The statue of late Penn State coach Joe Paterno stands outside Beaver Stadium on the State College campus./USA TODAY
By Audrey Snyder and Jessica Tully, USA TODAY
The tent-city tradition for Penn State students will undergo a change as members of Paternoville voted Monday to remove former head coach Joe Paterno's from the student-run organization's name.
In wake of the release of Louis Freeh's report on the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal the student organization and its board decided it was time to officially change the name to "Nittanyville."
"This is a decision undertaken by and made solely by the Penn State student officers," said president Troy Weller, a senior. "Students will continue camping out this season to get the best seats in the first-come, first-served students section."
The name Paternoville arose in the 2005 season as students camped out for six days in anticipation of getting the best seats for a clash between the Nittany Lions and Ohio State. Though students camped out long before that, the tradition had grown in recent years as players, assistant coaches and even Paterno occasionally joined the rallies outside of Gate A at Beaver Stadium.
More than 700 students camped out before last season's Nebraska game, the first after Paterno was fired in November.
The organization's decision came a day after the Board of Trustees and school administration released a statement saying they haven't decided what to do with the bronze statue of Paterno outside the stadium.
Penn State President Rodney Erickson emailed a message to students, faculty and staff Monday morning reiterating the need in the coming weeks and months to make decisions with careful thought that "involve individuals and practices deeply woven into the fabric of our community."