Current and former Penn State football players aren't the only ones throwing their names behind an effort to name the field at Beaver Stadium for the late Joe Paterno.

More than 57,000 people have signed a petition launched by a Schuylkill Valley High School student to name the field for Paterno. The stadium already is named — for James Addams Beaver, a Civil War hero, Pennsylvania governor and Penn State trustee.

My favorite photos of Penn State coach Joe Paterno, from 1998-2011 32 Gallery: My favorite photos of Penn State coach Joe Paterno, from 1998-2011

“I have the support of the entire Beaver family and now a handful of former PSU players, Daryll Clark, Adam Taliaferro and a few others,” student Blake Tobias Jr. said.

He even discussed it with Paterno's son Scott who, according to Tobias, said the Paterno family wouldn't object to the Paterno Field proposal.

Joe Paterno died of lung cancer Jan. 22 at 85, about two months after he was fired over child sexual assault allegations levied against one of his former assistant coaches. Paterno wasn't charged.

Tobias launched his petition within 24 hours of Paterno's death. He seeks 107,282 signatures to represent the number of seats in the stadium at University Park.

A university official said that none of the bids to honor Paterno would be considered until the completion of at least one investigation into allegations of sexual abuse of boys by former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Sandusky says he's innocent.



"We will wait to acknowledge Joe Paterno ... after Judge [and former FBI Director Louis] Freeh completes his independent investigation and his group's results and recommendations are released," spokeswoman Lisa Powers said.

Powers said the university expects to give Paterno’s legacy its due.

“At this time, we believe it is appropriate to recognize the legacy and historic contributions Mr. Paterno has made to Penn State University. The board of trustees will seek input from a wide array of university constituencies, in consultation with Coach Paterno’s family and others, on how his legacy will be acknowledged,” she said.

Powers said the university hasn’t compiled a list of suggestions. Rather, the university has fielded informal recommendations from individuals.

Among them are the Committee for Joe Paterno Field at Beaver Stadium, a effort Paterno’s death re-invigorated. It was started in 2009 by 1960 alumnus Warren Armstrong, who said that the group had expected the field to be named for Paterno on several occasions in recent years.

"I thought when Joe won his 400th game [Nov. 6, 2010] they would name the field after him that night," Armstrong said.

Tobias said he hopes to gather most of the remaining 50,000-plus signatures at the Blue and White game during the Blue-White Weekend April 20-22.

Armstrong hopes to have petitions with thousands of signatures ready for the trustees' meeting. He's taking signatures at www.wewantpaternofield.com.

Armstrong also is urging supporters to send letters and emails to Penn State President Rodney Erickson.

Armstrong said at least 75 percent of the 2,500 signatures he’s collected at games and reunions and the 4,000 online signatures supporting “Paterno Field” are university alumni.

Of those who have responded to his website, 1 percent have registered opposition, saying the field should remain unnamed.