I was once a Penn State football prospect, recruited by Joe Paterno in 1952. What made this a departure was that I had already been injured, and Penn State’s offer was made knowing that. Perhaps the fact I had been an all-WPIAL selection prompted Paterno and Rip Engle to take a chance.

As things worked out the knee did not hold up and one young dream ended. What did not end was the continuation of my scholarship and Paterno’s friendship. Graduation came in 1956. Because Paterno had given me a chance for a university education, life has turned out well for me.

After 31 years away from State College I returned in 1987 and resumed an occasional visit with Paterno, with him always positively urging me on.

Now it’s been 60 years of knowing a good deal about him, and I feel deeply that Penn State and its trustees have let him down in the most unkind ways imaginable.

Paterno deserves better — much better. For me, that is the replacement of the entire 32 trustees. If we want to start with a clean slate, let’s clean the slate. Fight on State; clean the slate!

Walton Cook Boalsburg