games in 57 years, most at the University of Chicago. Paterno's 409 wins are the most by a major college coach.
The trophy will now be renamed the Stagg Championship Trophy.
President Barack Obama spoke out about the sexual abuse scandal at Penn State Sunday. Obama said the events that occurred have an important message for institutions far beyond college sports: that protecting children is more important than shielding institutions.
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