Paterno campus services cost $29,000; police costs of $6,000 covered by PSU

The line of people waiting to pay their respect in front of the casket of Joe Paterno. The casket is flanked by former and current football players changing throughout the day. The public viewing for Joe Paterno is being held at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center on the Penn State University campus in State College, Pa., January 24, 2012. Centre Daily Times/Nabil K. Mark

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STATE COLLEGE — Penn State officials said it cost about $29,000 to hold the viewings and services on campus for the late former football coach Joe Paterno.

Athletic department spokesman Jeff Nelson wrote in an email Tuesday that $6,000 in campus police costs will be covered by the university. He said the rest of the cost will be paid by the athletic director’s discretionary fund.

Officials have said that the athletic department relies mainly on revenues from football and does not receive tuition dollars or state appropriations.

Thousands attended the viewings, funeral and public memorial service for Paterno, who died Jan. 22. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in November, days after being dismissed as coach in the aftermath of child sex abuse charges against a retired assistant coach.

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