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Kupsky receives Harry W. Wilson Memorial Award

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Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic to open season with Beethoven

<p>In what will be the university&#8217;s first public honoring of Joe Paterno in four years, Penn State &#8220;will focus on the commitment he had to student-athletes and academics&#8221; while recognizing the 50th anniversary of his first game as head coach on Saturday.</p><p>The Nittany Lions play Temple at noon Saturday at Beaver Stadium and members of the 1966 team will be in attendance, including co-captains Mike Irwin and John Runnells, who will participate in the coin toss.</p><p>On Thursday, Penn State athletic director Sandy Barbour gave the first details of the event, which was first announced two weeks ago as part of the school&#8217;s promotional calendar for 2016 home games.</p><p>&#8220;Coach Paterno wanted academic success not only for his players but also for every student who came through Penn State,&#8221; Barbour said in a statement. &#8220;Together with his wife, Sue, they helped countless students become leaders and earn a Penn State diploma.</p><p>&#8220;Our plans are consistent with the wishes of the Paterno family as well, with a focus on the players and their accomplishments at Penn State and beyond.&#8221;</p><p>Film from the Lions&#8217; Sept. 17, 1966, win over Maryland will also be shown during the afternoon.</p><p>A separate event not affiliated with the university will be held Friday evening as the Paterno family and former Penn State lettermen will hold a reunion at Medlar Field, the baseball stadium adjacent to Beaver Stadium.</p><p>That gathering will also serve as a fundraiser for a scholarship for Penn State athletes to attend graduate school.</p><p>&#8220;While we are pleased they have acknowledged Joe&#8217;s contributions, we communicated to the administration that we would like the focus for (Saturday&#8217;s) event to remain on the players,&#8221; Sue Paterno said in a statement.</p><p>&#8220;The university has confirmed that this is their plan, and we commend them for their approach.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Penn State announced that Saturday&#8217;s recognition of Joe Paterno&#8217;s 50th anniversary as head coach would focus on the players of his 1966 team, such as Bill Lenkaitis (center), who died last month. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_AP_16242495042045201691515435240-2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Penn State announced that Saturday&#8217;s recognition of Joe Paterno&#8217;s 50th anniversary as head coach would focus on the players of his 1966 team, such as Bill Lenkaitis (center), who died last month. </caption0><photoCredit0>John Duricka | AP file photo </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Derek Levarse</p><p>dlevarse@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Derek Levarse at 570-991-6396 or on Twitter @TLdlevarse</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Penn State: Paterno’s 50th anniversary Saturday will focus on his players