Joseph V. Paterno graduated from Brown in 1950, and has been honored over the years for his accomplishments as a student-athlete and his career in athletics. In light of the outcome of the Sandusky trial and the findings of the Freeh Report, the University has been reviewing these tributes to take appropriate action.

Since 1991, the Department of Athletics and Physical Education has presented an award to the year's outstanding male freshman athlete. In 1993 the Department of Athletics and Physical Education renamed the award to honor Joe Paterno. In the spring of 2012, the Department of Athletics presented the award as it was originally created, honoring the year's outstanding male freshman athlete without Joe Paterno's name attached. The director of Athletics has now recommended and the University has approved the decision to remove permanently the Paterno name from the award. Past recipients will be informed of the decision to eliminate the name from the award.

Joe Paterno was inducted into the Brown Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977. Paterno’s status is being reviewed by members of the Hall of Fame Board of Directors.

The Howard D. Williams ’17/Joseph V. Paterno ’50 football coaching chair was eliminated earlier this year due to issues that predated the Penn State matter.