Athletics

Paterno's iconic eyeglasses available for bid at WPSU online auction

University Park, Pa. -- An autographed pair of coach Joe Paterno's iconic dark-rimmed glasses will be awarded to the highest bidder as part of Penn State Public Broadcasting's 18th annual Connoisseur's Dinner and Auction on Feb. 20. This is the first pair of the coach’s glasses ever given to a charitable auction.

The online auction at http://wpsu.org/conndinner begins Feb. 1, and runs until noon on Feb. 17. The bidding will conclude in a live auction during the Connoisseur's Dinner. The highest online bidder for the spectacles may choose to set a maximum bid which will be proxy-bid by a WPSU representative during the live auction. Complete rules and regulations are available at the auction Web site.

Joe and Sue Paterno donated the eyeglasses to WPSU's Connoisseur's Dinner and Auction because they have been generous supporters of Penn State Public Broadcasting for many years.

Paterno has been wearing his signature spectacles since he began as head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lion Football Team in 1966. Since then, his vision for the Penn State football program has allowed him to become major college football's winningest coach with a record of 394-129-3.

His thick-lensed blinkers, along with his cuffed khaki pants and black sneakers are part of the trademark style of the legendary coach -- so much so that sports fans can't imagine Paterno presenting himself any other way.

In the past, WPSU has auctioned off additional Paterno sports memorabilia, including the coach's autographed khaki pants, white socks, sneakers and neckties from several Bowl games.

The 18th Annual Connoisseur's Dinner and Auction, hosted by PBS Master Chef Martin Yan, will celebrate the Chinese New Year with the savory flavors and essential textures of the Far East and also will support public broadcasting. This benefit dinner, which is sold out, will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Nittany Lion Inn on Penn State's University Park campus.

Penn State Public Broadcasting (PSPB) serves Central Pennsylvania with programming, educational services and community outreach. This public media service produces, acquires, and distributes programs that address local interests and reflect the diverse cultural, political, geographic and demographic characteristics of an audience within central Pennsylvania. For more information, visit http://www.wpsu.org/ online.

Coach Paterno's glasses are autographed on the right lens. Credit: Penn State Public BroadcastingAll Rights Reserved.

Last Updated November 18, 2010