It took less than an hour.
Right after the distribution of free tickets for the public Joe Paterno memorial service was complete Tuesday morning, some tickets began appearing for sale via eBay.
Listed prices took off, fast rising into the hundreds and thousands of dollars.
Penn State President Rodney Erickson caught wind of the development. In early-afternoon remarks before the university Faculty Senate, he briskly denounced the apparent profiteering.
“I can’t tell you how reprehensible I find those kinds of actions,” Erickson told the group. “We have tried to do everything within our power to stop that. But there are certain legal limitations on what we are allowed to do.”
(According to TMZ.com, eBay itself took steps to pull Paterno-memorial-ticket listings.)
For those who have profited from selling the tickets, Erickson had this message:
Look deeply into your heart and donate any profits to the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania or the Penn State Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.
Those are the two organizations to which the Paterno family has asked that memorial contributions be sent.
Erickson’s comments marked some of his first public statements since Paterno died Sunday morning at age 85. He opened his remarks before the Faculty Senate with a tribute to the late former football coach, saying Paterno will always be remembered for his “Grand Experiment.”
That was Paterno’s effort to meld excellence in both academics and athletics.
Senate Chairman Dan Hagen also opened his meeting comments Tuesday with a tribute to Paterno, recalling the coach’s statements in senate sessions over the years. Hagen led a moment of silence to recognize Paterno’s legacy.
Paterno was not only an educator and coach, but also a humanitarian, Hagen said.
Among other developments at the senate meeting:
- Asked if the public memorial service for Paterno, scheduled for Thursday in the Bryce Jordan Center, could be held in Beaver Stadium instead, Erickson noted that the football stadium “has a lot of snow in it.”
And “the Paterno family felt it was most appropriate to hold it in the Bryce Jordan Center, for the comfort of everyone involved,” Erickson said.
He underscored that the Big Ten Network will have live coverage of the memorial service, including online.
- Erickson reminded faculty members that the administration has asked them to be flexible about classes on Thursday, when the public memorial service will be held at 2 p.m.
- New university board Chairwoman Karen Peetz and Vice Chairman Keith Masser had planned to appear Tuesday before the Faculty Senate, but that has been postponed due to Paterno’s death, Erickson said. He said the board leaders plan to attend the senate’s next full meeting in March.
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