Don't lose sight of the fact that most 17 or 18 yo's aren't making life changing decisions in a vacuum, and that the groundwork laid by Joe is still very relevant to their parents' generation, albeit diminishing as time goes on. The parents of the current team in most cases probably still associate PSU w/Joe moreso than PSU w/Franklin. Plus there are the legacy kids like Rucci, Chizmar, Lavar II, etc. with a direct lineage to Joe.
In another 10 years that association may change. But I'd hazard a guess that at least some of the current team are here because of the guy with the thick glasses.
The legacy was so strong that Rucci thumbed his nose at PSU. He returned when he couldn't see the field at Wisconsin. It is difficult to speculate what might be a parent's contribution to their 4 star off spring's decision might be. I seriously doubt Joe's achievements have anything to do with today's decision. No one would deny that Joe made the program one of the top 8-12 in the nation. But the wins and the losses are history. No one likes history anymore. We seem to insist on attributing our experiences and value systems to 19 year old athletes whose primary goal is to play in the NFL someday. Every program that recruits them has something to sell. Texas, LSU, Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, USC, Notre Dame, Oregon, Nebraska, Georgia....you are a 4 or 5 star recruit with offers to each. You choose Penn State because of Joe Paterno? Come on man.
I became a PSU fan because I grew up in the coal regions of Pa. After following PSU, I admired the way Joe ran the program and there was of course all that winning. My high school coach was on Joe's staff so my boys grew up watching PSU and spending time at spring practice. So they are indoctrinated. My granddaughter on the other hand will have no idea about Joe Paterno. To her, he will be just a name.
