JoePa's Salary Controversy

Being a Penn State alumnus this news caught my interest. There's been an ongoing legal battle whether to make Joe Paterno's salary public information. The state Supreme Court (please hold your ridicule) has decided to review the case. I understand this isn't an earth shattering issue but it is of interest to the many PSU grads and should be to taxpayers. See, Penn State is a state related university, meaning it gets some (lower and lower as the years go on) of its funding from the state (ergo, taxpayers).

The argument is whether JoePa's salary (along with a few others) should be public information. Why not? He is, at least partially, a public employee. Regardless of the amount I doubt many Pennsylvanians are going to protest or begrudge the money this man earns. In my humble opinion he's deserving. In spite of the recent seasons that weren't so hot on the field he's brought dignity, tradition, recognition, and success to the University. And a few wins on the football field.

Even those of us who thought it was time for retirement recently I cannot dispute the man's value. His value as a man, a role model, a leader. No amount of money can properly compensate him for the work he's done over the years (and, heck, he was head coach when I began at PSU in 1970 so that's a LOT of years) with all the young men he's coached and the lives he's touched.

There's nothing to be risked making this info public. If anyone has a beef with his salary, tough.