Hopatcong Principal: Paterno Left Legacy

principal Lou Benfatti still winces at the sordid news swirling around Penn State University.

It hurts the former Nittany Lions defensive lineman to think about the child molestation charges filed in November against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, which led to the late-season firing of longtime head coach Joe Paterno, who knew about the allegations but didn't notify police.

"it's just shocking," Benfatti said. "The whole situation is sad for the victims and for all that it brought on. My mind can't wrap around it and it's still just disturbing and sad."

But traveling to the public viewing for Paterno, who died Sunday at age 85, at State College, Pa., was still a no-brainer for Benfatti. The three-year New York Jets defensive lineman still holds a special place in his heart for Paterno, a two-time national champion and all-time Division I wins leader (409).

"He was such a great guy," said Benfatti, who made the trip with his brother, David, a former Penn State linebacker. "He left such a great legacy for us. He's going to be missed."

Paterno's academics-first approach convinced Benfatti to attend Penn State when Paterno sat in the Morris Knolls High School star's living room in 1989. Benfatti said Paterno still told his players to finish homework before studying football film.

Benfatti said he tries to instill Paterno's values in students every day at the middle school.

"I try and translate that into this school," he said. "I want kids to come into this school and do their best. To translate their effort into excellence."

Benfatti said he had many memories of Paterno, but one stuck out in particular.

Paterno got into the habit of calling Benfatti "Luigi" during his freshman season, a nickname which stuck throughout college. During one practice, Benfatti remembered watching Paterno yell "Luigi" and  sprint across the field to shove the 6-foot-4 lineman just a few inches to the side during goal line drills.

"He was hands on and real personable," Benfatti said.

At the viewing, Benfatti had a chance to speak many former football players and with Jay, Paterno's son and longtime quarterbacks coach. Benfatti played with Jay Paterno.

Benfatti said he told Jay Paterno: "As a coach, as a leader, as a second father figure when I was up there, he was a man I greatly respected and learned a lot from."

"Lou, we all have," Jay Paterno said.