University Park, Pa. — Penn State Public Broadcasting announced that Coach Joe Paterno’s necktie from his 400th career win was auctioned off for $10,200 at last weekend’s 19th Annual Connoisseur’s Dinner.
This year’s silent and live auctions raised more than $56,000 for Penn State Public Broadcasting. The annual fundraising dinner was held Saturday night at the Nittany Lion Inn.
Paterno wore the auctioned tie during the Nittany Lions’ historic 35-21 comeback win over Northwestern on Nov. 6 in Beaver Stadium. A Penn State football signed by Paterno and Penn State’s 1973 Heisman Trophy recipient, John Cappelletti, brought in $2,750 and a framed/autographed series of photos of Paterno through the years went for $3,000.
The Connoisseur’s Dinner has featured highly sought-after Paterno sports memorabilia over the years, including the coach’s autographed khaki pants, white socks, sneakers and neckties from several bowl games.
Penn State Public Broadcasting auctioned off Coach Paterno’s iconic glasses at the 2010 Connoisseur’s Dinner for $9,000 to a couple from the Baltimore area.
WPSU 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.
Entering his 46th season as head coach of the Nittany Lions, Paterno’s 401 career victories are a record among Football Bowl Subdivision coaches. He was among the first three active coaches inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and has more bowl wins (24) than any coach in college football history. Paterno has coached 78 first-team All-America selections, 16 National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athletes, 47 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and 18 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winners.
The Nittany Lions will begin spring practice in late March and the Blue-White Game Presented by AAA is set for April 16 in Beaver Stadium.