A description on one side of a wall reads, "Educator, Coach, Humanitarian."
On the other side, there is a quote: "They ask me what I'd like written about me when I'm gone. I hope they write I made Penn State a better place, not just that I was a good football coach."
Amid a sex abuse scandal that has rocked his beloved football team, university and community, Paterno, 84, said Wednesday he will retire at the end of the season and that he was "devastated" by developments in the case against his former assistant. Defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky has been charged with sexually abusing eight children — and questions remain about how Paterno and his superiors handled at least one of the cases.
Athletics director Tim Curley and senior vice president Gary Schultz also were arrested on charges of perjury and failing to report what they knew about Sandusky's abuse.
"This is a tragedy," Paterno said in a statement. "It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more."
"I have come to work every day for the last 61 years with one clear goal in mind: to serve the best interests of this university and the young men who have been entrusted to my care," he said. "I have the same goal today."
The Penn State community was hurting Wednesday.
Players were in shock. "Crazy how twitter knew before the squad did," Running back Silas Redd tweeted.
When Paterno did meet with the team Wednesday morning it was heartbreaking.
"Joe was just crying. He was very depressed," said cornerback Stephon Morris, a junior. "I've never seen a coach act that way. I've never seen a coach get that down."
Fans have rallied behind Paterno, showing up at his house Tuesday night to show their support and ask him to stay.
Others were outraged, mobbing the Old Main building Tuesday where university President Graham Spanier held a teleconference with the Board of Trustees. The board issued a statement saying it is "outraged by the horrifying details" contained in a grand jury report charging that Sandusky abused eight children.
The board promised to "take swift, decisive action." Some students say that's not enough. On Wednesday Spanier's job appeared to be jeopardy.
"The president hasn't come out and addressed the students," said Alex Braunbeck, 22, a senior from Hughesville, Pa. "Essentially it just seems like he's gone into hiding."
The university newspaper, The Daily Collegian, reported that Michael Pilato, who painted the prominent mural on Hiester Street featuring Paterno and Sandusky, had begun the task Wednesday of painting over Sandusky.
"My goals now are to keep my commitments to my players and staff and finish the season with dignity and determination," Paterno said in his statement. "And then I will spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to help this university."
Penn State safety Drew Astorino was at the team meeting with Paterno at 11 a.m. ET when news of his retirement was disclosed. A fifth-year senior, he will play his last home game Saturday. The No. 12 Nittany Lions will face No. 17 Nebraska on Saturday in what will be Paterno's final home game.
"It's been a pretty tough time for everybody at Penn State, and it's a tough thing to deal with," he said. "I think myself and the team are handling it well, but we're always thinking of the victims and their families."
Astorino said the team found out about the pending retirement about 15 minutes before the meeting began, getting information from ESPN, the Internet and social media.
"Everybody was visibly upset," he said. "He's been here a long time, and it was tough to hear. Everybody was very emotional and upset.
"It's been a rumor mill around here for three days, and it's been hard to determine what's fact and what's fiction. But sure, there was an element of shock. I don't think anybody knew what would happen," he said. "He told us he put in a letter of resignation and he thinks that it would be better for Penn State and his family and everybody.
"He reminded us that we'll be a team for the rest of our lives, and he wants us to remember that."
Offensive lineman Chima Okoli, on a teleconference call, described the mood as somber when Paterno talked to the team.
"We know we have to come together, and this is going to do that," he said "This is our team … This isn't the end of our season."
Astorino said the 125 players on the team want to stick together and he believes they can overcome all the distractions and play well Saturday.
"Practice has almost been a relief," he said. "It's just us out there, and we're away from everything else."
Former Penn State receiver Rich Mauti has sent more than 800 e-mails to former Nittany Lions to encourage them to stand on the sideline and show support for Paterno on Saturday.
Mauti says he wants the Nittany Lions to show solidarity for this year's team and former players and coaches who have done nothing wrong. Mauti says he's not minimizing the sex-abuse scandal and possible coverup centered on former assistant and onetime heir apparent Jerry Sandusky.
"I'm not condoning any activities that have been alleged. That's not the purpose," Mauti said. "I'm trying to get everyone that has been through that program, that has had a positive experience, to support the kids and the program and the school at this juncture."
Pennsylvania authorities braced Wednesday for additional alleged victims to come forward.
Nearly half of the 16 regional offices of the Pennsylvania State Police are investigating allegations of abuse that led to the arrest of Sandusky.
Since the allegations were made public last week, police have fielded streams of calls from the public offering possible information related to fast-developing inquiry.
"We have committed significant resources … to meet the needs of the investigation," Sgt. Anthony Manetta said.
Manetta characterized the inquiry as "very labor-intensive" for investigators vetting the information provided by the public.
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