Paterno Award makes classy organization even classier

The Philadelphia-based Maxwell Football Club does things in a first-class manner.

Attend any of the MFC's events and that's readily apparent. There's a very good reason why they have been around for 73 years -- they do things right.

But the organization's announcement in Atlantic City on Friday that it is adding the Joseph V. Paterno Award certainly added to the MFC's stature.

Even people who don't root for Penn State have to respect what Paterno has meant to the game and honor his example in trying to produce outstanding people, and not just outstanding football players.

And this award, set to be presented for at least the next 25 years, will reflect Paterno's noble intentions because it's not just going to honor the winningest coach, but honor the person who is deemed to be doing it in the right way.

"We've considered the Maxwell Club as a family member for a long time," said Scott Paterno, one of Joe's five children. "Growing up, there was a natural connection between Philadelphia, the club, and Penn State. So, this is a natural fit. It's great for us as a family to have some place to house the award which understands the criteria we really want to put forth.

"The criteria was the driving force. We want this award to preserve the values that my father at least tried to bring to the game. That's the difference between this and the average coach-of-the-award. We don't want to disparage any other award. But this one is designed to look at the total package and what a coach is bringing to the community. We want an award established that is really going to be coveted by coaches."

I asked Scott if he thought Joe would come to Atlantic City to make the first presentation next March.

"We'll see," Scott said, laughing. "We may be able to drag him here. He may not want to do the presentation because he may be mad at the guy who won, you never know. Joe will never bear a grudge in public, but he may bear one privately if he loses a game."

JoePa bitter? Nah, never.

"We're absolutely ecstatic to add the Paterno Award to what we do here with the Maxwell Club," said Rich Cirminiello, a member of the Maxwell Club committee. "We don't want this to be a garden variety coach-of-the-year award. We really want it to do a service for the legacy of Joe Paterno and salute all of the various aspects of his coaching career.

"This award will have the mantra of 'the pursuit of excellence doesn't stop on Saturday'. It's going to be for the guy who is not only successful on the field, but also somebody who is making the greatest impact off it. Graduation rates, community impact, support for the athletes who aren't going on to play in the NFL ...all of these things will be taken into account. This is something we're very serious about. Venerable coach joining with venerable club should make for the perfect marriage."

The award came about in a span of about six months.

A committee will be put together to make the selection.

"This is not for the greater glorification of Joe," Scott Paterno said. "It really is about taking a look at the guys who are doing more than just winning games on Saturdays. When we told Joe about it and I told him I was going to Atlantic City to announce it, he said 'Don't make me out to be a saint' and I said 'That's your daughters' job. I am your son'."

The Maxwell Club will still give out a College Coach of the Year award which this year went to Gary Patterson of TCU.

From Keith Groller