Students at Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus continue to show their support for their long-time football coach, even though they are two hours away from State College.
In the student center at the Wilkes-Barre campus, Casey Dawes signed a large poster filled with thoughts and messages about Joe Paterno.
"A lot of people don`t understand things he`s done in his lifetime. He donated not just to the football team, but also to the library. He`s putting students first making sure they are keeping up on their studies," said Dawes.
Casey and his friend, Louis, said they hope to be at the Penn State campus Thursday for the public memorial service.
"I`ve been a Joe Paterno fan since I was a kid, since my first Penn State football game and I`ve been a fan. That`s the reason why I came to Penn State. The first time I was there I said I want to go to this school," said Louis Rios.
Student Greg Cooper calls JoePa a role model.
"Losing a coach or losing a mentor it takes a lot of toll on people. I lost my father at a young age. It`s hard losing a mentor, losing a coach, a father, a best friend, a role model," said Cooper.
JoePa`s public memorial service will also be broadcast Thursday at Penn State`s Wilkes-Barre campus inside the auditorium at the science center. Students who can`t make it to State College said they will be here, watching and mourning.
"Penn State to me is like one name. It`s one name, one brand. We are all in it together. We might be a satellite campus, but we are together as one," added Cooper.
The public memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. on Thursday and will be broadcast live on WNEP-TV and WNEP.com.