A couple of weeks ago I bumped into Barry Fenchak in downtown State College and we chatted for a few moments about the election and the impending ESPN hatchet job that was about to take place. I asked Barry what he would do about Joe's legacy, including the statue and success with honor? Barry had a lot of ideas that we discussed and he said that many others had been asking similar questions and he'd post his position. Well, I was just out on his Facebook account and below is his response. I'd like the other candidates to give positions on this subject as well.
Of particular timeliness, I think, in light of the upcoming ESPN stories:
I have been asked: "What about the statue?", and I think that is a good question, that merits a meaningful response.
If we are talking about the physical statue specifically, I have the same questions. Barb Doran, Bill Oldsey, and Ted Brown - who are currently asking to be re-elected - should, I think, know the answers. They have been on the Board since 2013, and have had every opportunity to get those answers.
I have deferred, and will continue to defer, to the Paterno family on this issue. Sue Paterno settled a lawsuit with the University a few years ago. Whether the issue of the statue was a part of that, I do not know.
If the alumni elect me to a seat on the Board I will offer to meet with the Paterno family (Jay is, of course, on the Board) to offer my assistance - in whatever way they deem to be appropriate. I think that is the right thing to do. But it has to be their call.
Now, I actually think that this issue goes much broader than the physical statue itself - if we are talking about honoring and respecting the legacy of the idea we refer to as "Success with Honor".
The entire legacy of PSU Athletics - Success with Honor, The Grand Experiment, whatever terms you want to use - wherein PSU Football changed the paradigm of what college athletics could be all about. That was, of course, led by Joe Paterno - but also involved the efforts of hundreds of student-athletes, coaches, fans, administrators, alums, etc etc.
In many ways, the Board of Trustees (and, to a lesser extent, the Administration) has tried to erase that legacy That is wrong - to all of the people involved. And to many of the alumni, fans, boosters, and others who take pride in that legacy, it remains - rightfully - an open wound.
That needs to be addressed... and should have been addressed years and years ago. Why it hasn't been? I don't know. But as that issue has festered, unresolved, for years and years, it is incumbent upon the Board (and me individually as a member of the Board) to rectify that situation.
I believe I have ideas - in conjunction with what has been done by some of the Trustees in the past - that will help to achieve these goals. Again, it is the right thing to do.
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Of particular timeliness, I think, in light of the upcoming ESPN stories:
I have been asked: "What about the statue?", and I think that is a good question, that merits a meaningful response.
If we are talking about the physical statue specifically, I have the same questions. Barb Doran, Bill Oldsey, and Ted Brown - who are currently asking to be re-elected - should, I think, know the answers. They have been on the Board since 2013, and have had every opportunity to get those answers.
I have deferred, and will continue to defer, to the Paterno family on this issue. Sue Paterno settled a lawsuit with the University a few years ago. Whether the issue of the statue was a part of that, I do not know.
If the alumni elect me to a seat on the Board I will offer to meet with the Paterno family (Jay is, of course, on the Board) to offer my assistance - in whatever way they deem to be appropriate. I think that is the right thing to do. But it has to be their call.
Now, I actually think that this issue goes much broader than the physical statue itself - if we are talking about honoring and respecting the legacy of the idea we refer to as "Success with Honor".
The entire legacy of PSU Athletics - Success with Honor, The Grand Experiment, whatever terms you want to use - wherein PSU Football changed the paradigm of what college athletics could be all about. That was, of course, led by Joe Paterno - but also involved the efforts of hundreds of student-athletes, coaches, fans, administrators, alums, etc etc.
In many ways, the Board of Trustees (and, to a lesser extent, the Administration) has tried to erase that legacy That is wrong - to all of the people involved. And to many of the alumni, fans, boosters, and others who take pride in that legacy, it remains - rightfully - an open wound.
That needs to be addressed... and should have been addressed years and years ago. Why it hasn't been? I don't know. But as that issue has festered, unresolved, for years and years, it is incumbent upon the Board (and me individually as a member of the Board) to rectify that situation.
I believe I have ideas - in conjunction with what has been done by some of the Trustees in the past - that will help to achieve these goals. Again, it is the right thing to do.
Barry Fenchak for Trustee
Barry Fenchak for Trustee, State College, Pennsylvania. 198 likes · 2 talking about this. 2022 Penn State Board of Trustees Alumni trustee candidate. Barry J Fenchak 1984 Engineering. Request a...
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