The Penn Stater Magazine

For Sale (Really): Joe Paterno’s Glasses

January 27, 2010 at 4:09 pm Lori Shontz 3 comments

So you’ve got your blue-and-white replica jersey. Some sweatshirts or T-shirts from various bowl games. Something with a football player’s autograph—a program, or perhaps a football or helmet. Maybe even a Stand-Up Joe. So what other Penn State football memorabilia could you possibly need?

How about Joe Paterno’s eyeglasses?

Turns out, they’re available. Joe and Sue Paterno, long-time supporters of Penn State Public Broadcasting, have donated a pair of Joe’s trademark glasses to be auctioned off at the 18th annual Connoisseur’s Dinner and Auction. All proceeds benefit WPSU, which has had a rough year. And Joe even autographed the glasses—right across the prescription lens.

You’ll need to open your checkbook; the previous items Paterno donated to the auction didn’t go cheap. In 2006, the winning bid for the tie he wore in the Orange Bowl was $2,500. In 2007, he donated two pairs of socks, and each one went for $1,050. A pair of shoes brought $1,350 in 2008, and last year, a framed pair of autographed, khaki pants went for $3,100.

In the past (and for the rest of this auction), you need to attend the dinner to bid. But for this unique item, bidding will be opened up nationwide. Bidding on the WPSU Web site will run Feb. 1 through noon on Feb. 17, and the winner will be able to determine a maximum amount for a proxy bid at the dinner, Feb. 20.

To bid on any of the other items, you need to attend the dinner. (You can find details on tickets and other information here.) But there’s something there that could be of interest for more thrifty Penn State fans—the tie Paterno wore for the Capital One Bowl, autographed.

Lori Shontz, senior editor

Entry filed under: Joe Paterno. Tags: eyeglasses, Joe Paterno, WPSU.